By commune

Bruxelles

In Dutch: Brussel

What to do in Bruxelles? 47 ideas.

See the map The streets of Bruxelles Make it a poster

Anderlecht · 6 ideasAuderghem · 3 ideasBerchem-Sainte-Agathe · 3 ideasBruxelles · 47 ideasEtterbeek · 4 ideasEvere · 2 ideasForest · 4 ideasGanshoren · 1 ideasIxelles · 9 ideasJette · 3 ideasKoekelberg · 2 ideasMolenbeek-Saint-Jean · 3 ideasSaint-Gilles · 9 ideasSaint-Josse-ten-Noode · 4 ideasSchaerbeek · 7 ideasUccle · 4 ideasWatermael-Boitsfort · 2 ideasWoluwe-Saint-Lambert · 3 ideasWoluwe-Saint-Pierre · 3 ideasAnderlechtAuderghemBerchemBruxellesEtterbeekEvereForestGanshorenIxellesJetteKoekelb.MolenbeekSt-GillesSt-JosseSchaerbeekUccleBoitsfortWoluwe-St-L.Woluwe-St-P.

Visit

SquareFreeGrand-PlaceBrussels' central square, between the Gothic Town Hall and the guild houses.BruxellesArcadeFreeRoyal Galleries of Saint Hubert19th-century covered arcades with shops, cafés, a theatre and a cinema.BruxellesMonumentFreeManneken PisThe small bronze fountain that became the symbol of the Brussels spirit.BruxellesGardenFreeMont des ArtsTerraced garden between the lower and upper town, with one of the best views over Brussels.BruxellesSquareFreePlace du Grand SablonSquare of antique dealers and chocolate makers, below the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon.BruxellesMarketFreeMarolles and the Jeu de Balle flea marketThe Marolles' 'old market': a flea market every morning.BruxellesParkFreeParc du CinquantenaireThe great park of the arcades, laid out for Belgium's 50th anniversary.BruxellesMonumentFreeAtomium (outside)The enlarged iron crystal of Expo 58, symbol of Brussels.BruxellesViewpointFreePlace Poelaert and the Palace of JusticeViewpoint over the lower town, in front of the colossal Palace of Justice.BruxellesArchaeological siteCoudenberg Palace (archaeological site)The underground remains of Charles V's palace, beneath Place Royale.BruxellesFaçadeFreeHôtel Tassel (façade)Victor Horta's first Art Nouveau house, a World Heritage site.BruxellesMuseumOld England – Musical Instruments MuseumThe Musical Instruments Museum, in the former Old England Art Nouveau department store.BruxellesMonumentFreeLa Cambre AbbeyA former abbey and its gardens, near the Ixelles ponds.Bruxelles

Eat & drink

BarGoupil le FolA dimly lit boudoir of French chanson, a stone's throw from the Grand-Place.BruxellesTraditional caféÀ la Mort SubiteOne of the oldest cafés in the centre, opposite the Saint-Hubert galleries.BruxellesBreweryBrussels Beer Project – DansaertThe Brussels brewery on Rue Dansaert, with taproom and shop.BruxellesTraditional caféLa Fleur en Papier DoréThe café of Brussels artists, left just as it was.BruxellesTraditional caféToone tavernThe tavern of the Brussels puppet theatre, at the end of an alley.BruxellesTraditional caféLe CirioAn 1886 Art Nouveau brasserie near the Bourse, for a half en half.BruxellesWafflesMaison Dandoy – Rue au BeurreSpeculoos and waffles in the Brussels biscuit maker's oldest shop.BruxellesWafflesMokaféA tavern in the Saint-Hubert galleries, for a waffle under the glass roof.BruxellesBelgian restaurantRestaurant VincentA traditional Belgian brasserie on Rue des Dominicains, near the Grand-Place.BruxellesBelgian restaurantIn 't SpinnekopkeA tavern-restaurant on Place du Jardin aux Fleurs.BruxellesBelgian restaurantNüetnigenoughA Belgian brasserie in the centre, between the Grand-Place and Manneken Pis.BruxellesBelgian restaurantAu StekerlapatteAn institution of Brussels cooking in the Marolles since 1974.BruxellesRue des BouchersBelgian restaurantAux Armes de BruxellesA grand Brussels brasserie from 1921, on Rue des Bouchers.BruxellesBelgian restaurantChez JacquesA Vismet brasserie with an almost unchanged 1936 interior, simple honest cooking.BruxellesBelgian restaurantBouillon BruxellesA low-priced popular brasserie by the Grand-Place, winner of the best shrimp croquette 2024.BruxellesBelgian restaurantC'est bon, c'est belgeTypically Belgian dishes on Rue de Rollebeek, below the Sablon.BruxellesBelgian restaurant9 et VoisinsA tavern near the Halles Saint-Géry, going back to 1918, no bookings.BruxellesBelgian restaurantLes BrigittinesChef Dirk Myny's very Brussels restaurant, opposite the Chapelle church.BruxellesBelgian restaurantLe Petit Bon BonChef Christophe Hardiquest's brasserie, in the Corinthia hotel.BruxellesThe toast cannibale served at Au Vieux Saint-MartinBelgian restaurantAu Vieux Saint-MartinA Sablon brasserie linked to Joseph Niels, who invented filet américain.BruxellesBelgian restaurantLe VismetFish and seafood near Sainte-Catherine, open kitchen.BruxellesBelgian restaurantThe BrasserieA Belgian brasserie in the renovated Stock Exchange building.BruxellesBelgian restaurantBrasserie BoemvolA brasserie opposite the Bourse bringing Belgian classics up to date.BruxellesChip shopFriterie TaboraA chip shop on Rue de Tabora, near the Bourse, often with a long queue.BruxellesWafflesLa Maison des GaufresBrussels and Liège waffles from a closely guarded family recipe.BruxellesThe shopfront, street-level photo from 2024WafflesGaufres de BruxellesA waffle house a stone's throw from the Grand-Place.Bruxelles

Sport

The ING Arena, where the club plays at homeBasketballBrussels BasketballThe capital's basketball club, in the BNXT League.BruxellesStadiumKing Baudouin Stadium – Memorial Van DammeThe national stadium, home every year to the Memorial Van Damme.BruxellesRunning race20 km of BrusselsBrussels' great popular race, starting from the Cinquantenaire.Bruxelles

Going out

Concert venueAncienne BelgiqueThe city centre's big rock and pop venue.BruxellesConcert venueCirque RoyalA former winter circus turned concert hall.BruxellesConcert venueING Arena (Palais 12)Brussels Expo's big arena, at Heysel.BruxellesConcert venueMagasin 4Brussels' underground venue, run by volunteers since 1994.BruxellesArts centreBeursschouwburgFlemish arts centre: concerts, performances, films and a café.Bruxelles

Walks

4 stops · ≈ 35 min walk (estimate)From Saint-Gilles to Ixelles, in Horta's footstepsFour stops of Brussels Art Nouveau, from the Maison Hannon to the Ixelles ponds.3 stops · ≈ 20 min walk (estimate)The Marolles and the Jeu de BalleFrom the Place Poelaert viewpoint down to the flea market, then back up to the Sablon.

Coming up

  1. ConcertPISSE (DE) + Güner Künier (DE) + Tranen (BE)synth punk, post punkMagasin 4Tickets
  2. ConcertTemple Fire Fest IIdeath metal, black metalMagasin 4Tickets
  3. Sport · 20:30Brussels Basketball – CB LiègeBNXT League, ING ArenaBrussels BasketballTickets
  4. ConcertMourir (FR) + Spada Intraesofagea (BE)black metalMagasin 4Tickets
  5. Sport · 20:00Brussels Basketball – ZZ LeidenBrussels BasketballTickets
  6. Sport · 20:30Brussels Basketball – Filou OostendeBrussels BasketballTickets
  7. ConcertLagrimas (US) + Ruona Neida (NL) + Aphelium (BE)Magasin 4Tickets
  8. Concert · 20:00PLKING Arena (Palais 12)Tickets
  9. Sport · 15:00Brussels Basketball – HammersBrussels BasketballTickets
  10. Concert · 20:00Djadja & DinazING Arena (Palais 12)Tickets
  11. Concert · 20:00OrelsanING Arena (Palais 12)Tickets
  12. Race · 10:0020 km de Bruxelles20 km of BrusselsTickets
  13. Concert · 20:00VianneyING Arena (Palais 12)Tickets

Bruxelles through time

Residents
195,546in 2024
Area
33.08 km²
Density
5,900 per km²

Population and area: Wikidata, read on 1 October 2026.

When the commune was built

  • before 14003,599
  • 1400 – 15992,041
  • 1600 – 16991,943
  • 1700 – 17991,869
  • 1800 – 18491,111
  • 1850 – 18792,784
  • 1880 – 19136,690
  • 1914 – 19443,769
  • 1945 – 19691,610
  • 1970 – 19895,315
  • 1990 – 20092,550
  • since 2010810

34,091 of today's buildings, grouped by the period when the Atlas map first shows building on their plot. Approximate reconstruction: outside the heritage inventory, the date is when the district was built up, not the exact age of each building.

A few dates

  1. 1210Church of Our Lady of the Chapel
  2. 1568Culemborg Mansion · disappears
  3. 1714Brussels Belfry · disappears
  4. 1731Coudenberg Palace · disappears
  5. 1784Second town wall and Namur Gate · disappears
  6. 1801Saint-Géry Church · disappears
  7. 1812Jesuit Church · disappears
  8. 1847Théâtre Royal des Galeries
  9. 1871The open-air Senne · disappears
  10. 1892Old Palace of Justice · disappears
  11. 1893Augustinian Church · disappears
  12. 1894Hôtel Otlet
  13. 1898Saint-Roch district · disappears
  14. 1910Putterie district · disappears
  15. 1910Docks of the old port · disappears
  16. 1929Centre for Fine Arts
  17. 1931Granvelle Palace · disappears
  18. 1950Hôtel Aubecq · disappears
  19. 1954Allée-Verte Station · disappears
  20. 1959Philips Pavilion · disappears
  21. 1960Hôtel d'Ursel · disappears
  22. 1963Central Market Halls · disappears
  23. 1965Maison du Peuple · disappears
  24. 1966Central Post Office · disappears
  25. 1967À l'Innovation · disappears
  26. 1967Old Quartier Nord · disappears
  27. 1973Alhambra Theatre · disappears
  28. 2017Parking 58 · disappears
  29. 2018Océade · disappears

creation or opening, according to Wikidata.

The other communes

AnderlechtAuderghemBerchem-Sainte-AgatheEtterbeekEvereForestGanshorenIxellesJetteKoekelbergMolenbeek-Saint-JeanSaint-GillesSaint-Josse-ten-NoodeSchaerbeekUccleWatermael-BoitsfortWoluwe-Saint-LambertWoluwe-Saint-Pierre