Brussel City Attractions
Antwerp Central Station
Usually, a train station is simply a place you pass through on your way to somewhere else. Antwerp Central Station is different. From the moment we arrived, we realized that the station itself was worth stopping to appreciate.
As soon as we stepped inside, the grand architecture caught our attention. The enormous main hall, with its ornate details, stonework, and impressive dome, felt more like entering a palace than a railway station. It was hard to believe that we were standing in a place where thousands of people come and go every day.
Known locally as the “railway cathedral,” Antwerp Central is repeatedly recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations. The station first opened in 1905 and has remained one of Antwerp’s most important transportation hubs.
What makes it even more interesting is the contrast between its historic appearance and its modern function. Behind the beautiful 19th-century-style architecture is a thoroughly modern railway station, with platforms arranged across multiple levels to handle today’s trains and passengers.
For us, the station was more than just the place where we arrived in Antwerp. We stopped to admire the architecture, looked around the grand hall, and took a few photographs before heading out to explore the city.
Our Tip: Don’t rush through Antwerp Central just because you’re arriving by train. Give yourself a few extra minutes to look up, walk around the main hall, and appreciate the architecture. Sometimes, the journey really does begin before you even leave the station.
From Antwerp to Brussels by Train
After exploring Antwerp, we decided to take the train to Brussels. The journey took about an hour, and it was a relaxing way to travel between the two Belgian cities. Rather than dealing with traffic or parking, we could simply sit back, watch the scenery pass by, and enjoy the ride.
Once we arrived in Brussels, our exploration began almost immediately. One of the first major landmarks we came across was the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. GudulaOur day started with the train trip from Antwerpen to the Brussel it was less than 60 mins train ride. After getting out of the train station our first stop was The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, This place is nestled in the tranquil square of Treurenberg Hill in Brussels, holds a prestigious role in Belgian history. It serves as the preferred venue for princely weddings, coronations, and state funerals, embodying the epitome of Gothic architecture. Victor Hugo once hailed it as “the purest flowering of the Gothic style,” a sentiment echoed by many.
Despite its seemingly simple facade, the cathedral’s lack of eclecticism distinguishes it as a masterpiece. Its construction, spanning centuries from the 13th to the 17th, embodies the essence of Gothic purity. Revered as even purer than Paris’ Notre Dame, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral captivates with its monumental columns, soaring arches, and a solid wooden pulpit adorned with intricate carvings.
Inside, the cathedral’s interior exudes a sense of streamlined elegance, allowing its masterpieces to shine. The Chapelle du Saint-Sacrement is illuminated by stunning stained-glass windows commissioned by Emperor Charles V, casting colorful hues throughout the nave. While the cathedral officially became a cathedral in 1961, its origins trace back to the 9th century when a chapel honoring Archangel Michael was erected on the hill. Over time, it evolved into a Romanesque church, and its transformation into the Gothic marvel we see today began in 1226, lasting nearly three centuries. With its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and medieval treasures, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral stands as a testament to Brussels’ cultural heritage and spiritual significance.
King Baudouin Bust
Before entering the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, we noticed a simple bust of King Baudouin standing in the garden in front of the cathedral. Baudouin served as King of Belgium from 1951 until 1993, and the bronze bust was created by Belgian sculptor Henri Lenaerts and installed here in 1996.
The sculpture shows the king in a suit and tie, with his hands held together in front of him. I liked the way the pedestal almost makes him look as if he is standing behind a podium, ready to address the people gathered around him.
It is a small monument compared with the impressive cathedral behind it, but it makes for a nice little stop before or after visiting the cathedral.
Grand-Place, or Grote Markt
After our visit to the church, we continued walking through the streets of Brussels, taking our time to enjoy the city along the way. We passed historic buildings, small shops, cafés, and busy pedestrian streets, with something interesting catching our attention around almost every corner.
Eventually, our walk brought us to the heart of Brussels—the Grand-Place, or Grote Markt. As we stepped into the square, the impressive architecture surrounding us immediately made us slow down and look around. It was one of those moments when the walk itself became part of the experience, leading us naturally to one of the most spectacular places in the city.This place in Brussels holds immense significance both historically and culturally. The Grand-Place has been the heart of Brussels since the Middle Ages, serving as the city’s main square and marketplace.
Its origins date back to the 12th century when it was a simple market square. Over the centuries, it evolved into a bustling hub of commerce, politics, and social activity. The Grand-Place is renowned for its stunning architecture, particularly its guildhalls and the Brussels Town Hall. The guildhalls, with their ornate facades and intricate detailing, showcase the wealth and power of Brussels’ medieval guilds.
The Town Hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is an iconic symbol of the city’s civic pride. In 1998, the Grand-Place was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its outstanding universal value as an exceptional example of a medieval square. Its inclusion on the UNESCO list highlights its importance as a cultural heritage site of global significance.
Don't Miss
Don’t Miss These Experiences in Brussels
Brussels is more than just the Grand-Place. While exploring the city, here are a few experiences we think are worth adding to your list:
- Grand-Place (Grote Markt) – Take time to walk around and admire the incredible historic buildings surrounding one of Europe’s most beautiful squares.
- Stroll through the historic center – Wander through the narrow streets, discover hidden corners, and enjoy the atmosphere without following a strict itinerary.
- Mont des Arts Garden – Stop here for a beautiful panoramic view over Brussels and the historic city center.
- Magritte Museum – Step into the surreal world of René Magritte and don’t worry if you don’t understand every piece—just enjoy the experience.
- Atomium – See Brussels’ futuristic landmark and one of the city’s most recognizable architectural icons.
- St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral – Take a moment to admire the impressive Gothic architecture and beautiful interior.
- Try Belgian chocolate – Brussels is a great place to indulge in some authentic Belgian chocolate. Even if you’re not a big chocolate fan, it’s hard to resist!
- Have a Belgian waffle – Try one while walking around the city; it’s one of those simple pleasures that feels like part of the Brussels experience.
- Try Belgian fries – Grab a cone of Belgian fries from a local friterie and enjoy them the way locals do.
- Explore Belgian beer culture – Belgium is famous for its incredible variety of beers, and Brussels has plenty of places to experience that tradition.
- Look beyond the famous sights – Some of our favorite moments came simply from walking, looking up at the architecture, and discovering something unexpected around the next corner.
Manneken Pis
We continue walking to next attraction point Manneken Pis, the iconic little statue in Brussels, has sparked many amusing tales over the years. The Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue of a boy urinating into a fountain basin, is one of Brussels’ most famous and beloved landmarks. Despite its diminutive size, this statue holds a rich history and cultural significance that stretches back several centuries.
The origins of the Manneken Pis date back to the early 17th century. The exact date of its creation is uncertain, but it is believed to have been designed by Brussels sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy the Elder around 1619 or 1620. Originally, it served as part of a larger fountain system in the city, providing drinking water to residents and visitors.
The statue quickly became a symbol of Brussels and gained popularity among locals and tourists alike. Over the years, it has been the subject of numerous legends and stories, further cementing its place in the city’s folklore.
One popular legend surrounding the Manneken Pis involves a young boy who saved Brussels from destruction by urinating on a burning fuse during a battle in the 14th century. While historically inaccurate, this tale helped solidify the statue’s status as a symbol of Brussels’ resilience and independence.
Throughout its history, the Manneken Pis has undergone several relocations and renovations. It was initially located near the Brussels Town Hall but was later moved to its current location in the early 17th century. The statue has also been stolen and replaced multiple times, with the current version being a replica installed in 1965.
Today, the Manneken Pis remains a beloved symbol of Brussels’ irreverent spirit and sense of humor. It is dressed in various costumes several times a week, with each outfit chosen to commemorate a particular event or occasion. From historical uniforms to whimsical costumes, the Manneken Pis’s wardrobe is a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
Mont des Arts Garden
As we strolled down from Place Royale toward the Mont des Arts Garden, the atmosphere slowly changed from grand historic buildings to beautifully landscaped gardens and open views. We stopped for a while to take in the panorama of Brussels, with the historic city center stretching out below us and the tower of the Grand-Place standing proudly in the distance.
It was one of those places where we didn’t feel the need to rush. We wandered through the garden, paused for photographs, and simply enjoyed watching Brussels unfold in front of us. Knowing that this garden was originally created for the 1910 Universal Exhibition and later became part of the Mont des Arts complex made the walk even more interesting. The garden was restored in 2001 and today serves as a beautiful link between the upper and lower parts of the city.
As we continued exploring Brussels, we came across this unusual wooden sculpture of a man sitting on a bench with a book in his hand. It immediately caught our attention—not just because of its size, but because of the relaxed way the figure was designed.
Of course, we couldn’t resist joining him for a photo.
Visiting the Magritte Museum
Modern art can be diverse and sometimes challenging to interpret, so I’ll admit—it isn’t always my cup of tea. I sometimes find myself standing in front of a painting wondering what exactly the artist is trying to convey. At times, I feel like I need a “Modern Art for Dummies” guide just to help me digest what I’m looking at!
But while visiting the Magritte Museum in Brussels, I decided to take a different approach. The museum is dedicated to René Magritte, one of Belgium’s most renowned Surrealist artists, and houses the world’s largest collection of his work, with more than 230 works and archival pieces.
Instead of trying to immediately understand every painting, I decided to simply slow down and look at each piece with an open mind. Magritte’s work has a way of taking ordinary objects and placing them in strange, unexpected situations. The more I looked, the more I found myself asking questions rather than searching for a single answer.
The museum’s collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, painted objects, photographs, posters, and other works that showcase different periods of Magritte’s career. Walking through the galleries, I enjoyed seeing how his style evolved and how he used familiar things to create images that were mysterious, playful, and sometimes downright confusing.
I may not have understood every artwork—and honestly, I’m not sure I was supposed to. But that was part of the experience. Instead of worrying about whether I was interpreting the art “correctly,” I simply allowed myself to be curious, challenge my assumptions, and enjoy the imagination behind what I was seeing.
Sometimes, perhaps, you don’t need to completely understand art to appreciate it. Sometimes, it’s enough to let it make you stop, look twice, and wonder.
Egmont and Hornes Fountain
While walking through the beautiful Petit Sablon Square, we came across the Egmont and Hornes Fountain. The peaceful garden, surrounded by flowers, greenery, and numerous statues, made this a lovely place to slow down and explore.
The fountain honors the Counts of Egmont and Hornes, two important figures from 16th-century Brussels history who were executed on the Grand-Place.
We stopped here for a few minutes, taking in the details and enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the square. After spending time among the busy streets of Brussels, Petit Sablon felt like a nice little escape and another reminder that there is history hiding around almost every corner of the city.
Exploring Brussels and the Walk to the Atomium
Our next destination was Atomium, which was more than an hour’s walk away. We could have taken the easy route by catching a cab or bus, but it’s always more enjoyable to wander and explore a new city and stumble upon the unknowns along the way, such as being entertained by people dancing on the street or discovering street art on the buildings.
Street Art on the Buildings
As we continued walking through Brussels, we started noticing colorful murals and street art covering the sides of buildings. We weren’t specifically looking for them, but they kept catching our attention as we wandered through the city.
What I found interesting was how naturally street art fits into Brussels. The city has embraced urban art through projects such as the PARCOURS Street Art, which features works by Belgian and international artists throughout the city. Today, Brussels has more than 150 murals, sculptures, drawings, and other urban artworks that can be discovered while walking through its neighborhoods.
The artwork ranges from colorful and playful murals to pieces with deeper social and political messages. For us, it added another layer to exploring Brussels. Along with historic churches, grand squares, and beautiful architecture, there was always the possibility of finding something unexpected painted on the next building.
Atomium
Our visit to Atomium was a remarkable journey into architectural and historical wonder. Atomium, an iconic structure in Brussels, symbolizes the spirit of innovation and scientific progress. Shaped like a magnified iron crystal, it stands tall as a testament to Belgium’s post-war modernism and optimism for the future.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by Atomium’s striking exterior, composed of interconnected spheres and tubes that gleamed under the Belgian sun. We opted to explore both the exterior and interior of Atomium, starting with a panoramic elevator ride to the top sphere, offering breathtaking views of Brussels and its surroundings.
Inside, each sphere of Atomium houses exhibits that delve into its history, design, and the era it represents. From multimedia displays to historical artifacts, the experience provided insights into Belgium’s cultural and technological advancements during the mid-20th century.
Highlights : Panoramic Views: The view from the top sphere was unparalleled, offering a 360-degree panorama of Brussels’ skyline and beyond.
Exhibits: The exhibits inside Atomium were informative and engaging, shedding light on its construction, purpose, and historical significance.
Architecture: The futuristic design of Atomium itself was a highlight, blending seamlessly with the surrounding urban landscape.
I highly recommend visiting Atomium to anyone interested in architecture, history, and science. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a family, or a group of friends, Atomium promises a memorable experience that combines education with awe-inspiring views.
At end after 30k+ steps we concluded our traveling day. A day in Brussels offered us with a blend of history, art, gastronomy, and a glimpse into Belgian culture. Whether you’re a history buff, art enthusiast, foodie, or simply curious traveler, Brussels’ attractions promise a memorable experience that captures the essence of this dynamic European capital.
Enjoy your journey through Brussels, where every corner reveals a new story, and a delightful surprise awaits!