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.