Self-Guided Walking Tour Along Brussels Comic Book Route

Reviewing the Self-Guided Walking Tour Along Brussels Comic Book Route

If you’re a fan of comic art or street murals, Brussels offers a vibrant collection of murals celebrating its comic heritage. This self-guided tour, accessible via an app, promises to showcase 12 of the city’s most iconic comic murals in just under 2 hours. Priced at only $7 per person, it’s a budget-friendly way to combine sightseeing with a love of graphic storytelling. While it won’t replace a guided experience, it’s an excellent way to explore at your own pace—especially if you enjoy discovering street art while learning the stories behind the characters.

What we particularly like about this tour is its flexibility. You can start whenever you like within opening hours, pause to take photos, and skip ahead if a mural isn’t accessible or if you want to spend more time on a certain stop. The inclusion of offline maps and multimedia guides adds to its value, making it a practical choice for tech-savvy travelers. However, a downside noted by some is that one of the main murals—the Smurfs wall—is now permanently closed, which might cause some confusion or disappointment if you’re not aware beforehand.

This tour seems best suited for comic lovers, street art enthusiasts, and those looking to explore Brussels with minimal fuss. If you’re comfortable with self-guided experiences and want to combine sightseeing with a bit of storytelling, this could be a fun addition to your itinerary.

Key Points

• Affordable Price: At just $7, it’s a budget-friendly way to see Brussels’ comic murals.
• Self-Guided Flexibility: You control the pace, start time, and stops, making it ideal for personalized exploration.
• Rich Content: Audio guides and images help identify murals and understand their stories.
• Offline Access: No internet needed once downloaded, perfect for wandering without connectivity worries.
• Limited Group Size: Designed for small groups, with a maximum of 20 travelers, ensuring a less crowded experience.
• Known Issue: One mural (the Smurfs wall) was reported as permanently closed, which could affect your experience.

An In-Depth Look at the Brussels Comic Book Route Tour

Many travelers are drawn to Brussels because of its legendary comic characters like Tintin, Asterix, and Thorgal. The city’s streets are adorned with over 65 murals, but trying to see them all in one visit can be overwhelming. This tour offers a curated selection of 12 murals, carefully chosen to represent the best of Brussels’ comic art scene in a manageable two-hour walk. It’s perfect for those who want a taste of the city’s comic culture without devoting days to wandering aimlessly.

Start Point: Smurfs Passage. The tour kicks off at a spot in the city center where the Smurfs mural once caught visitors’ eyes. Unfortunately, it has been reported as permanently closed, which underscores the importance of checking current mural statuses before your walk. The tour then guides you through some of the most recognizable murals, including Tintin, Victor Sackville, and Asterix, among others.

The tour’s layout is designed not only to showcase the murals but also to tell their stories. You’ll hear about the characters, their origins, and what makes each piece special. The app’s audio commentary is noted for being clear and easy to understand, adding depth that you might not get just from a visual glance. The use of images helps you identify each mural, while the interactive map ensures you stay on track despite detours or pauses.

Midway through, you’ll find an easy-to-follow route that takes you through some of the most lively parts of Brussels. The walk is not hurried, and you can take as much or as little time as you wish at each stop. Several reviews mention doing this tour early in their stay so they could see a lot of the city without retracing their steps later. One reviewer suggested that it works well as a sightseeing complement, especially if you’re trying to avoid multiple re-walks of the same streets.

End Point: Saint-Géry Island. The final mural, Nero, is close to the Grand Palace and offers a fitting conclusion to your comic art journey. You’ll end up in a lively area with cafés and shops, perfect for a coffee break or a light meal after your mural walk.

What to Expect at Each Stop

Murals and Their Stories: The selected murals are iconic and well-loved, from the beloved Tintin to the adventurous Asterix. You’ll learn about their inspirations and what sets these murals apart from lesser-known street art. The app provides images to help identify each mural, which is particularly helpful if you’re strolling without a guide.

Audio Guide Quality: Travelers have found the AI-generated commentary to be clear and accessible, offering interesting tidbits about each character and artwork. This turns a simple mural viewing into an educational experience.

Flexibility: Since this is a self-guided tour, you can pause to take photos, grab a coffee, or explore side streets. Some travelers noted that doing the tour early in their visit allowed them to see much of Brussels without backtracking.

Potential Drawbacks: The main issue appears to be the closure of the Smurfs mural, which some found frustrating. It’s worth verifying current mural statuses before your walk. The tour’s reliance on digital maps and guides also assumes familiarity with using smartphones comfortably in a city setting.

Tour Duration and Value: At around 2 hours, it’s a compact and affordable experience. For just $7, you get a curated route with multimedia support, making it an excellent value. If you enjoy street art, comics, or simply exploring at your own pace, it offers more than just a list of murals—it provides context and storytelling.

Practical Details & Tips for Travelers

Cost and Accessibility: For just seven dollars, this tour is a steal. It’s available via a mobile app with a 1-year access window, meaning you can revisit the content anytime. The tour is suitable for most travelers, with no physical devices or headphones included, so be prepared to use your own.

Timing and Opening Hours: The tour operates daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, giving you plenty of flexibility. It’s designed for small groups, with a maximum of 20 travelers, ensuring a more intimate experience—though most are likely to walk it solo or in small groups.

Meeting Point and End Location: The start is at Smurfs Passage, with the tour concluding near the Grand Palace at Saint-Géry Island. Both spots are accessible by public transportation, which is common in Brussels.

Cancellation Policy: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which adds peace of mind if your plans change.

Who Should Do This Tour: If you’re a comic or street art fan, this tour offers a fun, educational stroll through Brussels. It’s also ideal for travelers who enjoy flexible sightseeing, want to learn the stories behind murals, and prefer exploring at their own pace. It’s less suited for those seeking a guided experience or wanting to visit murals that might be temporarily closed.

Final Thoughts

This self-guided Brussels comic book mural tour packs a lot of charm into a short, inexpensive package. Its curated selection of murals, combined with multimedia guides and offline navigation, makes it a practical choice for independent explorers who want to see the city’s comic art without the constraints of a scheduled tour. The ability to customize your pace and the affordability make it attractive, especially for comic enthusiasts or street art lovers.

However, it’s worth confirming the current status of murals like the Smurfs wall before your visit, as closures can affect your overall experience. The inclusion of interesting stories and images enriches what might otherwise be a simple walk, turning it into an engaging cultural experience.

This tour is best suited for those who enjoy self-directed sightseeing, are comfortable using smartphones, and want to combine city exploration with a love of comics. If you’re after a guided or group experience, you might want to look elsewhere, but for a solo or independent adventure, it offers genuine value and authentic fun.

FAQ

Is this tour suitable for children or families? While it’s technically suitable for most travelers, children might enjoy the murals more if they’re interested in comics or street art. Since it’s self-guided, families can pace it as they wish.

Do I need my own device or headphones? Yes, the tour does not include physical devices or headphones, so you should have your smartphone and earbuds for the best experience.

Can I do this tour multiple times? Yes, with 1-year access on iOS and Android, you can revisit the tour content as often as you like.

What if a mural is closed? As reported, some murals like the Smurfs wall are no longer accessible. It’s wise to check for updates or plan a flexible schedule.

Is it possible to pause the tour? Absolutely. You can pause at any point to take photos, enjoy a coffee, or explore side streets.

Does the tour include transportation? No, transportation isn’t included. You’ll walk from mural to mural within the city center.

How long does the entire tour take? About 2 hours, including listening to the commentary and walking between stops.

What’s the best time of day to do this tour? It’s open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Morning or early afternoon might be best for avoiding crowds and having good light for photos.

Is there a refund policy? Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

This self-guided comic mural tour offers a mix of cultural insight, street art, and flexible exploration in the heart of Brussels. Perfect for art lovers who prefer to set their own pace, it provides excellent value and a chance to see the city’s comic legacy through vibrant murals and engaging stories.