Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – CNN names Brussels a top 20 travel destination for 2026, citing culture and food, the KANAL–Centre Pompidou opening in November 2026, a €230 million cost, and comments by project head Dieter Vanthournout.
As VRT News reported, the American news website CNN has included Brussels on its list of the 20 best travel destinations for 2026. The list is published every year to guide people planning future trips. For 2026, CNN highlights places that stand out because of nature, culture, or major developments.
Officials mentioned that Aragón in Spain is mentioned due to a rare solar eclipse expected there. Penang in Malaysia appears on the list as its food scene gains worldwide attention. Jamaica is selected as it continues to recover from a natural disaster and rebuild its tourism sector. Finland is also named as a key destination for travellers hoping to see the Northern Lights.
“The ‘capital of Europe has long been known for its historic buildings, impressive Grand Place, and delicious cuisine,”
CNN begins its explanation of Brussels:
What makes Brussels a top travel destination for 2026?
CNN describes Brussels as a city with growing cultural importance. The report refers to well-known local foods such as waffles, speculaas biscuits, and traditional stews, but notes that the city offers much more. Brussels is presented as more than a political centre or a city of historic buildings.
According to CNN, 2026 will be a key year for Brussels as an arts destination. A central reason is the planned opening of the KANAL–Centre Pompidou. The new museum of modern and contemporary art will be housed in the former Citroën garage along the canal.
“You can expect a fantastic gallery space, a rooftop restaurant, and an architectural history archive.”
“Brussels has more to offer than just its European status, Gothic architecture and sweet treats.” CNN
The new KANAL–Centre Pompidou museum is expected to open in November 2026, if the current schedule is maintained. The museum said in October 2025 that the project was still on track. There is, however, concern about the finances.
The developer is the Brussels-Capital Region, which is already facing high levels of debt. The project was first estimated at €150 million. It is now clear that around €230 million will be needed to complete the museum.
“Although we’re perfectly on schedule, the only problem is that we’re running out of funding along the way,”
said Dieter Vanthournout in October.
CNN also draws attention to other cultural highlights in Brussels. The Comic Strip Museum is mentioned for its focus on Belgian comic history, including famous characters such as Tintin and the Smurfs.
“From the magnificent 19th-century covered shopping arcades, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, to the Atomium, the centrepiece of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair and now a symbol of the city.”
In 2015, a project to create a new cultural site, KANAL, was initiated by the Brussels Capital Region when it purchased the former Citroën garage located on the canal. In 2017, the plans for this new cultural site were revealed in partnership with the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Since 2018, temporary exhibitions have been held on this site while renovation plans were being finalised.
The official opening of the museum has been delayed numerous times due to modifications in the design, issues relating to technology, and the increasing costs of constructing the museum. In 2024, the authorities announced that the increase in the budget was very high.
The Comic Strip Museum, which focuses on the comic history of Belgium, is another landmark of culture that opened in 1989 in a building that was once a department store and was designed by architect Victor Horta. Art Brussels is another major cultural event and has been held annually since 1968, and is now one of the largest international art fairs.
