Things To See In Brussels
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Beautiful Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is the centre of the EU, the home of delicious chocolate, and waffles (and other amazing things to eat in Brussels), and it’s a must-visit destination if you’re heading to Belgium.
Traveling can get very expensive - especially when heading to capital cities, but one of the best ways of keeping your costs down is by sightseeing instead of paying for attractions.
As you can imagine, with many cities, when you’re trying to stick to a tight budget you do often limit yourself to having to admire buildings and statues.
As boring as that might sound to some travelers, Brussels is actually a wonderful city to wander around and take in the views, especially if you’re visiting Brussels solo. It is no wonder that it has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status.
There are many amazing things to see in Brussels, the beautiful capital city of Belgium, and this post will give you all the tips and tricks on how to make the days go by - for free! For even more tips about Brussels, you can always consult this expat’s guide to living in Brussels.
If you plan on making Brussels part of a larger Belgium trip, there are plenty of fantastic things to do in Belgium.
Brussels Accessibility
Brussels bus system has very good accessibility and is the best way to get around the city. Unfortunately, only half of the city’s metro subway is equipped with elevators, making 50% of it inaccessible to wheelchair users. Luckily, the bus system is comprised of 61 city bus routes in Brussels, 11 of which operate through the night. Almost all of the buses that operate on these routes are equipped with wheelchair ramps at the center or rear door which permit easy roll-on/roll-off access.
Another great and wheelchair-accessible way to get around the city is by Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour of Brussels. This bus tour hits all the major dites and gives you an audio tour along the way.
For more information on city bus and metro routes and accessibility in Brussels, check out Wheelchairtravel.org’ s Brussels page.
Things to See in Brussels
There are so many beautiful buildings that deserve to be admired in Brussels and statues too. There are also some great viewpoints that give you a great platform for taking photographs of the skyline.
The great thing about Brussels is that the majority of the things that you might like to see in the city are very close together, making it very walkable and reducing the need for spending on public transport.
It also means that you can have a jam-packed itinerary if you only have one day in Brussels.
1. The Grand Place
The Grand Place is the central square of the city of Brussels. It is always bustling with life, no matter the time of year, and is a meeting point for many tours. The most beautiful building in the square is the Town Hall - which looks amazing day and night.
Surrounding the square is guildhalls - representing the trades that once kept the city of Brussels alive. All of the buildings in the Grand Place are very picturesque and many locals and tourists could spend hours admiring them.
The Grand Place is a beautiful place to sit and relax in the evenings as the sun sets behind the Town Hall. Beside it, you’ll also find the main tourist office, offering plenty of information on the city.
Accessibility: The area surrounding the Grand Palace is largely cobblestone, so be prepared for a somewhat bumpy ride or walk if you have mobility impairments.
2. Manneken Pis
No visit to Brussels would be complete without stopping by to say hello to Brussels’ pride and joy, Manneken Pis. This adorable little statue of a peeing boy draws in huge crowds every single day for photos.
Manneken Pis’ name leaves nothing unsaid with its translation meaning ‘little pee man’.
The people of Brussels have a great sense of humor and it is reflected so well in their love for Manneken Pis. You’ll find little mementos of him all throughout the city, in every single souvenir shop!
He’s so well cared for that he even gets dressed up on special occasions and you can view his wardrobe in a museum just a short walk from the statue.
Accessibility: The area surrounding the statue is wheelchair accessible.
3. St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a marvel of architecture. The cathedral is just beautiful, inside and out and so peaceful. The artwork inside the cathedral deserves to be admired, whether you’re religious or not.
I particularly enjoyed admiring the woodwork and stained glass while I was exploring the cathedral - it is just incredible how much detail is included in some of the pieces.
Entrance to St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is free but if you’d like to get a more in-depth look inside the church at the archaeological site or Romanesque crypt then you’ll have to pay a small fee of €1 and €2 respectively.
Accessibility: There is paid parking along the roads surrounding the cathedral (Place Sainte-Gudule and Rue du Bois Sauvage), with specific disability spaces. There are steps to the front entrance, but also a ramp running along both sides of the front entrance for wheelchairs. Inside the Cathedral, ramps provide barrier-free access to the sanctuary.
4. Justice Palace
The Justice Palace is a very important building in Brussels’ history. It stands on what is aptly named Mont des Potences (translated to Gallows Hill) - symbolic of the executions that occurred of condemned criminals.
It is still the largest Palace of Justice in the world and has a huge dome in its structure that reaches over 100 meters tall.
The impressive exterior is matched by the inside decoration and the impressive number of rooms. With 27 courtrooms inside, justice is definitely a priority in the renowned building.
Accessibility: Designated disability parking is available. The courthouse is set on ground raised higher than street level and there are steps with handrails to the entrance. There is, however, a designated entrance for wheelchair users, and inside there are lifts and ramps in place. Accessible toilets are available on-site.
5. Parc du Cinquantenaire
Parc du Cinquantenaire is a bit of a longer walk out of the city centre of Brussels but it is a lovely one and worth it to relax in the park.
The main attraction of Parc du Cinquantenaire is the huge archway at the top of the park. It is a magnificent site to admire and the detail that is included on the inside of the arches is so wonderful.
There is always a lovely flower arrangement on the green in front of it, allowing some beautiful photos to be taken of the site. On the other side of the arch is a great water fountain which would also be a great photo location.
As it’s outside of the city center a little, you may want to pay for transport to reach it and the great news is that the park is very well connected to the city center by tram and bus links!
Accessibility: The Schuman entrance has been specifically designed to be accessible for people with disabilities.
6. Mont des Arts
Mont des Arts is the best place to go if you’re looking to get a good view of Brussels’ skyline. Just a short walk from the city center, the platform allows you to get a wonderful view of the city.
The Town Hall spire is the most noticeable building in the skyline - designed to be seen for miles. The gardens surrounding the steps are also lovely in spring and summer and would be a great place to have some downtime or eat lunch.
Accessibility: Accessible only via the entrance on Rue du Mont des Arts; other access is via flights of stairs.
7. Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is a very grand building and home to the Belgian Royal Family. The gardens are well-kept and look amazing from the roadside - never mind being in them.
While it is a lovely building just to admire, you can also gain entry to it during the summer months. Entrance is free of charge and in 2023, the palace can be visited from the 23rd of July to the 28th of August. Booking is essential for a visit inside the palace.
On a visit inside the palace, visitors are given access to many of the rooms, including the Throne Room and the infamous Mirror Room.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, due to the church’s age and the steps leading to its sanctuary, the building is not wheelchair accessible. Families and friends may be able to help lift manual wheelchairs up the staircase, but there is no option for powered wheelchairs to gain access.
8. Jeanneke Pis
Following on from Manneken Pis, the locals in Brussels took their peeing statue humor a little bit further and installed a female peeing counterpart to keep Manneken Pis company!
Jeanneke Pis is a statue of a little girl crouched down and peeing into a dish below her. It is sort of hidden down a back alley and it is behind a set of railings but Google Maps will get you there no problem.
One thing that may surprise first-time visitors to Brussels is that with such a great fuss made of the statues, they are very small. Jeanneke Pis stands at only around 50 cm tall and Manneken Pis at 61 cm.
Legend has it that Jeanneke Pis will grant you fidelity and it has become a tradition to throw a coin into the basin below her, with the fund being donated to charities.
Accessibility: Wheelchair users should be able to access the statue without issue.
9. Zinneke Pis
Brussels’ great humor strikes again with the installment of Zinneke Pis! As if boy and girl peeing statues weren’t enough, Brussels then designed a peeing dog!
Zinneke Pis is also sculpted out of bronze and is the latest of the three statues. It was placed in its position, peeing up a bollard in 1998, and is perhaps the least known of the peeing statues.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much of an illusion of the dog peeing as it is not a fountain like Manneken and Jeanneke Pis, but its stance is all you need to understand!
Accessibility: Wheelchair users should be able to access the statue without issue.
10. Atomium
The Atomium is one of the best things to see in Brussels as it is so unique. The structure has been designed so that it resembles an iron atom and each sphere is actually a walkable room, with stairs, escalators, and elevators connecting them together.
The top sphere is where you are ushered to first as you take the elevator directly up the middle of the structure to the top. There, you’ll get a 360-degree view of the city of Brussels with plenty of telescopes and infographics available to enhance the experience.
The other spheres offer insight into the creation of the structure and immersive experiences such as flashing light shows.
Of course, for such an experience you will have to pay for a ticket but it is definitely worth it. While the Atomium is a spectacular sight from the outside, it has nothing on the experience awaiting you inside.
Accessibility: Wheelchair access inside the Atomium is very limited. Each of the spheres holds an exhibition, with the uppermost featuring an observation deck. The observation level is accessed by an elevator. This is the only sphere that is wheelchair accessible. All of the other spheres must be accessed by escalator. Wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed on any level, except within the observation sphere. Visitors in wheelchairs receive free admission. All other persons with disabilities must present a disability ID card to receive complimentary admission.
Craving More Belgium?
There are a couple of day trips that make for fantastic excursions from Brussels.
Bruges
A Brussels to Bruges day trip is a truly magical experience. Bruges is a city filled with Medieval charm and is less than an hour and a half away from Brussels on public transport. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city itself is often referred to as “the Venice of the North.”
Ghent
This picture-perfect city is a quick 45-minute drive from Brussels and offers a laid-back stunning cityscape that will have you falling even deeper in love with Belgium. There are plenty of things to do in Ghent, like exploring castles, taking in the amazing street art scene, visiting historic cathedrals, and taking a canal ride.
Things to See in Brussels: Conclusion
The best things to see in Brussels are all free and you can spend a lot of your time exploring the city on foot in search of them all.
If you’re planning to see them all then I recommend paying for transport to the Atomium as it really is quite far out of the city. And also, pay to go inside it, because while the Atomium is a beautiful sight from the outside, it doesn’t even compare to the view that you get from the top!
Otherwise, the city is very walkable and most sights can be reached with just short walks. If you’d prefer an easier way of getting around the city and seeing all of the top sights then consider getting a hop-on hop-off bus pass.
Overall, Brussels has something for everyone and it is absolutely beautiful to explore. The Belgian capital should be on the top of anyone’s travel list as it's guaranteed to be an enjoyable visit with so much to see and do.
Get your trip to Brussels booked today! What are you waiting for?
This post was written by Charlotte from The Geo Room. Charlotte is a geography student who loves to travel and write blogs about her experiences. She is currently traveling around Europe in her free time and hopes to expand her horizons within the next couple of years and become a full-time nomad!
