A Guide to Exploring Brussels’ Comic Strip Route

Brussels, the vibrant capital of Belgium, is not only known for its historic charm but also for its rich comic strip heritage which is something we found out when we visited for a weekend. As a mother exploring the city with my elementary-aged child, we discovered a super fun adventure along the famous Comic Strip Route.

Whether you’re trying to follow the route or just having a good wander around, you’ll undoubtedly run into numerous murals in Brussels. If you are looking for something fun to do with kids in Brussels though, plan to do a scavenger hunt like adventure through the downtown streets looking for street art.

Comic Strip Route / The Cartoon Walls of Brussels — Title: LGBT

Get ready to follow the Comic Strip Route in Brussels with this guide:

Where to stay around Grand Place, Brussels
How to find the Comic Strip Route
Navigating the route
The heart of comic strip history
Must-see murals
More street art to find too!

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Where to stay around Grand Place, Brussels

Hotel Novotel Brussels Off Grand Place

Where we opted to stay, Novotel are easy, comfortable, and standard across the brand so you know what you’re getting. There was a bath tub and separate shower stall and a separated water closet. They also offer bicycle rental if you want to go further than this easily walkable itinerary. There’s a small fitness center and the staff are very helpful. This was easy to find just a few minutes from the train station which meant we could hop out, put our stuff down, and get to sightseeing within a half hour. Also made it easier to pack up and leave as well so we didn’t have to traipse across Grand Place with our bag. Great budget friendly option.

Book your stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.

Radisson Collection Grand Place Brussels

Similarly easy to get to from the train station, the interior is just beautiful. We walked through the lobby and it was so nice. Expect very friendly staff, clean rooms, and the most comfortable beds. I always love a Radisson sleep. There are 282 updated and upgraded rooms to choose from, a fitness center, and if you are taking along kids, they offer a Family Program as well you can ask about when you check-in. Children under 12 will even get a welcome bag so make sure you ask about it.

Book your stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.

Comic Strip Route / The Cartoon Walls of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

How to find the Comic Strip Route

Embarking on the Comic Strip Route in Brussels is like stepping into a colorful world where some of your favorite comic book characters come to life. It’s a fun opportunity to introduce your kids to some old school cartoons too.

The route features over 60 murals depicting iconic figures such as Tintin, the Smurfs, and Asterix. The best way to kick off your adventure is by stopping at the Grand Place tourist office on day one, where you can grab a handy map or guidebook to help navigate the route.

If you want to check out the map online, you can find a map of the Comic Strip Route here.

Grand Place Tourist Info Center

Address: Hotel de ville, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm

Navigating the route

Follow the route with a map you pick up from the tourist center. The Visit Brussels website says it should take about 3 hours in total and covers about 5 kilometers. It’s definitely walkable. No need to jump on transport. The other option is to follow your Brussels itinerary and see what you see along the way.

While you’re on a wander though, just keep your eyes peeled. Street signs also feature comic characters guiding the way. As a parent, it’s a fun and engaging way to explore Brussels’ artistic side while keeping the kids entertained if you ask me.

The heart of comic strip history

Belgium has a deep-rooted love for comic strips. The rise of Franco-Belgian comics, also known as bande dessinées (BD), was a response to the ban on US comics during World War II. The period between 1945 and 1960 marked the golden era of Spirou magazine, giving birth to iconic characters like Gaston, The Smurfs, and the legendary Tintin.

If you want to learn more about the comic characters and history, you should also visit the Comics Art Museum / Belgian Comic Strip Center in the area too. It’s in a beautiful Art Nouveau building and has so much comic art and history to peruse.

Comics Art Museum / Belgian Comic Strip Center, Brussels, Belgium

In 1991, a project began to decorate the buildings of Brussels. It was an initiative to decorate some empty walls and gables originally but became an opportunity to celebrate the rich history of comics. From the iconic ligne claire style of Tintin to the irreverent humor of Le Chat, the Belgian capital is a testament to the diversity of comic art.

Must-see murals

As you stroll through Brussels, keep an eye out for murals that tell a hidden story. The ones you see here are just the beginning. Some of our favorites included:

Smurfs: One of the first ones we found as it was near our hotel, it’s hidden on the underside of a passageway so you have to look up to see your favorite Smurfy characters.
- Address: Rue Infante Isabelle
Tintin: The most popular of Belguim’s comic characters and thus is definitely a popular mural to find, Tintin has been running since 1929 and still sells a million copies annually.
- Address: Rue de l’Etuve
Boule et Bill: You might recognize these characters created by Belgian artist Jean Roba.
- Address: Rue du Chevreuil
Leonard: Leonard is an inventor and painting the Palais de Justice which you can also see beyond this mural.
- Address: Rue des Capucins
Spirou: This is a famous comic strip character originally created by Robert Velter for the launch of the Spirou Magazine in 1938. Very fun and colorful.
- Address: Rue Notre Dame de Grace
Cori the Ship’s Boy
- Address: Rue des Fabriques
Le Jeune Albert: Rue Infante Isabelle: Created by French comic artist Yves Chaland, this comic will take you back to the years after the war in Brussels. Retro fun.
- Address: Rue des Alexiens

Yoko Tsuno: Check out this Japanese character float through space. Created by Roger Leloup, Yoko Tsuno was one of the first women to get her own comic strip in the 70s. She’s super cool.
- Address: Rue Terre-Neuve
Olivier Rameau: This one another one we spotted randomly as it stood out so colorfully and fun. Made by Greg and Dany, it’s fireworks of fun.
- Address: Rue des Grands Carmes
Le Passage: This one really blends in color-wise and we walked right by it, turned around, and realized it fit the street so well. It tells the story that the artists hoped for apparently as Le Passage depicts the idea of a parallel world and parallel cities.
- Address: Rue du Marche au Charbon
LGBT: Another fun colorful mural we walked down a little alley to find, this mural was created by Fotini Tikkou and Ralf Konik and was created in collaboration with Rainbow House.
- Address: Rue de la Chaufferette
Broussaille: The first of the murals installed in 1991 that kicked off the Brussels Comic Book Route.
- Address: Rue du Marche au Charbon
Victor Sackville: Follow Victor Sackville, a protagonist who travels the world during WWI acting as a spy for King George V.
- Address: Rue du Marche au Charbon
Nero: Another very popular Belgian comic you’ll probably recognize.
- Address: Place Saint-Gery
Asterix and Obelix: Check out the Gauls who resist the Roman occupation in 50BCE with magic potions. Hilarious fun abounds.
- Address: Rue de la Buanderie 33-35

More street art to find too!

There’s a lot of street art in Brussels and even when you’re trying to spot the cartoons, you’ll probably spot some so keep your eyes peeled and have some fun hunting out the street art and comics in Brussels. We loved our artistic adventure.

The Comic Strip Route in Brussels offers a delightful experience for families, combining the joy of discovery with a rich cultural history. As a mother, I can attest that this adventure not only captivates children with its vibrant murals but also provides a unique and educational way to explore the artistic soul of Brussels. So, if you’re wondering what to do with kids in Brussels, the Comic Strip Route is a must-visit for a day filled with laughter, imagination, and the magic of comic art.

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