Brussels on Sunday

Sunday culture

Mont des Arts (FR/NL) in the city centre houses many museums. Most museums are open on Sunday, which is an ideal day for a visit. The museums' opening times are published at Brusselsmuseums.be.

If you prefer to rest your legs, get along to the cinema or the theatre. There is always a lot going on in Brussels. To find out just what, see the various cultural calendars.

Sunday markets

There are several Sunday markets in Brussels:

• Rummage through the second-hand ornaments and accessories at Brussels’ biggest flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle (FR) in the Marolles between 7 am and 2 pm.

• The market at Brussels-Midi station is one of Brussels’ main multicultural markets. You can find food, clothes and plants between 8 am and 1 pm.
• Fruit and vegetables, meats, textiles, second-hand goods are sold between 7 am and 2 pm at the indoor market at Abattoirs d'Anderlecht.
• Explore the collections of antiques and old books in the Sablon between 9 amd and 13 pm.
• At the MicroMarché (Quai à la Houille 9) you can meet artists and craftspeople and buy their wares between 1.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

To find a second-hand market near you, visit www.QueFaire.be, where you’ll find a list of the locations in the Brussels communes (FR/NL).

Sunday shopping

Various neighbourhoods and shops are open on Sundays:

• You can browse the furniture and interior design shops on Rue Haute and Rue Blaes in the Marolles, Brussels’ main working class neighbourhood.
• If souvenirs and trends are what you’re after, head for the neighbourhood around Grand-Place and Manneken Pis (Rue du Marché aux Herbes, Rue du Lombard, Rue du Marché au Charbon).
• Delve into the Moroccan shops on Rue de Brabant, close to Brussels-Nord station.
• The charming Brugmann neighbourhood is home to vintage boutiques and trendy cafés. On Place Brugmann be sure to browse the shelves of the Candide bookshop, a Brussels institution.

Looking for books?

A lot of bookshops are open on Sundays.

• Tropismes (FR) stocks a large collection of novels and books about human sciences in the breathtaking Galerie des Princes/Galerie du Roi just round the corner from Grand-Place. Open Sundays from 1.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
• Bibliopolis (FR) stocks popular books and DVDs for the whole familiy, in several branches throughout Brussels. Boulevard Lemonnier 16-30, Galérie Ravenstein (Brussels-Central station), Rue du Midi 93, Brussels.
• Waterstone's (magazines and newspapers in English) has two floors of books, at Boulevard Adolphe Max 71, 1000 Brussels. Open Sundays from 10.30 am to 6 pm.
• Sterling Books is an independent store that stocks magazines and books in English on a whole range of subjects, spread over two floors. Rue Fossé aux Loups, 38, round the corner from La Monnaie in the centre of the city. Open Sundays from noon to 6.30pm
• Evasions buys and sells used books (FR) on Rue du Midi 89 and 147, 1000 Brussels. The shop is open to buyers (not sellers) Sundays from noon to 7 pm.
• At Filigranes (FR) (books and magazines in French and English) you can read over a coffee in the European neighbourhood, with reading sessions for children: Avenue des Arts 39, 1040 Brussels. Open Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm.

Go green

If you prefer to get back to nature at the weekend, Brussels has a large number of parks to choose from. Bois de la Cambre is partly closed to motorised traffic at weekends. Ideal for a short stroll, a bike ride or a spot of rollerblading.