Discover 10 Free Activities for Tourists in Brussels

Before heading to Belgium, check the weather as the country is known for its unpredictable climate. Try to visit on beautiful sunny days.

Explore 10 Free Activities for Tourists in Brussels

Similarly to other European cities, the best way to explore Brussels is on foot, so choose comfortable and suitable footwear.

Visit Grand Place (Grote Markt)

This is the central square of Brussels, also known as the most beautiful square in Europe. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, it was voted the most beautiful square in Europe in 2010.

The most striking architecture here is the towering City Hall, standing nearly 100 meters tall, built in the medieval era with a Gothic-style structure resembling a cathedral. Across from it lies the City Museum of Brussels.

Every two years in August, the square is adorned with a large flower carpet for a few days. In proximity to this square, you'll discover the statue of Everard 't Serclaes.

Local residents believe that touching or rubbing the statue, especially its arm, brings good luck and helps turn your wishes into reality.

Admire the Manneken Pis Statue

Manneken Pis is a 61cm tall bronze sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain. Located near the Grand Place, this is one of Belgium's most famous landmarks.

Numerous legends surround the origin of the statue. If you ask the locals, you might receive various, intriguing answers.

Some claim that in 1142, a young general urinated on the invading troops trying to seize Brussels, reflecting the Belgians' defiance against oppression.

Alternatively, another explanation from the 14th century recounts a boy named Julianske witnessing enemy forces ignite a fuse. In a quick response, he urinated on it to extinguish the flames.

While no precise answer exists, these intriguing legends help elucidate why the Manneken Pis statue captivates numerous tourists.

The Manneken Pis statue has been stolen many times. The restored original version is preserved at the Breadhouse on Grand Place. Weekly, the boy's attire is changed, and occasionally even... his urine. Besides water, it might be wine or beer.

Although the Manneken Pis in Brussels is the most famous, similar statues are placed in several Belgian towns like Geraardsbergen, Koksijde, Hasselt, Ghent, Bruges... There's even a Manneken Pis statue in Tokushima, Japan, presented by the Belgian Embassy.

You can explore the female counterpart named Jeanneke Pis located on Impasse de la Fidélité. Built since 1987, the statue is now fenced to prevent vandalism.

Additionally, there's a dog counterpart statue named Zinneke Pis built in 1998 at the intersection of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux-Marché.

 Explore Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

This is a must-visit! The integrated showcase architecture in this shopping district, especially the glass ceiling, will enchant you at first sight.

Constructed in 1847, this place surpasses all other famous 19th-century shopping centers like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan and The Passage in St Petersburg.

A small tip for you: avoid spending on food here. It can be quite expensive. Save up to indulge in better quality and more affordable options elsewhere.

Explore the Comic Strip Route

Did you know that the hometown of famous comic series like The Adventures of Tintin, The Smurfs, Spirou and Fantasion, Lucky Luke, and the Dalton Brothers is Brussels?

Here, numerous wall paintings illustrate these renowned comics. You don't have to explore them all; just check the list of comics along this route and find the streets featuring your favorites.

Comic culture is also something to delve into if you want to understand Brussels.

Visit Free Museums

There are plenty of museums in Brussels with free admission. If you're interested in military history, feel free to explore the Royal Castle Museum and Military History or, to learn about the European Parliament, head to the Parlamentarium museum.

Other notable museums like the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, and the Museum of Natural Sciences also open their doors to the public for free, but only on the first Wednesday of each month.

Relax in Gardens and Parks

Among them, some particularly interesting places include Mont des Arts – a park offering panoramic views of the city, especially the Grand Palace square and City Hall; Parc de Bruxelles – the largest urban park in the city center, covering 1.3 hectares with surrounding structures like the Royal Palace and the Belgian Parliament building; Place du Petit Sablon – a small yet charming garden with 48 bronze statues depicting medieval crafts; Parc du Cinquantenaire – a 30-hectare park containing three museums built by King Leopold II to commemorate 50 years of Belgian independence (1880); Serres Royales De Laeken – a garden with magnificent greenhouse architecture, open to the public for three weeks each spring.

Key Political Organizations of Europe and Belgium

Brussels is called the center of Europe as it hosts most of the important institutions of the European Union, especially in the European Quarter – the unofficial name for the triangle area between Parc de Bruxelles, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and Leopold Park.

Some of the most prominent sites you'll see are the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, and Belgium's political buildings like the Royal Palace of Brussels, the National Palace, and the Palace of Justice.

 Visit Churches

Most churches may have an entrance fee, but exploring them is worthwhile for their intricately designed architecture inside that will truly captivate you.

Some beautiful churches include St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral – often used for nationally significant ceremonies (royal weddings, state funerals, etc.), the National Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg – hosting Church ceremonies, conferences, exhibitions, and even housing a restaurant, theater, broadcasting studio, and two museums inside, and the Church of Our Lady of Laeken – built to commemorate Queen Louise-Marie, the wife of King Leopold.

Marvel at the Atomium Molecular Model

Although only 51 years old, if there were a vote for Brussels' most beloved icon, Atomium might surpass Manneken Pis.

Architect André Waterkeyn designed Atomium for the first Expo after World War II held in Brussels from 17-4 to 19-10-1958, envisioning it as a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of atomic energy.

With the crystal model of the iron element used to execute the concept, Atomium is scaled up 165 billion times.

The Atomium stands at a height of 102m and weighs approximately 2,400 tons. It is composed of 9 spheres symbolizing the 9 atoms in the crystalline structure of the iron element.

Each sphere has a diameter of 18m and is connected by 20 tubes. Each of these tubes, with a length of 23m, features stairs or escalators for navigation.

Among the 9 spheres of the Atomium, 6 are accessible for visitors. The central sphere has an elevator to take tourists to the highest sphere in just 25 seconds.

There's a restaurant here for visitors to stop, dine, and enjoy the city from above through a series of windows.

Originally intended for the 1958 Expo for just 6 months and slated for demolition afterward, the Atomium stands tall today as an inseparable icon of Brussels, akin to Paris's Eiffel Tower.

Enjoy Free Music and Theatre

Brussels offers not only free museums but also free performances. For instance, the Musical Instrument Museum and various city venues regularly host free concerts to enhance everyone's nightlife.

By Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide