A cosmopolitan and dynamic city, Brussels has much to offer. It's a place of life with many hidden facets, exciting to discover. Besides its beautiful parks, interesting museums, and numerous theaters, it boasts a thriving artistic and cultural scene, as evidenced by the considerable number of cultural events and festivals held in the city each year. Let's take a look at the activities Brussels has to offer!
Museums in Brussels
Brussels is brimming with fascinating museums that offer a wide array of themes to explore. While most of them are located around the Mont des Arts or the Cinquantenaire Park, others are scattered throughout the city. In recent years, the "Brussels Museums Nocturnes" have become very popular. From September to December each year, many museums remain open on Thursday evenings so that people can visit them after work.
At the Mont des Arts, you'll find a number of interesting museums all located just a short walk from each other. The Musical Instrument Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are the obvious top choices for visitors.
Alternatively, to learn more about the city's rich heritage, you can always head to the Brussels City Museum on the Grand Place. The nearby Belgian Comic Strip Center is also worth a visit. There, you'll discover everything you need to know about the Belgians' fascination with comics such as Tintin and the Smurfs.
Other notable museums include the Horta Museum if you're interested in architecture. There's also the Natural Sciences Museum, which boasts the largest collection of dinosaurs in Europe. The Art and History Museum houses many interesting artifacts from around the world, and just outside the city in Tervuren, you'll find the Royal Museum for Central Africa, which makes for a lovely day trip as it is surrounded by a beautiful park and landscaped gardens.
Parks and green spaces in Brussels
Brussels might seem quite grey as you walk around. However, there are plenty of parks and green spaces throughout the city for visitors and residents to enjoy. Near the city center, you'll find the two main parks. These are the Royal Park, which is bordered by the magnificent and impressive Royal Palace, and the Cinquantenaire Park, which features a grand triumphal arch erected to commemorate 50 years of Belgian independence. The Botanic Garden of Botanique is not too far from the center and is beautifully laid out. Although much smaller than the two previously mentioned parks, it remains very interesting to visit.
If you're looking for wilder parks, less maintained and with larger green spaces, the Forest Park and the Bois de la Cambre are the natural spots not to miss. In summer, they are bustling with people lounging in the sun or enjoying a picnic. Although less frequented by residents of central Brussels, the Josaphat Park and Woluwe Park are both beautiful parks to visit. They are quite hilly and have many lovely trails for a peaceful stroll.
One of the largest green spaces in Brussels is located in Laeken, but unfortunately, it is a private estate where the royal family lives, and as such, it is off-limits for strolling. In spring, however, the royal family opens their fantastic greenhouses to the people of Brussels and the general public, and it's worth a visit, especially for all the beautiful flowers and plants on display.
Brussels is surrounded by beautiful countryside and the vast Sonian Forest. It is full of fantastic trails for walking or biking. On weekends, it's very easy and quick to get there. Just take a tram or train to find yourself in no time amidst splendid nature.
Cinema in Brussels
In addition to its green spaces and museums, Brussels also has numerous cinemas, and they screen films in English, French, and Dutch. You'll quickly get used to the subtitles, as no matter what language you're watching a film in, it is usually subtitled in one of the three official languages. There are about thirty cinemas in the city, and while some of them show the latest blockbusters, others offer more "underground" films.
The main cinema venues in Brussels are UGC de Brouckère, Toison d'Or, and the large Kinepolis complex where you can watch films in IMAX. Besides these, there's also Cinematek and Cinema Nova, which are two excellent cinemas to visit if you want to watch independent films.
Brussels hosts numerous film festivals throughout the year, with the Brussels International Film Festival, the Brussels Short Film Festival, and the Brussels Independent Film Festival being among the most popular.
Theater in Brussels
If you prefer to see a live performance or a theatrical show, you can head to the many theaters in Brussels. The National Theatre of Wallonia-Brussels, for example, has a packed schedule, as does the Royal Flemish Theatre, which is housed in an absolutely stunning building.
For opera and ballet, La Monnaie, as it is called in French ("De Munt" in Dutch), is the place to be. It is renowned for its high-quality performances.
It is said that the opera is partly responsible for Belgium being an independent nation today. According to legend, during a performance at La Monnaie on August 25, 1830, disgruntled spectators joined protesters outside the opera. They were protesting against the Dutch who ruled Belgium at that time.
The opera "La Muette de Portici" apparently highlighted Dutch oppression too much, and from there, the independence movement only grew stronger as riots spread throughout the city. The opera thus played a crucial role in the country's history, making Belgium the only nation born from an opera performance!
Sports in Brussels
In terms of sports, Brussels has numerous sports clubs that people can join. Overall, it's a great way for newcomers to the city to make friends. There are many fitness centers, football fields, and gyms that people can use in the Belgian capital.
The ADEPS is the central sports authority in the Wallonia-Brussels region, and for Dutch speakers or residents of Flanders, the VGC is the institution to turn to when looking for a team to join or a sport to practice. These two institutions have a comprehensive list of all the sports and sessions available in the capital. They are the ones to contact if you're unsure where to start.
Swimming pools in Brussels
When it comes to swimming pools, unfortunately, Brussels doesn't have many, at least not in proportion to its population. The three main ones are the pools at Bains du Centre, Laeken, and Neder-Over-Heembeek.
However, there are many other private pools in the city that you can visit, and some municipalities have pools that are only accessible one evening a week, for example. The Ixelles pool is one of these, and it is only open to the general public on Monday evenings for a few hours. Nonetheless, it's worth going just for its amazing architecture.
A few years ago, Nemo 33 in Brussels was the deepest pool in the world. It no longer holds that title! Nevertheless, it remains the best place in the city to try scuba diving. With a maximum depth of 34.5 meters, visiting it is a unique experience, whether you're a beginner or a master diver.
Music in Brussels
There are many bars and concert venues scattered throughout the city where you can attend a concert. In this regard, Brussels competes with the best, in terms of international artists performing there. The main concert venues are Forest National and Ancienne Belgique, with both offering a lineup rich with big names in music. Smaller venues include Music Village, Botanique, Flagey, and Bozar.
In addition to its concert venues, Belgium also hosts some of the world's best music festivals. In summer, people flock from all over the world to attend Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, and Tomorrowland, which are the country's three most popular music festivals.
Festivals and cultural events in Brussels
When it comes to festivals, Brussels residents are spoiled, as there is a plethora of cultural events organized in the capital each year. They revolve around every imaginable theme. Every week, there's something new to see in the city. Whether you're interested in comics, beer, board games, African culture, Serbian music, or interpretative theater plays, Brussels has something for you!
The most important and popular festivals of the year are the Iris Festival and the Zinneke Parade (in May), the Ommegang (in June or July), the Flower Carpet on the Grand Place (in August every two years), and the Belgian Beer Weekend (in September).
You'll find festivals or events happening every week, each worth attending. These will help you, in a way, to appreciate all the different facets that Brussels has to offer.
Things to do alone or in groups in Brussels
When you move to a new city, it's always nice to find things to do with friends or solo. This can help you adapt and learn about the wonderful things your new life has to offer.
Visit the Cantillon brewery
If you're a beer fan, take a tour of the Cantillon Brewery. This brewery uses traditional brewing techniques that others no longer use, and you can discover them during the visit.
Take the opportunity to taste some of their beers (their specialty is lambic beer), making it a fantastic activity to enjoy with friends. However, you can always visit the Cantillon Brewery alone if you're thirsty.
Go on a bar crawl in Saint Gilles
Looking for a fun night out with friends? Then Saint Gilles is the perfect place for a bar crawl in the evening.
Put aside thoughts of wild nights, as many other countries do bar crawls this way. Instead, you'll have a relaxed atmosphere to stroll through each bar, sipping a number of delicious alcoholic beverages.
Visit mini Europe
This trip is ideal for those who love small things, so gather all your mini-loving friends and head to Mini Europe.
This theme park is considered an open-air museum. Stroll through the park to see all of Europe, reduced to tiny buildings. There are 350 monuments built at 1/25th scale of their normal size. Have fun while discovering all the other member states of the European Union (EU).
Experience an escape room
The concept of "escape rooms" is all the rage around the world, and Belgium is no exception. There are several "escape rooms" in Brussels, so you and your friends can test your wits and resilience!
Because Brussels is an international city, most (if not all) "escape rooms" are conducted in English.
Go shopping
What's great about the capital is that there are numerous shopping opportunities. And you'll find everything from luxury boutiques to trendy concept stores, antique shops, and even a flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle.
Whether you enjoy shopping solo or with friends, there will be plenty of interesting shops to keep you busy.
Taste some fries
Belgium is well-known for its fries, so there are plenty of places to grab some hot, crispy fries. It can be the perfect snack to nibble on while you explore the city. Just know that most Belgians eat fries with mayonnaise. If you don't like that, let the frituur (or friteur in French) know to leave the mayonnaise out.
Nightlife in Brussels
Not widely known for its nightlife, Brussels surprises with the diversity and quality of its bars, cafés, and nightclubs. Much of the ambiance is concentrated around the Grand Place, in the small cobblestone streets where unique establishments can be found.
Among the must-visits, Delirium Café remains a world reference with over 2,000 beers and a festive atmosphere punctuated by live concerts. In the same alley, you'll find specialized bars like Au Bon Vieux Temps and L'Image Nostre-Dame, perfect for tasting authentic Belgian beers, or Goupil le Fol, a bar with eclectic decor and unique charm. Nearby, other legendary addresses like À La Morte Subite, À La Bécasse, or Le Corbeau immerse you in the soul of Brussels estaminets—with, for the latter, a wild atmosphere after midnight.
Karaoke enthusiasts meet at NUA de O'Reilly, while Le Celtica is appreciated for its attractive prices and dance floor. For an intimate electro vibe, Bonnefooi is a must, close to Ancienne Belgique, an emblematic venue for live concerts. If you love jazz, Music Village is the ideal address.
For a lively outdoor atmosphere, head to Place Saint-Géry or Sainte-Catherine, where trendy bars and friendly terraces line up. In the Dansaert district, L'Archiduc charms with its retro elegance, while Barbeton is popular for its cocktails. Other addresses to remember: Le Mezzo, Mappa Mundo, and Café des Halles, perfect for evenings with friends.
Brussels is also very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. The Rue du Marché au Charbon concentrates most of the gay bars, such as À Chez Vous or Chez Mademoiselle, known for their drag shows and festive nights.
As for clubs, the capital has nothing to envy to large metropolises: Fuse, a true techno temple, attracts world-renowned DJs. For more eclectic evenings, head to Madame Moustache and its cabaret shows, Mirano Continental for a chic setting, Spirito for dancing in a former church, or You Night Club for a young and trendy atmosphere.
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