- Brussels is geographically situated in a bilingual enclave where French and Dutch are both official languages, despite the city being physically located in the Dutch-speaking Flanders region.
- The city's street signs are officially required to be displayed in both French and Dutch.
- Brussels hosts the highest concentration of registered lobbyists in the world after Washington, D.C., due to its status as the administrative heart of the EU.
- The city features an extensive network of Art Nouveau architecture, with several townhouses designed by Victor Horta recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Despite its compact size, the city's urban planning was significantly altered by the 'Brusselization' process in the mid-20th century, leading to the controversial demolition of many historic neighborhoods.
About City of Brussels
Brussels serves as the de facto capital of the European Union, functioning as a multilingual administrative hub at the heart of Europe. The city architecture spans from the ornate guildhalls of the Grand Place to the futuristic design of the [169] Atomium. Visitors can explore the historic center to view the [537] Manneken Pis or enjoy the curated greenery of the [1387842] Parc de Bruxelles. The cultural landscape is anchored by institutions like the [3295] Belgium Royal Museums of Fine Arts, reflecting the nation's rich legacy in fine arts and surrealism.
Highlights of City of Brussels
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This monumental stainless steel structure represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.
Places of interest
This small bronze fountain sculpture has become an iconic symbol of the city's irreverent humor.
Parks
This expansive urban park features the triumphal triple-arched Cinquantenaire monument and several large museums.
Temples
This dual-patron cathedral is a prime example of Brabantine Gothic architecture in Belgium.
Historical places
This landscaped hillside offers a panoramic vantage point over the city center architecture.
Places of interest
The palace serves as the official seat of the Belgian monarchy and is adjacent to the regal Parc de Bruxelles.
Museums
The museum is famous for its collection of fossilized Iguanodon skeletons discovered in a Belgian coal mine.
Amusement parks
This park displays miniature replicas of Europe's most famous landmarks at a 1:25 scale.
Top things to do in City of Brussels
The 559 highest-rated places in City of Brussels, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
The Atomium is a 102-meter-tall landmark representing an iron crystal unit cell magnified 165 billion times. Designed by...
2
Places of interest
Manneken Pis is a 61-centimeter tall bronze fountain sculpture depicting a young boy urinating into the basin. Designed...
3
Parks
Parc du Cinquantenaire, also known as Jubelpark, is a 30-hectare urban park dominated by a triple-arched triumphal arch...
4
Temples
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a Brabantine Gothic landmark situated on the Treurenberg hill in Brussels. While...
5
Parks
Parc de Bruxelles, also known as Warandepark, is the largest urban park in the city center of Brussels and serves as a f...
6
Historical places
Mont des Arts is a historic urban complex in central Brussels designed as a cultural hub connecting the upper and lower...
7
Places of interest
The Brussels Royal Palace serves as the official administrative seat and workplace of the Belgian monarch rather than a...
8
Parks
Cambre Woods, or Bois de la Cambre, is a large urban forest serving as a central green lung for Brussels, located on the...
9
Museums
The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is home to the Gallery of Dinosaurs, one of the largest museum halls in...
10
Museums
Autoworld is a premier automotive museum located in the southern hall of the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels. The col...
11
Museums
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium represent a multidisciplinary complex comprising six distinct museums, includi...
12
Amusement parks
Mini-Europe is a miniature park located at the foot of the Atomium in Brussels, featuring over 350 detailed scale models...
13
Museums
Choco-Story Brussels is a dedicated chocolate museum located in the heart of the Belgian capital, showcasing the history...
14
Museums
The Parlamentarium is the official visitor center of the European Parliament, designed to explain the legislative proces...
15
Places of interest
Jeanneke Pis is a bronze fountain sculpture depicting a small girl urinating, serving as the feminine counterpart to the...
16
Parks
Josaphat Park is a 20-hectare public green space in Schaerbeek, Brussels, designed in the English landscape style by lan...
17
Parks
Parc de Laeken is an expansive 186-hectare landscaped English-style garden that serves as the primary outdoor setting fo...
18
Museums
The Magritte Museum serves as the world's largest repository of works by the Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte. H...
19
Temples
The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located in the Koekelberg district, is the fifth-largest Catholic church in t...
20
Museums
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History is housed within the monumental U-shaped complex of the Cinqua...
21
Temples
Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon is a late Gothic church situated in the Sablon district of Brussels, dating ba...
22
Parks
Parc Léopold is a historical urban green space located in the heart of the European Quarter of Brussels. Originally esta...
23
Museums
The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is housed in the Old England building, a notable example of Art Nouveau architectur...
24
Museums
25
Places of interest
26
Venues
27
Parks
28
Museums
29
Parks
30
Places of interest
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City of Brussels on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to City of Brussels
May to June or September, when temperatures are mild and the city avoids the heavy tourist crowds of mid-summer.
3-4 days, allowing time to cover the historic core, museum districts, and the suburban attractions like the Atomium.
The city is highly walkable in the center, supported by an efficient integrated network of metro, tram, and bus lines operated by STIB/MIVB.
Stay in the City Center for proximity to historic landmarks, or the European Quarter for a quieter, business-oriented atmosphere with excellent transport links.
Brussels is a mid-to-high budget destination, with prices for dining and lodging comparable to other major Western European administrative capitals.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 559 curated attractions in and around City of Brussels, ranked by traveller ratings.
Atomium is the highest-rated place to visit in City of Brussels right now.
The largest category is museums, with 174 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Antwerp, Liège, Ghent.
Explore more of Belgium
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
