Brussels Travel Guide - Things To Do

Shopping: some of the best shopping experiences involve searching out the best and rarest chocolates and beers. Place du Grand Sablon is the best place to pick up that special box of Belgian truffles at stores such as Pierre Marcolini and Neuhaus.

For the best beers, hit shopping centres and off-licences which often offer beer selection packs. Some of the best places to pick up all manner of goods include the Basilix, Woluwe and City 2 shopping centres, while the flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle is the best place for bargains.

Cinemas like Cinema Nova, the Cooperative Nouveau Cinema, Arenberg and Vendome all show independent films from across the globe. Events like the Festival of Thriller, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Films in April represents another good chance to witness the creativity in Brussels first-hand.

Walking tours: Brussels offers some intriguing walking tours. The Strip Cartoon Tour takes in the city’s well-known cartoon artefacts including 24 frescoes, statues and museums. Guided tours are also available courtesy of the numerous tour companies in the city and on special Cultural Days, usually off-limits areas become accessible.

Golf: just outside the city, within half an hour’s drive, are a number of excellent golf courses such as the Royal Amicale Golf Club Anderlecht and Chateau Sainte Anne, both of which are open year-round and offer other sporting facilities.

Thermal baths: the residents of Brussels are fond of water treatments, mud spas and thermal baths, which also offer the chance for swimming. The Hotel Alfa Rijckendael in Grimbergen, just outside the city, is one such venue. Others include the Bio Etna at the Hotel Metropole in the city itself and Espace Thermal Oceanis in nearby Woluwe.