Best Brussels Tours & Trips

How many days in Brussels is enough?

Ideally, 3 days are needed. This is to visit as many of the city's main attractions as possible. If you also plan day tours from Brussels, this will take more time.

Best month to visit Brussels

The most enjoyable time to visit Brussels is usually between May and September, when the weather is warmer and more suitable for sightseeing. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) bring mild temperatures and fewer crowds, perfect for those seeking a more tranquil experience.

Getting around Brussels

Brussels offers metros, trams, and buses for easy transportation within the city. For those who need to use public transportation more often, consider purchasing a Brupass for easier travel. Brussels is a very walkable city, with major attractions within walking distance of each other. The city center is about 30 minutes by train from Brussels Airport (Zaventem). Brussels Midi Station is also served by high-speed trains such as Thalys and Eurostar, which provide easy access to other major cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, and London.

If you have plans to visit multiple museums, consider purchasing the Brussels Card. The card offers free admission to more than 40 museums, discounts on attractions, guided tours, restaurants, and unlimited use of public transportation.

Popular attractions in Brussels

Brussels is home to a number of popular attractions that reflect the history, art, and modernity of the city, catering to the interests of a wide range of visitors.

• Grand Place: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located in the center of Brussels. This magnificent central square is famous for its Town Hall, Gothic City Hall, and King's House (home of the Brussels City Museum). If you're lucky enough, you'll also get to see the Flower Carpet here, an event that takes place every two years in August.

• Manneken Pis: Brussels' most iconic attraction, this small bronze statue of a peeing boy is usually dressed in a variety of costumes, making each visit unique.

• Royal Palace of Brussels: This is not the residence of the Belgian Royal Family; it is used for official state functions. It is usually open to the public free of charge during the summer months (mid-July to early September), allowing visitors to admire its ornate state rooms and ceilings decorated with beetle wings.

• Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium: A prestigious complex housing several museums, including the Oldmasters Museum (featuring works by Flemish Primitives, Bruegel, Rubens, etc.), the Magritte Museum (the world's largest collection of works by surrealist René Magritte), and the Fin-de-Siècle Museum.

• Choco-Story Brussels: If you're a chocolate lover, this small museum shows the origins of chocolate along with production demonstrations and tastings.

• Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert: This 19th-century glass-roofed gallery was one of the first shopping malls in Europe and is home to luxury boutiques, famous chocolatiers, cafes, and theaters. It's a great place to take a leisurely walk, go shopping, or have a coffee.

Day tours from Brussels

From Brussels, you can visit other parts of Belgium. One of the popular day trip options is from Brussels to Bruges, and in Bruges, you can view the canals, markets, and different historical buildings. Besides this, Ghent is also a good destination, which is known as a university city and has a large number of medieval buildings. You can further explore places like Dinant and Charleroi in the Walloon region.

Must-try Brussels cuisine

A visit to Brussels is a must for the iconic Belgian waffle, crispy and sweet, often topped with whipped cream and fruit, and of course you can't go wrong with Belgian chocolates, from artisanal pralines to rich truffles, as well as the ubiquitous french fries (frites) in paper cones with a variety of sauces, or the classic moules-frites (mussels and fries). And, of course, a sampling of the varied and renowned Belgian beers is a must for any visitor, and many Brussels tours are focused on these gastronomical experiences.