Our top tips for a low-budget break in Brussels

With more than a hundred museums, Brussels has something for everyone. Moreover, some of its museums are free to visit, seven days a week.

Discover the history of the European Union and how it is organised during a visit to the House of European History and the Parlamentarium.

Just around the corner you will find the impressive Wiertz Museum. Have you never heard of Antoine Wiertz, the controversial figure of the Belgian Romanticism, and his monumental paintings? Visit this extraordinary museum without delay. You won't be disappointed. Further south, you can visit the former studio and home of Constantin Meunier, an artist, painter, sculptor and draughtsman from the second half of the 19^th century. The Meunier Museum contains over 700 pieces! These works would influence the realist art of the first decades of the 20^th century.

The National Bank of Belgium, housed in a beautiful 19^th century building, is ideal for those who want to know more about how money works in a country. Explore the history of money, even if you are broke!

In the autumn, three museums open their doors on Thursday evenings. These late-night openings are free of charge or cost a few euros at the most. Lots of workshops, activities, guided tours and DJ sets are scheduled.

For real culture lovers looking for a bargain, there is also the Brussels Card. Available for only €29, the card gives you access to more than 40 of the capital's museums!

Last but not least, a number of museums are open free of charge on the first Wednesday (afternoon) and/or the first Sunday of the month.

To help you discover Brussels and its surroundings, we offer you a series of itineraries and walks online, organised by theme or by district. In the visit.brussels offices at Place Royale and on the Grand-Place, you can obtain free maps of the city's old byways with descriptions of the monuments you'll come across during your walk.

A bit more conventional, but just as exciting: take a tour of the Grand-Place with a friendly guide. Tipping at the end of the tour is voluntary, so it's up to you how much you give. The principle of tipping tours extends to different guided tours as proposed by, for example, Bravo Discovery, who offer tours in various languages.

Do you like street art and comics? The latter is a speciality in Belgium, so you'll love the comic strip trail dedicated to sophisticated murals of all your favourite characters.

With the Brussels Greeters network, you can ask a local to show you around the city. These volunteers are excellent guides, passionate about their city and willing to share their secret knowledge of Brussels with you in exchange for a simple smile.

In Brussels, you can visit the city's many churches and cathedrals for free. The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, the church of Our Lady of the Sablon, Koekelberg Basilica and the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes welcome believers and non-believers alike with open arms. Please note that a contribution will be necessary if you wish to access certain extras (panorama, treasure room, crypts, etc.)

In most Brussels eateries, a bowl of soup with bread will not cost you an arm and a leg. Looking for something a little more filling?

At Bavet in the Sainte Catherine neighbourhood, you can get a large bowl of spaghetti for a reasonable price. Other Mediterranean delights can be found at Cabraliego - a little corner of Spain in Brussels - or at Italian restaurants Nona and Spago. Another very popular spot is My Tannour, where you can taste delicious artisan dishes from Syria. Fans of Lebanese street food also flock to SemSom. Even more exotic are the burritos at Chez Wawa, the spring rolls at Knees to Chin and Japanese gyozas at Takumi and Makisu.

If you're a little more demanding and are prepared to spend a few extra euros, don't hesitate to head to the nearby Wolf Brussels Food Market, which offers a world tour of cuisines with no less than 17 restaurants and 2 bars. If you prefer local dishes, go to Bouillon, in the Îlot sacré: Belgian cuisine for affordable prices, in a superb Art Nouveau-ish, Belle Époque setting.