Adventures of Tintin in Brussels

While it’s located roughly 21 miles (34 kilometers) south of the city center, the Hergé Museum is still the quintessential stop on any Tintin fan’s tour of Brussels and the surrounding region. Opened in 2009, the museum invites visitors to travel across three floors, learning all about Hergé’s life and creative inspirations, plus the development of his Tintin character.

Next time you find yourself in the center of Brussels, look up. The city is decorated with dozens of vibrant, comic art–themed murals, which together form the Brussels Comic Book Route. Go on a self-led walking tour and head to the Rue de l’Étuve to see the Tintin mural. Then there’s the Stockel metro station, which features a sprawling mural drawn by Hergé shortly before his death.

Located in a restored art nouveau building, the Belgian Comic Strip Center showcases a number of Belgian comic artists and tells the story of how the genre came to be. The museum also includes an area that’s dedicated to Hergé and is a must-see for visiting Tintin fans.

The playfully named MOOF—that’s Museum of Original Figures—is another worthy stop on a Tintin tour of Brussels. The institution also has an interest in comic strips, but its collection focuses on figurines, 3D exhibitions, and other retro collectibles. Unsurprisingly, Hergé’s works feature prominently in the museum’s galleries.

After your Tintin tour, don’t leave Brussels without souvenirs. Head to La Boutique Tintin, the official shop for Tintin merchandise. From Tintin books to T-shirts, posters to figurines, puzzles to tote bags, there’s no shortage of quirky and creative mementos to take home with you.