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When it comes to what to see in Brussels, Art Nouveau architecture is a must. In the
1890s, Belgians Paul Hankar and Victor Horta pioneered the organic, intricate style –
and you’ll see stunning examples all over the city. For a deeper dive, swing by Horta
Museum, located in the architect’s former house and workshop in Saint-Gilles. Then
check out two UNESCO-listed Art Nouveau buildings – the Tassel House and the Solvay
House – just down the road.

There’s chocolate, and then there’s Belgian chocolate. Find your favourite purveyor on a
guided tasting adventure, during which you’ll get to try creations from favourites like
Neuhaus, Corné and Marcolini. To learn more about the chocolate-making process, visit
the Belgian Chocolate Village – a top Brussels attraction and immersive museum in the
Koekelberg district – or sign up for a hands-on workshop.

In a city that lost much of its heritage sites to World War II, the Grand-Place stands
proud and defiant. The UNESCO-listed site, located around a cobblestone market square,
is flanked by grand merchant halls and guild buildings that date to the 1600s. After
soaking up the opulent setting, head around the corner to dive into local history at the
Brussels City Museum.

Marolles is the city’s beating heart, home to working-class residents who power
Brussels and speak the disappearing, traditional Brusselian dialect. This unique
neighbourhood keeps the past alive in other ways, too. Every morning, the famous
Marolles Flea Market, one of the top tourist attractions in Brussels, sells everything
from vintage trinkets and textiles to old photographs and antique tableware in the
middle of the beautiful Place du Jeu de Balle

Whether you prefer lambics, krieks, blonds or Trappist ales, there’s no better place to
explore Belgian beer on a Brussels holiday than a bruin kroeg, or brown bar. So called
for their unpretentious settings – picture dim lighting and dark wood – brown bars have
long catered to working-class communities. Although these watering holes are a
disappearing breed, several reputable venues still exist, including quaint Au Daringman,
about 10 minutes by foot from the Grand Place on Rue des Flandre. 

Tintin, Asterix, the Smurfs, Blake & Mortimer… Belgium has produced many of the
world’s best-known comics. Throughout the capital, painters have adorned more than
70 walls with murals of iconic characters, forming an official comic book route that
weaves its way through the city. As you track down the murals, you’ll also pass by a few
top Brussels attractions, from the rebellious Mannekin Pis statue to the renovated
Halles Saint-Géry market.

When in Brussels, be sure to sample the city’s delicious waffles. Whether you prefer
your waffles plain, chocolate-dipped or loaded with cream, sprinkles and nuts, there’s a
style for every taste. For a classic Liège version, made with sweetened batter and
usually eaten plain, visit one of the vendors off the Grand-Place. Modern varieties
abound, too, so keep your eyes peeled for fun contemporary twists on this classic snack.

Spending a day exploring the museums is among the more worthwhile things to do in
Brussels. Among them are the immersive Musical Instrument Museum; the Natural
Sciences Museum, housing 30 almost complete Iguanodon skeletons; and the Art &
History Museum complex, with everything from European ceramics to medieval
tapestries, Egyptian mummies and a notable Art Nouveau collection

The city’s flagship cultural centre, Bozar, not only boasts fantastic art exhibitions but
also puts on more than 200 concerts a year, ranging from symphonies and chamber
performances to jazz and electronic music. If you can’t attend an event during your
Brussels holiday, check out the on-site museum, designed by famed Art Nouveau master
Victor Horta.