Things to do in Brussels
Head to the Mont des Arts for historic city views and the main museums. A short walk brings you to the grandeur of the Grand'Place, and the nearby Manneken-Pis fountain of a peeing boy. Away from the centre, Brussels is full of hidden gems. The districts of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles are brimming with Art Nouveau architecture. Further north lie the Japanese Tower and the gleaming Atomium. Most museums are closed on Mondays.
Museums and Galleries
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1. Musical Instrument Museum - Museums and Galleries
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This wrought-iron and glass Art Nouveau building, designed by Victor Horta, is home to MIM, Brussels' musical instrument museum. Located off the Mont des Arts, the converted department store features 1000 world instruments on four floors, and a rooftop café.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€5
Opening hours
Tue-Fri 9.30am-5pm; Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Address
2, Montagne de la Cour, Brussels 1000
Telephone
+32 (0) 2545 0130
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2. Magritte Museum - Museums and Galleries
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Celebrated Surrealist painter René Magritte gets his very own museum. Located on Brussels' place Royale in an extension of the Fine Arts Museum complex, the Magritte Museum features hundreds of works set off by the latest technology.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€8; concessions €5; under 18s free
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (until 8pm Wed)
Address
3, rue de la Régence , Brussels 1000
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 508 32 11
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3. Museum van Buuren - Museums and Galleries
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David and Alice were passionate collectors who decorated their home in Art Deco style. Filled with artwork spanning five centuries, including Van Gogh sketches and a Bruegel, it is now a museum. Don't miss the garden with maze and sculptures.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€10 museum and garden; €5 garden only
Opening hours
Wed-Mon 2pm-5.30pm
Address
41, Avenue Léo Errera, Brussels 1180
Telephone
+32 (0) 2343 4851
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4. Horta Museum - Museums and Galleries
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Victor Horta is Belgium's most celebrated Art Nouveau architect. The Horta Museum in Châtelain is Horta's former home and studio, with a sinuous staircase inspired by vegetation, twisting metal with asymmetric patterns and carved details on the furniture.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€7
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 2pm-5.30pm
Address
25, rue Américaine, Saint-Gilles, Brussels 1060
Telephone
+32 (0) 2543 0490
Attractions
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5. Mini-Europe - Attractions
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Located at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe faithfully reproduces the cities and sights of Europe. Wander past the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, watch the gondolas go sailing by in Venice or witness the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€12.90
Opening hours
Mid-Mar-Jun & Sep 9.30am-6pm; Jul & Aug 9.30am-8pm; Oct-Dec 10am-6pm; closed Jan-mid-Mar
Address
Bruparck, Brussels 1020
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 478 0550
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6. European Parliament Complex - Attractions
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The European Commission and the Council of Ministers both have their seats in the European Quarter of Brussels. Visit the Parliament building and, during part-sessions, attend a parliamentary sitting of this political powerhouse and see democracy in action.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Audio-guided visits in various languages Mon-Thu 10am & 3pm; Fri 10am
Address
60, rue Wiertz, Brussels 1047
Telephone
+ 32 (0) 2 284 2111
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7. Grand'Place - Attractions
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Bursting with Gothic façades, the Grand'Place is one of Europe's largest city squares. Don't miss the gloriously asymmetric Town Hall and adorned guild houses. This is the historic heart of Brussels, with free concerts, cafés and a regular flower market.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Grand'Place, Brussels 1000
Transport
Gare Centrale, de Brouckère or Bourse metro
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8. Japanese Tower - Attractions
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Part of the Museums of the Far East, the Japanese Tower is set in the quiet commune of Laeken, home to the royal family. The kitsch pagoda features stained glass and a façade crafted in Yokohama, and is filled with Japanese porcelain.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€4; concessions €3
Opening hours
Tue-Fri 9.30am-5pm; Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Address
44, Avenue Van Praet, Brussels 1020
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 268 1608
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9. Manneken-Pis - Attractions
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This bizarre little statue of a peeing boy is the most popular tourist attraction in Brussels, just off the Grand'Place. Famously touted as a glorious example of Belgian humour and capacity for self-mockery, it is a true cultural icon.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
rue de l'Etuve, Brussels 1000
Transport
Gare Centrale metro
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10. Atomium - Attractions
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Halfway between design and architecture, the Atomium is a 102-metre-high representation of iron crystal molecules, designed for the 1958 World Fair. Reopened in 2006 after extensive renovations, it now illuminates Brussels' skyline at night. Try the panoramic gourmet restaurant.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€9; concessions €6-7; under 12s free
Opening hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Address
Atomium Square, Brussels 1020
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 475 4777
Special things to do
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11. Forêt de Soignes - Special things to do
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The Forêt de Soignes is Brussels' largest forest where you can walk, cycle, ride horses and even go fishing. The 60km Green Walk passes through the forest, taking in clearings, thickets and marshes.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily dusk-dawn
Address
Forêt de Soignes, Brussels 1170
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12. Abbaye de la Cambre - Special things to do
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Leave the traffic of Avenue Louise behind with a visit to the Abbaye de la Cambre, surrounded by perfectly manicured French gardens. Founded by Cistercian monks in the 13th century, it's a green sanctuary right in the middle of Ixelles.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Enter from Avenue Emile Duray, Brussels 1050
Transport
Tram 94 to Abbaye
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13. Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art - Special things to do
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The Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art is dedicated to cartoons, celebrating artists such as Bruxellois Hergé, creator of Tintin. New comic strip art appears alongside rare originals. Check out the Art Nouveau building by Victor Horta and the bookshop.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€7.50; concessions €6; under 12s €3
Opening hours
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
20, Rue des Sables, Brussels 1000
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 219 1980
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14. Cantillon Brewery - Special things to do
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Since the 19th century, the Van Roy-Cantillon family has been producing Lambic, Gueuze and Kriek beers at these small premises near the Gare du Midi. Highlights of the tour include the gleaming barrels, brewing process, and the complimentary glass of beer.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€5 (includes beer tasting)
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 10am-5pm
Address
56, rue Gheude, Brussels 1070
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 521 4928
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15. Autrique House - Special things to do
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Set in the Schaerbeek district, Autrique House is the first hôtel particulier designed by Art Nouveau darling Victor Horta in 1893. Now a museum, the house is filled with graceful corridors, asymmetrical shapes, curvy staircases and Horta's revolutionary use of metal.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€6; concessions €3-€4.50
Opening hours
Wed-Sun 12pm-6pm
Address
266, Chaussée de Haecht, Brussels 1030
Telephone
+32 (0) 2 215 6600
