Are you a fan of comic strips? Then Brussels will be your new “happy place”.
Comic strip trail
Brussels is the undisputed capital of comics, and here the ninth art is always in the spotlight. Many museums, galleries, flea markets, festivals and specialised shops are entirely devoted to the comic strip, but one of the most amazing activities is undoubtedly the famous comic strip trail.
Tintin, Astérix, Spike & Suzy, Lucky Luke… over the years, the streets of Brussels have become the greatest showcase for these heroes and their creators.
Since 1991, the walls of the capital have been regularly adorned with new murals, and today Brussels boasts over 80! Set off in search of them and discover Brussels' many atmospheres on this unique walk!
Good to know: In 2021, the City of Brussels undertook a process to recontextualise certain murals of the Comic Strip Trail – particularly the oldest ones – to incorporate them into a contemporary narrative and bring them into line with current sensibilities. The Brussels Studies Institute, together with the ACME comic research group and the Belgian Comic Strip Center, led a series of discussions between 2021 and 2022 involving various academics, experts, comic strip industry stakeholders, members of civil society, and students from ULB and VUB. These exchanges contributed to the drafting of texts that contextualise these murals without justifying them, inviting collective critical reflection. These are accessible via QR codes. More information is available on the City of Brussels website.
Through the historical centre and the UNESCO World Heritage site
The Smurfs, Gaston Lagaffe, Tintin, Victor Sackville and even the Scorpion are just some of the famous characters that you’ll meet on this stroll through the historical centre of the capital. This route takes you to the Grand-Place, through the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the surrounding area and on to other examples of the capital’s heritage treasures: the Royal Saint Hubert Galleries, the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, place des Martyrs, the Manneken-Pis… Unmissable!
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3h
Duration
5 km
Length
on foot
Transport
Families
Audience
Discover the Marolles, its comic strip murals and vintage treasures
Looking to immerse yourself in the capital's most rebellious district in the company of numerous comic book heroes? Then head to the Marolles. This small historic district alone has no less than fifteen frescoes. Quick and Flupke, Billy and Buddy, Blake and Mortimer and Léonard are among the many must-sees. Despite its historical reputation as a rebellious district, nowadays it's known for its antique shops, its flea market and its trendy boutiques.
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3h
Duration
5 km
Length
on foot
Transport
Families
Audience
The effervescence of the Sainte-Catherine neighbourhood
Plunge yourself into the effervescence of the Sainte-Catherine neighbourhood, where you'll come across murals at the corners of a restaurant, bar or trendy shop. This is where you'll come across Cubitus, Spike and Suzy and even Asterix. The route leads you along the canal where you'll find, among others, the Corto Maltese mural, one of the most impressive in the capital. A walk that combines gastronomy, fashion and street art.
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3h
Duration
5 km
Length
on foot
Transport
Families
Audience
Discover the green neighbourhoods of Laeken and Haren
A little further out, discover the neighbourhoods of Laeken and Haren. Far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist centre, they offer numerous green spaces and addresses frequented almost exclusively by locals. The Atomium and Mini-Europe are two of the most famous sites, which you can visit between two comic strip murals. The Marsupilami, Tamara and Natacha are just some of the characters you will come across on your walk.
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4h
Duration
7 km
Length
on foot & by bus
Transport
Families
Audience
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A stroll through Brussels’ other communes and neighbourhoods
Although more numerous in the centre of Brussels and its surroundings, comic strip murals are everywhere and can be found all over the region. Our comic book heroes also decorate walls in the communes of Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek, etc. If your passion for the ninth art takes you to these areas, you'll sample various Brussels atmospheres.
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1 day
Duration
15 km
Length
Bus, tram, metro
Transport
Families
Audience