Brussels attractions

Whether you’re left, right, or apathetic, don’t miss out on an exclusive tour of the European Parliament's plenary chamber – the sacred space where EU policies get decided and Nigel Farage regularly embarrasses himself. The free audio guide (available in all 23 EU languages) will get you up to speed on the who’s, what’s and how’s, and you can ‘visit’ every member state in the adjoining exhibition. Best of all, it’s completely free!

Railways played a vital role in the development of modern Europe, whisking goods and people up and down the continent during the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Brussels’ charming ‘Train World’ celebrates all things steam-powered, with vehicles and carriages from almost two hundred years of locomotive history. Did you know Belgium has the oldest railway network on the European mainland? You do now – all aboooooaaaard!

If all those heavy Belgian beers and mayo-laden fries are taking a toll on your wallet and waistline, the city’s numerous free walking tours should be just the antidote. Just grab a map from one of the multiple tourist offices and get your stride on. The tours are all themed, so you can take your pick from routes that cover the city’s comic book-themed murals, its turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau architecture and so much more.

See European Unions within European Unions at the family-friendly Mini-Europe. Famed for its Lilliputian landscapes and unimaginative naming, Mini-Europe lets you tower over intricately detailed models of Europe’s architectural highlights, lovingly recreated in teeny-tiny 1:25 scale. Many of the cityscapes have interactive elements, so you can operate the lochs on the Panama Canal, or try your hand at knocking down the Berlin Wall.