Brussels attractions

A petrolhead’s dream, Autoworld showcases the evolution of motor cars through a collection of more than 250 impeccably maintained and restored vehicles. Visitors can trace the history of automotive engineering and design, from horse-drawn carriages to Italian race cars and royal limousines.

From Paris’ Eiffel Tower and London’s Big Ben to the canals of Venice, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Acropolis of ancient Athens, the Mini-Europe theme park in Brussels presents all of the major sights and famous buildings of the European Union countries—in miniature.

The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Coeur) is one of Belgium’s most iconic buildings. Designed to celebrate Belgium’s independence, its first stone was laid by King Leopold II himself. Art fans worldwide visit this Roman Catholic cathedral to enjoy an authentic slice of Art Deco design.

Located just a 10-minute walk from Brussel’s bustling Grand Place, Grand Sablon Square (Place du Grand Sablon) is a historic square at the heart of the Sablon quarter. It feels a world away from the busy city center, with striking medieval townhouses, stylish restaurants, terrace cafés, and a lively antiques market.

The MOOF—Brussels’ unique museum of famous figurines—is a must-visit for travelers even slightly interested in the cultural impact of cartoons and comic strip art. With more than 650 original figurines on display throughout the museum space and 3,500 pieces in the whole collection, the MOOF is a testament to the lasting importance of pop culture memorabilia.

One of Belgium's Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum is devoted to the works of Belgian surrealist René Magritte, whose innovative creations are said to have influenced artists like Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.

Located directly beneath Brussels’ Place Royale, the Coudenberg Palace comprises the archaeological remains of what was one of Europe’s grandest palaces between the 12th and 18th centuries. Incorporating the relics of the palace’s basements, the site provides a fascinating window into a lost chunk of Brussels’ history.

A haven for fans of graphic novels and retro comics, the Belgian Comic Book Center was opened to showcase the variety and artistic vibrancy of European comic book art. Housed in a protected Art Nouveau building, it looks at the history and evolution of comic books and their beloved characters and has a reading room and a research library.

Situated in Brussels’s expansive Parc Cinquantenaire, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History features a number of military-related pieces. Come to browse old armor, armored tanks, and aircraft, or to do some research in the library, complete with military files and photographs and a collection of trench maps.

Part of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, the Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium in Brussels is dedicated to natural history through the ages. Charting the planet’s evolution from before prehistoric times, it showcases everything from dinosaur skeletons to minerals in one engaging family-friendly attraction.

Housed inside the Schaerbeek Railway Station, Train World is an interactive museum dedicated to all things train related. Here you'll find vintage trains and steam engines that visitors can board; educational railroad exhibitions and ephemera, many with an interactive spin; and rail-related art.

Founded in 2013 to showcase Belgium’s contemporary beer scene, today the Brussels Beer Project (BBP) has taprooms in both Brussels and Paris. In the Brussels location, you'll find 17 taps with a number of BBP classic brews, along with a few new beers and a handful of offerings from outside breweries.

Escape the bustle of the Belgian capital in this English-style royal park, just north of central Brussels. Sprawled between the Brussels Expo and Notre Dame de Laeken, the 459-acre (186-hectare complex boasts expansive lawns, world-famous greenhouses, and some surprising architecture, making it a top draw for families, nature lovers, and sightseers in the city.

As the home of Stella Artois, this working brewery in suburban Leuven provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Belgium’s beer-based industry and culture. Guests can tour the factory floor to see firsthand how the lager is brewed and bottled, sample fresh draughts in the rooftop bar, or choose tasters to take home from the on-site gift shop.

If you want to know all about the city of Brussels, hidden gems and all, the Brussels City Museum is the place to visit. Packed with exhibits from the medieval period to the present day, it’s a complete guide to the life and times of Belgium’s capital city through enemy occupation, border changes, and the industrial revolution.

Amid Quartier du Châtelain is Hotel Tassel—acclaimed architect Victor Horta’s first Art Nouveau residence, and indeed what’s known as the first building ever to be created in the iconic turn-of-the-century style. As much a work of art as a functional and groundbreaking construction, visit Hotel Tassel to see a true Brussels hidden gem.

Discover the Art Nouveau heart of Brussels at the Ciamberlani House, and see architect and designer Paul Hankar’s work in place as an intricately detailed inner-city mansion. A collaborative work with Italian symbolist painter Albert Ciamberlani, his bold frescoes were restored by the only artisanal sgraffito artist remaining in Brussels.

Formerly known as the Art & Design Atomium Museum but now simply called "The ADAM," this museum focuses on design from the 1950s through the present, with a particular emphasis on plastic design. Here visitors will find a variety of permanent installations and exhibitions, along with a rotation of temporary exhibits and other programs.

One of Belgium’s top outlet shopping destinations, Maasmechelen Village is home to over 100 boutiques and restaurants, with designer duds trading at 30 to 60% off list price. Individual buildings mimic local architectural styles, creating a characterful open-air feel that’s miles away from the traditional covered mall.

Site of one of the 19th century’s largest and bloodiest battles, Waterloo Battlefield is where, on June 18, 1815, Napoleon’s French troops were vanquished by a coalition of British, Dutch, and German forces. Located outside of Brussels, the Waterloo Battlefield (Champ de Bataille de Waterloo) is a popular destination for history buffs.

Choco-Story in Brussels offers a chance to expand your knowledge of the beloved sweet while trying out locally produced chocolates. This small museum is dedicated to the history and manufacture of chocolate and offers all sorts of chocolate-related exhibits, plus plenty of free samples.

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (Serres Royales de Laeken) is a rare treat for visitors, typically open to the public for just a few weeks each spring due to the residence of the Belgian royal family at the palace. Designed by architect Alphonse Balat for King Leopold II back in 1873, these monumental heated greenhouses house a stunning collection of tropical and subtropical plants.

Located in the restored stock exchange building in Brussels, the Belgian Beer World Experience is an interactive museum focused on Belgium’s beer industry. Exhibits cover brewing techniques, beer styles, and the role of Trappist and abbey beers—all with panoramic city views. Fittingly, the experience ends with a tasting, so you can connect everything you’ve learned to what’s in your glass.

Mont des Arts, or Mount of the Arts, is a complex of gardens and sights located between Brussels’ Grand Place and Royal Palace. With meticulously manicured shrubs and esplanades, it’s the perfect vantage point from which to admire the city’s art nouveau architecture and Gothic Town Hall tower in the distance. Once you’ve taken in the setting, many of Brussels’ top museums are mere minutes away.

One of four UNESCO-listed Brussels townhomes constructed by Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, this beautifully preserved home provides an excellent window into the architectural and design aesthetic that dominated late 19th-century Europe. It's considered the most ambitious of the lot and was commissioned with an unlimited budget.

You could think of Cantillon Brewery as like a beer-themed time machine, transporting you back to 1900. This family-run brewery, as well as the on-site Brussels Museum if the Gueuze, meticulously preserves traditional methods to craft Lambic, Gueuze, Faro, and Kriek beers. Visitors can explore the brewing process, see century-old barrels, and best of all, taste authentic beer. It’s a must-visit for those who appreciate history, craftsmanship, and traditional Belgian beer.

Housed in an elegant 18th-century hotel building in the heart of Brussels, the BELvue Museum is dedicated to the history of the Belgian capital. Walk through the chronologically-ordered exhibits, and learn about the political and social changes that this small but important city has undergone over the past few centuries. There are also royal artifacts on show.

As one of the official seats of the European Union, Brussels is where the European Parliament meets to make countless decisions for the residents of 27 countries. Make sense of the system—and how it affects daily life for nearly 450 million people—at Parlamentarium, a free visitor center with interactive exhibits about the EU’s structure, lawmaking practices, and current challenges.

The Butte du Lion, or Lion’s Mound, was built in 1820 to commemorate the exact place where Prince William II of the Netherlands was injured in the battle of Waterloo. Ordered by his father, King William I, the mound used battlefield soil to create a pyramid-like hill where an imposing lion sculpture now sits to represent courage.

A museum made to celebrate Brussels’ artistic past at the end of the 19th century, the Musée Fin-de-Siècle is a banquet of art from celebrated artists and literary visionaries. Perhaps most exciting are the interactive displays documenting the critical changes in the political and artistic temperature of the turn of the century.