From the Atomium and the Grand Place, to the Manneken-Pis and the Magritte Museum, Belgium's capital has many wonders on offer! Here are the must-sees in Brussels.
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To get you started, here are the must-see destinations in Brussels:
The Grand Place
The Grand Place is to Brussels what the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is to Paris. Grand and majestic, with its typical Brussels architecture, the Grand Place is a place for events and gatherings of all kinds…
Dare to climb the steps of the Town Hall tower and admire the panoramic view of the Belgian capital from the top. Leave the square via rue Charles Buls and stop at the Maison de l'Etoile. This is where you'll find the monument to Everard t'Serclaes, a mournful brass figure. According to legend, you should rub his arm while making a wish.
Manneken-Pis
Not far from the Grand Place, at the corner of Rue de l'Etuve and Rue du Chêne, you'll find Belgium's most famous little man: the Manneken-Pis. He’s tiny, but a must-see, given the hordes of tourists rushing to take a selfie with the statuette. Many stories and legends revolve around this statue, which is unique, to say the least.
The most likely of these stories: Godfrey III succeeded his father, the Duke of Lotharingia, when he was still a baby. Two vassals took up arms to dethrone the toddler. The troops fighting on his behalf asked to see him on the battlefield. At the moment of the Brussels victory, the child, who had been placed in a basket hung from a large oak tree, began to urinate. The gesture became a symbol of victory for the people of Brussels.
Atomium
The French have the Eiffel Tower, and the Belgians have the Atomium. Built by André and Jean Polak for the 1958 World’s Fair, the Atomium depicts an iron crystal that’s been magnified 156 billion times. You can climb inside, visit it and enjoy a panoramic view of the Belgian capital.
Magritte Museum, Bozar, and MIM
When it comes to art, Brussels is certainly not lacking. From comic strip circuits, to the Magritte Museum (our favourite) and Bozar, the city has a strong artistic culture. Head for the Koningsplein square.
There you’ll find the largest museum on the work and history of the famous painter, René Magritte. Right next door is Bozar (Palais des Beaux-Arts), home to a wide range of art exhibitions and events.
A must-see! If you cross the Koningsplein square, you'll come to the MIM, the Museum of Musical Instruments. Another of the city's must-sees, its Art Nouveau façade is magnificent…
The Royal Palace
Every kingdom has its palace, and Belgium is no exception. The Royal Palace is right in the centre of the Belgian capital.
Although you can't visit it, you can sit in the Brussels park opposite and admire the imposing building. Remember to look up... if the Belgian flag is flying atop the palace, it means that the king is in Belgium!
The Royal Galleries
In Belgium, there's a king and a queen, so there's a gallery for each one. They look the same, but with their gilding and Art Nouveau architecture, they're well worth a visit!
Opened in 1847, these galleries are steeped in history and are among the oldest in Europe.