1. Soak in a Bath of Hops with a Draft Beer Tap in Hand (The Good Beer Spa)

Private wooden Ofuro hot tubs infused with natural hops and barley at the Good Beer Spa.

If you do only one unusual thing in Brussels, make it this. The Good Beer Spa is the first and only beer spa in Belgium, blending traditional Belgian craft beer culture with pure relaxation.

You’ll step into a private Japanese Ofuro hot tub filled with warm water enriched with natural hops, barley, and brewer’s yeast. These natural brewing ingredients are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential oils that leave your skin feeling soft and your muscles relaxed. Best of all? Every private room features an unlimited craft beer tap located right next to your tub.

2. Step into the Strange at the Fantastic Art Museum (Musée Art Fantastique)

Calling all lovers of the weird, surreal, and gothic! Located in Schaerbeek, the Fantastic Art Museum houses a bewildering collection of mythical creatures, monsters, mysterious automatons, and bizarre artwork. It’s a surreal, fun, and eerie space that perfectly captures Belgium’s uniquely eccentric artistic spirit.

3. Savor Authentic Belgian Cuisine at Friture René

Skip the crowded tourist restaurants in the city center. Head to Anderlecht to discover Friture René, an authentic Brussels institution that has stayed true to tradition. Set in a retro bistro with red-and-white checkered tablecloths, they serve some of the best beef-tallow double-fried frites in town, fresh shrimp croquettes, steak tartare prepared tableside, and slow-cooked Flemish beef stew—all paired with a crisp local Geuze.

4. Admire the Bizarre Balloon House (Maison Ballonnée)

While strolling through the vibrant neighborhood of Saint-Gilles (near Rue du Danemark), keep an eye out for the unusual Maison Ballonnée. This eye-catching facade features inflated spherical shapes bursting out of the building’s windows. It’s a whimsical piece of modern urban architecture and a great quick photo stop!

5. Descend Underground at the Sewer Museum

The underground course of the River Senne inside the Sewer Museum.

Located near Porte d’Anderlecht, the Brussels Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts) offers a subterranean look into how a major European capital manages its water system. Walk along the banks of the active underground Senne river and discover the history of Brussels’ massive 19th-century urban transformation.

6. Explore Nature-Reclaimed History at Dieweg Cemetery

Tucked away in the leafy southern district of Uccle, Dieweg Cemetery is an abandoned 19th-century graveyard that has been entirely reclaimed by nature. Overgrown with ivy, wild flora, and ancient trees, its romantic stone mausoleums feel more like a secret gothic garden than a graveyard. It’s an incredibly peaceful and unique spot for quiet walks and photography.

7. Throw Axes like a Viking at WoodCutter

Urban axe throwing targets and lounge area at WoodCutter.

Want to let off some steam or challenge your friends before a night out? WoodCutter brings urban axe throwing right to the center of Brussels. Complete with expert safety coaches, cozy lounge seating, and local craft beers, it’s a favorite for group activities and stag dos in Brussels.

8. Discover the Historic Royal Toone Puppet Theatre

The rustic attic bar at Théâtre Royal de Toone with marionettes hanging overhead.

Tucked down an alley near the Grand-Place, the Théâtre Royal de Toone is a living piece of folklore dating back to 1830. Traditional puppet shows are performed in the local dialect upstairs, while the downstairs tavern serves authentic Lambic and Geuze under ancient wooden beams.

9. Walk the Hidden Comic Strip Murals Route

One of 60+ giant comic book wall frescoes scattered throughout central Brussels.

Explore Brussels as an open-air art gallery. As the birthplace of comic icons like Tintin and The Smurfs, over 60 building walls across the city feature giant, hand-painted comic frescoes. Self-guided walking routes take you through atmospheric quarters like the Marolles and Saint-Géry.

10. Experience 70s Retro Sci-Fi at Pannenhuis Metro Station

Brussels’ metro system doubles as a subterranean art gallery, but Pannenhuis Station is in a league of its own. Featuring bright orange, retro-futuristic cylindrical lights suspended overhead, stepping off the train here feels like walking straight onto a 1970s sci-fi movie set.

11. Hunt for Oddities at Place du Jeu de Balle Flea Market

Located in the historic Marolles neighborhood, the Marché aux Puces at Place du Jeu de Balle is the only flea market in Europe open 365 days a year. Every morning, vendors lay out vintage records, antique furniture, retro clothes, and quirky Belgian curiosities on the cobblestones.

12. Admire Heritage Elegance at L’Aegedium

Located in Saint-Gilles, L’Aegedium is a breathtaking neoclassical and Art Nouveau building inaugurated in 1919. Once a lavish venue for aristocratic galas and theatrical performances, this preserved gem periodically opens its doors for cultural events and private architecture tours.

Off the Beaten Track Activities Overview