Choose from 45 Fun Things to Do in Brussels
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 45 listings.
Royal Galleries (Les Galeries St-Hubert)
The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries are a series of shops and restaurants in Brussels that are covered by panes of glass. They were designed by the architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer in 1847 and are often referred to as the umbrella of Brussels. The galleries are divided into three different sections: the Galerie de la Reine, the Galerie du Roi and the Galerie des Princes. The glass roof helps protect visitors from rain or cold weather. In the past, visitors had to pay 25 cents on Thursdays and Sundays and 10 cents on other days just to access the galleries. Of course today it is free to visit, and over 6 million people visit each year.
The galleries have something for everyone. There are boutiques selling the latest fashions as well as more classic clothing. Accessories shops sell gloves, hats, umbrellas and more. Several jewelry stores are located here along with book stores, chocolate shops, and other specialty shops. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes for when you get hungry. The galleries even have a cinema and a theater in case you're looking for entertainment. Even if you're not interested in shopping, the Royal Galleries are a nice place for a stroll while taking in a bit of the city's history.
Practical Info
The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries are located at Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes near the Grand Place. Opening hours vary by store.
Address: Galeries du roi 5, Brussels, Belgium
From $ 29
Museum of the City of Brussels (Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles)
Behind the facade of a dark, grey Neogothic structure lays a collection of artifacts that tell the story of the city of Brussels. This intricate building is known as the Maison du Roi ("King's House") and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The structure is also known as Broodhuis (bread market), a nod to its use as such in the 13th century.
From its early development to medieval era to present day, learn about the city's history through its tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Altarpieces, porcelain and silverware round out the collection of historical objects on display. Exhibits cover everything from urban development to the social, political, and cultural life of the capital. Envision the past with 3D models to scale of the city in different time periods. Of particular note is the costume collection of the statue of Manneken-Pis, an emblem of Brussels said to have nearly 800 wardrobe choices.
Practical Info
The museum sits on the Grand Place square opposite the town hall of Brussels. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Guided tours take place the first week of the month at 12:30 pm. Admission costs €3.
Address: Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Admission: €3
From $ 30
Maasmechelen Village
Just a short drive outside of Brussels, this village offers some of the area’s best luxury shopping with access to 95 designer shops. The area’s traditional Limburg style of architecture is reflected in the form of the buildings, and the location in the quiet countryside carries over into the village. Conceived as a historical mining village, it is now filled with high-end boutiques containing both local Belgian brands such as Essentiel, Olivier Strelli, and Sarah Pacini, and internationally known labels such as Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Prices are often significantly lower than similar nearby shops.
Of course it is important to refuel after a long day of shopping, and the village has both traditional Belgian treats such as waffles and moules frites in addition to Italian cuisine at the center’s outdoor Gastronomia Cellini. Just be sure to bring enough strength to carry multiple shopping bags.
Practical Info
Maasmechelen Village is conveniently located where Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Regular train service operates to Genk station, and Maasmechelen is a 15-minute taxi ride from there. There is also free parking available.
Address: Zetellaan 100, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily
From $ 17
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral
It took 300 years to complete the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral and its architecture spans styles from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance. The Renaissance stained-glass windows are amazing and fill the cathedral with light. Inside, the chapel is not overly adorned after plundering by various invading armies.
The cathedral sits atop the ruins of an 11th century Romanesque chapel the remains of which can be viewed in the crypt. Saints Michael and Gudule are the male and female patron saints of Brussels. All Royal weddings take place here and many concerts are held throughout the year. On Sundays a concert is played on the carillon of 49 bells.
There is also a family of Peregrine Falcons who live in the northern tower of the cathedral. In front of the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a viewing spot and on Sunday afternoons local bird experts are on hand to answer any questions.
The cathedral sits atop the ruins of an 11th century Romanesque chapel the remains of which can be viewed in the crypt. Saints Michael and Gudule are the male and female patron saints of Brussels. All Royal weddings take place here and many concerts are held throughout the year. On Sundays a concert is played on the carillon of 49 bells.
There is also a family of Peregrine Falcons who live in the northern tower of the cathedral. In front of the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a viewing spot and on Sunday afternoons local bird experts are on hand to answer any questions.
Practical Info
The cathedral is a block away from Centrale train station or a few blocks from Parc. Any buses heading to Centrale will also land you near the cathedral.
Address: Rue du Bois Sauvage, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Mon - Fri 7am - 6pm. Sat 8:30am to 6pm (visits from 8:30am - 3:30pm only), Sun 8:30am - 6pm (visits from 2 pm only)
Admission: Free. Other areas of the cathedral admission: € 1 - € 2.50
From $ 34
Waterloo Battlefield
As the setting of one of the most illustrious battles in military history, Waterloo Battlefield requires very little presentation. The ultimate defeat of Napoleon and the French army, the glorious win of the Seventh Coalition; the Battle of Waterloo was somewhat short-lived in comparison to others but its length is in no way correlated to its significance.
Napoleon had been exiled to Elba by the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1814; worried about his wife and son who had returned to Austria and concerned he would be banished to a remote island, he escaped and started governing again despite international threats. His return to power in March 1815 was a pacifist one, but his enemies did not believe in his noble intentions for one minute; a pan-European coalition emerged at the Congress of Vienna (the precursor of the United Nations), which aimed to provide long-term peace on the continent by settling critical issues surfacing from the Napoleonic Wars and balancing the powers; many European Great Powers refused to recognize Napoleon as Emperor of the French upon his return from exile. The Seventh Coalition mobilized large armies led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian-born Gebhard von Blücher; they gathered at the northeastern border of France and prepared for battle. Napoleon’s strategy was to isolate the two armies and obliterate each one separately in order to avoid the invasion of France, but the French army was soon routed out - effectively ending Napoleon's rule as Emperor of the French.
Practical Info
Waterloo Battlefield is located 30 kilometers south of Brussels in Belgium. It can be reached by car via routes RD and junction 26 in 30 minutes. Entry costs €13.50 per adult, €11 per student and €8 for children aged 7-17. The battlefield is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. between April and September, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between October and March, with the last admission 30 minutes before the battlefield closes.
Address: Waterloo Battlefield, Braine-l'Alleud 1420, Belgium
Hours: Daily April-Sep 9:30am-6:30pm & Oct-March 10am-5pm
Admission: Adult €13.50, Student €11, Children (Age 7-17) €8
From $ 110
BELvue Museum
Learn the history of a nation at Belgium's BELvue Museum, housed in the 18th-century Bellvue Hotel in the center of Brussels. Trace the story of Belgium from the Belgian Revolution, through World Wars I and II, and in its royal and political progression as you walk through its 12 rooms. Filled with historical documents and artifacts as well as engaging multimedia displays, each room represents a different crucial period in Belgium's history. The rooms are meant to be explored in chronological order.
Photographs and royal items on display give a real sense of time and place. Curators strategically placed windows that look out onto some of the very places the museum tells the history of. Visitors can see the Mont des Arts and Brussels Park, crucial sites of the Belgian Revolution, from museum rooms and hallways. Temporary exhibitions also bring contemporary stories of Belgian heritage and politics to life.
Practical Info
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance is €6. The nearest metro stop is Park.
Address: Place des Palais 7, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
From $ 30
Autrique House
La Maison Autrique was the first house built by Belgian architect Victor Horta, with early elements of his famous Art Nouveau style apparent in the design details. Although the entry and ground floor reflects the classic architectural style of the 19th century, when it was built, the halls and other rooms are illuminated by open space and natural light, an innovation at the time.
The house is simpler than Horta's later projects, as it was built as a comfortable home for engineer Eugène Autrique and his family. It was completed in 1893, but was recently renovated and reopened to the public. With a striking exterior of iron pillars and columns, Horta's touch can be seen with the use of light and color in the home's intricate stained glass in the interior. The classic town house is at once both an embodiment of a traditional private Belgian home and the modern step toward Art Nouveau.
Practical Info
The town house is located 266 Chaussee de Haecht/Haachtsesteenweg, in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.
Address: Chaussee de Haecht 266, Schaerbeek, Belgium
From $ 30
Lion's Mound
The Lion’s Mound is an artificial hill commemorating the location where Prince William II of the Netherlands was wounded during the infamous battle of Waterloo against the Napoleonic armies. The prince’s father, King William I of the Netherlands, ordered construction in 1820; workers used earth taken straight from the historic battlefield, a symbol of the Allied victory and a tribute to Prince William’s sacrifice. The hill was later on surmounted by an imposing 31 tons, 15 feet high and 15 feet wide Medici-like lion statue (standing male lion with ball under one paw looking to the side), which stands upon a stone-block pedestal. The lion was not picked by coincidence; not only does it symbolizes courage, it is also the heraldic beast on the personal coat of arms of the Netherlands monarchs. The sphere under the lion’s right front paw signifies victory of global European peace. For a long time visitors were led to believe that the lion was cast from brass melted down from cannons abandoned on the battlefield; this was, however, inaccurate, as the lion is cast out of nine different pieces iron. The view from atop the hill offers splendid panoramas of the battlefield, and gives visitors a better idea of how the battle was carried and how the cavalry and infantry were deployed. The mound’s shape and lion sculpture became such an icon of Waterloo that they are now represented on the municipality’s coat of arms.
Practical Info
Lion's Mound is located 30 kilometers south of Brussels in Belgium. It can be reached by car via routes RD and junction 26 in 30 minutes. Entry costs €13.50 per adult, €11 per student and €8 for children aged 7-17. Lion's Mound is open every day from 9:30am to 6:30pm between April and September, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between October and March, with the last admission 30 minutes before the mound closes.
Address: Route du Lion, Waterloo 1420, Belgium
Hours: Daily April-Sep 9:30am-6:30pm & Oct-March 10am-5pm
Admission: Adult €13.50, Student €11, Child (Age 7-17) €8
From $ 110
MOOF Museum
The MOOF Museum, or the Museum of Original Figurines, is a museum in Brussels dedicated to comic strips. The museum features comic strip figurines, collection items, original comic strips and drawings. More than 650 figurines and original objects are on display, but the museum's entire collection consists of around 3,500 pieces, making it one of the finest collections of comic book memorabilia in the world. The museum has items from Belgian comics, such as the famous Tintin and the Smurfs, as well as American collections, manga and more. The figurines are displayed next to the original comic plates from which they originated.
The MOOF Museum has something for everyone, whether you are a passionate comic book enthusiast or simply curious about the art form. At the museum, you can relive your childhood, learn about comics you might not be familiar with, and enjoy different pieces from various parts of the world. In addition to the figurines, there are large murals of your favorite characters. The museum often has special temporary exhibits as well as the permanent collection.
Practical Info
The MOOF Museum is located at Rue du marche-aux-Herbes 116 or Grasmarkt 116. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is 10 euros per adult, 6 euros for seniors and children ages 10-18, and 3 euros for children under 10 years old.
Address: Rue du Marche aux Herbes 116, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults €10, Seniors/Children ages 10-18 €6, Children under 10 €3
From $ 30
Hard Rock Cafe Brussels
Blending the classic atmosphere of an American diner with the devil"“may"“care edge of rock "˜n' roll, the Hard Rock Cafe is much more than just a cafe "“ it's an international institution, and it was only a matter of time before the legendary restaurant made its way on to Belgian soil. Opening its doors in 2012, the Hard Rock Cafe Brussels has been enticing locals to swap their French fries and Belgian waffles for some all-American soul food ever since and there are few more atmospheric spots to tuck into a burger.
Taking over a restored 16th-century building in the heart of the capital, fans of the Hard Rock Cafe will find all their favorites on the Brussels' menu, from Bar-B-Que Ribs to Wildberry Smoothies, but of course, the Hard Rock Cafe has always been about more than just the food. Like all Hard Rock Cafes, the Brussels franchise is crammed full of priceless rock memorabilia including items from legends like Bono, The Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley, as well as a stage costume worn by Madonna and a guitar played by Eric Clapton. Not only that, but there's a live music area, a late night lounge, a Rock Shop filled with Hard Rock-inspired merchandise and the innovative Rock Wall™ Solo, an interactive touch wall offering a virtual tour of the Hard Rock Cafe's 174 venues around the globe.
Practical Info
The Hard Rock Cafe Brussels is located on the Grand Place in central Brussels and is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight (1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights).
Address: Grand Place 12A, Brussels 1000, Belgium
From $ 25
Cinquantenaire District
The Cinquantenaire District in Brussels is the area of the city surrounding the Cinquantenaire Park. The park itself was built to commemorate 50 years of Belgium's independence. Dominating the park is the Triumphal Arch and three museums. The museums located here are Autoworld, which showcases the evolution of the automobile throughout history; the Royal Museum of Art and History, which contains a wide range of art and artifacts from pre-history forward; and the Belgian Army Museum and Museum of Military History, which examines the development of military technology throughout history along with the major campaigns fought on Belgian soil. In the summer, the park hosts concerts, festivals, drive-in movies, and it is the starting point of the Brussels marathon.
This district, also known as the European District, is the heart of the European Union. The buildings that house the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Ministers can be found in this area. This section of Brussels is also known for its many Art Nouveau buildings, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops. The entire area is populated with international people who work at the European institutions or at large corporations that have offices in Brussels.
Practical Info
The Cinquantenaire District is located near the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Take metro line 1 or 5 to either the Schuman or Merode metro station.
Address: Brussels, Belgium
From $ 29
Letters and Manuscripts Museum of Brussels
What did the world's greatest historical figures say to others and to themselves? What were they really thinking? Find out at this display of letters, manuscripts and other texts selected for their significance. Many times additional insight into an artist's life provides context, understanding, and deeper meaning for their works. Personal letters and documents provide a peek into the lives behind public personas. The museum has more than 140,000 from prominent figures such as kings, emperors, writers, painters, musicians, politicians, and inventors who altered the course of history.
The permanent collection is divided into in four sections: art, history, literature, and science. There's sheet music from Mozart and Beethoven, cards decorated by Picasso, informal sketches from Matisse, original manuscripts of Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway, and letters written by Charlemagne and Winston Churchill, among others. Temporary exhibitions delve deeply into the life and works of a single figure.
Practical Info
The museum is located in the Saint-Hubert Galleries, just steps away from the Grand Place in Brussels. It is open from 10 am to 7 pm Tuesday to Friday and from 11 am to 6 pm on weekends. Admission is 7€ for adults and 5€ for students. The closest metro stop is Gare Centrale.
Address: Galerie du Roi 1, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pmSaturday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Admission: Adults 7€, Students 5€
From $ 30
Fin-de-Siècle Museum
One of Brussels' newest museums, the Fin-de-Siècle celebrates the city's history as an artistic capital at the end of the 19th century. Though a tempestuous time politically, artists emerged during this time period that pushed the envelope away from classical traditions into modernism. Covering a span from 1868-1914, the museum chronicles the changing attitudes in art. Realism, Impressionism and Art Nouveau emerged during this time, ending only with the start of the first World War and with Belgium leading the way.
Historic collections of 19th- and 20th-century art are here explored with the newest technologies, like touch screens and interactive multimedia. Music, photography, and literature are represented as well, though less so than visual arts. Collections of the many facets of Art Nouveau, from furniture to decorative arts, are a highlight for many. With four floors to explore and many detailed descriptions throughout.
Practical Info
The museum can be found in the center of Brussels, near the entrances to the Magritte galleries. It is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am until 5 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission prices range from €8 to €13.
Address: Rue de la Regence 3, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pmSaturday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Admission: €8 to €13
From $ 30
Avenue Louise
Walking down the tree-lined Avenue Louise is the best way to experience the city's best in luxury and fashion. Belgian and international designer labels line the elegant thoroughfare, which runs adjacent to the Boulevard de Waterloo. Here you'll find upscale clothing shops for both women and men, with smaller, more affordable boutiques interspersed.
The avenue was commissioned by King Leopold II in 1847 to provide more direct access to the city's Bois de la Cambre area. Named for his daughter Princess Louise, it now serves as a main street in the heart of Brussels. Keep your eyes peeled for art deco townhouses, extravagant hotels, and small, manicured parks and gardens. The avenue is also home to some of the city's tallest office buildings. Or go for a leisurely stroll along the avenue's 2.7 kilometers and be content with window shopping and people watching.
Practical Info
Avenue Louise runs from Place Louise to Bois de la Cambre. Take the metro to the Louise stop and you'll be at the Place Louise end of the street.
Address: Avenue Louise, Brussels, Belgium
From $ 29
Town Hall (Stadhuis)
The Town Hall (Stadhuis) is Belgium’s oldest building and arguably Bruges’ most beautiful. The Flamboyant Gothic-style building was constructed between 1376 and 1420, and was one of the first grand town halls in the Low Countries. The city has been governed from this building for more than 700 years.
The town hall’s front facade features Gothic windows and the town weapons of the cities and villages that were under Bruges’ administrative rule. The statues of biblical figures and Counts of Flanders that sit in the niches of the façade are 20th-century replacements for the originals. Those were painted by Jan van Eyck and destroyed by pro-French rebels in the 1790s.
In the entrance hall, a large staircase leads to the ornate Gothic Hall, which was decorated in 1895 with neo-gothic wall murals that illustrate events from Bruges’ history – pick up an audio guide for detailed information. Even more impressive is the hall’s vaulted oak ceiling, which dates from 1402 and is decorated with scenes from the New Testament.
The town hall’s front facade features Gothic windows and the town weapons of the cities and villages that were under Bruges’ administrative rule. The statues of biblical figures and Counts of Flanders that sit in the niches of the façade are 20th-century replacements for the originals. Those were painted by Jan van Eyck and destroyed by pro-French rebels in the 1790s.
In the entrance hall, a large staircase leads to the ornate Gothic Hall, which was decorated in 1895 with neo-gothic wall murals that illustrate events from Bruges’ history – pick up an audio guide for detailed information. Even more impressive is the hall’s vaulted oak ceiling, which dates from 1402 and is decorated with scenes from the New Testament.
Practical Info
The Town Hall is situated in the Burg, the historic heart and town center of Bruges, and is just a short stroll from the Markt, Bruges’ second town center. The Town hall is open to visitors every day of the week, and a small entry fee applies.
Address: Burg 12 8000, Bruges, Belgium
Hours: Mon 9:30am–5pm, Tue-Sun 9am–5pm
Admission: €2.50
From $ 45
Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art
This exploration of comic strips as art is appropriately housed in an Art Nouveau building designed by Brussels' most famous architect, Victor Horta. It traces the history of first comic strips through to the evolution of European comic books and present day pieces. The museum celebrates both the heroes and the creators of so many beloved comic strips. Many know of the Smurfs or the famous character Tintin of "The Adventures of Tintin," and the center's exhibit on imagination traces comic strip art from the development of Tintin in Belgium in 1929 up to 1960. Comic strips in French, Dutch, and English as well as from genres ranging from politics to science fiction and children's comics are all represented.
In addition to the permanent collections, visitors have the option to delve into animation, a reading room, a research library, and a conservation facility.
Practical Info
The center is located at Rue des Sables 20 in Brussels. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is €7.
Address: Rue des Sables 20, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
Admission: €7
From $ 30
Horta Museum
The Horta Museum in Brussels, Belgium was once the home of the architect Victor Horta. Horta is considered the father of the Art Nouveau style of architecture, and his house is a fantastic example of this style. He built the house for his own use and lived there from 1901 to 1919. The interior designs are original, including the mosaics, stained glass windows, furniture, and wall paintings. The museum also has a collection of furniture designed by Victor Horta as well as old photographs, scale models of some of his other buildings, casts and plans explaining his work.
The museum consists of two buildings, Horta's house and his studio. He favored warm woods and wrought iron, and a tour through his home will reveal many interesting characteristics. Look for the shapes inspired by nature and art from Celtic and Asian cultures. Pay attention to the chairs, tables, lamps, door handles, banisters, and candelabras. Windows, including a stained glass skylight, let in lots of sunlight which accents the designs and gives the house a natural glow. The unique artistic details of Horta's home are everywhere.
Practical Info
The Horta Museum is located at 25, rue Americaine. Opening hours for individual visits are from 2 to 5:30pm Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is 8 euros. Photography is not allowed.
Address: Rue Americaine 25, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Tue-Sun 2-5:30pm
Admission: €8
From $ 29
Minnewater (Lake of Love)
With a name that translates into English as "Lake of Love," you might be tempted to dismiss Minnewater as a little clichéd. That would be a mistake, however, as this canalized lake is genuinely charming and can even create the feeling of traveling back in time to Bruges’ medieval heyday.
The lake is surrounded by trees and old brick houses and the adjacent Minnewater Park is often the site of live musical performances during the summer months. You will likely spot many swans on the lake, they are one of Bruges’ symbols, but be warned that they can be known to be quite territorial. The best views of the Minnewater can be had from the 18th-century bridge that crosses the lake.
Minnewater is certainly a romantic place to stroll around with someone special, but anyone can appreciate the peacefulness and scenery and it can make a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city center. The best time to visit is the early morning when it is at its most peaceful and a light mist still hangs over the lake.
The lake is surrounded by trees and old brick houses and the adjacent Minnewater Park is often the site of live musical performances during the summer months. You will likely spot many swans on the lake, they are one of Bruges’ symbols, but be warned that they can be known to be quite territorial. The best views of the Minnewater can be had from the 18th-century bridge that crosses the lake.
Minnewater is certainly a romantic place to stroll around with someone special, but anyone can appreciate the peacefulness and scenery and it can make a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city center. The best time to visit is the early morning when it is at its most peaceful and a light mist still hangs over the lake.
Address: Bruges, Belgium
From $ 22
Manneken Pis
The Manneken Pis—sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy’s small bronze statue of a little boy urinating into a Brussels fountain—is one of Belgium’s most beloved landmarks. Built in 1619, the boy is hailed as the capital’s oldest resident and remains a favorite of both locals and tourists, with a host of myths and legends to his name.
The Basics
No Brussels sightseeing tour is complete without a photo of this cheeky little statue, and most Brussels tours make a stop at the Manneken Pis. While a Brussels city tour is the easiest way to visit, travelers can also take a hop-on hop-off tour to the Grand Place and walk a few blocks to see the statue. Themed tours such as food tasting excursions and Belgian beer walking tours often make a quick detour to snap a selfie with the city mascot as well.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Keep an eye out, as the status is only 18 inches (45 centimeters) tall and can be easy to miss.
- The statue is protected behind a fence, so it’s only possible to admire it and take photos from a distance.
How to Get There
The Mannekin Pis is tucked away at the corner of rue de l'Étuve and rue du Chêne, in the Ilôt Sacré area. From the Grand Place, take the street to the left of Town Hall and walk for three blocks—the statue will be on your left.
When to Get There
Crowds can form around the Mannekin Pis in the busy summer months, making it tricky to get a good photo. Visit early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds.
The Varied Wardrobe of the Manneken Pis
So adored is the Manneken Pis that it’s become a long-standing local tradition to dress up the little boy in a variety of costumes. It’s estimated that the statue has worn more than 800 different costumes over the years, and he often dons the national dress of visiting dignitaries. You might otherwise see him dressed in football colors, as a plumber, or even as Elvis, while his most glamorous outfit was a gold-embroidered suit gifted by Louis XV of France. His costume is changed around 30 times a year, and these occasions are marked with brass-band music and an unveiling of the newly adorned statue. On special occasions, the Manneken Pis even produces beer instead of water to celebrate with the people of Brussels.
Address: Rue de l'Étuve and rue du Chêne in Ilôt Sacré, Brussels 1000, Belgium
Admission: Free
From $ 29
Magritte Museum (Musee Magritte)
One of Belgium's Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum is devoted to the works of Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte, whose innovative creations are said to have influenced artists like Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.
The Basics
Visitors can discover the works of the Belgian surrealist on a self-guided tour, opt for an audio guide to learn more about Magritte's life and artistic influences, or purchase a combination ticket including entrance to the neighboring Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the Old Masters Museum. Entrance to the museum is included with the Brussels Card, while Brussels hop-on hop-off tours stop right outside.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors may be required to undergo a security check upon entrance, and large bags and backpacks should be checked in the cloakroom.
- On-site facilities include restrooms, a museum shop, and a museum cafe.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Magritte Museum is located on Place Royale in central Brussels, just opposite the Palais Royal de Bruxelles and surrounded by some of the city's most prestigious art museums. The museum is well served by public transport, with the Gare Centrale train station a seven-minute walk away, the Palais and Royale tram stops nearby, and the Parc metro station a scenic 10-minute walk away, through the Parc de Bruxelles.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily, all year round. The quietest time to visit is on a weekday, but those wanting to take in the surrounding museums should be aware that many are closed on Mondays.
Highlights of the Magritte Museum
The museum's permanent collection includes more than 200 of Magritte's works, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings, posters, photography, and short films. It's the largest archive of the artist's work in the world and features favorites such as The Return, Sky Bird, and Empire of Light, as well as numerous paintings featuring Magritte's trademark bowler hats and birds.
Address: 1 Place Royale, Brussels 1000, Belgium
Hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm. Weekends: 11am - 6pm
Admission: Adults: € 8
From $ 29