Brussels is a canvas. From larger-than-life murals on gable walls to intricate stencils tucked in alleyways, the city brims with street art that reflects its multicultural soul. This self-guided trail takes you through three distinct neighbourhoods—the city centre, Saint-Gilles, and Schaerbeek—each with its own character and concentration of works. The route is designed for a leisurely half-day walk (about 5 km total) and is entirely free. You'll see pieces by world-renowned artists such as ROA, Bonom, and Jef Aérosol, as well as local collectives like Farm Prod. Grab a metro map (a single STIB ticket costs €2.50 or €8.00 for a day pass) and start your exploration at De Brouckère metro station.

City Centre: Grand Place to Rue des Alexiens

Begin at the Grand Place, but instead of looking up at guildhalls, turn into the narrow streets behind it. The first notable piece is a giant comic-strip mural on Rue de l'Étuve: Le Marchand de Lunettes by François Schuiten, part of the Brussels Comic Book Route. This official trail includes over 50 murals celebrating Belgian bande dessinée. From there, walk to Rue des Alexiens, where a massive ROA crane (the bird) adorns a building wall. ROA, a Belgian artist known for monochrome animal murals, painted this in 2012 for the Brussels Street Art festival. Continue to Rue du Midi: at number 35, you'll find a colourful abstract piece by Bonom, a Dutch artist who uses bold shapes and primary colours. Behind the Church of St. Nicholas (Rue de la Vierge Noire), look for a stencil by Jef Aérosol—a life-sized figure with a red arrow—titled L'Insaisissable (2015). This area is also home to several smaller paste-ups by local artists. For a break, grab a coffee at Kaffabar (Rue des Alexiens 22), where a latte costs €3.50. The density of works in the centre is high, but the real treasures lie further south.

Saint-Gilles: Parvis de Saint-Gilles and Rue de la Victoire

Take tram 81 from Bourse to the Parvis de Saint-Gilles (15 minutes, included in your STIB ticket). The Parvis itself is a lively square with the Art Nouveau town hall and a Saturday market. The street art here is concentrated along Rue de la Victoire and surrounding streets. Start at the intersection with Rue de la Glacière: a huge mural by Felipe Pantone (Argentinian-Spanish artist) covers the gable end of a building at Rue de la Glacière 45. His signature geometric, colourful style is unmistakable. Walk down Rue de la Victoire; at number 68, a collaboration between Fikos (Greek) and Navar (Belgian) depicts a Byzantine-inspired figure. Nearby, on Rue de l'Église Saint-Gilles, a mural by Alice Pasquini (Italian) shows a girl with a balloon. Saint-Gilles is also home to the MIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art) at Quai du Hainaut 41, which occasionally hosts street art exhibitions (entry €10, closed Mondays). For lunch, try La Tricoterie (Rue Théodore Verhaegen 158), a cultural centre with a café serving salads and quiches for around €12. The neighbourhood's vibrant, bohemian atmosphere is a highlight of the trail.

Schaerbeek: Rue de la Ruche and the Cimetière de Bruxelles

From Saint-Gilles, take tram 81 to Brussels-North station, then tram 55 or 62 to the Diamant stop (total 25 minutes). Schaerbeek's street art is clustered around the Rue de la Ruche and the area near the Josaphat Park. Start at Rue de la Ruche 36: a towering mural by Bue the Warrior (Belgian) depicts a samurai in vivid orange and blue. Continue to Rue Vondel; at number 48, a piece by Smates (French) shows a surreal astronaut. The real gem is the Cimetière de Bruxelles (Evere), a 15-minute walk from the park, where the walls outside the cemetery are covered in large-scale murals by ROA, Bonom, and Vhils (Portuguese). This open-air gallery, known as the Brussels Cemetery Murals, was created during the 2016 Urban Art event. The works are massive—some 10 metres tall—and are best viewed in the afternoon light. Schaerbeek also has a strong community of artists; you may spot new pieces on Rue des Palais and Rue de la Consolation. For a rest, the Parc Josaphat has benches and a pond. A bike would be useful to cover the distance between clusters, but walking is feasible if you're fit.

Ixelles: Flagey and the Cimetière d'Ixelles

From Schaerbeek, take tram 62 to Montgomery, then tram 81 to Flagey (30 minutes). The Place Flagey is a hub for street art, with pieces on the walls surrounding the square. On the east side, a mural by JBC (Belgian) shows a giant bird. Walk down Rue de la Paix; at number 21, a work by Nevercrew (Swiss duo) depicts a polar bear on a melting iceberg—a commentary on climate change. The Cimetière d'Ixelles, a 10-minute walk from Flagey, has a wall along Rue de la Croix covered in stencils and paste-ups by local artists. The cemetery itself is worth a visit for its Art Nouveau tombs (free entry). Ixelles also has several cafés and shops that display street art inside. Try Le Pain Quotidien (Place Flagey 19) for a tartine (€8) or Moka (Rue de la Paix 14) for a coffee (€2.50). The area is less dense than Saint-Gilles but offers high-quality works.

Practical Tips and Resources

To make the most of your trail, download the Brussels Street Art app (free on iOS and Android) or pick up a paper map from the Brussels Tourist Office (Rue Royale 2, open daily 9:00-18:00). The map costs €1 and lists over 60 murals. Wear comfortable shoes: you'll walk roughly 5 km between the four areas. Public transport is your friend—a single STIB ticket costs €2.50, a day pass €8.00, and a 10-trip card €16.00. All zones are included. The best time for photos is early morning (9:00-11:00) to avoid crowds and harsh shadows. Most murals are on public walls and accessible 24/7, but some in courtyards may be locked on weekends. Respect private property: do not enter building interiors unless invited. If you're interested in the history of the city, the walking routes article on our site offers more context. For a deeper dive into local culture, check our craft beer guide for nearby pubs.

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