Updated October 11, 2023 by pierre

The 10 best things to do in Brussels! First visit

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! Here is our top 10 original activities and things to do in Brussels to discover Brussels from another angle. If you are looking for free activities, do not miss our article on free activities and visits to do in Brussels.

We also have an article on ldaes 10 best tourist attractions in Brussels

Before going any further, this might interest you:

• Street food in Brussels: our top address
• Visit Brussels in one day
• Bruges or Brussels?
• The best fries and chip shop in Brussels

1. Enjoy the view from Mont des Arts! A free viewpoint in Brussels

It 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 of themselves every day. Do not hesitate to go there both day and night. The view is magnificent for take photos, and the chime that sounds 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! It 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. the Brussels street food interests you, there is no doubt, Belgium is renowned for its famous waffles. Fast, inexpensive activity. She seduced more than one during a visit to Brussels. It seems that they would be the best in the world? Did you know though 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 more varied toppings (strawberry, chocolate melted, whipped cream, etc…). The waffle cork is oval, more consistent and contains sugar cubes. There isn't really one that would be better than the other, so you have to taste both types of waffles. If you go 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 in the heart of a « comic book village« . Go and meet the monumental figurines that have adorned your childhood or that of your children! The theme of comics is vast. You will find for example 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 de Franquin can also be found there. Gaston is located in rue de l'Ecuyer (between rue de la Fourche and rue des Fripiers). Spirou is near the elevator of the Palais de Justice in Brussels. If you like comics, don't miss the comic book museum

If you wish 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 right in front of the Delirium Café. This is a world famous beer café. His choice is huge. Over 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 "De Schaapskooi" brewery). 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 a lot of tourist traps around here. 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 chips, an essential 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 fried mussels, boulets à la Liège, steak frites, American fries, vol-au-vent, machine gun and many more! These dishes can be tasted 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 that deserve to be tasted in Brussels. Do not miss taste the Belgian submachine gun.

To the sauce on your fries, trust your instincts. Samurai is our go-to pick.

Do not miss our articles 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! Here is a lively place for a trip out of time. Tourists and residents of Brussels come to stroll and shop there all year round. …Conceived 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 to the sky, the roof is covered over the entire length of a metal structure canopy. Each year, it is crossed by some six million visitors. They consist 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 interested in antiques, spend some time in the Marolles district. The district is made up of vintage stores, antique shops and other friendly 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 to visit 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”. It is the square located just 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 grand place 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 tight budget? Locate the bars at Brussels happy hours. A cocktail purchased = a free cocktail.