It is no secret that many places in Brussels, including restaurants, grocery stores and shopping centres, are closed on Sundays.
Locals might be used to it, but expats have a hard time adjusting to the eerily quiet end to the week, and tourists visiting for a long weekend are at a loss for what to do.
But don't despair, there is still plenty to do in Brussels, even on the Lord's Day – it just takes a bit more digging.
Comic Strip Route
From Tintin and Lucky Luke to Asterix and Obelix, Brussels is the comics capital of the world. Since winning the fight against large, advertising posters in the city centre in the 1990s, artists have been filling these urban voids with giant comic book murals in honour of Franco-Belgian comic book artists.
A fresco on the comic route made by Emilie Plateau. Credit: Belga / Sebastien Baillet
With over 60 public murals scattered throughout the city (and counting!), you can find a map of all the outdoor comic artwork on the city's website and create your own walking tour.
Parks, Gardens, and Forests
Brussels is blessed with many green spaces either within the city limits or a short bus or train ride away. With less traffic and fewer people walking around, Sundays are traditionally quieter days in Belgium and therefore the perfect time to reconnect with nature.
A map in the Sonian Forest. Credit: Belga / Siska Gremmelprez
The Brussels Park, previously called the 'Royal Park', is an excellent Sunday destination. Open 24/7, it is Brussels' oldest public park with a fountain, statues, outdoor theatres, music venues, bars and bistros which are all open on Sundays.
Located just north of the city, the Brussels Botanical Garden is open until 20:15 every day of the week and exhibits rose and iris gardens as well as beautiful animal and nymph sculptures.
Less than an hour away on public transport, the famous Sonian Forest boasts almost 5,000 hectares of recreational nature space and is nicknamed the 'green lung' of Brussels. This 200-year-old beech and oak tree forest offers its visitors an array of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, horse riding trails and children's playgrounds.
Since 2002, Les Contes en Balade has offered nature storytelling tours and performances around Belgium, including many in Brussels and the surrounding regions. The tours are usually held on Sundays and provide a unique getaway from the chaos of city life.
Markets
Strolling through Brussels, you cannot fail to miss the dozens of indoor and outdoor markets that are open most days of the week. From antiques to food markets, there are many shopping opportunities available even when high street stores are closed.
Brussels flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle. Credit: @rxevans on Instagram
The famous flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle in the Marolles neighbourhood is a modern day version of the 1873 'old market' in the same location. A real treasure trove for all sorts of vintage trinkets and second-hand products, it is open from 09:00 to 14:00 every day.
The city's biggest vintage market is hosted on the first Sunday of the month in a historic warehouse, so the perfect activity for a rainy day. It is free to enter from 11:00 to 18:00, but if you want to get there before the crowds, you can pay €8 to enter at 10:00 – and the entrance fee even includes breakfast!
Passage 125 Blaes is undoubtedly worth a visit if you are into antique shopping. The market is hosted in a historic building dating back to 1859 and open 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays.
Open every Sunday morning from 07:00 until 14:00, the bustling Midi market is one of the largest in Europe, offering fresh produce, meat, fish, flowers and plants as well as clothing, and all at very affordable prices.
Churches
Providing an oasis of calm in a normally bustling city, Brussels' churches are an excellent Sunday destination for locals and tourists alike.
Church of Our Lady of Victories at Sablon. Credit: The Brussels Times / Margherita Bassi
The Church of Our Lady of Victories in the Sablon neighbourhood is a beautiful 15th-century church known for its Baroque chapels and Gothic architecture. Entry is free and it is open to visitors from 09:00 until 11:45 and from 13:15 until 18:00 on Sundays.
Close by is the older Church of Our Lady of the Chapel, dating back to the 12th century. The Gothic-Romanesque church is the burial site of the painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder. It is open from 10:00 until 18:30 on Sundays.
The Church of Saint Catherine is a stunning building with a Victorian interior known for its Christmas light shows. Open from 09:30 until 17:30 on Sundays, entry is free for all visitors.
Museums
Brussels is home to over 100 museums and are often open on Sundays. Many are also free on the first Sunday of the month, providing the perfect day out for all the family.
A royal visit to the Old Masters Museum. Credit: Belga / Diana le Lardic
From the Royal Museums of Fine Arts to the quirkier Comics Art Museum and even the Choco-Story Brussels chocolate museum, there really is something for everyone.
