Brussels-Capital Region Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Brussels-Capital Region.

1. 1

   Grand Place (Grote Markt)

   landmarkAdult Free (square); Town Hall guided visit about €10 (~$12) · Child Free (square)1-2 hours

   UNESCO-listed medieval square ringed by gilded guildhalls, the Gothic Town Hall and the Maison du Roi. Biennial Flower Carpet in August of even years.

   Tip: Arrive before 09:00 for an almost empty square and the best photographs. · Return after dark when the guildhalls are lit and tour groups have gone. · Town Hall visits are guided only; check times at the tourist office on the square. · Watch for pickpockets in busy summer and Christmas market periods. · Restaurants directly on the square charge a premium; side streets are cheaper.

2. 2

   Atomium

   landmarkAdult €16 (~$18) approx. adult · Child Reduced fares for children and youth1.5-2 hours

   The 102-metre steel model of an iron crystal built for Expo 58, with exhibitions inside the spheres, a panoramic top sphere and a sphere restaurant.

   Tip: Arrive soon after 10:00 on weekdays to avoid lift queues. · Buy a timed ticket online in advance in high season. · Photograph the exterior from the plaza before entering, then again near sunset. · Ask about combined tickets with Mini-Europe next door. · Allow extra time if reserving a table in the top-sphere restaurant.

3. 3

   Manneken Pis

   landmarkAdult Free · Child Free10-15 minutes

   The tiny bronze fountain statue (a 1619 design, current statue a 1965 copy) with a wardrobe of 1,000+ costumes. The Garderobe MannekenPis museum at Rue du Chêne 19 shows the outfits.

   Tip: Check the Brussels City costume calendar to see the statue in an outfit. · Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds at the corner. · Remember it is small; the original is in the City Museum on the Grand Place. · Combine with the GardeRobe museum for the full costume collection. · Be alert for pickpockets in the crowd.

4. 4

   Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

   museumAdult €10 (~$12) approx. (combined tickets with Magritte Museum available) · Child Free for under 19s2-3 hours

   Old Masters (Bruegel, Rubens, Jordaens, Bosch-circle works), Belgian Symbolism and the modern wing, in one building complex beside Place Royale.

   Tip: Choose the combined ticket if also visiting the Magritte Museum. · Weekday afternoons are the quietest time. · Under-19s enter free, so bring ID for teenagers. · Check for the discounted first Wednesday afternoon of the month. · Start with the Bruegel rooms before the galleries fill.

5. 5

   Magritte Museum

   museumAdult €10 (~$12) approx. · Child Free for under 19s1.5-2 hours

   The world's largest collection of René Magritte paintings, drawings and objects, spread over three floors of the Hôtel Altenloh on Place Royale.

   Tip: Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school groups. · Under-19s enter free; check discounted entry on the first Wednesday afternoon. · Consider the audio guide for the symbolism of each period. · Buy a combined Fine Arts museum ticket if visiting the Museum of Ancient Art too. · Closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

6. 6

   Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

   religious siteAdult Free (donation); crypt/towers/treasury small fee · Child Free45-60 minutes

   Brabantine Gothic cathedral (13th-16th c.) of the Belgian state ceremonies, with Renaissance stained glass, a baroque pulpit and an archaeological crypt.

   Tip: Visit in late morning for the best light through the stained glass. · Entry to the nave is free; budget a few euros for crypt, towers or treasury. · Check service times before arriving, since access may be limited. · Dress modestly and keep noise low. · The uphill walk from Central Station takes about seven minutes.

7. 7

   Royal Palace of Brussels

   palaceAdult Free in the summer opening period · Child Free1 hour

   The official office of the Belgian monarch (the royal family lives at Laeken), facing Brussels Park. Visit the Throne Room and the Mirror Room, whose ceiling is covered with the wing-shells of jewel beetles.

   Tip: Check the Belgian Monarchy website for exact summer opening dates. · Arrive at opening time to shorten the queue. · Expect an airport-style security check and travel light. · Combine with the Coudenberg site and Brussels Park nearby.

8. 8

   Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert

   landmarkAdult Free · Child Free30-45 minutes

   Glass-roofed shopping arcade opened in 1847, one of Europe's earliest covered galleries, lined with chocolatiers, glovemakers, a bookshop and the Théâtre Royal des Galeries.

   Tip: Visit in the evening for lit windows and fewer tour groups. · Use the arcade as a shelter on rainy days. · Compare praline prices between shops before buying. · Shoot photographs lengthwise from the entrance for the best perspective.

9. 9

   Mini-Europe

   family attractionAdult €20 (~$23) approx. adult · Child Reduced child fares2-3 hours

   More than 350 detailed models of European monuments at 1:25 scale, with moving elements and an EU-themed walk, next to the Atomium.

   Tip: Check the seasonal calendar since the park closes for part of the winter. · Visit on weekday mornings in spring or autumn for fewer crowds. · Wear weatherproof clothing, as most of the park is outdoors. · Look for combination tickets with the Atomium. · Allow two to three hours to see the animated models.

10. 10

    Parc du Cinquantenaire and Triumphal Arch

    parkAdult Free · Child Free1 hour

    Monumental 1880 park crowned by a triumphal arch, with Autoworld, the Royal Army Museum, the Cinquantenaire Museum and Pavilion Horta-Lambeaux around it.

    Tip: Visit in late afternoon for the best light on the arch. · Combine with the free Royal Army Museum next door. · Take metro to Merode for the shortest walk to the arch. · Pair with an Art Nouveau walk around Square Marie-Louise.

Attractions by category

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Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path attractions worth seeking out.

Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Hours

Most museums close on Mondays; many are open Tuesday to Sunday roughly 10:00-17:00. Verify current hours on each venue's website.

Fees

Many state museums charge about €10-14 (~$12-16). Churches, parks, galleries and the Parlamentarium are free.

Best Times

Weekday mornings are quietest; Grand Place is best at dawn or after dark.

Booking

Book Horta House and Hôtel Solvay in advance; the Brussels Card (24, 48 or 72 hours) bundles museum entry with STIB transport - check visit.brussels for current prices.

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Frequently asked questions