Top 10 Brussels Comic Strip Murals Photo Spots

Wandering Through Brussels: The Ultimate Guide to the Top 10 Brussels Comic Strip Murals Photo Spots

If you are hunting for the best Brussels comic strip murals photo spots, you have landed in the right city. Brussels is not just the capital of Europe; it is the world capital of comic strips, and its walls tell stories that leap off the page and onto the brick. I’ve spent three full days walking the cobbled streets with my camera, mapping out the exact angles, lighting windows, and framing tricks you need to turn these giant murals into portfolio‑worthy shots. In this guide, I’m taking you through ten must‑see murals, with insider photography tips that will make your images pop. Let’s dive in – but first, remember to arrive early (before 10 a.m.) to avoid crowds and harsh shadows, and always bring a wide‑angle lens. Ready? Let’s go.

1. Tintin and Snowy – The Iconic Start on Rue de l’Etuve

No list of Brussels comic strip murals photo spots would be complete without Tintin. This mural, painted by the artist who worked directly with Hergé’s foundation, sits at 33 Rue de l’Etuve. It is massive – easily three stories tall – and shows Tintin and Snowy climbing down a fire escape. The best time to shoot is mid‑morning when the sun floods the street from the east, creating a soft rim light on the characters’ faces.

Camera Settings & Composition

Set your aperture to f/8 to keep the entire mural sharp. With a 16‑35mm lens at 16mm, stand directly opposite the wall, about 15 steps back, and align the bottom of the frame with the ground. Use a polarizing filter to cut glare from the glass windows next to the mural. For a creative twist, include the street lamp on the left for foreground depth.

Pro Photography Tips: “To capture the full height of the Tintin mural without distortion, tilt your camera up while keeping the sensor perfectly vertical. Then correct the keystone effect in post‑processing – it preserves the geometry while keeping the characters looking heroic.”

The vibe here is classic, nostalgic, and slightly playful. You can almost hear the dog barking. Pair this with a shot from the opposite sidewalk (Rue de la Violette) for a street‑life context.

2. Lucky Luke – The Cowboy Who Outdraws His Shadow

Head to Rue de la Buanderie, just off the lively Place Saint‑Géry, and you’ll find Lucky Luke riding Jolly Jumper. This mural is painted on the side of a former laundry – fitting for a character who fights dirt and bandits. The composition is horizontal, spanning about 20 metres, so you need space to back up. Early afternoon light works best because it side‑lights the cowboy’s hat and the horse’s mane.

• Best angle: Stand at the far end of the street, about 25 metres away, and zoom to 50mm to compress the perspective.
• Framing tip: Use the red brick archway on the left as a natural frame.
• Lighting: Avoid shooting between 12 p.m. And 2 p.m. When the sun is directly overhead and flattens the shading.

History buffs will appreciate that this mural was completed in 1998 as part of the Brussels Comic Strip Route. It has aged gracefully, with the colours still vibrant thanks to protective varnish. For a high‑contrast black‑and‑white version, convert to grayscale and push the red channel – it makes the blue sky dramatic.

3. The Adventures of Nero – A Hidden Gem Near Grand Place

Just a two‑minute walk from the Grand Place, at 11 Rue de la Tulipe, you will discover Nero and his cast of characters. This is one of the most underrated Brussels comic strip murals photo spots. The wall is narrow but tall, showing Nero holding his iconic violin. The street is quiet, so you can set up a tripod without annoying pedestrians.

I recommend shooting with a 35mm prime at f/2.8 to separate Nero from the busy background. The best light is in the late afternoon (around 4 p.m.) when the sun falls through a gap between buildings, creating a spotlight effect on the character’s face. Use spot metering to expose for the skin tones.

Walking Directions

From the Grand Place, exit via Rue de la Tulipe (the small alley next to the chocolate shop). Walk 100 metres – the mural is on your right. It is easy to miss because the entrance is recessed, so keep your eyes up. Bring a map or use the Brussels Comic Strip Route markers on the ground.

4. Gaston Lagaffe – The Lazy Genius of Rue de la Fourche

Gaston Lagaffe, everyone’s favourite office slacker, sprawls across a wall at 29 Rue de la Fourche. This is a wide mural, nearly 30 feet across, with Gaston sleeping on his desk surrounded by exploding gadgets. The mural is painted on a whitewashed wall, so the colours are bright and clean.

For the best image, stand directly in front and use a focal length of 24mm. Include the street sign on the right to add context. The vibe is pure fun – you feel like you’re sneaking up on a sleeping colleague. If you shoot in vertical orientation, you can capture the entire length of the desk and the lamp hanging above.

Pro Photography Tips: “Gaston’s mural has a lot of small details – gadgets, papers, a fish bone. Use a tripod and shoot at f/11 to maximise depth of field. Then in post, boost the clarity slider slightly to bring out the texture of the paint.”

As a bonus, the street is pedestrianised, so you can stand in the middle without traffic. This makes it one of the most accessible Brussels comic strip murals photo spots for a group shot.

5. Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs) – A Whimsical Cluster in the Marolles

Deep in the Marolles neighbourhood, at the corner of Rue Haute and Rue de la Samaritaine, you’ll find a giant wall covered in Smurfs. Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and a dozen little blue fellows are climbing a giant mushroom. This is a vertical mural, about eight metres high, so your best friend is a tilt‑shift lens or careful keystone correction.

• Lighting: This wall faces south – shoot in the morning for front light, or late afternoon for dramatic sidelight.
• Movement: The Smurfs are small, so use a shutter speed of at least 1/125 s to avoid hand‑shake blur.
• Vibe: Playful, colourful, and nostalgic. Perfect for Instagram or a family photo.

To get the whole mural, cross the street and stand at the bus stop shelter. The shelter’s glass roof will act as a diffuser if you shoot through it – though you’ll need to clean your front element of any dust. According to local sources (TripAdvisor reviews), this is often the least crowded mural, so you can take your time composing.

6. Blake et Mortimer – The Espionage Duo in the City Centre

At 18 Rue du Chêne, you’ll find an immense mural of Blake and Mortimer, the British spies created by Edgar P. Jacobs. The painting stretches over two storeys and includes a crashing aeroplane and a secret base. This is one of the more photogenic spots because the street curves slightly, giving you a natural leading line towards the mural.

Use a 24‑70mm lens at 35mm. Position yourself at the bend of the street so the line of the pavement draws the eye into the action. The best time is just after sunrise (around 7 a.m. In summer) when the street is empty and the warm light hits the upper part of the mural.

History & Details

Painted in 2005, this mural required over 1,000 litres of paint and took three months to complete. The scene recreates panel 9 from the album “The Yellow M”. For a creative shot, include a person walking past – set your shutter to 1/15 s to blur their movement, giving a sense of speed against the static heroes.

7. Cubitus (or Dommel) – The Giant Dog of the European Quarter

Near the European Parliament, at 2 Rue de la Loi, Cubitus (known as Dommel in Flemish) bounds across a white corner building. This mural is unique because it wraps around a 90‑degree corner. That means you can shoot it from two sides – and even create a panorama by stitching two frames.

• Corner shot: Stand exactly at the centre of the street, where both sides meet. Use an 18mm lens to capture the wrap‑around effect.
• Alternative angle: Walk to the left side and shoot a tight portrait of Cubitus’s head – the expression is hilarious.
• Best light: Overcast days are perfect because the white wall acts as a giant reflector.

This is a fantastic spot for a “where’s Wally?” style photo – have your subject stand near the dog’s paw, and use a wide aperture to blur the background. The vibe is cheerful and slightly absurd, which is exactly what Brussels street art is about.

8. Le Chat (Philippe Geluck’s Cat) – Philosophical and Prickly

Le Chat is a cynical, philosophical cat who appears on a wall at 19 Rue du Boulet, right in the Ilôt Sacré district. The mural shows the cat holding a sign with a sarcastic message. The wall is narrow, so you need to be precise with framing. I suggest using a 50mm lens and stepping back until the cat fills the frame with a little breathing room.

The local authorities have installed a small plaque explaining the history of the mural. It was part of a 2010 project. For the most humorous shot, include the real‑life cat that often lounges on the doorstep of the building next door – a perfect juxtaposition of art and life.

Pro Photography Tips: “Because Le Chat’s fur is mostly black and white, set your camera’s metering to centre‑weighted average. Expose for the white fur, then pull back the highlights in post to keep the blacks rich. This avoids blowing out the cat’s cheek.”

9. Thorgal – The Viking Fantasy in the Saint-Gilles District

Travel a bit south to the Parvis de Saint‑Gilles, and you’ll find a massive Thorgal mural on the side of a gymnasium. This is one of the newer additions to the Brussels comic strip murals photo spots collection, completed in 2018. The painting shows Thorgal fighting a giant serpent, with intricate linework that demands a high‑resolution sensor.

For best results, shoot at base ISO (100 or 200) with a shutter speed of at least 1/200 s. Use a lens with good contrast – this mural has a lot of dark shadows under the serpent. Bracket your exposures (‑1, 0, +1) and merge them in HDR software to preserve both the bright sky and the dark outlines.

How to Get There

Take tram 81 to the Parvis de Saint‑Gilles stop. Walk 200 metres along Avenue de la Porte de Hal. The mural is on your left, facing a small park. The park bench makes a great place to rest while you review your shots. According to Lonely Planet, this area is still relatively undiscovered by tourists, so you’ll have the wall mostly to yourself.

10. Spirou et Fantasio – The Bell‑boy Duo in the Creative Quarter

We end our photographic journey at the Spirou et Fantasio mural on Rue de la Cible, near the Dansaert area. This is a bright, modern mural with Spirou riding a bicycle that actually has a real handlebar extending from the wall. Yes – it’s a 3D element! The metal handlebar is part of the artwork, making this one of the most interactive Brussels comic strip murals photo spots.

To capture the 3D effect perfectly, stand at a 45‑degree angle to the wall. Use a small aperture (f/11) to keep both the real handlebar and the painted hand in focus. The best time is late afternoon when the sun casts a long shadow from the handlebar, creating a surreal effect. The vibe is energetic and inventive – you can almost hear the bicycle bell ring.

After you’ve shot all ten, head to a nearby café like Café du Sablon to edit your photos. Brussels is a city that rewards slow exploration. Each mural tells a story, and with the right light and composition, you can tell that story again through your lens.

Remember to check the official Brussels Comic Strip Route website for any temporary restorations. Happy shooting, and may your histogram always be balanced.