What to do in Brussels: a cultural hub with surprises to discover

Welcome to NH Collection Brussels Centre hotel, right in the heart of Belgium’s capital. If you’re looking for the whistle-stop tour then just ten minutes from the hotel you’ll find the impressive-looking shopping mall of the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, en route taking in the old town and the most famous square of the country, Grand Place. Don´t miss the opportunity to discover with us what to do in Brussels!

Shopping for all: big name retail to lesser-known Belgian designers

Where to shop is a common query so let me guide you round to the back of the hotel, onto Rue Neuve, where you’ll be confronted with choices galore: Zara, Springfield, Benetton, Nike, as well as Galeria Inno doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface and if you want to test out the famous Belgian chocolate then look no further than Pierre Marcolini and Neuhaus. Delicious! More purchasing pleasure, this time from the local designer labels, can be had in the area of Rue Antoine Dansaert and Rue Léon Lepage.

Walks of interest around Brussels

The capital of a multicultural country and a diverse continent discovers much more than a exquisite square: The Grand Place, a marvelous masterpiece protected as a Unesco Word Heritage. It is the most iconic site of Belgium.

The city’s Town Hall is surrounded by public and private buildings of the 17th century and testifies the success of the city at that time. Every two years in August, an enormous flower carpet of 1.800 square meters is installed there, becoming the main attraction of the city.

But beside the marvelous square, Brussels also offers a complete list of places to go. Few hundred meters from the Grand Place, you can find the famous Manneken pis, the bronce sculpture of a boy urinating into a fountain’s basin. Tourists usually think on a bigger masterpiece, however it is one of the most remarkable sites to see in the surprising old city. 
 
From there it is easy to go to Mont des Arts where is the Royal Museums of Art and History and the Palais de Beaux Arts – Bozar with wonderful gardens. It is also close to Palace of Justice where you can enjoy beautiful sights of the city in the same area which is located the NH Brussels City Center, at the Avenue Louise, near by to the European Parliament. It is an important residential and commercial neighborhood. 

But Brussels is not only a historical city. The capital of Europe is also the legendary home of the comic book. It is the hometown of Tintin, Astèrix and Obélix and Lucky Luck. The city has a guided tour that includes buildings decorated with cartoons and the Belgian Comic Strip Center where visitors can discover a range of permanent exhibitions, illustrated with original artwork and unique objects.
 
The city also offers good connections to amazing medieval places as Bruges, an old city where it is easy to feel in a town 500 years ago. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is referred as “The Venice of the North”. The city is also well connected to Antwerp and even Paris where you can go in a 90 minutes trip.

Royalty, impressionism and musical instruments: museums that differ

The Palais Royal is the official palace of the Belgian King and Queen and is one of the must seen attractions if you are wondering what to do in Brussels.  It is a 10-15 minute walk from our doors. It gives some of the most incredible views of the city from the Sablon area and has a wonderful park in which to relax or go for an early morning run. Just around the corner from the palace is probably my favorite museum, Musée Magritte, dedicated to Belgium’s outstanding impressionist painter. Also, I absolutely love the Musée des Instruments de Musique – possibly as I’m a keen violin player – which has over 9,000 exhibits within a stunning building that dates back to the late 19th century. If you have even a passing interest in musical instruments then I’d suggest a visit to see the weird and the wonderful from across the centuries. A visit to the golden-domed Palais de Justice gives you the chance to gaze over the city from one of the best vantage points, including the gigantic structure of the Atomium, a replica of an iron crystal, although several billion times the size.

Comic heroes line the route for family fun

If children are to be considered on your trip and you wonder what to see in Brussels with them, I have a sure-fire way of getting them to enjoy a walk around the streets of Brussels: it’s called the Comic Book Tour, a unique stroll through the neighborhoods of the city lined with over 50 huge murals. Even if you don’t take the tour, although I highly recommend it, don’t be surprised if you spot Tintin or another comic book hero adorning a nearby wall. And there’s always a chance to stop for succulent waffles along the way.

A real taste of homemade Belgium

There’s a little café at the entrance to the Galeries Royales called Arcadi, which sometimes feels like my second home. It’s open for breakfast and then all the way through the day until dinner, and even supper at almost midnight. Fully stocked with traditional Belgian dishes as well as delicious homemade cakes and quiches, if you get a chance pop in and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. As far as restaurants go, there are plenty to pick from but my favorite would have to be La Quincaillerie, 15 minutes by taxi from the hotel. It’s a traditional Belgian restaurant converted from an old hardware store, with really amazing seafood and local dishes.

Evening entertainment in Brussels

As the evening draws in there is still a variety of things to do before heading to the comfort of your hotel room. The UCG De Brouckère is just 100 meters away from us and gives you the choice of new and local films to some older classics like Easy Rider, Pulp Fiction and Trainspotting. If, on the other hand, you prefer to see the actors up close and personal then let us arrange a ticket for you at the Théâtre Des Galeries where you can soak up one of their regular performances from the comfort of a luxurious red velvet seat. With or without a show, for a late drink I enjoy the areas of Saint Géry and Saint Catherine where the quirky Madame Moustache has to be seen to be believed. One thing for sure, when deciding what to do in Brussels at night, it’s never dull.

In Bruges – not just in the movies

For those that have been to the capital before, a day trip away may be of interest. My recommendation would be to jump on the train to the enchanting city of Bruges – you’ll be there in an hour from Central Station. It’s situated in the Flemish part of the country and is most well known for its amazing architecture and with a beautiful network of canals it’s no wonder that Bruges is known as the “Venice of Belgium”.

Brussels is a city that never ceases to amaze and inspire. From its rich history and culture to its vibrant nightlife and culinary delights, there is always something to discover. Whether you’re exploring the charming streets of Sablon, taking in a performance at the Théâtre Des Galeries, or simply enjoying a late-night drink at Madame Moustache, you’ll find that deciding what to do in Brussels is part of the adventure. So, pack your bags and get ready to uncover the surprises that await you in this cultural hub.

About Andrea Casado Pérez

Hi. My name is Andrea. I came to Brussels from Spain six years ago to do my NH traineeship, and I stayed. A year and a half ago I started working as Guest Relations Manager in the NH Collection Brussels Centre. I am really happy doing this job as it gives the best opportunity to take care of all our guests and make them feel at home. Guest Relations means being the hostess of the hotel, managing the hotel as if it was your house, side-by-side with the General Manager. I have to know about everything that is going on in the city, every hidden secret that Brussels could offer our guests, to ensure they have a memorable stay. It’s a bit like having a Wikipedia mind!