Street Art in Brussels – Trail of Comics and more

Exploring street art has become an increasingly popular activity in cities around the world. Street Art in Brussels is no exception—its street art scene is thriving, and fans of this form of artistic expression will find plenty of fascinating works to discover. It’s worth noting that many well-known comic book artists, whose works we might recognize but not associate with this city, actually come from Brussels.

Some murals and artistic installations you’ll stumble upon by chance, while others may require a bit of searching!

Every city offers something different. Gone are the days when sightseeing meant just ticking off historical landmarks. Today, urban walks and themed tours focused on specific, sometimes unusual, subjects have become more popular. Street art is one such theme. More and more Polish cities are also embracing this art form, promoting it and making it accessible to fans of creative expression in public spaces.

How to find street art in Brussels?

As you wander through Brussels, you’ll come across various manifestations of street art. The city is currently promoting a number of murals inspired by comic books created in Brussels. A dedicated trail has been set up, and with the help of online maps, these works are easy to locate :) You’ll find the link to the full map just below the graphic!

Apart from the comic book murals, Brussels also features a dedicated street art trail. Along this route, you’ll find a wide variety of works by both local artists and creators from other countries.

You can find the interactive map of the street art trail on the website parcoursstreetart.brussels.

Comics from Brussels

Since the 1990s, the city has placed great emphasis on promoting Brussels’ comic book heritage. Some say that Brussels is the comic capital of the world. It is estimated that over 700 comic book artists live and work in the city. Famous characters such as Tintin, Lucky Luke, and the Smurfs all originate from here!

The city is constantly looking for new walls to showcase murals. If you happen to own a free wall in central Brussels, don’t hesitate to get in touch – it might soon be turned into a colorful artwork!

Although comic-themed murals can be found throughout the city, many of them are located in the central area. A short walk around the Grand Place is enough to spot several – or even a dozen – of them.

Not all mural locations are marked perfectly on the map, but sometimes all it takes is to look around, and you’ll likely find what you’re looking for.

The Smurfs

These little blue characters definitely deserve a separate mention – after all, most of us remember them fondly from our childhood. While the Smurfs recently made a comeback in 3D animated movies, the original classic version remains the most nostalgic for many.

The Smurfs were created by Belgian comic artist Pierre Culliford, better known under the pseudonym Peyo. You might know them from comic books, animated films, or the television series. The Smurfs first appeared in the comic series Johan & Peewit (Johan et Pirlouit) on October 23, 1958.

Although Peyo was the creator, later comic editions were illustrated by other artists including Miguel Díaz Vizoso, Alain Maury, Ludo Borecki, Pascal Garray, and Jeroen de Coninck.

Near Place d’Espagne (Spanish Square) in the old town, you’ll find a dedicated Smurfs store. Right outside, there’s a large Smurf statue that has become a popular photo spot for tourists – after all, how often do you get a selfie with a giant Smurf?

Street Art in Brussels

Street art in Brussels goes far beyond comic-themed murals. While exploring the city, you’ll come across many fascinating works and locations that are worth your attention. New pieces continue to appear, winning the hearts of street art enthusiasts.

Brussels is a large and diverse city, and you can find interesting murals and other forms of urban art in many of its neighborhoods. I only managed to explore a small part of the city myself, but my list of favorite spots filled up quickly.

Street art here isn’t limited to large-scale murals either. You’ll also encounter sculptures, installations, and other creative interventions in the urban space. Some cover entire building facades, while others are small and subtle — but all carry a message.

My personal favorite among the artworks I stumbled upon during my walks in Brussels? The geese (or maybe they’re ducks!) — absolutely fantastic. You can see them in the first photo below, located near Place d’Espagne.