The Top 10 Things to do in Brussels

Brussels is the capital of the super-hybrid part-French, Dutch and German speaking country of Belgium, the home of fries, waffles, beer, and chocolate as well as a big, business city and the parliamentary heart of European Union. Whether it’s a business trip or a holiday, make the most of your time in this busy, fast growing yet classic European city with these must-see attractions.

1. Manneken Pis -- The city’s most beloved icon, a small 17th century statue of a naked boy peeing into a fountain. The city amuses itself regularly by dressing him up for special occasions. Don’t let the fun of urinating statues stop there, after joining the tourists to see Manneken scour the streets for his compatriots, Jeanneke Pis, a little girl squatting and Zenneke, a dog with its leg cocked.

2. Comic Strip murals – Brussels is the birthplace of the comic strip in Europe including The Smurfs, Tintin, and Astrix. Belgian comics are celebrated with 30 large murals painted on buildings throughout the city. So look up as you stroll.

3. Belgian Centre for Comic Art – again with the comics but this is a big deal in Brussels with both Tintin creator Hergé and father of The Smurfs, Peyo both Brussels born. Learn the history of the 9th Art and how it has developed from comic strips to modern graphic novels. It is also housed in a beautiful building designed by Victor Horta.

4. The Grand Place – Brussels’ main square lined with beautiful buildings is one of the prettiest in Europe and a nice place to enjoy a waffle and watch the world go by.

5. The European quarter – The sleek and shiny metropolis and seat of the EU is worth the stop to see where it all happens. Impressive architecture towers above and those with an interest in politics can get a closer look at European Parliament's plenary chamber.

6. Street food – Belgium is world renowned for its delicious street treats like waffles and fries. There is no need to look far, both are available at every turn but you need to shop around for the best one so it’s perfectly okay to eat more than one helping of both, between meals.

7. Sample the finest – How much time do you have? There are over 700 different varieties of beer to sample in Belgium so you best get started. Get an insight into how the magic happens by visiting Cantillon Brewery, a Lambic brewery in the suburb of Anderlecht operating since 1900. Lambic can only be produced in Brussels due to the wild yeast required and is the base of Geuze, a double fermented Brussels favourite and fruit beers like Kriek.

8. The Atomium – Built for the 1958 World’s Fair, the 102m high structure is a model of a crystalline iron molecule enlarged 165 billion times. The nine spheres house exhibition spaces and a panoramic view over the Brussels skyline.

9. Rene Margritte Museum – A showcase of the impressive work of the Belgian surrealist artist. It is part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts which hosts one of the finest art collections in Europe.

10. The Sablon district – For a contrast to the modern, business city take a stroll along the elegant avenues and admire the art nouveau architecture. Stop by the cafes, galleries, and antique stores of this stylish, arty outpost. Continue south towards Saint-Gilles and Ixelles for more art nouveau including the Horta Museum in rue Americaine.