FREE THINGS TO DO IN Brussels

The Église Notre-Dame de Laeken, or the Church of Our Lady of Laeken as it’s more commonly referred to, is one of the most beautiful churches in the city.

It was built by King Leopold in order to commemorate his wife, Queen Louise-Marie, in the 1800s and has since become one of the top tourist attractions in Belgium.

Make sure you spend some time admiring the exquisite architecture of the exterior of the church, and also head inside to see the chapel, the altar and of course, the beautiful glass windows.

This free attraction in Brussels won’t take you too long to see, so you can easily fit it into your travel schedule while you’re in the city.

Address: Parvis Notre Dame, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium

The second park featured in this guide of the best free attractions in Brussels deserves its place due to its sheer size and the various activities that it offers visitors.

At an impressive 74-acres large, Parc du Cinquantenaire is an incredible urban oasis offering plenty of dog walking opportunities, football games and so much space for kids to run around and play.

You’ll also likely see hundreds of parakeets singing in the trees around the park, as well as plenty of locals enjoying their lunch breaks inside Parc du Cinquantenaire.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to get away from the busier streets of Brussels, then Parc du Cinquantenaire is the perfect place to hang out on an afternoon.

Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium

While “peeing statues” might seem like an incredibly unusual activity to have on a guide of the best free attractions in Brussels, these statues are actually one of the most popular things to see in the city!

The most famous statue is Manneken Pis which depicts a little boy urinating into a fountain. It seems incredibly silly, but this statue actually dates all the way back to 1619 and tourists, locals and travellers alike have gathered around the 61cm tall statue for hundreds of years!

Kids are sure to find this free attraction in Brussels entertaining and even though you obviously won’t be able to spend all day there, it’s still a fun and unique thing to add to your Brussels itinerary!

Address: Rue de l’Etuve 31 / Lievevrouwbroersstraat 31

Often said to be one of the most controversial buildings in the city, the Palais du Justice, or the Law Courts of Brussels, is the most important court building in the entire country of Belgium.

Right next to the Palace, you’ll find Place Poelaert which offers the very best free views of Brussels city.

While you’re inside the Palais du Justice, make sure you spend plenty of time wandering around and taking everything in. There are some areas that are off limits to the public, but for the most part, you can see the courts and the various important official rooms.

This activity isn’t really aimed towards kids, so perhaps skip it if you’re travelling with children.

Address: Place Poelaert 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

One of the best ways to get a true feel of any European city is to visit a market; you get to immerse yourself within the local culture, try some different cuisines from far and wide and see how the locals make their livings!

The most famous flea market in Brussels is the Marolles Flea Market, sometimes also called Place du Jeu de Balle, and it’s a great place to go in the city if you’re looking to purchase some trinkets and treasures to take home with you.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to even buy anything; you could just as easily spend a few hours walking around and enjoy browsing all the different weird and wonderful market stalls.

Address: Place du Jeu de Balle, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Cimetière d'ixelles is a major cemetery in Brussels and is also one of the largest in the city.

However, when people talk about the Ixelles Cemetery, more often than not they will also be referring to the neighbourhood which is also titled the same name; it can get a little confusing!

You can pay your respects to some of Brussels’ most famous departed inside the cemetery such as Victor Horta and Frederic Neuhaus.

If wandering around a cemetery isn’t really your cup of tea, then head to the local neighbourhood bars or restaurants for a mid-afternoon snack and drink.

It’s a popular area with university students so you’ll often find that many bars and cafes offer discounted prices and happy hour deals!

Address: Chaussée de Boondael 478, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium

Promenade Verte stretches for 60km and is one of the most beautiful cycling and hiking routes in the whole country.

The tree lined avenue makes for an idyllic place to ride a bicycle, don your running shoes or simply just enjoy a lovely leisurely stroll with the kids.

While it might be 60km long, you certainly don’t have to complete the whole thing and Promenade Verte is designed in such a way that you can join the route almost anywhere along the trail.

There are numerous highlights along the way including the Tournay-Solvay Park, many collections of beech trees and the Sonian Forest. It’s the perfect place for a day trip outside of the city centre with the whole family.

Address: Prom. Verte, 1120 Bruxelles, Belgium

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium, but it’s not actually used as their royal residence and is instead somewhat of a tourist attraction for visitors to the city.

You can embark on a free self-guided tour of the palace during the summer months where you’ll get the chance to explore numerous state rooms, suites and official royal rooms.

If you’re a fan of history and you’d like to learn more about the Belgium royal family, then a visit to the Royal Palace needs to be on your travel itinerary when you visit Brussels.

You might even be able to time your visit with one of the cultural art exhibits that the royal family demonstrate every year.

Address: Rue Brederode 16, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Situated in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, The Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History is a military museum that showcases exhibits from medieval times as well as the European Forum of Contemporary Conflicts.

It’s certainly not an attraction that’s suited to everyone’s tastes, but it is considered to be one of the best free museums in Brussels and you can see a whole manner of different collections and artefacts.

Some of the most notable things to see inside The Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History is the various weapons, planes, uniforms and tanks that have been used throughout the years.

The museum is a great place to soak up some culture while you’re in Brussels.

Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Egmont Park offers a beatific oasis in the middle of the city centre, yet it remains fairly untouched as it’s nestled away behind one of the busiest streets in Brussels.

The park is home to the Palais d’Egmont, as well as the statue of Peter Pan; another notable free thing to see in Brussels.

While the city is home to many parks and open areas, Parc d’Egmont is often said to be one of the very best thanks to its close proximity to the city, without being overcrowded or noisy.

Bring the kids along to the park, pack a picnic and a football and enjoy a lovely few hours luxuriating in the stunning grounds of Egmont Park.

Address: Boulevard de Waterloo 25, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium