Visit Brussels in 3 days
20 must-see POIs, optimized routes and anecdotes.
POIs
20
Distance
7.3 km
Duration
14h15
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Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
You will visit the most beautiful points of interest in Brussels
Museum of original figurines
Charles Buls fountain
House of the Dukes of Brabant
Théâtre Royal de Toone
Fontainas Square
Saint Catherine Church
Sainte-Catherine district
Rue de la Cigogne
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains
Musical Instrument Museum
Monument au Général Thys
National Bank of Belgium
Tropismes Bookshop
Jeanneke Pis
Halls of Saint-Géry
Royal Palace of Brussels
Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg
Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels
Brussels Park Kiosk
Théâtre Royal du Parc
Day 1 - Brussels
6 POIs to discoverDay 1 - Morning à Brussels
5 Points of interest - Duration : 4h00 - Distance : 1.6 km - Walking : 0h20
01
Museum of original figurines
- The Brussels Comics Figurines Museum, formerly known as the museum of original figurines or MOOF, is a private Belgian museum dedicated to the 9th art The museum exhibits original figurines, plates and drawings, as well as comic book collectibles.
- It houses a collection unique in Europe, showcasing the heroes of Belgian and European comics.
- The museum's sets are created by young Brussels artists and students.
- A statue of a five-meter-high White Smurf weighing almost nine tons stands in front of the gallery.
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02
Fontainas Square
- � The square is named after André-Napoléon Fontainas, former burgomaster of Brussels.
- It occupies the site of the Petite Ile, formed by two arms of the Senne.
- It is part of the central boulevards laid out in 1867-1871 by architect Léon-Pierre Suys.
- Suys planned to erect a monumental fountain here in his 1865 project.
- On the east side of the square, some houses retain their café canopies, such as the Moeder Lambic Beer Bar.
03
Théâtre Royal de Toone
- The Théâtre royal de Toone is a puppet theater in Brussels.
- It was created in 1830 and remains a popular place of entertainment.
- Puppets appeared after the closure of theaters by Philip II of Spain.
- In fact, this type of theater allows great freedom of tone and does not require many resources.
- The puppet repertoire is borrowed from popular legends and stories of chivalry.
- Nine showmen have succeeded each other in the Toone dynasty.
- The transmission is not necessarily from father to son: the new "Toone" must be adopted by both his predecessor and his popular audience.
- The Toone Theater also houses an estaminet and a museum of Brussels puppets.
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04
House of the Dukes of Brabant
- The House of the Dukes of Brabant is a collection of seven classic Baroque houses The houses bear names such as "La Renommée", "La Fortune" and "La Bourse".
- The houses were destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels in 1695 and rebuilt to plans by architect Guillaume de Bruyn.
- Craft guilds were housed in the House of the Dukes of Brabant until the guilds were abolished during the French Revolution The "House" is adorned at the base of the pilasters with 19 busts of Dukes of Brabant and other rulers of this country, including: Jean IV de Brabant, Philippe de Brabant, Charles le Téméraire, Marie de Bourgogne, Charles Quint, Philippe roi d'Espagne.
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05
Charles Buls fountain
- The Fontaine Charles Buls monument was erected as a tribute to Charles Buls, mayor of Brussels from 1881 to 1899, and a great advocate of the arts and Brussels' heritage.
- The fountain was inaugurated in 1987, marking the 150th anniversary of Charles Buls' (1837-1914) birth.
- In 2019, the fountain could not be turned on because the basin had too many cracks, leading to discussions about performing extensive restoration on it.
- Charles Buls is depicted sitting on a stone bench surrounding the fountain while a dog plays, biting the sleeve of his coat, which is a likely reference to the policy Buls implemented against street dogs at the end of the 19th century.
Day 1 - Afternoon à Brussels
1 Points of interest - Duration : 0h45 - Distance : 0 km - Walking : 0h00
01
Halls of Saint-Géry
- Les Halles Saint-Géry is a former covered market located in the center of Brussels.
- The building was inaugurated in 1882 and is a remarkable example of Flemish neo-renaissance architecture.
- Originally, the site housed a chapel and church dedicated to Saint Géry.
- Les Halles Saint-Géry has become an emblematic Agora dedicated to promoting Brussels' heritage and urban identity.
- They offer a hybrid program including exhibitions, conferences, artistic performances and concerts.
- Les Halles houses a bookshop specializing in the Brussels region and also publishes a paper and virtual fanzine.
- Café des Halles, located inside, offers a menu featuring local products.
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Day 2 - Brussels
10 POIs to discoverDay 2 - Morning à Brussels
5 Points of interest - Duration : 3h30 - Distance : 2 km - Walking : 0h26
01
Saint Catherine Church
- Brussels' Sainte-Catherine church was built between 1854 and 1874, replacing an earlier 15th-century edifice.
- Its design was entrusted to the talents of Joseph Poelaert, the architect of the Palais de Justice.
- The church's architecture is hybrid, blending Gothic and Baroque elements with neo-Renaissance-style furnishings.
- It was almost demolished to build a parking lot, but was reopened for worship in 2014.
- Catherine's Church then on the right of the square was demolished in 1893 and replaced by a power plant, today itself transformed into a museum of contemporary art called CENTRALE.
02
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains
- This is a former 16th-century fortified moat.
- Originally, the square hosted a cattle market.
- Later, around 1650, it became a grain market.
- Today, the square is pleasant with its shaded terraces under the trees.
03
Rue de la Cigogne
- Rue de la Cigogne is a hidden village in the heart of Brussels.
- The street is charming with its cobblestones, shrubs and discreet facades.
- The locals live here in tranquility and gather to chat al fresco.
- The street's entrance porch dates from 1780 and features a statuette dedicated to Saint-Roch. ⌛ Despite the years, Rue de la Cigogne retains its timeless charm.
- The street is a haven of peace, disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the city.
04
Sainte-Catherine district
- The quays district is also known as the Sainte-Catherine district.
- The district was once the former port of Brussels and home to canals used for transporting goods.
- The canals were filled in in the 19th century and replaced by wide boulevards.
- The district includes historic sites such as the Beguinage de and its church Saint-Jean-Baptiste-au-Béguinage and the Grand Hospice Pachéco.
- The district is also home to the Royal Flemish Theatre of Brussels and the house of La Bellone.
- The district's main thoroughfares include the Quais du Commerce, the Boulevards de Dixmude and d'Ypres, as well as the Rue des Commerçants and the Rue du Canal.
- The Quais district is also called the Alhambra district in its northern part.
05
Musical Instrument Museum
- The MIM is one of the world's leading musical instrument museums.
- Founded in 1877, the museum boasts over 8,000 instruments, of which more than 1,200 are on display.
- The museum is home to exceptional instruments, such as the luteal invented by Georges Cloetens and the Componium by Winkel.
- In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum offers temporary exhibitions, concerts and educational activities for all audiences.
- The museum's library boasts more than 30,000 works specializing in musicology and organology.
- The building, considered one of Brussels' Art Nouveau gems, was built in 1899 to plans by architect Paul Saintenoy. .
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Day 2 - Afternoon à Brussels
5 Points of interest - Duration : 3h30 - Distance : 1.3 km - Walking : 0h16
01
Royal Palace of Brussels
- The Royal Palace in Brussels is the administrative residence and workplace of the King of the Belgians.
- It houses the services of the King's Household and serves as a reception venue for distinguished guests.
- The building's construction spanned from the Austrian period to the reign of Albert I in 1934.
- The interior is mainly decorated in neo-Louis XVI style, with Austrian and Dutch elements.
- The royal palace belongs to the Belgian state and is at the disposal of the king.
- It faces the Parc de Bruxelles, symbolizing the coincidence between Parliament and the King.
- The palace is built on the site of the former Coudenberg Palace and Austrian mansions.
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02
Théâtre Royal du Parc
- Built in 1782, the Théâtre du Parc initially served as an annex to the Théâtre de la Monnaie, with the Parc devoted to shows presented by young actors.
- During the 1914-1918 war, the Théâtre Royal du Parc was requisitioned by the Germans and gave only German performances.
- Became a French-speaking theater again in 1919, it then offered mainly repertory plays performed by Belgian actors.
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03
Brussels Park Kiosk
- The bandstand in Brussels Park was built in 1841 by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar.
- Bandstands became popular in the 19th century due to the craze for military music.
- The first bandstands were made of wood, but by the 1840s metal bandstands were being built..
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04
Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg
- Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Cathedral was built between 1776 and 1787.
- It is part of a group of nine neoclassical buildings surrounding Place Royale.
- A direct passageway from the gardens of the royal palace gives the church the unofficial status of "royal parish" In 1831, it was above the steps leading to the church porch that Leopold I pronounced the oath of loyalty to the Belgian Constitution that made him the first King of the Belgians.
05
Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels
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Day 3 - Brussels
4 POIs to discoverDay 3 - Morning à Brussels
4 Points of interest - Duration : 2h30 - Distance : 2.4 km - Walking : 0h32
01
Monument au Général Thys
- The Monument to General Thys is a commemorative structure that celebrates General Albert Thys, a colonizer of Congo.
- Conceived by sculptor Thomas Vinçotte and realized by Frans Huygelen, the monument was inaugurated in 1926, after Vinçotte's death in 1925.
- The monument is a tribute to Thys's work as Leopold II of Belgium's aide in colonial ventures.
- The monument has been listed as a historical monument since November 18, 1976.
- It consists of a bronze group representing the Belgian Genius guiding Congo, symbolized by a young black woman carrying a cornucopia, symbol of the riches of Congo.
- The stone pedestal supporting the bronze group is adorned with a medallion featuring a profile portrait of the General, surrounded by garlands of laurel and oak, emblematic of merit, and topped with a discreet pearl frieze and winged wheels, symbolizing the general's role in promoting railway in Congo.
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02
National Bank of Belgium
- The BNB today performs tasks of general interest, both nationally and internationally: A European monetary policy Issuing banknotes since 1851.
- However, coins are minted by the Monnaie Royale Centre d'études et d'information: collection, production, analysis and dissemination of economic and financial information A free museum on the other side of the boulevard explains the various tasks that fall to the National Bank and traces the history of this institution as well as the evolution of means of payment from the first coins to the euro.
- Victor Hugo was a major shareholder in the National Bank of Belgium thanks to the revenues from his novel Les Misérables.
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03
Tropismes Bookshop
- Tropismes is a French-language general bookshop focusing on literature, humanities, fine arts and children's books.
- Located in the Galeries Saint-Hubert since 1984, it occupies the former Belgian jazz venue "Blue Note".
- In 1992, the cellars were refurbished to accommodate more books.
- The Tropismes Jeunesse and comics departments moved to Galerie des Princes #4.
- The humanities have expanded to include books on ecology, the environment, geography, economics and management.
- The basement features art, music and film departments, as well as a relaxation area with a garden and fountain.
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04
Jeanneke Pis
- The Jeanneke-Pis is a statue of a little girl urinating.
- She is the sister of the Manneken-Pis.
- The bronze statue is about 50 cm high and depicts a naked, squatting little girl.
- Created in 1985 by Denis-Adrien Debouvrie, the statue was unveiled to the public in 1987.
- According to legend, throwing coins into the Jeanneke-Pis fountain is traditional to show affection for a loved one.
- The money collected is used for medical research and helping the needy in Belgium.
- The Jeanneke-Pis is one of Brussels' many iconic statues, alongside the Manneken-Pis (her "brother") and the Zinneke-Pis (a dog).
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