Brussels is renowned worldwide for its gastronomy scene, particularly for Belgian waffles, chocolate, and French fries, which despite the name, are believed to have originated in Belgium.
A quintessential capital city, full of Art Deco taverns, unique Flemish art, and towering Gothic cathedrals, Brussels is also home to famous landmarks.
The European destination effortlessly draws in over a million tourists annually, many of which visit the famed statue known as Manneken Pis.
In Brussels since 1619, the statue has been the second-most visited attraction in Brussels with more than 30,000 visitors every day.
But some tourists have been less than impressed by it, labelling it “overrated” and a letdown.
The enthralling Manneken Pis statue is a small bronze creation, with the likeness of a boy whimsically urinating into a fountain’s basin stands. Despite standing at a mere 55cm tall, it’s the second most popular attraction in Brussels.
Its origins are shrouded in mystery and legend. The most well-known tale tells of a young noble lord who, during a fierce battle, was hoisted into an oak tree from where he proceeded to pee on the opposing forces, securing victory for his troops.
Contrasting sharply with its prominent status on tourist maps, Manneken Pis has notably failed to impress some sightseers. A tourist identified as ‘Judy S’ lamented their experience on Tripadvisor: “Don’t bother…overrated and overcrowded! We arrived at the statue and found at least 100 others trying to get their picture taken with this tiny statue behind them. It was underwhelming at best and can easily be skipped.”
Believed to have origins in the 15th century, this peculiar figure rarely bears it all; equipped with a wardrobe of more than 1,000 costumes, the statue is often dressed in various ensembles.
But even its creative outfits aren’t enough to wow visitors. Another visitor shared on Tripadvisor: “Interesting only because it is so well known. Rather disappointing, tucked away literally on a street corner.”
A third tourist penned a rather unimpressed review, stating: “Literally a two-minute trip to see what he is dressed up in and then get a quick picture. Don’t see what all the hype is about, actually find it a bit weird and even more so there are replicas in every shop window about the city.”
The Manneken Pis is not alone in being an underwhelming attraction. Rome’s Trevi fountain is another hotspot that’s become overrun with tourists. Additionally, the grandeur of Versailles Palace often gets overshadowed by the sheer volume of its visitors, while Cinque Terre, despite being lauded as the world’s most picturesque village, can leave some feeling crammed like “sweaty sardines” due to its popularity.