Brussels Activities

While Brussels’ is known primarily as a city of history and culture, the city is also home to several top-notch attractions that will appeal to youngsters and family groups. A number of the museums are suitable for children and the city’s parks and lakes are perfect for picnicking and other recreational activities.

Bruparck
Undoubtedly one of Brussels’ most popular children’s attractions, Bruparck is located on the outskirts of the city, at Heysel. It is a massive attraction park, encompassing a 26-screen cinema, The Atomium, Mini-Europe, The Village restaurant complex and Océade water park – each unique attractions.

The Atomium
Built as a temporary structure to celebrate the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium is a gargantuan model of an oxygen atom, recreated at 165 billion times its original size. Kids will be awestruck at this space-age venue, with its multiple spheres, as well as by the unparalled views over the city offered from the top of it.

Mini Europe
Also housed within the Bruparck complex, Mini Europe is a bizarre collection of Europe’s highlight attractions – all in miniature scale. A quick walk around the complex takes you past perfect diminutives of the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis and the Leaning Tower of Pisa among others architectural wonders, while a nearby collection of themed restaurants cumulatively known as The Village offers refreshments.

The Océade
With slides, rides, pools, Jacuzzis and inner tubes, Océade water park offers endless opportunities for fun. While children are specially catered for with kiddie pools and small slides, there’s plenty of entertainment here for adults as well.

Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
Located in a side street close to the Grand-Place, the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art is a winning attraction for both children and adults alike. Housed in an old Art Nouveau building, the centre’s interior is a riot of colourful displays and exhibitions representing every comic book character imaginable, along with a library boasting a collection of over 30,000 books. 

Musée des Enfants
Situated near the Lake of Ixelles, the Children’s Museum is a superb institute of interactive learning, featuring visual displays, role-playing games and hands-on exhibits.

With scores of museums, art galleries and performance venues, and an abundance of superb architecture, Brussels is undoubtedly a city of culture, with much to offer the interested visitor. Days can be spent exploring Brussels’ historical and arts offerings, but should you only have a short time to spend in the city, be sure to at least include the following cultural highlights.

The Grand Place
The Grand-Place has long been the social and commercial centre of the city and it is known for its vibrant atmosphere and many fine restaurants as well as for its exceptional edifices. A series of lavishly decorated Gothic guild houses, the 13th century Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the elegant Maison du Roi provide plenty of eye candy for fans of historical architecture. 

It’s well worth taking a tour of the Town Hall’s interior, which contains a collection of ancient tapestries and artworks, housed in two separate exhibition spaces; the Musée de la Dynastie; and the Mémorial Roi Baudouin. At the Maison du Roi, interested visitors can take in exhibits at the City Museum including models of the city from the 13th to 18th centuries and the profuse and varied costumes that were used to dress the Manneken-Pis.

Musée Horta (Horta Museum)
The Horta Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of Belgium’s most respected sons – the architect Victor Horta, whose Art Nouveau structures are dotted across the city. The museum, which was once his home and studio, has been fantastically preserved and features an array of superb design features and a wealth of information pertaining to the architect’s life and works.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts
This is perhaps Brussels’ finest museum, comprising of two separate sections that house separate ancient and modern collections. The Musée d’Art Ancien showcases works by Flemish masters Brueghels and Van Dyck, and an array of lesser known artists, while the Musée d’Art Moderne includes paintings by Magritte and other Surrealists.

The Notre Dame du Sablon
This magnificent Gothic cathedral was first constructed as a simple chapel, but was later expanded after 1348, when it became home to a figure of the Mother Mary who was believed to have curative powers. Located on the Place du Grand Sablon, the church is surrounded by cluttered antiques shops and is best visited on weekends, when the square hosts an antiques and books market.

Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule
Although this no-frills cathedral may disappoint those enamoured with the lacy façades of Gothic worship places, the Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule is known as one of the best examples of a traditional Belgian church, with clean lines and perfectly proportioned interior spaces that create an elegant simplicity of form.

Kasteel Beersel
You won’t regret making the five-mile trip out to Kasteel Beersel, an imposing 13th century castle, complete with turrets, towers and an ancient drawbridge. In addition to its historical value, the castle encompasses an excellent restaurant, where visitors can enjoy a delicious meal in unique surroundings.

The Porte de Hal
Though nothing remains of the walls that surrounded Brussels in the Middle Ages, the 14th century Porte de Hal tower that stood at the city’s gateway is still standing. Open to the public and featuring exhibits on each level inside the tower, the Porte de Hal is an original medieval structure with high doors and crenulations.

With Belgium’s proximity to France and strong ties with French culture, it’s not surprising that Brussels offers some of the world’s finest cuisine. The city is studded with restaurants and cafés offering a wide array of five-star fare.

Unfortunately, the cost of eating and drinking out in Brussels generally matches the quality of the food, so travellers should be prepared to pay a handsome sum for a night out on the town. It is far more affordable to dine out at some of the low-key neighbourhood restaurants than at the smarter venues in the centre of the city, but if you are intent on dining at the cream of the culinary crop, it’s worth remembering that set menus usually work out to be more affordable than ordering individual dishes. Brussels is also home to plentiful top-notch Italian, Portuguese and Asian restaurants, which offer delicious meals at more reasonable prices than the average traditional eatery.

Belgium is well-known for its superb seafood, which is flown in fresh each day to the capital city for preparation at its many prestigious restaurants. Mussels are a must for seafood lovers; prepared in a variety of ways, they are unforgettably tasty and affordably priced when in season. Another local specialty is waterzooi, a thick, creamy soup prepared with either fish or chicken. To satisfy a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with mouth-watering Belgian waffles, served fragrantly fresh at cafés, bakeries and roadside stalls across the city. Alternatively, indulge in some silky Belgian bonbons, for which the country and Brussels in particular is known across the globe for. Exquisitely-crafted bonbons are made fresh every day by an assortment of famous chocolate makers and are the perfect end to a meal.

Most Belgian wines are perfectly decent and there are a number of outstanding local estates that produce wine worthy of accompanying the country’s fabulous cuisine. The nation’s proximity to several wine-making capitals of the world also ensures that there are plenty of high quality international wines to choose from in addition to Belgian blends. The nation is also serious about its beer and it is possible to enjoy ales infused with all kinds of flavours as well as beers specially brewed for the season.

Brussels’ offers infinite shopping opportunities at its many markets, designer stores, antique shops and comic book centres, with major shopping areas including the pedestrianised rue Neuve; the area around the Grand Place; Place du Grand Sablon; and Place du Jeu de Balle.  Avenue Louise is the city’s most luxurious shopping drag, often compared to Rodeo drive and the Champs Elysées. Those after a bargain should head to the Brussels Flea Market (Marché aux Puces) on Place du Jeu de Balle, where a kaleidoscopic assortment of goods is available at reasonable prices. Also, check out the shops around rue Blaes, rue Haute and the area between boulevard Lemonnier and the Grand Place, where second-hand shops, LP stores, clothes shops and comic book stores make for interesting browsing. 

At the upper end of the scale, the weekend antiques market at Place du Grand Sablon and the shops surrounding the square stock a vast number of antiquated treasures. Although prices tend to be high here and bargains hard to find, the high quality of items here attract many serious collectors as well as tourists who come to enjoy the vibrant ambience.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Grand Place is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious shopping malls, the Galeries St-Hubert. This stunning 19th century building, filled with cafés, theatres and designer stores, and crowned by a glistening glass roof, is a wonderful place to spend a day shopping or browsing.

While Brussels’ rainy climate does not lend itself to an extensive range of outdoor activities, active travellers should make the most of the gorgeous nearby Ardennes region, where hiking and cycling trails afford fabulous views of the scenic countryside.

Horseback riding
While visitors may not think such an activity is available in the city, the centrally located Terkameren woods provide the perfect place to go horseback riding and the popular Centre Equestre de la Cambre, a riding school situated on the edge of the woods, provides everything you need, from horses to equipment and instructors.

Skiing and Snowboarding
While some of Europe’s top ski resorts are within easily reachable distance from Brussels, it is also possible to get some practice in before hitting the slopes in the city itself. Anderlecht offers a real ski piste and equipment rentals; however, if it’s the lively après-ski you are looking for, head to one of the mountain resorts outside of Brussles.