Brussels is the birthplace of Tintin and the tradition of Franco-Belgian comics. The city celebrates this with a Comic Book Route—a network of murals throughout the city depicting scenes from comic books and characters. It's quirky, colourful, and genuinely charming.

There are about 50 murals scattered across Brussels. You won't see them all, but you can see most with a bit of planning.

The Context: Why Comics Matter Here

Belgian comics (bandes dessinées) are an art form. Tintin (created by Hergé), Asterix (co-created in Belgium), and dozens of other series emerged from Belgium and France. The medium is treated seriously—art, storytelling, cultural importance.

Brussels decided (in the 1980s) to celebrate this heritage by commissioning murals. It became a tourist attraction and also a genuine expression of local pride.

The Murals: What You'll See

Each mural is a scene from a comic book, painted by artists on building walls. Quality varies—some are masterpieces, some are weathered or updated. But they're all earnest attempts to bring comics to three-dimensional life.

Notable murals:

  • Tintin mural (Rue de la Boucherie): One of the most famous. Tintin and Snowy, classic pose. Beautifully done.
  • Largo Winch (near Brussels Centre): Sleek, modern character.
  • Gaston Lagaffe (Rue Marché aux Herbes): Silly, fun character. The mural captures his chaos.
  • Multiple Tintin references: He's Brussels' most famous export, so there are several.

The murals are on ordinary building walls throughout the city centre and some neighbourhoods. The official Comic Book Route map (available at the tourist office) shows all 50+ locations.

How to Experience It

Get the map: Brussels tourist office or online at comicsbookroute.be. It shows locations, characters, and backstories.

Plan a route: The murals aren't clustered—they're spread across the city. Pick a neighbourhood and do a self-guided walk looking for them.

Or join a tour: There are guided Comic Book Route tours (group and private). They take 2-3 hours, hit major murals, and provide context. Worth it if you want background.

Time commitment: If you're walking yourself, 2-3 hours to see 8-10 murals in a general area. If you're doing the full route, you'd need a full day.

Best Strategy

Don't make it your only activity. Instead, when you're walking around (say, heading to a museum or restaurant), keep your eyes up. Spot the murals as you go. It transforms the walk into a treasure hunt.

Or dedicate 2 hours to a focused "comic book walk" in the city centre. You'll hit 8-10 murals without too much backtracking.

The Neighbourhoods

City Centre (Rue de la Boucherie area): Most famous murals. Most crowded for this reason.

EU Quarter: Some murals. Mixed quality.

Saint-Gilles: Several good ones. Less touristy.

Marolles: Fewer murals but more authentic neighbourhood experience.

Photography

The murals are designed to be photographed. They're on public buildings and meant to be seen. Go ahead and take photos. Many tourists do. Just don't block traffic or trespass on private property.

Best photos are usually in morning light (softer) or golden hour (warmer tones). Midday sun is harsh.

The Honest Take

The Comic Book Route is charming and genuinely interesting if you care about comics or Belgian culture. It's not essential—you can skip it and have a great trip. But it adds a quirky layer to Brussels that few other cities offer.

It's also not a major draw. You're looking at murals on building walls. If murals don't excite you, this is filler. But if you like street art, comics, or just quirky cultural expressions, it's worthwhile.

Walking Distances

The murals are spread across several kilometres. You can't do a quick "hit every mural" tour without significant walking. Be realistic about distances.

Efficient approach: Pick a neighbourhood, walk the major murals there (30-60 minutes), then move on. Don't try to do all 50 in one day.

Combine With Other Activities

Best strategy: do a neighbourhood walk that includes comic book murals + good cafés + interesting architecture. You'll naturally encounter murals while exploring.

For example: walk Marolles (flea market, cafés, murals), or explore the city centre with a focus on both monuments (Grand Place) and murals.

Master Brussels in Minutes

Don't waste hours planning. Get our condensed, digital cheat sheet with everything you actually need.

Shop Guide on Etsy →