The best comic murals we found in Brussels
We didn’t plan to spend a whole morning on it. We just spotted the Tintin wall, then another mural round the corner, and before we knew it we’d turned a Brussels morning into a citywide treasure hunt. Here are the comic murals we loved most (the full route).
Tintin (Rue de l’Étuve)
The icon, right by Manneken-Pis: Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock descending a fire escape. The one everyone photographs, and rightly — it’s brilliantly done (Tintin in Brussels).
Broussaille (Rue du Marché au Charbon)
The very first mural of the route, from 1991 — a young couple strolling arm in arm. Quietly lovely, and a landmark in the city’s gay-friendly quarter.
Le Chat (Boulevard du Midi)
Philippe Geluck’s deadpan philosopher cat, enormous on a gable end. Made us laugh out loud.
The Smurfs
A whole cheerful blue wall of Peyo’s tiny creatures — a hit with the kids we saw pointing at it.
Gaston Lagaffe
Near the Comics Art Museum, the lovably useless office boy mid-disaster. Perfect placement.
Why it’s the best thing we did
Here’s what surprised us: the mural hunt was our favourite activity of the trip, and it was completely free. It does three things at once — it’s a game, it’s a walking tour of the lower town, and it’s a window into what makes Brussels Brussels: a city playful enough to paint cartoon characters across its buildings (Belgian comics explained).
We used the free Comic Book Route map to plan a loop, but honestly half the fun was just stumbling on them. There are 50+ in total; we caught maybe a dozen in the central core in a morning (murals map).
Tips from our hunt
- Look up and round corners — some are high on gable ends or down side streets.
- Start at the Tintin wall by Manneken-Pis and loop the lower town.
- Pair it with the Comics Art Museum in its gorgeous Horta building (guide).
- Great with kids — turn it into “spot the next character.”
If you do one free thing in Brussels, make it this. It captures the city’s soul better than any monument — and you’ll come home with a camera roll full of cartoons and a daft grin.
