Brussels Attractions - The Top 10 Popular Sites

Belgium's capital, the heart of Europe, the chocolate city - Brussels has many different faces that you must experience during a city trip to Belgium.

The city thrives on its contrasting architecture, numerous art and cultural treasures, its European institutions, and not least its specialties in chocolate and fries.

But which of the many attractions must not be missed during a vacation? Our Travelcircus Top 10 list of the most popular Brussels sights reveals it to you! Let's go!

The cheeky landmark of Brussels

Berlin has the 368 m tall TV Tower, Paris has the 300 m high Eiffel Tower, London has the 135 m London Eye - and Brussels has the 61 cm tall (or small) Manneken Pis.

This bronze figure of the cheeky, water-squirting little boy is THE landmark of Brussels. And even though it measures less than one meter, it is one of the most popular sights in Brussels, bringing joy to Belgians for generations.

Manneken Pis is located at the corner of Rue de l'Etuve and Rue des Grands Carmes and was created in 1619. At the time, Jérôme Duquesnoy, who crafted the cheeky boy, probably had no idea how famous this little statue would become.

Quite popular

Not only the Brussels residents took a liking to Manneken Pis, but also many thieves. Thus, the statue has been stolen several times. Since 1965, what can be seen in Brussels is no longer the original Manneken Pis, but a copy.

Those who want to see the real water-releasing boy should visit the 'Maison du Roi' museum. Incidentally, his costumes are also on display there. On festive occasions like a game of the Belgian national football team, the bronze figure is dressed up.

Did you know? According to legend, Manneken Pis stands for disrespect and bravery. In Brussels, there are two other urinating figures: a small squatting girl (Jeanneke Pis) - also by a fountain - and a dog (Zinneken Pis) that lifts its leg on a street post.

Futuristic, innovative, and symbolic

A little futuristic, a little scientific, and above all quite strange. This is perhaps the best way to describe Belgium's most famous building and our Rank 2 in the list of the most popular Brussels attractions.

The Atomium is a 102 m high steel structure that represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It consists of 9 gigantic spheres (each with a diameter of 18 m) and several 23 m long tubes.

The Atomium was built for the World Expo in 1958. The futuristic structure was meant to honor scientific and technological progress as well as the democratic will to maintain or preserve peace between nations.

Inside the spheres

During a visit, 5 of the 9 spheres can be accessed. In the highest one, there is a restaurant where you can enjoy not only good food but also a wonderful view of Brussels.

In another sphere, there is a permanent exhibition that provides insight into the construction and significance of the building.

Tip: Visit the Atomium in the evening as well. At sunset, the sun magically colors the 9 metal spheres before they illuminate with thousands of light bulbs.

When thinking of Brussels, you probably immediately think of Europe. And rightly so. The European Quarter of the city houses most of the European Union's institutions, including:

the European Commission in the Berlaymont building

the European Council in the Justus Lipsius building

the European Parliament in the Espace Leopold building

The most modern quarter in the EU

Although the European Quarter is not the prettiest of Brussels' sights, it is still one of the city's most important attractions.

This area of modern architectural complexes stretches between Brussels Park, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and Leopold Park. Of course, you can visit the European Quarter's buildings not just from the outside.

Experience the EU

A visit to the Parlamentarium in the Espace Leopold building is particularly popular. Here, you have the opportunity to experience Europe and the Parliament's work through various installations.

You can even choose which of the 24 official EU languages you want to read and hear the information in. Admission to the Parlamentarium is free.

Highlights in the Parlamentarium

the 'United in Diversity' room with a huge LED installation on the ceiling

a 360° panoramic film about the European Parliament

the tunnel of voices, which addresses the multilingualism of Europe

the virtual journey through Europe with its colorful countries and citizens

Those who wish can also participate in a plenary session and dive into the atmosphere of the largest transnational parliament in the world. For more information, click here.

Between Italian Baroque and Flemish decor

The Grand Place is not only the most beautiful of our Brussels sights, but also one of the most beautiful in the world!

This is mainly due to the extraordinary architecture of the central square. The buildings lining the Grand Place showcase an impressive mix of Italian Baroque and Flemish decoration.

This mix is reflected, among other things, in numerous ornate guild houses. And of course, the richly decorated town hall stands out. Since 1998, this impressive place has also been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tip: Grand Place is also a venue for numerous festivals and cultural events. Every two years in August, it transforms into a giant sea of colorful begonias (the so-called flower carpet). In July, it is the venue for the Ommegang - a colorful procession. And in December, a charming winter market stretches between Grand Place and the fish market.

Next to Manneken Pis and the Grand Place, the Town Hall must definitely be included in our top 10 Brussels sights. With its beautiful facade, the Town Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

The jewel on the Grand Place

What makes it special: Its facade is extremely richly and elaborately decorated. Together with the tall slender bell tower and the belfry, the Town Hall stands out clearly from the building ensemble of the Grand Place.

The belfry of the Town Hall is also richly decorated and beautifully designed. This is mainly because it should be more beautiful and representative than the belfry of Bruges.

You can also see many sculptures and a golden figure representing Brussels' patron saint, the archangel Michael, battling a dragon.

Tip: Don't miss a guided tour inside this impressive Brussels landmark. Tours in English, for example, start on Wednesdays at 3 PM and Sundays at 10 AM.

Europe in miniature

Want to travel through Europe in 80 days? With Mini Europe in Brussels, you can easily do it in 2 hours. This unique miniature park features more than 350 miniature versions of European sights at the foot of the Atomium. For example, you can see:

Interactive model buildings

Among the highlights of our sixth place of Brussels sights are mainly the animated miniature models. For instance, you can make the Berlin Wall collapse or accompany the TGV on its way to Paris. Or how about making Vesuvius erupt?

Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, seasonal variations may apply! | Closed: From January to the end of February | Admission: Free for children under 1.20 m

Did you know? Can you guess how many hours of work it takes to create a miniature monument? Thousands! The builders required a total of 19,000 working hours for the Grand Place of Brussels.

Brussels is also all about chocolate! It can rightfully be said that there is no other city in the world with such a high density of top-notch chocolatiers as Brussels.

How the sweet story began

This can largely be traced back to the Swiss Jean Neuhaus. He patented the method of making this sweet treat in Brussels in 1912.

The hot, liquid chocolate is first poured into small metal molds. It is then filled with a selected filling and finally sealed with a chocolate disk.

Since then, pralines have been part of the Belgian way of life. Instead of flowers, people give each other delicious chocolates.

Best chocolatiers in Brussels

But which chocolatiers in Brussels are worth the visit? For example, these five:

Art and culture fans will love Rank 8 of our Brussels sights. The Mont des Arts, the art hill, represents a unique connection of numerous world-class museums and cultural institutions.

Surrounding the art hill are a total of 16 buildings. These include, among others:

Royal Museum of Fine Arts

The main attraction is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Visitors dive into various art epochs here. Among the 20,000 exhibits are modern and classical art, numerous sculptures, and paintings.

BELvue Museum

Equally exciting is the BELvue Museum. It showcases what Belgium stands for besides fries, chocolates, and beer. Topics such as democracy, prosperity, solidarity, pluralism, migration, language, and Europe are addressed.

Each topic is brought to life through experiential reports and explained in its historical context to help understand modern Belgium.

Berlin has its currywurst, Paris the croissant, London fish & chips - and Brussels has chocolate. Which city could better host a chocolate museum than here?

This unique museum was founded in 1998 by Gabrielle Draps. She is the wife of Godiva chocolatier Jo Draps. Since then, visitors have been able to immerse themselves in the world of chocolate. Here, its history, tracing back to the Mayans and Aztecs, is vividly explained.

All about chocolate

Additionally, you will learn here how chocolate is created. It includes everything from the cultivation of cocoa, through the harvest to the artisanal processing. You will also learn among other things,

Did you know? The Aztecs offered chocolate to the gods as a sacrifice. The Aztec ruler is said to have enjoyed it daily as a hot drink.

Besides chocolate, it is also waffles and fries that Belgians prepare like no other people. Therefore, a city trip to Brussels must also include stops at one of the many waffle and fry stands.

Waffles

The famous Brussels waffle dates back to 1856, when Maximilian Consael first created this sweet treat. Since then, it has been available at various corners of the city.

But what is special about it? On one hand, its particularly fluffy egg batter, and on the other hand, its square shape. Typically, the golden-brown waffle is enjoyed in its natural state. However, it is often enhanced with powdered sugar, whipped cream, fruit, or chocolate.

Waffles can be found at almost every corner in Brussels at a waffle stand. Those looking for a wide selection will find themselves well served on Rue de l'Etuve. Or at the waffle shop next to Manneken Pis.

Fries

Nowhere else do fries taste as good as in Brussels. Their extraordinarily good flavor is due to the fact that the potato strips are fried twice in beef fat.

If you're looking for particularly good fries, head to Maison Antoine, Fritland, or Frit Flagey. There are many great sauces to accompany the fries like Joppiesauce (curry and onions), Samourai sauce (spicy, with sambal), pickles (with gherkins), or just plain ketchup.

Brussels is a modern and significant city for Europe. But as you can see in our top 10 sights in Brussels, it is not only the seat of many EU institutions. Brussels offers many modern and historical buildings, art and culture, quirky stories, and very special delicacies.

So when planning your city trip through Europe, make sure to take a detour to Brussels. It is worth it!