Walk through this 1847 glass-roofed shopping arcade between Rue du Marché aux Herbes and Rue d'Arenberg. Look up at the ornate ironwork and stop inside the small chocolate shops less crowded than the ones near the main square.

Located at Place Royale 1, inside the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. Buy tickets online to skip the line. Focus on the Surrealist collections on the upper floors where Magritte's lesser-known works hang, not just the famous ones.

Start your morning at this Art Nouveau gem designed by Victor Horta. Head straight for the upper floors where the permanent collection explores Belgium's rich comic tradition from Tintin to Spirou and lesser-known indie artists. The ground floor gift shop is excellent for picking up a graphic novel in English or French.

Walk from the Comic Strip Center through the Sint-Goedele neighborhood to reach the Mont des Arts esplanade. Look for the small hidden garden terrace at the top of the stairs that offers a framed view straight down to the Grand-Place towers. It is a favorite photo spot for locals, not tourists.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage square during lunch when morning crowds thin out. Step into the Maison du Roi (King's House) on the north side to see the original Manneken Pis wardrobe with over 1,000 costumes. Then find the narrow Rue des Harengs for a quiet perspective on the guild halls.

This tiny bronze fountain statue is smaller than expected, usually surrounded by tourists. More interesting is the costume-changing ceremony that happens on select days or the lesser-known Jeanneke Pis around the corner on Rue des Bouchers. Skip the crowds and just snap a quick photo.

Open late July to early September only; arrive right at 9:30 to avoid queues. The Throne Room and Mirror Room with its 30 million jewel chandeliers are the main highlights.

The symmetrical French garden directly behind the Palace. Walk the central path toward the bandstand and find the small hidden statue of Leopold I near the north gate.

Free entry to the main nave; look for the carved wooden pulpit and the 17th century stained glass windows donated by royalty. The crypt sometimes hosts small exhibitions.

Located in Schaerbeek station, a 20 minute tram ride from the center. The collection includes the stunning royal carriages and a full size steam locomotive you can board.

Climb to the top sphere for panoramic views across Brussels. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue. Look for the original 1958 Expo details in the lower spheres.

Walk through miniature replicas of EU landmarks at the base of the Atomium. Fun way to spot architecture you will see later in real life. Allow 90 minutes to see the full park.

Stroll through the massive park with the triumphal arch and formal gardens. Enter from the Merode metro side to see the arch first. Check the esplanade for seasonal pop up exhibitions.

Home to 30 iguanodon dinosaur skeletons the world's largest collection. Head straight to the Gallery of Dinosaurs on level 1. The Evolution gallery on level 0 is excellent for understanding natural history.

Located next to the Observatory in Uccle, the planetarium offers afternoon screenings in English. Check the schedule online before going since shows vary by season.