Between the red-bricked terraces, cobbled grounds, unique architecture, and street art lining the streets of Brussels, you could easily take a picture for your Instagram on every corner! To save your storage and cut down your editing time, I’ve compiled a list of the best Instagram spots in Brussels, full of Brussels photo spots that you’ll definitely want to capture.
Whether you have the fanciest camera on the market or simply want to capture some memories with your phone, once you’ve finished reading this guide to the best Instagram spots in Brussels you’ll be ready to elevate your social media with a hoard of amazing shots.
No time to read now? Pin this post for later!
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more in my disclaimer.
The Most Beautiful Buildings in Brussels
La Pharmacie Anglaise
La Pharmacie Anglaise is a cocktail bar in the centre of Brussels, and it captivates just about everyone that passes the corner it proudly sits on. Indicated by its apt name, La Pharmacie Anglaise was once a functioning pharmacy and the building has been beautifully preserved, with red brick, ornate windows, and neo-gothic and neo-renaissance elements.
Although the exterior of La Pharmacie Anglaise is the true spectacle, the bar inside is beautifully decorated and follows the pharmacy theme well. Make sure you grab a cocktail or two for a nice treat during your time in Brussels!
Grand Place
So many European cities, especially the capitals, are centered around a large, ornate square, bustling with life and history. Brussels might just have one of the most impressive of them all. Grand Place, also known as Grote Markt, is surrounded on four sides by buildings that get more impressive with every turn.
You’ll find the Brussels City Museum (The King’s House) and the famous Brussels Town Hall sat opposite each other, and traditional Flemish houses and guild halls fill in the gaps. Grand Place is not only one of the most beautiful Instagram spots in Brussels but the most popular and culturally important spot in the whole city!
Top Tip: Go early if you’d like to get a photo with as few people as possible at Grand Place – unsurprisingly, it gets pretty busy here!
Maison Saint-Cyr
Brussels is famed as the birthplace of Art Nouveau architecture, and there are a huge number of Art Nouveau buildings to be discovered around the city. Maison Saint-Cyr sits unassumingly on the edge of Ambiorix Square in Brussels’ European Quarter.
With its green iron gate and balconies, rounded windows, and intricate gables, this tiny house is truly one of the most spectacular examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Brussels, and more than worthy of a feature on your Instagram!
If you’re interested in discovering more Art Nouveau architecture in Brussels, check out this amazing Guided Art Nouveau Tour!
Royal Museum for Central Africa
Photo Locations: Top | Left | Right
On the outskirts of Brussels lies Park van Tervuren, home to the Royal Museum for Central Africa. The museum itself is an important place to learn about Belgium’s colonial history, and the neoclassical building itself makes for a great Brussels photo spot!
It’s especially great if you visit on a bright day when you can see the reflection of the museum in the pond that lies in front.
Park van Tervuren is also great to explore and has some of the most beautiful Instagram spots in Brussels in Autumn. Catching the best time for Autumn colours and fallen leaves varies by year, but for reference, these were taken in the first week of November.
The Most Beautiful Streets in Brussels
Rue de la Cigogne
Brussels is certainly not short of cute hidden cobbled streets, and I’ve wandered down enough of them to decide that Rue de la Cigogne is the most charming street in Brussels.
More of an alleyway than a street, you access Rue de la Cigogne via an arch on one side, and a gate on the other. This street clings to tradition in an ever-modernising city and the small houses offer a cottage-like feel with a quaint atmosphere.
Rue de la Cigogne is a small and quiet residential street, so if you plan to visit this street to take photos please be respectful of the people that live here.
Rue des Bouchers
Rue des Bouchers is a bustling street in the middle of Brussels, filled with restaurants and bars that spill onto the cobbles in true Brussels fashion.
If you can catch a quiet morning on Rue des Bouchers, the traditional cobbles and old red brick facades make for a classic Brussels photo spot – you might even see the tops of the Brussels Town Hall peeking through!
Rue de l’Homme Chrétien
Here’s another Instagram spot in Brussels where you can catch a glimpse of the towers of Brussels Town Hall peeking through above the surrounding buildings.
You might be able to guess by now that I’m a big fan of the traditional and quaint when it comes to photo spots in Brussels, as Rue de l’Homme Chrétien is another cobbled street with traditional buildings – you just can’t beat them!
Mont des Arts
Brussels is quite a flat city, and there aren’t many places where you can look over the city from above. Mont des Arts offers the chance to see some semblance of a Brussels skyline, and of course, the famous Brussels Town Hall tower is peeking through again!
Although more of an open space than a street, Mont des Arts is still one of the most beautiful spots in Brussels. Mont des Arts reminds me a lot of Trocadero, one of the best Instagram spots in Paris, with its open space and garden area below.
Top Tip: If you want an even more panoramic view, head to the café in the nearby Musical Instrument Museum (currently closed).
Discover the best things to do in Brussels!
Best Instagram Spots in Brussels for Street Art
The Brussels Comic Book Route
The Brussels Comic Book Route is a pretty location-heavy Instagram spot in Brussels as there are actually more than 50 comic murals across the city. These amazing murals are bright and interesting, and make a great subject for an Instagram photo!
My two favourite Instagram spots in Brussels on the Comic Book Route are Ric Hochet (pictured left) and Leonard (pictured right). The former takes up the perfect space on a gorgeous street, and I love how well the mural fits in. For the latter, I love the acknowledgement of the surroundings, where the comic characters can be seen painting the Palais de Justice, which is seen in the background of the photo.
Balkan Trafik Mural
For over a decade, Brussels has hosted the annual Balkan Trafik festival to celebrate the history and culture of the Balkan countries. For the past five of these years, a mural has been inaugurated in the city by various Balkan artists as part of the celebration.
The most vibrant and accessible is the 2019 edition, You Can Only See Well With Your Heart. The huge mural features bright colours and designs, and radiates joy.
Other Instagram Spots in Brussels
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert
Brussels is home to a few covered passages – old arcades that now house stylish boutiques and Belgian chocolate shops. The most ornate and beautiful of these passages is the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, just a stone’s throw from Grand Place.
This is another spot that transforms into a bustling hub once the shops and cafés open for the day, so make sure you get along early for the best shots.
Cinquantenaire Park
One of many parks and gardens in Brussels, Cinquantenaire Park is a beautiful green space in Brussels’ European Quarter. Aside from the 74 acres of park, Cinquantenaire is home to the city’s triumphal arch, adorned with sculptures and statues representing provinces of Belgium, and a wide arcade surrounding it.
Cinquantenaire Arch and some of the surrounding buildings are the best Instagram spots in Brussels in Cinquantenaire Park, but the grassy park area is also beautiful, especially in Autumn when the leaves change colour.
Vauxhall
This spectacular hidden gem in Brussels is hidden inside Brussels Park, and was historically and is currently used as an outdoor music and theatre venue.
The intricate detail in the metal of the building’s frame make it one of the unique buildings to see, and this gorgeous spot is definitely one of the best Instagram spots in Brussels, and a hidden gem in Brussels too!
Laeken Greenhouses
The Laeken Palace and Greenhouses are extra special, as they are only opened to the public during the spring/summer, with limited availability. The grounds and palace are beautiful, but when it comes to the best Instagram spots in Brussels, the Laeken Greenhouses are the place to be.
Wander past exotic plants, marvel up at the greenhouse glass, and see the huge arches and sculptures… and take pictures of it all as you go!
Exact photo locations are unavailable, however, these spots will all be passed on the Laeken Greenhouse tour.
Laeken Palace and Greenhouses Location
Atomium
Aside from Grand Place, Atomium has to be the most iconic Brussels landmark. This humungous sculpture is based on an atom model, and the spheres house a museum and restaurant.
Althought visiting the Atomum is an incredible experience, seeing the sculpture from outside makes for the best photo. There’s plenty of space to fit in the whole sculpture in the picture behind you, and you’ll really get the full effect of how huge the Atomium is.
After these fifteen amazing Instagram spots in Brussels, you’ll be ready to share them all across your social media and make everyone jealous.
I’ve included the exact locations of these Instagram spots in Brussels using What3Words, taking all the hassle and difficulty of finding the photo spots away! I’ve even compiled them all into a handy collection with map, which is available here on their app.
If you liked this Brussels photo guide, make sure you check out these guides:
Leave a Reply