So, you’ve been to Grand Place and Manneken Pis, what next? Brussels is absolutely filled with things to see and do, so even once you’ve been to the main attractions, there is still much more to be discovered. With this list of 10 fun and unique things to do in Brussels, I’m taking you off the beaten path to see more of the real Brussels. There’s history and modernity, nature, culture and fun, and something for everyone to enjoy!
Just starting to plan a trip to Brussels? Make sure you check out my Essential Brussels Travel Guide. It has everything you need to plan a trip to Brussels, including six of the main attractions in Brussels that should also be on your itinerary.
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Discover the Covered Passages
Covered passages are one of the most ornate and exciting peeks into the past. They aren’t unique to Brussels – arcades designed to make shopping more pleasant for the middle classes appeared all over Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Most arcades today share ornate designs, glass roofs (to let in light), and an old-fashioned feel.
There are around six covered passages still around in Brussels today. The most beautiful of them is definitely Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. It still functions as a shopping arcade, with many local Brussels shops and chocolatiers found here. A couple of others worth visiting are Passage du Nord and Galerie Bortier.
Visit a Unique Museum
I tried to pick just one museum to recommend in this guide of unique things to do in Brussels, but with over 100 museums in the city, that was an impossible task. There is so much to discover in Brussels’ museums, from history and traditional culture to fun, quirky and modern exhibitions. Here are a few of my top picks of unique museums in Brussels:
- The Brussels Tram Museum – discover vintage trams and buses, and even take a tour around Brussels on them!
- Civa – Belgian Architecture through history
- Fondation Brel – Museum dedicated to famous Belgian singer Jacques Brel
- Gard Robe Manneken Pis – displaying all the outfits of Belgium’s iconic Manneken Pis
- MOOF Museum of Original Figurines – see 3D sculptures and figurines of Brussels’ most famous comic characters
Hang out at Place Poelaert
Brussels is a very flat city, and there aren’t many places where you can look out over the city. However, at Place Poelaert, you can look out over the centre of Brussels – you’ll see the top of the Brussels Town Hall at Grand Place, and even Atomium, 10km in the distance! In the summer months, there is a Ferris Wheel here so you can get an even better view.
Place Poelaert is also home to the Brussels Palais de Justice (the highest court in Brussels). This might not seem that interesting but it’s somewhat of an attraction, and a joke with Belgians, as the building has been under renovation for the past 37 years, with no end in sight!
Find some Art Nouveau Architecture
The energetic Art Nouveau was born in Brussels in the late 19th century, and the city today is a playground of Art Nouveau style. Art Nouveau was all about breaking tradition and exploring curved lines, taking inspiration from the real world and pushing the boundaries of styles at the time.
Although Art Nouveau isn’t exclusively architecture, buildings are the best way to see this aesthetic in action in Brussels. Some notable spots are:
To discover more about Art Nouveau and its history, book a guided Art Nouveau tour around Brussels.
Check out these top Brussels attractions
Get Drinks in an Old Pharmacy
La Pharmacie Anglaise, in the centre of Brussels, is a cocktail bar housed in an old pharmacy. They’ve really leaned into the history, keeping a lot of the original features and decorating the whole bar with a mysterious, old-fashioned feel. This is one of those bars where you really come for a unique experience, and the drinks are great too.
The exterior of La Pharmacie Anglaise is just as beautiful as the interior, and it’s my favourite building in all of Brussels. Even if you don’t plan to visit the bar, I recommend passing by to see the exterior.
Address | Open Mon-Sat 17:00-00:00 (01:30 Fri-Sat); Sun 14:30-22:30 | Instagram | Price $$$
Head Back in Time at Coudenberg
In the 13th century, a huge royal Palace used to sit on what is now Place Royal. It has a vibrant history as an entertainment space for many royals and was built bigger and bigger throughout the centuries until it dominated over Brussels. In the 1700s, it burnt down and was left untouched for around 40 years, before plans were made to renovate the space in Place Royal.
Nowadays, you can discover the palace underground at the Coudenberg Museum, and the structures of the building that the ‘new Brussels’ is built on right above. An audio guide will take you through the whole archaeological site and you can really dive into the history of this unique and historically important spot.
Address (entrance currently via BELvue Museum) | Open Tues-Fri 09:30-17:00; Weekend + Summer 10:00-18:00
Website | Price €10 (various reductions, see website)
Tour the Laeken Greenhouses
Laeken is a huge park in the north of Brussels, next to the famous Atomium museum. In the centre of the park is the official residence of the Belgian Royal Family, Chateau de Laeken. For three weeks every year, in the spring, the Royal Family open up the castle grounds and allow visitors to tour the gardens and greenhouses.
This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Brussels, as many locals haven’t even experienced it. The greenhouses are gorgeous, filled with interesting plants and sculptures. Tickets are only a few euros but must be booked in advance – they aren’t too difficult to get a hold of but this is a popular event so can’t be left to the last minute.
If you are visiting Brussels between April and June, have a look on the Belgian Monarchy website to see the opening dates and if tickets are available.
Ride Tram 44 to Tervuren
Brussels’ tram system doesn’t offer much as a tourist attraction, with the exception of Line 44 to Tervuren. The roughly 20-minute journey takes you to the eastern outskirts, and most of the tramline is surrounded by trees. There are some spectacular views along this route in Autumn when the trees are changing colours and dropping their leaves.
Once you arrive in Tervuren, you can have a wander around the beautiful Tervuren Park, visit the Royal Museum for Central Africa, and then simply hop on the tram for another scenic journey back to Brussels.
How to get the tram: Head to Montgomery metro station, and follow signs for Tram 44 to Tervuren Station. The last stop on the line (Tervuren Station) is where you’ll alight.
Relax at Gare Maritime
In its day, Gare Maritime was a powerhouse of freight shipping in Brussels. It has now been transformed into what Tour & Taxis, its creator, calls an ‘indoor city’. It’s a truly beautiful building that has been built with the future in mind – sustainability, community and modernity all come to mind.
I must say, I discovered Gare Maritime before it was opened and came here several times to enjoy the peaceful nature. Now, a food market has opened in the centre of the building and it has a bustling, vibrant atmosphere, exactly as it was intended to be. It has only been open since November 2021, so be a pioneer and try out one of the most unique things to do in Brussels while it’s still a hidden treasure!
Food market open Wednesday-Saturday 12:00-22:30 (21:30 Wed); Sun 10:00-20:00 | Website
Wander around Mini Europe
This one’s for a little fun, and to travel all over Europe on an afternoon in Brussels. Mini Europe is an outdoor museum displaying 350 custom made sculptures of all of Europe’s most famous monuments and landmarks. You can see miniature versions of the Eiffel Tower, the Berlin Wall, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Big Ben, to name just a few!
Mini Europe is right next to the Atomium, so it’s great to spend an afternoon in Brussels visiting the two attractions. You can even buy combined tickets.
Address | Website (with opening hours) | Tickets
Note: Annual closure until 26/03/22
And there you go – 10 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Brussels! These things to do are perfect to add to your existing Brussels itinerary (if you don’t have one yet, make sure you check out my recommendations in the Essential Brussels Travel Guide) to explore a little more of Brussels’ culture and see this city how the locals do.
If you’re planning a trip to Brussels, you may want to check out some more Belgium guides, like:
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