REVIEW · BRUSSELS
Brussels Comics & Street Art: Private Walking Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by City Unscripted · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Comics and street art, all in one walk. You follow a local guide through an open-air gallery of murals and comic-world shops, learning how Brussels shows up in art.
I like the way the route turns walls into storytelling, so you don’t just see paintings—you understand what they’re saying. I also like the stop-and-browse time inside famous comic stores, where the city’s pop culture feels real, not staged.
One thing to consider: it’s a walking tour, so you’ll want comfortable shoes and a rain plan, since it runs rain or shine.
In This Review
- Key highlights to look for on this Brussels street-art walk
- Why Brussels comics and street art fit neatly into 3 hours
- Starting at Zuidstation: your route gets explained fast
- Little Nemo: comic browsing in a store that breaks the neat rule
- Hors-série: where first editions feel almost serious
- The Tintin Comic Mural: a character you can study like street architecture
- Manneken Pis and Don Quixote in Spanish Square: icons with a twist
- Brüsel and Manga: expanding the comic spectrum in the city center
- Boulevard Simon Bolivar walls: where the city becomes the canvas
- Price and value: is $121 per person worth it?
- What makes the guide part matter (English or French)
- Who this private tour is best for
- Practical tips for a smoother walk in Brussels (rain or shine)
- Should you book this private Brussels street art and comics tour?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start?
- How long is the private walking tour?
- Is the tour offered in English and/or French?
- Does the tour run in bad weather?
- Is transportation included?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Is pickup included?
- Is it wheelchair accessible?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key highlights to look for on this Brussels street-art walk
- Meet the city through murals: guided stories tied to what you’re seeing, not a random photo chase.
- Two very different comic-store moods: from cluttered classic shelves to first-edition rarities.
- Tintin Comic Mural: a large character moment you can spot and then study up close.
- Brussels landmarks mixed with pop culture: Manneken Pis plus literary-themed art in Spanish Square.
- More comic corners in the city center: stops at Brüsel and Manga to broaden the vibe.
- Boulevard Simon Bolivar wall art: big, city-scale canvases you’ll actually notice.
Why Brussels comics and street art fit neatly into 3 hours
Brussels can feel like it’s made for wandering, but this tour keeps that energy focused. In about 3 hours, you get street art outdoors and comic shops indoors, so the day doesn’t flip between extremes.
What makes it work is the format: you’re not just passing sights. You’re learning the stories behind them, with a local guide helping you read the visual jokes, characters, and references tucked into the walls and storefronts.
You can also read our reviews of more walking tours in Brussels
Starting at Zuidstation: your route gets explained fast
You meet at Zuidstation, then head into the colorful side streets. If you’re staying in the center, pickup can be arranged so the start feels easy rather than complicated.
Right away, the guide sets expectations for the kind of art you’ll see. That matters, because street art can be loud and chaotic on your own—you’ll enjoy it more when you know what to look for and why it’s here.
Little Nemo: comic browsing in a store that breaks the neat rule
One of the first stops is Little Nemo, a comic store with piles stacked high, plus old toys mixed into the mix. Think of it less like a museum and more like someone’s deeply loved collection exploded in the best way.
This is the kind of stop that turns the tour from sightseeing into “I understand the place.” You get time to sift through comics and older items, and the guide can help you connect the store’s feel to the wider comic culture Brussels is known for.
If you love browsing, this is one of the most fun moments of the whole walk. If you hate clutter or you’re short on patience for shopping-style stops, you may want to set a quick personal rule for how long you’ll spend inside.
Hors-série: where first editions feel almost serious
Next comes Hors-série, which is described as classy and housed in a 19th-century building. Here, the tone shifts: you’ll see precious first editions and other rarities rather than the “stacked everywhere” vibe.
I like this contrast because it changes how you see the comic world. Comics aren’t only street references and playful murals—there’s also craftsmanship, collecting, and a serious side to the culture.
This stop can also help you decide what kind of souvenir you actually want. If you’re tempted by rare prints, this is where you’ll get a reality check on what’s available and what it costs.
The Tintin Comic Mural: a character you can study like street architecture
After the stores, you head to the Tintin Comic Mural—a larger-than-life Tintin decorating the side of an unassuming gift shop. The fun part is that it doesn’t behave like a classic monument. It looks like it grew out of the street.
The guide’s job here is to help you notice how the mural works in context—scale, placement, and what it’s doing on that particular wall. That’s how you get beyond just recognizing the character.
Practical note: murals like this are best enjoyed slowly. Give yourself a minute to look from different angles, not just one quick snap.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Brussels
Manneken Pis and Don Quixote in Spanish Square: icons with a twist
From pop culture murals and comic shops, the tour moves into classic Brussels landmark territory.
First up is Manneken Pis, the bronze fountain sculpture of a urinating boy designed by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder in the early 1600s. Even if you’ve seen photos before, being there in person helps you appreciate it as part of street life, not an isolated stop.
Then you see the statue of Don Quixote in Spanish Square. This pairing is clever: you’re going from a local icon to a literary one, both tied to recognizable storytelling traditions.
If you’re the type who likes cities because they feel layered, this section will land well. You’re seeing Brussels not as one theme, but as multiple narratives sharing the same streets.
Brüsel and Manga: expanding the comic spectrum in the city center
Next the tour keeps going with two more comic-store stops.
Brüsel is described as one of the city’s oldest comic book stores, and it’s known for an extensive collection of Harry Potter figurines. If you want a more “collectible shelves” moment, this is the place.
Then there’s Manga, where you’ll find… manga. That’s it, simple and direct—this is for anyone who wants to pivot from European comics into Japanese pop culture.
I like these stops because they give you a real sense of range. Comics aren’t one style or one audience. Here you get a snapshot of what people actually buy and collect in Brussels, and you’ll likely leave with clearer ideas about what you want to track down later on your own.
Boulevard Simon Bolivar walls: where the city becomes the canvas
The final stretch includes Boulevard Simon Bolivar, one of the city’s busy central arteries. Here, you look at walls used as canvases—big, in-your-face street art you can’t miss once you’re near it.
This is where the tour’s “story through art” approach pays off. When you’re already aware of what the guide has been pointing out, these walls stop being random decoration and start looking like communication.
Even if you’re not a street-art expert, you’ll leave with a working mental map: where art is placed, how it interacts with the street, and what kind of messages pop up again and again.
Price and value: is $121 per person worth it?
At $121 per person for a 3-hour private walking tour, you’re paying for three things you can’t easily replicate solo: a local guide, curated stops that include specialist comic stores, and an itinerary built around reading the city through art.
It’s not a “transportation included” tour, and food and drinks aren’t included. That said, the stops themselves do a lot of the heavy lifting. You’re spending time inside shops like Little Nemo and Hors-série, then seeing major street art like the Tintin mural and wall art along Boulevard Simon Bolivar.
Where the value feels strongest is when you care about context. If you just want a hit list of photos, this might feel pricier than expected. If you like stories, browsing, and walking with someone who knows what you’re looking at, it makes more sense.
What makes the guide part matter (English or French)
This is a live-guided experience in English or French, with a guide who’s there to explain what you’re seeing and offer tips for the rest of your stay in Brussels.
I especially like that the tour isn’t only about the art itself. The guide’s recommendations matter because they help you connect the murals and comic culture to where you go next—so the tour isn’t a bubble.
It’s also a private group, so you can ask questions without feeling rushed or blended into a larger crowd.
Who this private tour is best for
This is a great fit if you:
- Like art that feels connected to daily life, not sealed behind museum glass
- Want comic culture that goes beyond a single character or one store
- Enjoy browsing, even if it’s just window-shopping and short inside time
- Prefer a local lens rather than a checklist
It’s also a strong choice if you’re traveling with someone who likes different things than you do. One person might focus on the murals and landmarks, while the other gets a kick out of the comic shops and browsing.
Practical tips for a smoother walk in Brussels (rain or shine)
The tour happens rain or shine, so plan accordingly. Bring a light rain layer and wear shoes you can walk in comfortably for the full route.
For the shop stops, keep in mind you’re not only looking—you’re browsing and soaking in atmosphere. If you want to buy something, have a payment plan ready. If you don’t want to buy, still enjoy it like a gallery: take your time, and let the guide point things out you might miss.
If you’re sensitive to indoor browsing time, tell your guide what you prefer. This experience can be personalized to match requests and interests, which helps keep the pacing comfortable.
Should you book this private Brussels street art and comics tour?
Yes—if you want Brussels through comics and street art, with a guide who helps you connect the dots. The $121 price feels more justified when you’ll actually use the expertise: the murals, the Tintin stop, the landmark pairings, and the specialist comic stores.
Skip it only if you mainly want big-ticket monuments with minimal walking and minimal browsing. Otherwise, this is a fun way to see a side of Brussels that you won’t get from a straight sightseeing loop.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Zuidstation.
How long is the private walking tour?
It lasts 3 hours.
Is the tour offered in English and/or French?
Yes. The live guide speaks English and French.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes. It happens rain or shine.
Is transportation included?
No. Transportation isn’t included.
What’s included in the price?
You get a local guide plus tips and recommendations for the rest of your Brussels stay.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks aren’t included.
Is pickup included?
Yes. Pickup is included, and if you’re staying in the center, the guide meets you at your hotel (you specify the hotel name and address).
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The experience is wheelchair accessible.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
