See and Do in Brussels

The historical and beautiful city of Brussels is full of exciting attractions to explore, and chances are you’ll discover something new every day.

Expats wanting to get a feel for the city and its attractions should purchase the Brussels Card, which grants entrance to all of the city’s museums as well as transport on buses, trams and metros. It’s also a great way to familiarise yourself with the public transport system while getting your bearings in regards to landmarks and their surrounding districts. The hop-on hop-off buses are also great for those who prefer to be shown their new home.
 

Palais Royal
The original official residence of the Belgian Royal family, the Palais Royal stands magnificent as ever in front of Brussels Park and is used for official functions and ceremonies. Tours where visitors can enjoy the historical artefacts and art commissioned by the queen in 2002 are available during the summer months.
www.monarchie.be

Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art
The Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art is one of Brussels’ most popular attractions. Visitors can enjoy one of the finest collections of comic strip art, with particular attention paid to Hergé's Tintin, where off-beat humour, vivid colours and fabulous illustrations abound.
www.comicscenter.net/en/home
Tel: (0)2 219 1980

Galeries Royales Saint Hubert
Brussels is home to Europe’s very first shopping arcade and this noteworthy attraction is not to be missed. If the impressive and aesthetic architecture isn’t enough to dazzle you, peruse the shops, make a few purchases, and watch the world go by over a cup of coffee from one of the quaint arcade cafés.
Tel: (02) 512 2116

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
Anyone with a sweet tooth should head directly to the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate for a decadent day of fine Belgian chocolate. The museum is certainly a tasteful tribute to the country’s famed love of chocolate. You can even see the master chocolatier at work between the hours of 10am and 3pm from Tuesday to Friday, and don’t leave without sampinge his work!
www.mucc.be
Tel: (0)2 514 2048

Mannekin-pis
One of Brussels’ most noted attractions, the small Mannekin-pis statue is thought to represent the 'irreverent spirit' of Brussels. Depending on what time of year you happen to see the urinating urchin, he will be dressed in the season’s best.
 
The Atomium
The Atomium was built for the 1958 World Fair and is modelled on the intricate structure of the iron atom. Featuring nine spheres with constantly changing exhibitions, visitors can travel from sphere to sphere by means of escalator.
www.atomium.be
Tel: (0)2 475 4775
 
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
No resident of Brussels is a true resident until they’ve visited the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Expats who make the journey will have the opportunity to view one of the finest collections of Flemish art in the world by artists like van Dyck and Rubens.
www.fine-arts-museum.be
Tel: (0)2 508 3211

Grand Place (Central Square)
The Grand Place is frequented by locals and tourists alike, and is indeed deserving of some time. While away the afternoon admiring the wonderful architecture that surrounds the square, perusing the stalls that line the cobble stoned square, or watching the city go by while you enjoy a cup of coffee at a pavement café.
 
Hôtel de Ville
One of the finest buildings architecturally speaking in Brussels, the city hall survived some of the worst World War II bombings when nearly every other building on the Grand place was destroyed. Take a tour of this magnificent building and discover the art, architecture, tapestries and history that lay inside.

Royal Museum of Central Africa
The Royal Museum of Central Africa was initially founded to explore the relationship between the European colonial powers and the Belgian Congo. The institution features exhibits that broaden the focus to not only historical issues, but also to environmental issues and ethnography in Asia, Africa and South America.
www.africamuseum.be
Tel: (0)2 769 5211