How To Spend A Sunday In Brussels Belgium

Whether you are a tourist or a local, Sundays provide a great opportunity to get acquainted with Brussels’ multicultural side through international markets, museums, art exhibitions, music festivals, and much more. Check out our list of things to see and do when exploring Sunday life in Brussels.

Sunday Brunch

While many pubs, bistros and restaurants are open on Sundays in the central area, there are some that stand out. Peck 47 is a hip place to be in Brussels, serving healthy food throughout the day and welcoming you with retro décor. Another spot worth dropping by is Les Filles, Plaisirs Culinaires, located in the Saint-Catherine area, a few streets down from Bourse (Stock Exchange). They are also open on Sundays between 10am – 4pm, and if you are interested, you can also join one of their cooking classes. If a street bistro just won’t do for you, the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) offers Sunday brunch on the terrace, between 10am – 3pm, where guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, a glass of champagne and some amazing panoramic views of the city.
Peck 47, Rue Marché Aux Poulets 47, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 513 02 87
Les Filles – Plaisirs Culinaires, Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 46, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 534 04 83
Musical Instruments Museum, Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 545 01 30

Healthy and not-so-healthy options to choose from

Sunday Culture

If looking to enhance your cultural knowledge, Brussels can definitely offer that, even on Sundays. Choose between historic places like the BELvue Museum or opt for a more unique visit by discovering the eclectic collection of instruments at the MIM. There truly is something for everyone, as Brussels is home to several different museums. While there are a number of museums that open their doors on Sunday, there are also a few that are open to the public free of charge on the first Sunday of the month.
BELvue Museum, Place des Palais 7, Brussels, Belgium +32 70 22 04 92
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Rue de la Régence 3, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 508 32 11

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Sunday In The Park

All in all, the weekend is a great time to explore the city, but what if you just want to relax? Whether lying on the grass, hosting a picnic or listening to some open-air concerts, Brussels contains a number of great spaces to do just that. If the weather is on your side, venture out to some of Brussels’ parks to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon or check out the cultural agenda to see if there is an event hosted by the city.

Sunday Markets

Why not embark on a tour of Brussels’ best Sunday markets? The market at Brussels-Midi station is one of the most popular and multicultural of the capital’s markets. Open on Sunday between 8 am-1 pm, the Brussels-Midi Market sells food, clothes and plants from around the world. For those that enjoy hunting for antiques, think about paying a visit to the Jeu de Balle market, which takes place every Sunday in the Marolles between 7 am-2 pm. MicroMarché is also a worthwhile stop, as it hosts artists and craftsmen selling their handmade treasures between 1:30 pm-6:30 pm.
Brussels-Midi Station Market, Avenue Fonsny 47B, Brussels, Belgium
Marolles Market, Place du Jeu de Balle, Brussels, Belgium
MicroMarché, Quai à la Houille 9, Brussels, Belgium

Sunday Reading

Brussels is also a book lover’s paradise on Sundays. There are various bookstores open on Sunday, both for locals (FR and NL) and internationals (EN and other languages). Filigranes, one of the most popular bookstores around the city, offers a selection of 10,000 books, plus activities such as concerts, singing sessions, and storytelling for children. Passa Porta the ‘passport to contemporary world literature in the multilingual heart of Europe’, represents the International House of Literature in Brussels. It is open to literature lovers, authors, readers, translators and cultural mediators. When looking to grab a bite to eat while enjoying a book, Cook & Book is a great option as well.
Filigranes, Avenue des Arts 39, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 511 90 15
Passa Porta, Rue Antoine Dansaert 46, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 226 04 54
Cook&Book, Place du Temps Libre 1, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium +32 2 761 26 00

Sunday Sounds

For those looking to experience live music on a Sunday in Brussels, there are a few choice establishments to check out when looking to satisfy a variety of tastes. Ancienne Belgique (AB) is undeniably one of the top spots to catch a concert with its packed agenda of leading national and international acts. For jazz lovers, Bonnefooi hosts its own Brussels Jam Sessions every Sunday where the public is not only invited to listen to great music, but musicians in the audience get in on the act. Art Base is also another great venue for world music lovers, as it provides an intimate atmosphere to catch a performance of either Indian, Greek or Latino music.
Ancienne Belgique, Boulevard Anspach 110, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 548 24 84
Bonnefooi, Rue des Pierres 8, Brussels, Belgium
Art Base, 29, Rue des Sables, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 217 29 20
https://instagram.com/p/BAFBRboC92Y/?taken-by=bonnefooimusic&hl=en

Sunday Vintage

Market

While finding a shop open on Sunday may be tricky, there is one fashion event everyone can count on. Held on the first Sunday of each month in the Halles Saint-Géry, the Brussels Vintage Market hosts a unique shopping experience with numerous vendors selling eclectic clothes and retro items from 12pm – 7pm.

Sunday At The Movies

For those looking to get lost with a great film, there are plenty of options besides watching the latest flicks. Head to one Brussels’ independent theaters to watch an art house film or catch an offbeat thriller. Cinematek, a combination of museum, theater and archive all in one, also hosts regular shows from classic favorites to obscure films.

Cinematek, Rue Baron Horta 9, Brussels, Belgium +32 2 551 19 19