Belgium’s capital is often treated as nothing more than a transportation hub – you may see other travelers recommending that you skip it entirely in favor of some of the other cities. While I agree that the other cities have more charm going for them, Brussels is the capital city for a reason – and it’s perfect for the traveler who loves major European cities and likes to have plenty of options.
The main sights Brussels has to offer can easily be seen in a day – whether you’re visiting Brussels as a day trip or staying here overnight, I think it’s a lovely city that is definitely worth a visit. Read on for my guide on where to stay, what to see, and what to do in Brussels, Belgium.
Where to Stay:
If you can swing it, the Michelin-keyed Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo is right in the center of the action, allowing you to stop back into your hotel with ease. My clients get free breakfast and a $100 hotel credit with their stay.
For a more accessible option, I can recommend Le Louise Hotel, The Hoxton, and Cardo Brussels. These hotels are all very walkable to the main sights and are high-quality stays. My clients get special treatment at these hotels as well – perks vary by location.
What to See & Do:
I think I’ve got the walking tour of Brussels down to a science, so if you’re pressed for time, here’s how I’d go about seeing everything efficiently. Start your tour at St. Michael Cathedral, then pop over to BarkBoy for a delicious coffee and a pastry. Take your coffee to go and check out the Chamber of Representatives before strolling through the beautiful Parc de Bruxelles.
Once you’ve made it to the other side of the park, you’ll be at the impressive Royal Palace of Brussels. Just nearby, you can also check out the stunning Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Catholic Church.
From there, you’ll be walking downhill towards the Mont des Arts, which affords you a gorgeous view of the city. Walk all the way down towards one of Brussels’ top tourist attractions which is, hear me out, a very small statue of a boy peeing, aptly called ‘Manneken Pis.’ The statue has a large collection of costumes and wears a new one every day, which is at least a little bit fun.
At this point you may be hungry, and you’re in the perfect spot to try two of Belgium’s biggest claims to fame: waffles and chocolate. I’ll be honest with you; Brussels is not home to the best waffles Belgium has to offer – but Waffle Factory is a decent option (and the staff are very friendly). On the other hand, the chocolate at Chocolatier Mary is the best in the country, and I’ll stand by that! It’s the perfect place to pick up some gifts – just make sure the chocolate doesn’t melt on your way home.
Now you’re going to head towards the star of the show, Grand Place. This is the main square in Brussels and the architecture here is just stunning. Spend a bit of time here taking it all in – this is Belgium at its finest.
Next, you can visit some lesser-known points of interest. Manneken Pis gets all the fame, but there are actually two more of these statues in the city – a girl called ‘Jeanneke Pis’ and a dog called ‘Zinneke Pis.’ The dog is quite far out of the way, but the girl statue is close to our next destination, the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert.
The Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert is a truly stunning mall that is worth a stroll through, even if you don’t care to shop. If you love a good bookstore (and a stunning one at that), you have to stop into Tropismes. They have a limited selection of books in English, but it’s one of the most beautiful bookstores I’ve seen.
Finally, you can end your tour of Brussels with a visit to Passage du Nord – another shopping mall, but it’s worth a visit to as well for the gorgeous architecture alone.
Another one of Brussels’ most famous landmarks is the Atomium – it’s quite far out of town, though, so it’s not necessarily worth a visit unless you have the time and the interest for it. I have not been there myself, so these photos aren’t my own.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about Belgium is how easy it is to go between cities by train. Even if you choose to stay in Brussels, it’s still very possible (and recommended) to visit some of the other cities on day trips. I will be posting those other blogs soon and will link them here once they are up!
If you are interested in booking a trip and want access to hotel perks and planning assistance, I would love to be your travel advisor! Send me an email at courtney.brooks@fora.travel to get started.