The 10 best activities to do and see during your first visit to Brussels
Updated July 19, 2024 by Pierre
That's it, are you arriving in Brussels for the first time? Don't miss the best of the best in Brussels to make the most of the city in one weekend! In this article, we present to you our top 10 original activities and things to do in Brussels to discover Brussels from another angle.
We also have an article on the 10 best tourist attractions in Brussels
Before going any further, this might interest you:
- 🥡 Street food in Brussels: our best addresses
- 1️⃣ Visit Brussels in one day
- 🆓 Free activities and visits to do in Brussels.
- ❓ Bruges or Brussels?
- 🍟The best fries and “fry shacks” in Brussels
1. Enjoy the view from Mont des Arts! A free viewpoint in Brussels
This is one of my favorite places in Brussels for photo memories! In fact, it is not about Mount of Arts but of course Garden located below the Place Royale. Much more romantic! This garden was also laid out in 1910 for the Universal Exhibition and then replaced in the 50s by the Mont des Arts as you know it today. Hundreds of tourists take photos every day. Don't hesitate to go there both day and night. The view is magnificent for take photos, and the chime that rings nearby will make you happy.
2. See the Grand-Place of Brussels, an essential and free activity in the center
Direct to the Grand-Place from Brussels. If you are only in Brussels for one day to visit, here is one of the key places not to be missed. Wow. You can see it during the day but also at night! This changes the perspective quite a bit. Take a look at the town hall, the Café le Roi d'Espagne is quite nice in winter with an open fire.
3 Eat Brussels waffles… Or Liège! Brussels street food
This activity is not free, but almost. Street food Brussels interests you, there is no doubt, Belgium is renowned for its famous waffles. Quick, inexpensive activity. She seduced more than one during a visit to Brussels. It seems that these are the best in the world? However, did you know the difference between cork waffles and Brussels waffles? The difference is however very obvious and visible at first glance. Brussels waffles are rectangular, light and crunchy once in the mouth. In general, these waffles are eaten with a more varied garnish (strawberry, chocolate melted, whipped cream, etc…). The waffle cork is oval, more substantial and contains sugar cubes. There isn't really one that is better than the other, so you have to try both types of waffles. If you pass through the Bois de la Cambre, don’t miss savory waffles in Brussels: Waffles&Waffles.
Don’t miss our article on Maison Dandoy, the best waffles in Brussels since the 1800s!
4. The centre's comic book trail, an ideal free activity with children
Take advantage of this great free initiative in Brussels. The streets of the center invite you to stroll through the heart of a « comic book village« . Go and meet the monumental figurines that adorned your childhood or that of your children! The theme of comics is vast. For example, you will find Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock (Hergé) in rue de l'Etuve, between rue du Chêne (Manneke Pis) and rue du Lombard. Gaston Lagaffe and Spirou by Franquin are also found there. Gaston is located on rue de l'Ecuyer (between rue de la Fourche and rue des Fripiers). Spirou is located near the elevator of the Palais de Justice in Brussels. If you like comics, don't miss the comic book museum
If you want buy comics, we wrote a great article that tells you the best places to buy it.
5. Taste the abbey beers or fruit beers, an inexpensive activity!
Did you know there was a Maneken Pis girl version? Her name is “Jeanneken Piss”. The statue is located right in front of the Délirium Café. This is a café world famous for its beers. His choice is immense. More than 3.000! During your visit to Brussels, we advise you to taste the Belgian Trappists: (In Belgium, there are 12 Trappist abbeys, 6 of monks and 6 of nuns. Six have a brewery: 3 in Flanders (Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel) and 3 in Wallonia: Chimay, Orval and Rochefort There is only one outside Belgium, in the Netherlands, the Notre-Dame de Koningshoeven abbey with its brewery “De Schaapskooi”.) beer triple Karmeliet is also very good and appreciated. To drink in moderation, all that is quite strong! If you are hungry? Think twice before eating in the Butcher Street... Some say there are quite a few tourist traps in the area. We have prepared a list of suggestions for you where to eat near the Grand-Place in Brussels. You can also have beers delivered to your home!
6. Eating mussels and fries, an unmissable and inexpensive activity in Brussels
In Brussels, fries are often associated with typical Belgian dishes. We no longer count the restaurants which have on the menu the famous mussels and fries, boulets à la Liègeoise, steak fries, fried American, vol-au-vent, machine gun and many others! These dishes can be enjoyed in typical Belgian restaurants from Brussels. If the craving for fries arises, at noon, on the go, in the evening, or even very very late at night, very often a simple " fritekot " (or a fries stand) might do the trick. Fries are also the dish par excellence for eat cheap in Brussels A little tip before going to the table. Very often, fries can be served in tray in plastic or in cornet (sheet of paper rolled into a cone). Know that if you opt for the cone, this one will contain more fries, and your fries will stay hot longer! HAS Brussels, according to locals, several chip shops compete to determine which produces the best Friteries in Brussels. Here are three chip shops worth trying in Brussels. Don't miss out on taste the Belgian machine gun.
For the sauce on your fries, trust your instincts. Samurai is our go-to choice.
Do not miss our article on the best chip shops and chip shops in Brussels
7. Stroll through the Queen's Galleries, a free and prestigious activity in the center of Brussels
Simply Wow! This is a lively place for a timeless journey. Tourists and Brussels residents come to stroll and shop there all year round. …Designed in 1847, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are among the oldest in Europe. It is a place steeped in history, not to be missed during your visit to Brussels. The architecture is inspired by XNUMXth century Italian palaces. Look towards the sky, the roof is covered over its entire length by a glass roof with a metal structure. Every year, they are crossed by some six million visitors. They are made up of three galleries: the Queen's Gallery, the King's Gallery and the Princes' Gallery. Ideal in case of rain during your visit to Brussels
To do in Brussels: Take the elevator to the Marolles
8. The flea market, one of the favorite activities to visit Brussels on a Sunday morning
If you are motivated by antiques, spend some time in the Marolles district. The neighborhood is made up of vintage stores, antique shops and other nice concepts. If you are still there on Sunday morning, go there for the flea market. You can also go see the Porte de Halles. Ideal if you visit Brussels on a Sunday
Are you looking for more ideas for visiting Brussels in a day or a weekend? Take a look at our Free Brussels walking tour itinerary!
9. Enjoy Brussels from above: the Brussels Ferris wheel
Are you looking for the best place to get high in Brussels? You don't know where to find a breathtaking view of the city ? Don't miss the brand new Place Poelart Ferris Wheel. This is sometimes also called “The View”. This is the square located right next to the Palais de Justice located at the top of the district of Marolles.
10. Have a drink in one of the city's unusual bars
If you are looking for an original and unusual place halfway between the main square and the Royal Palace, take advantage of the moment to have one (or more) cocktails in an old pharmacy: the English pharmacy. Both the interior of the establishment and the cocktails overflowing with imagination and unusual things. You can, for example, sit comfortably and have a cocktail in the small anatomy room at the back of the pharmacy. You'll even feel like you're right in the middle of a movie set. Very nice! No beers here, but rather original and good cocktails/mocktails such as the "Don't touch my bed" and the "TikiBreakfast". Do not forget to book, here it is rather full. Be on time, your reservation is only held for 10 minutes if you are late. Rue Coudenberg 66.
Are you on a short budget? Locate the bars Brussels happy hours. A cocktail purchased = a free cocktail.
Barely a foot in the Belgian capital, Pierre launched “InsideBrussels.be” more than 10 years ago, the idea is simple: “What to do? Where to go to eat or have a drink? “. Entrepreneur at heart, this is not his first project! Far from there. EatLocal.io; KingCard.be, Bricabrac.be … Like wine, with time the project improves!
Pierre does not hesitate to share his favorites and his best addresses of Brussels restaurants that he could recommend to you with his eyes closed.
