Brussels, Belgium

Things to do

2 days in Brussels

Day 1

  1. MorningStart at the Grand-Place, then find Manneken Pis nearby.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Magritte Museum and the art nouveau houses of the Horta area.
  3. EveningFollow the comic-strip walls and have dinner around Sainte-Catherine.

Day 2

Visit the Atomium or day-trip to Leuven, Ghent or Mechelen.

What to eat

Waffles, moules-frites and a pralines shop in the Galeries Royales.

Local tips

Make the most of Brussels

Beat the crowds

The Grand-Place is busy all day. See it early in the morning and again at night when it's lit.

Best photo spot

The Grand-Place from one of its corners at night, and the city from the Mont des Arts.

Getting there

Trains from the airport take about 20 minutes. The metro and trams are easy.

Don't miss nearby

Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp are all under an hour by train.

Good to know

Try fries with mayonnaise and a waffle, but skip the overloaded tourist waffles. Belgian beer is often strong.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Brussels

Our most hidden places around Brussels: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Brussels to take with you.

35 km away
52 km away
87 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Brussels

Getting there

  • Brussels Airport (BRU)11 km away
  • Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL)45 km away
  • Leuven25 km away
  • Antwerp40 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryBelgium

Questions

Brussels: good to know

Is Brussels worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A grand market square, comic-strip murals and Belgian chocolate.

How many days do you need in Brussels?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Brussels?

You can visit all year. The Grand-Place is busy all day. See it early in the morning and again at night when it's lit.

How do you get to Brussels?

The nearest airport is Brussels Airport (BRU), about 11 km away. Trains from the airport take about 20 minutes. The metro and trams are easy.

What is there to see near Brussels?

Nearby hidden places include Leuven (25 km), Antwerp (41 km) and Ghent (50 km).

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