This post may contain affiliate links. This means we receive a commission on the sale of certain items. This is at NO additional cost to you. Visit the policies page to learn more.
Brussels is a vibrant European city that you should definitely plan a trip to. Start planning with these things to do, itineraries, and important things to know about Brussels.
Table of Contents
15+ Things to do in Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is home to a lot of beautiful architecture. Be sure to keep your eyes open to the appearance of buildings as you’re traveling from place to place.
Arcades du Cinquantenaire / Cinquantenaire Arch
The Cinquantenaire Arch was completed in 1905. It’s a beautiful monument located in the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- Enter the Military Museum and follow the signs that say “arcades,” to climb to the top of the Arch and get a panoramic view of the park.
Atomium
The Atomium was constructed as part of Expo 58 (and not intended to remain after). Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brussels.
Atomium is open 365 days per year. Annual maintenance occurs in January which affects the accessibility of some areas. Also, hours are reduced from Dec 24 to Jan 1.
Atomium is a bit further away than most other attractions but I think Atomium shouldn’t be missed.
Time Needed: 60-90 minutes *depending on queue lengths
Normal Price: 16€
Brussels Card Price: 12€
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- You can purchase full-price tickets online and avoid waiting in the (sometimes long) queue to purchase tickets at Atomium. Unfortunately, you cannot pre-purchase discounted tickets.
- Saturdays and Sundays are typically the busiest days of the week (by A LOT). If possible, check out Atomium on a weekday (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the least busy days).
Bourse de Bruxelles / Brussels Stock Exchange
The Brussels Stock Exchange building was built in 1873 and is closed to visitors. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture that you shouldn’t miss on your tour of Brussels.
Time Needed: 5 to 10 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée / Comic Strip Centre
The Comic Strip Centre is a fun museum dedicated to all aspects of comic art.
Estimated Time: 30-90 minutes
Normal Price: 10€
*Free with the Brussels Card
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Comic Book Route
The City of Brussels Comic Book Route is a well-known walking tour of comic strips painted across buildings. There’s 60 in total.
However, these aren’t the only comic strips in the city.
Estimated Time: Check them out as you’re walking around the city.
Normal Price: free (there is a map available for purchase at any Visit Brussels Information Desk)
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert
The Galeries are luxury boutiques. If high-end shopping isn’t your thing (or within your budget), this is still a great place to check out for the creative window displays and stunning architecture.
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: free (unless you go shopping)
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Grand-Place
The Grand Place is basically the central square of Brussels. It’s a stunning and opulent location and you should spend some time exploring it.
The Grand-Place became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
Time Needed: varies – it’s a great place to have a meal & wander around
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- There are many cool museums and shops to check out around the Grand-Place including:
- Belgian Brewers Museum (€5 / free with Brussels Card)
- Brussels City Museum (€8 / free with Brussels Card)
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is a famous statue of a boy peeing. Historically it was used as freshwater distribution in the city.
The statue is often dressed in various outfits to represent events, holidays and important dates.
Time Needed: 5 minutes (longer if you want to wait for the perfect tourist-free photo)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- If you’re looking to get your Belgian Chocolate Fix, check out the nearby Godiva store (where you’ll get a 25% discount if you have a Brussels Card).
Mini-Europe
I’m not usually a fan of miniatures or replicas, but Mini Europe is cool. It’s a great place to observe a lot of the fine details that get lost in seeing the real thing.
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours
Normal Price: €16.50
Brussels Card Price: €14.50
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- Mini Europe is open from March to December
Mont des Arts
Mont des Arts has a beautiful city garden and architectural buildings. It’s worth a stroll around.
Time Needed: varies (30 minutes or longer)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- I love books, book shops, and libraries so I have to recommend the Royal Library of Brussels which contains a lot of interesting collections. It costs €5 for a day pass.
Musée des Instruments de Musique / Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instruments Museum can contain as many as 9,000 instruments at any given time (about 1,200 are on permanent display).
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours
Normal Price: €10
Brussels Card Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Palais de Bruxelles / Royal Palace of Brussels
The Royal Palace is the workplace of the King of Brussels. It is not the residence for the royal family.
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- The Palace is open to entry by the public from July 21 to September each year. If you’re here and go inside except to spend about 2 hours.
Palais de Justice / Law Courts of Brussels
When the building was completed, it was the largest in the world. It’s a stunning building to see!
Time Needed: varies (20 to 90 minutes)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- Try to go during business hours so you can explore some of the interior.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
This 74-acre / 30-hectare parc in Brussels is a great place to pass a few hours. Bring lunch and enjoy it in nature with a beautiful view.
Time Needed: varies (30 minutes to several hours)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Place Sainte Catherine
The Place Sainte Catherine is a wonderful neighborhood in Brussels. The focal point is (not surprisingly) the stunning Sainte Catherine Church, but that’s not all the neighborhood has to offer.
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Quartier des Libertés / Freedom Quarter
This is a lively neighborhood in Brussels (also known as Notre-Dame-aux-Neiges). You’ll find top-notch restaurants, bars, theatres, and culture.
Time Needed: 60+ minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 2-day
Visitor Tips:
- This is a great neighborhood for dinner & a show.
Rue du Musée / Museum Street
Here is where you’ll find a collection of the best museums in Brussels.
Included in the 2-day itinerary is the Musical Instruments Museum (which is on this street), but there are lots of other museums you could check out.
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: varies
Itineraries: 2-day
Suggested Itineraries
The suggested itineraries are not overloaded with things to see and do.
Make the most of your time in Brussels by walking whenever possible and stopping at extra stuff along that way that appeals to you.
1-Day in Brussels Itinerary
It’s really hard to choose what to do if you only have one day! These are the things you definitely don’t want to miss.
Total Normal Price: €42.5
Total Brussels Card Price: €53.5 (includes €27 for a 24-hour card)
- Atomium (€16 / €12)
- Mini-Europe (€16.5 / €14.5)
- Palais de Justice / Law Courts of Brussels (free)
- Comic Murals Walk (free)
- Palais de Bruxelles / Royal Palace of Brussels (free)
- Manneken Pis (free)
- Grand Place (free)
- Bourse de Bruxelles / Brussels Stock Exchange (free)
- Galeries Royales Saint Hubert (free)
- Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée / Comic Strip Center (€10 / free)
2-Days in Brussels Itinerary
A two-day itinerary includes all the things you’d do in one day (although not on the same day) plus some more!
Total Normal Price: €52.5
Total Brussels Card Price: €61.5 (includes €35 for a 48-hour card)
Day 1:
- Comic Murals Walk (free)
- Grand Place (free)
- Manneken Pis (free)
- Bourse de Bruxelles / Brussels Stock Exchange (free)
- Place Sainte-Catherine (free)
- Galeries Royales Saint Hubert (free)
- Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée / Comic Strip Center (€10 / free)
- Quartier des Libertés / Freedom Quarter (free)
Day 2:
- Atomium (€16 / €12)
- Mini-Europe (€16.5 / €14.5)
- Palais de Justice / Law Courts of Brussels (free)
- Mont des Arts (free)
- Rue de Musée / Museum Street (free)
- Musée des Instruments de Musique / Musical Instruments Museum (€10 / free)
- Palais de Bruxelles / Royal Palace of Brussels (free)
- Parc du Cinquantenaire (free)
- Arcades du Cinquantenaire / Triumphal Arch (free)
Have More Time?
If you have more than 2 days, why not head out of Brussels on some day trips?
Popular day trip locations include:
- Antwerp
- Bruges
- Ghent
- WWI Battlefields (near Ypres)
Buy a Brussels Card?
Every place on this list gave you two prices: normal and with a Brussels Card.
The Brussels Card gives you free entry to 41 museums in Brussels plus discounts at shops and attractions. You can add on Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus or public transit options. It’s available in 24, 48, and 72-hour options.
The itineraries as suggested are less expensive (on the surface) than buying a Brussels card. However, there are many, many more places you might use a Brussels card.
For example, you might want to purchase chocolate. The Godiva by Manneken Pis offers a 25% discount with a Brussels Card. Each additional museum you want to visit will save you money on entrance fees. There are discounts available at several restaurants and bars around the city.
The Brussels card might not be best for you, but the only way to know is if you check it out.
Things to Know about Brussels, Belgium
All the things you need to know to make your time in Brussels easy!
Money in Brussels
Brussels uses the Euro.
Tipping is not necessary and is often included as a service charge on the bill.
Language in Brussels
Belgium has three official languages: French, German, & Dutch. Most people in Brussels speak French as their primary language.
English speaker? No worries! Most people in the city (and especially in touristy areas) will speak conversational English.
It’s common to greet restaurant & shop staff when you enter an establishment. “Bonjour” is hello in French!
How to Get Around Brussels
You can easily get around Brussels on foot and by public transit.
If you purchase a Brussels Card, you can add an unlimited public transit option. If you don’t like walking, it’s worthwhile. If you’re happy to walk (like I am), you won’t need to use a lot of public transit.
Things to Eat in Brussels
There’s a lot of great food available in Brussels. But, when time is short (like on a one or two day trip), you need to focus! Try to make sure you get a serving of Waffles and Flemish Stew!
Waffles / Gaufre / Wafel
You’ll find waffles all over the city from street stalls to fine-dining.
Belgian waffles are deep (to hold toppings), large, and crispy. Classic toppings include Nutella, fruit, or whipped cream, but you can get any toppings!
Flemish Stew / Carbonnade à la Flamande / Stoofvlees
Beef simmered in beer with onions, seasoning and served with mustard covered bread? Yum!
Enjoy Brussels!
Brussels is a great city! Even if you only have a day or two, you can still see all of the highlights.
Ready for more? Head over to Hungary next with these 23+ Great Things to do in Budapest.
Have you been to Brussels? What was your favorite thing in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
Like this post? Please PIN IT on Pinterest. Thanks.
Back
Next
