Things to do in Brussels

Brussels hosts a huge number of arts and cultural attractions apart from the quintessential tour of the Grand Place and the Mannequin Pis statue. These include guided sightseeing tours, walks, parks, exhibitions and galleries, shopping in markets and arcades and evening entertainment; such as concerts, cinema, theatre and nightclubs. The key tip is to know which area of the city to go for which activity and then utilise the fantastic public transport system to experience them.

Brussels Sightseeing Tours
Like many major cities there are sightseeing buses in Brussels that can take you on a tour of the city with audio commentary in a variety of languages. These tours will usually offer convenient hop-on-hop-off services, similar to public transport so you can get off to take photos with the monuments or go shopping in between. These tours are most popular during the summer season and there are open-top buses that allow great views of the city. Here is a list of some of the popular ones.

Brussels Walks
In a relatively small city such as Brussels, it is quite easy to get around by foot. Some of the best discoveries can be made by choosing a path of interest. Some interests could be viewing significant works of architecture, admiring beautifully manicured parks, walking along the vast number of European Union buildings or delighting in colourful comic murals on the sides of buildings. There are convenient sign posts all over the city to mark places of interest.

During these walks you are also likely to find a quaint café with an outdoor terrace for a rest. Walking is a great way to explore Brussels and excellent exercise during a vacation!

Brussels Attractions
The most famous Brussels attractions are the Grand Place, the Peeing Boy (Mannekin Pis) and the Atomium. Other great attractions include the Palais de Justice, the Royal Palace area and countless museums and parks all over the city. The hidden treasures include monuments and structures preserved from the middle-ages all around the city.

Brussels Museums
There are 87 museums in Brussels city, most of these are situated within the city centre and are a short distance from each other. Apart from the usual Fine Arts museums, modern art museums and scientific museums, Brussels boasts an eclectic collection of museums ranging from the Toy museum to the Museum of Comic Strip art and the Musical Instruments Museum. A museum pass valid for 24h, 48h or 72h is available for those who want to see as many as possible without needing to pay for separate entrance fees.

Shopping
For visitors who are interested in exploring more than souvenir shops there is an interesting selection of shopping arcades, markets and shopping streets to visit in Brussels. Shopping arcades are the olden day versions of shopping malls; markets where cheeses, vegetables and bargains are available on weekdays as well as Sunday mornings; and shopping streets offer name brands and boutiques for visitors interested in fashion. There are also some tips on how to buy the best Belgian chocolates, duty free and souvenirs.

Brussels Entertainment
Had a long day out in Brussels city or want to explore the nightlife of Brussels? There is a great selection of evening entertainment in the city. There are cinemas for blockbuster or arts movie lovers; theatres, operas and concerts for performance arts enthusiasts, and a great nightlife where clubs stay open until dawn and drinks are affordable. Even on weekdays there is entertain for the after-seven crowd.