Brussels is the city you Didn’t Know You Loved
Comics, surrealism, and delicious waffles.
Brussels has a slightly undeserved reputation as a dull seat of power filled with bureaucrats. A closer look reveals a city full of culture and creativity, with a vibrant and welcoming nightlife and where comic books are a national sport.
More and more tourists have discovered the Belgian capital, and its vibrant art scene has led the New York Times to name it the new Berlin. A plethora of restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars, many of them two stars, and tourist attractions such as Manneken Pis and the Atomium are world-famous.
There are simply many different versions of Brussels to discover, but here is a teaser.
The main landmarks
A remnant from the World’s Fair
Atomium
The Atomium, built for the 1958 World’s Fair, was not supposed to be permanent. Half a century later, it has become a symbol of Brussels and Belgium, as well as the country’s most popular tourist attraction with over 600,000 visitors a year. The modernist building was intended to symbolize Belgian engineering and celebrate scientific progress. Now people go to be mesmerized by it, take in the panoramic view from the top, and enjoy exhibitions on digital art and Belgium in general.
The most beautiful square
Grande-Place
Brussels is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The Maison du Roi, a neo-Gothic palace built in the 15th century, demolished, and rebuilt in the 19th century, is located in the Grand-Place. There are also Renaissance and Baroque buildings whose beautiful facades have enchanted visitors to the square since the 16th century. Every two years in mid-August, the Grand-Place is covered in a carpet of flowers made from over 500,000 begonias. It’s well worth planning your visit around this time.
A funny, historic fountain
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is to Brussels what the Mona Lisa is to Paris—simply a must-see. There’s no need to wait in line or buy a ticket here, however. You just have to just find the little street where the fountain with the peeing boy is located. The sculpture is now a replica (the original is in the Brussels City Museum) and a sculpture of the boy has stood on this spot since the mid-15th century. Today’s Manneken Pis dates from 1619 and the fountain has been there since 1770. Manneken Pis is often dressed in one of his more than 1,000 outfits—a wardrobe that has its own museum. There are several legends behind the sculpture, either about a peeing little boy somehow saving the city or the country’s troops, or about a little boy who got lost and was found relieving himself somewhere. Epic tale or funny story? Both could be true.
Museums, art galleries and shopping
Comic book heaven
Musée Belge de la Bande Dessinée de Bruxelles
Belgium is home to some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters: Tintin by Hergé and the Smurfs by Peyo. You can, of course, visit a comic book museum in Brussels (although the Hergé Museum is a 40-minute drive away). The Belgian Comic Strip Center teaches visitors about the origins and characteristics of comic books, and shows them examples of how they differ in terms of form. There is also a permanent Peyo exhibition with a realistic 3D Smurf village.
Surrealist paintings
Musée Magritte Museum
Besides Dalí, René Magritte is probably the artist most closely associated with the surrealist movement in painting. The pipe that isn’t a pipe, men in suits floating in the air, and two lovers kissing shrouded in cloth are just some of the more famous motifs. At the Magritte Museum, you can immerse yourself in this fascinating artist and his work.
Modern Belgian art
CENTRALE for Contemporary Art
Brussels’s answer to the Tate Modern in London (both art galleries are housed in former power stations), CENTRALE for Contemporary Art is an important hub for the city’s art scene. While focused on new and established Belgian artists, often from Brussels, the collection also includes international artists. CENTRALE has several branches and stages around the city where you can watch a movie or take part in workshops, such as creating mutated works of art by upcycling old toys—an unusual family activity for children.
Belgian for style
Stijl
Belgium is a fashion powerhouse, with well-established industry names like Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and Martin Margiela. Since 1984, the store Stijl has been home to the best of the country’s designer fashion, where new names like Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, a Balenciaga-trained newcomer to avant-garde clothing, or Antwerp-based Toos Franken come up against more established designers. Stijl has two stores in Brussels, one for women and one for men.
Restaurants and other culinary outings
The national dish: waffles
Gaufres & Waffles
In Belgium, you need to eat fries, moules-frites (check out our article “Moules moments in Brussels”), and waffles. There are two types of waffles in the country: one comes from Liège and is made from dough with grains of sugar in it, while Brussels waffles are fluffy, rectangular, and deeply pitted. At Gaufres & Waffles, the Brussels waffle has been brought into the modern age and can be enjoyed as a meal and not just a sweet dessert. They are also beautifully put together, made to be documented with your camera.
Local beer in a cozy atmosphere
GIST
Craft beer is a big deal in the beer-loving nation of Belgium, and GIST is one of the nicest and most relaxed bars in town with many local beers from small, independent producers on tap and bottled. Take a seat on the outdoor patio near the Jacques Brel statue, or enjoy a beer indoors where a DJ provides musical entertainment. GIST’s central location is also a plus, a stone’s throw from Manneken Pis.
The best Belgian cuisine
Bozar Restaurant
For those who want to experience the best that Belgian (and French) cuisine has to offer, Karen Torosyan’s Bozar is the place to go. This restaurant with two Michelin stars is located in a beautiful Art Deco venue where classic dishes are given a modern and sophisticated twist. Our tip is to book a table for lunch: while not cheap, the three-course menu is an affordable option.
Text by Daniel Björk