What to do in Brussels, capital of Belgium?

Europe is a fascinating continent, with a rich and differentiated culture in all its regions, and it is possible to notice visibly the difference in customs and traditions - besides each country having its own unique structure that characterizes its territory.

The sights, then, are many! One place you should visit and enjoy on vacation is the city of Brussels in Belgium. It is one of the most important European cities, so much so that it is considered the "Capital of Europe", since most of the institutional headquarters of the European Union are located there.

With a mixed culture and several places to visit, this is a destination that should definitely be on your travel itinerary. With that in mind, Happy Tours has separated what sights you should check out, where to stay, and what to eat when you go there!

1. Visit the Grote Markt, or Grand-Place

These are clusters of buildings, built in the Gothic style, always bringing that air of mystery when you pass by - especially on rainy days!

These buildings are: Hotel de Ville, the Brussels City Hall, the Maison du Roi (King's House) and the house that Victor Hugo lived in during his exile from France, Le Pigeon.

In addition, these buildings are considered by UNESCO for their "Outstanding Universal Value". Also, every two years the square is covered with flowers, forming a carpet and bringing a lot of brightness and magic. And of course you can't miss the city tour from this spot.

2. Manneken Pis, a hot spot

This is one of the points that most attract tourists' attention, the Manneken Pis is a bronze statue with a boy on top - peeing - that's right!

It is a very famous monument that tourists seek to take a picture of, but that is super worth the visit. The interesting thing about it is that its clothes change every day, so you don't know what it will be wearing, and it can be normal clothes or as a tribute to some event, both national and international.

The origin of this statue comes from a legend. During a siege of enemies he had in the city, a boy found a smoking wick connected with a mile of gunpowder, so he had the idea to pee on the wick, putting out the flame and saving the city!

3. Jeanneke Pis, the peeing girl

Certainly, when we talk about Brussels we remember children peeing. This is a less frequented, but still famous, spot!

She is in a little frequented alley, in front of the very well known "Bar Deliruim"! So when you go to the bar, it doesn't hurt to stop by and see it too. Besides, she is considered the younger sister of Manneken Pis.

4. Visit the Royal Saint Hubert Gallery

With a unique and glamorous design, this gallery has marble details on the walls, and a glass ceiling that illuminates the entire environment during the day. In it you will find many famous stores, mainly designer labels, in one place.

In addition, there are other stores selling chocolates, exactly, Belgian chocolate! The best thing? You can taste as many as you like before you make your purchase, choosing your favorite.

5. Magritte Museum, the greatest of surrealism

The museum houses the largest collection of works of art by René Magritte, the surrealist artist. Because it is a less crowded museum, you are able to stay longer and take the time to marvel at all his works, falling in love with each one.

Having the most important collection of the artist, during his "vache" period. There you will find many paintings, sculptures, painted objects and drawings. This is a great option to learn more about art.

If you are an art lover, be sure to check out our guide to the museums to visit in Europe.

6. Mont des Arts, an amazing place

This point is a little further away from the city center, it is a mixture of park and square, with beautiful gardens and many trees. This point is higher compared to the city, so you will enjoy a beautiful view, especially at the beginning and end of the day.

7. Brussels Comic Murals

Throughout the city you can find large murals with cartoons, such as of Tintin, Asterix, Guust Flater and many others. There are about 30 of these works that you can witness while walking around. So be sure to take pictures when you pass by one, creating another amazing souvenir of the city!

If you want more European travel tips, check out the sights of Paris and what to see in the City of Light.

What are the typical foods of Brussels? What to try?

French fries, waffles and chocolates! These are some of the foods you must eat when you go to Brussels - especially the famous French fries. And there are many places to eat them, both in kiosks on the streets of Brussels and indoors.

Friterie du Miroir;
Fritland;
Chez Clémentine;
Frit'Flagey;
Chez Fernan;
Friterie de la Barrière.

The waffles are also delicious, and the best part: they are cheap and have lots of toppings! And, of course, as we mentioned above, the chocolates, they are super tasty, creamy and with the most diverse intensities.

Remember we talked about a bar up there? Well, going out for a drink at Bar Deliruim is a great option, joining the visit to Jeanneke Pis and enjoying a good beer (which are quite alcoholic) and the hospitality of the place, with live music and lots of nice people.

Where to stay in Brussels?

The options for lodging are great and the location is even better, most of them are in the city center, making it very easy to visit the tourist attractions and also to visit the restaurants there.

Check out some of the best regions for you to stay in:

Les Marolles: offers great lodging, with a very differentiated mix in its hotels, with a vast culture from parts of the continent;
Sablon: This is a much older part of the city, with cobblestone streets, many cafes, antique stores - and chocolate stores! This area is amazing, but a bit more expensive than the others, so prepare your pockets.
Louise Avenue: a more modern part of the city, with many upscale stores and restaurants, great for staying in more modern places. However, this region is further away from the places to visit.

Is it worth renting a car in Brussels?

Yes, with a car you can have a much quieter and faster ride, being able to leave at the time you need to, without worrying about the schedules of the subways, buses or electric streetcars - even if you wanted to have this experience, of course!

So if you need a car rental, count on Happy Tours! We have a rental network in several countries. Please note that we can only guarantee your reservation for the car category and not for a specific model.