Travel and Vacation in Brussels, Capital of Belgium
General Information about Brussels
Despite its relatively small size, Belgium boasts a wide variety of family attractions of all kinds, including successful amusement parks, animal parks, unique museums, enjoyable boat tours along canals in charming cities, on rivers and in harbors, historical sites, and plenty of options for active recreation. The main attractions in Brussels are described below.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is also considered the capital of the entire European Union, as two of the three main institutions of the EU are headquartered in Brussels: the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Brussels is also home to the headquarters of NATO.
Brussels is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city filled with museums, impressive historic buildings, elegant and spacious squares, grand avenues alongside medieval alleyways, lush green parks, and of course: fantastic chocolate shops. Brussels is also considered the comic book capital of Europe. Many comic characters were "born" in the city, and numerous walls across Brussels are decorated with massive comic murals.
The city and its suburbs also offer plenty of family-friendly tourist attractions. You can take in the city's highlights in one packed day, but you can easily spend three full days in Brussels and its surroundings if you also wish to visit some of the area's museums, amusement parks, and water parks.
Where to Stay
Many family attractions are located in the suburbs, so staying within the city itself is not strictly necessary. As in any major city, accommodations in the center are more expensive and not always the ideal setup for families; however, staying in the city center does offer the convenience of proximity to many central sights.
♦ Recommended Family Accommodations in Brussels:
Spacious apartments in the city center suitable for 4–6 guests. Fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi.
Grand Place The Looks Apartment
Apartments for 4–6 guests in the city center. Fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, paid daily parking available.
Spacious apartments located about 1 km from the city center, accommodating 4–6 guests. Fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi.
♦ Recommended Family Accommodations in the Ardennes
♦ Accommodations in Center Parcs Holiday Villages in Northern Belgium:
Or:
Center Parcs Erperheide Flanders
Ten Interesting Facts about Belgium
1. Brussels, capital of Belgium, was chosen as the capital of the European Union.
2. Belgium has more castles per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world.
3. The "Smurfs" were created in Belgium by an artist named Peyo.
4. Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate every year, sold in 2,130 chocolate shops.
5. Antwerp is one of the world's leading centers for diamond trading, cutting, and polishing.
6. Belgium is a paradise for foodies, featuring the highest concentration in Europe of Michelin-starred restaurants.
7. Lotteries are prohibited in Belgium.
8. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (Flemish), French, and German.
9. Belgium is one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world.
10. Belgium's railway network, spanning 4,055 km, is considered the densest in the world.
Attractions in Brussels
Tours on Foot and by Transport
Guided Tours in Brussels:
For those who are not pressed for time and love wandering charming streets, alleys, and above all, chocolate and lace shops, the best way to explore Brussels is on foot.
Those who love chocolate—and particularly Belgian chocolate, celebrated for its superb quality—will be delighted to join chocolate tours and workshops in Brussels (available to book here via Viator):
Food tours and chocolate workshops in Brussels from Viator:
If you are traveling with a rental car, it is advisable to park in one of the central parking garages and explore on foot.
If you are spending several days in Brussels without a car, it is recommended to purchase a Brussels Card, which provides unlimited travel on all public transportation throughout the city, free admission to most museums, and discounts at restaurants and on guided city tours.
Central Brussels:
Grand Place (La Grand-Place)
The Grand Place is the number one tourist attraction in Brussels and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved squares in Europe. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 in recognition of its remarkable architecture. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the square served as the commercial heart of the city and was home to numerous guildhalls encircling the plaza. Most of the original structures were destroyed by French bombardments in 1695; only one guildhall and the Town Hall survived intact. At the beginning of the 18th century, the ornate guildhalls were reconstructed, adorned with statues and gold leaf. The largest and most impressive structure is the Town Hall, the Hôtel de Ville, which offers guided tours and houses the city's visitor center. On the northern side of the square stands the King's House (Maison du Roi), today home to the Brussels City Museum (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles), featuring collections of tapestries, porcelain, ceramics, and pewter works. A charming little flower market operates in the center of the square. The plaza is dotted with numerous cafes and hosts various musical performances throughout the year. The largest annual event held in the square is the Ommegang Pageant in early July (the first Tuesday and Thursday of the month). Originally a religious procession, today it is a colorful historic festival featuring parades of riders dressed in traditional Renaissance costumes on decorated horses. Every two years (even-numbered years only), during the third week of August, the square is blanketed with a massive and stunning floral carpet.
Manneken Pis Statue
A small bronze statue (60 cm high) depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain basin. It has become an iconic national symbol of Belgium. The statue has stood in this spot since the mid-17th century, though the true story behind its origin remains a mystery. According to one legend, it marks a street corner where locals were accustomed to urinating; another interpretation suggests it is a satirical nod to the quality of the city's drinking water.
The most famous folktale recounts that in the 14th century, a little boy saved the city by extinguishing a burning fuse threatening the city walls. Another tale claims that a wealthy local merchant lost his young son, and after days of frantic searching found him safe on this very street corner, erecting the statue in gratitude.
Over the centuries, the little statue has received hundreds of custom outfits gifted by visiting dignitaries and nations around the globe. Today, his wardrobe contains roughly 600 costumes, most of which are displayed at the Brussels City Museum on the Grand Place. City officials dress him up frequently, so you may not always see him unclothed. During certain festivals, beer flows from the fountain instead of water, much to the delight of onlookers who are treated to free drinks.
The statue has been stolen several times, and pieces have occasionally been broken off as souvenirs (particularly his most famous feature). Consequently, the figure standing on the street today is a replica of the original created by sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy.
Address: Corner of Rue du Chêne and Rue de l'Étuve.
Musical Instruments Museum (Musée des Instruments de Musique)
Spread over six floors, this museum showcases more than 1,000 ancient, traditional, and rare musical instruments gathered from across the globe. Visitors receive infrared headphones that automatically play audio clips of each instrument as you approach its display.
The site also serves as a center for modern music and forms part of the Royal Museums of Art and History.
Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, Brussels 1000
Brussels Chocolate Museum (Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat)
A delightful boutique museum illustrating the journey of chocolate making and the history behind everyone's favorite sweet treat. The visit includes live praline-making demonstrations by master chocolatiers, and guests are treated to delicious tastings.
Address: Rue de la Tête d'Or 9/11, 1000 Brussels (just off the Grand Place).
Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée)
Belgians are famously passionate about comics.
Known colloquially as the CBBD, the center is located just a short walk from the Grand Place. It features comprehensive exhibits celebrating classic Belgian comic heroes, prominently Tintin, Asterix, and the Smurfs, alongside internationally famed icons such as Batman and Superman. The center hosts a vast library holding 30,000 comic books and albums, making it a must-visit for comic enthusiasts. It is housed inside an exquisite Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta.
Address: Rue des Sables 20, Brussels 1000
Museum of the National Bank of Belgium (National Bank of Belgium Museum)
Housed inside a former palace, this museum chronicles the story of money throughout the ages, with a dedicated focus on the Euro. Across 15 interactive exhibition rooms, it offers an educational and engaging exploration of currency and banking. The central hall displays a remarkable collection of rare coins dating from antiquity to the modern era. Originally opened in 1982, the museum underwent a complete renovation and modernization in 2002.
Address: Wildewoudstraat 10, 1000 Brussels (a seven-minute walk from Brussels Central Station, adjacent to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula).
Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium (Musée des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique)
An interactive natural history museum featuring permanent galleries dedicated to dinosaurs, mammals, whales, shells, the polar regions, insects, and minerals, along with rotating special exhibitions.
The museum underwent a major renovation in 1996 to mark its 150th anniversary.
Address: Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels
Children's Museum of Brussels (Musée des Enfants)
A hands-on, experiential discovery museum designed specifically for young children, offering role-playing zones where they can become firefighters, gardeners, TV presenters, astronauts, and more. The museum features both permanent and temporary interactive stations centered on topics such as "Our Body," "Our Fears," "Water," and "Communication," all encouraging active tactile learning.
Address: Rue du Bourgmestre 15, Brussels
Brewery Museum (La Maison des Brasseurs)
Operated by the Association of Belgian Brewers, this museum is situated inside the historic Brewers' Guildhall directly on the Grand Place. The exhibits contrast state-of-the-art modern brewing technology with centuries-old heritage methods. A short film on a large screen walks visitors through the entire brewing process, and the visit concludes with beer tasting (adults only).
Address: Grand'Place 10 (on the Grand Place).
Bruparck (Brupark)
Located in the northern district of Heysel (just off Exit 8 of the Brussels Ring Road), Bruparck brings together an impressive cluster of family-friendly attractions where visitors can easily spend an entire day. The most famous landmark, visible from miles away, is the Atomium, accompanied by a miniature park, a water park, the Kinepolis cinema multiplex, and "The Village"—a dining and leisure hub filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and play areas.
Key attractions inside the park:
Atomium
Often dubbed the "Eiffel Tower of Brussels," this unique monument represents a magnified unit cell of an iron crystal, originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World Expo. The atomic structure is an exact replica magnified 165 billion times. Standing 102 meters tall, it consists of nine interconnected spheres, each 18 meters in diameter, joined by steel tubes 3 meters wide.
Visitors ascend to the topmost sphere via one of the fastest elevators in Europe, reaching the summit in just 23 seconds! The panoramic viewing deck offers breathtaking views over all of Brussels, making it well worth visiting on a clear day.
The journey back down passes through long escalators (among the longest in Europe, stretching up to 35 meters) built directly inside the connecting tubes. Inside the spheres are permanent and temporary exhibitions, video presentations, and a restaurant in the upper sphere.
The monument reopened to the public in February 2006 following a complete year-long restoration.
Address: Bd. du Centenaire | Laeken, Brussels
Mini-Europe
Situated right next to the Atomium, this open-air miniature park showcases 350 intricately crafted scale models of Europe's most famous monuments and landmarks, including Big Ben, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower, Venetian gondolas beside the Doge's Palace, the Acropolis of Athens, and many more. The models are built to a uniform 1:25 scale. Many displays feature animations and motion—such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the passage of the French high-speed TGV train.
It is an engaging experience for both kids and adults who enjoy recognizing iconic European sights. The park also houses an interactive indoor exhibition, "Spirit of Europe," which uses multimedia displays to explore the history, languages, geography, and cultural identity of the European Union member states.
Admission fee applies; discounts available for children, and admission is free for children under 120 cm in height. Combined tickets can be purchased with the Atomium and the neighboring Océade water park.
Address: Bruparck, Brussels B-1020
Océade Water Park
A family water park featuring both indoor and outdoor areas. It boasts 11 varied water slides, including some of the longest slides in Belgium, a large wave pool, and an interactive shallow aqua-fun pool for toddlers. The water is maintained at a comfortable 29°C year-round. The park regularly hosts aquatic challenges and entertainment such as waterfall climbing, ring searches in the wave pool, and slackline balancing over the water. For dry recreation, interactive arcade games are available, while adults (ages 18 and over) can unwind in "Saunaland," complete with hot saunas and jacuzzis.
Address: Bruparck, Brussels B-1020
Cinquantenaire Park (Parc du Cinquantenaire)
Established in 1880 to host the National Exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence, this grand public park is entered via a monumental triumphal arch flanked by classical colonnades. Today, the park grounds house several major cultural institutions and museums.
Two museums particularly appealing to families are:
Autoworld
A fascinating collection of over 500 historic and vintage automobiles, tracing motor history from an 1899 motorized tricycle to limousines used by American presidents, including Truman and Kennedy.
Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 11, Brussels 1000
Royal Military Museum (Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire)
Although Belgium was never considered a dominant military superpower, this institution ranks among the finest military museums in the world. It features vast collections of weaponry, tanks, military uniforms ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, and an expansive aviation hall housing roughly 130 aircraft.
Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire (opposite Autoworld).
