Brussels Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

La Grand Place which includes château or palace, heritage architecture and a city
Brussels
Photo provided by Visit Brussels
Mont des Arts which includes a city and a garden as well as a couple
Brussels

Delectable chocolate shops and comic book murals rest amid grand palaces and cathedrals in Belgium’s dynamic capital.

Chocolate, waffles and beer lead the way to foodie holidays in Brussels. Enjoy these treats at every turn as you explore streets full of historical landmarks and museums brimming with fine arts. Expect to have a hard time putting your camera down, especially at Grand Place. Some call it the most beautiful square in the world, with gold-tinged guild houses and the majestic City of Brussels Town Hall.

Visit Brusselsin summer for outdoor music concerts or in September for the Belgian Beer Weekend in Grand Place. Come at the end of the year to see glittering market stalls and illuminated palaces during the Winter Wonders event for a magical Christmas in the city.

Things to do in Brussels

Photograph the Grand Place from every angle and enter the nearby Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert. One of Europe’s oldest covered galleries, it opened in 1847 and is filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Don’t miss out on a photo with the Manneken Pis fountain statue, the cheeky mascot of the people of Brussels. The original is housed in the Brussels City Museum.

Follow the Comic Strip Trail throughout the city’s galleries and streets enlivened with murals. Spot the Smurfs, Tintin and Victor Sackville on a self-guided route that crosses the historical centre and neighbourhoods including Sainte-Catherine. Along the way, see the Church of Sainte Catherine as well as chic boutiques and bars.

Brussels is the capital of the European Union, and you’ll learn all about it at the House of European History in the European Quarter. Leopold Park rests in the centre of the neighbourhood, with scenic paths winding through lush gardens. Stroll through the French-style gardens of nearby Cinquantenaire Park to get to the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History.

Art and culture in Brussels

Admire the stunning neoclassical architecture of the Place Royale. The square is home to the Royal Palace of Brussels and Brussels Park, where you’ll see statues from mythology and find the Royal Park Theatre. Opposite the park is the Palace of the Nation, otherwise known as the seat of the Belgian Parliament.

Below the Place Royale is the Mont de Arts Garden. You’ll cross through here to go between uptown and downtown. Among lovely gardens and statues, discover the KBR Museum’s historical manuscripts and medieval treasures. Within walking distance is the Museum of Musical Instruments and the BELvue museum, showcasing Belgium's history.

Set aside plenty of time to visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The city’s most popular museum complex, it hosts the Old Masters Museum and the Modern Art Museum, among others. If you’re travelling with children, plan to take the kids to see a mini Vesuvius erupt among animated models of monuments at Mini-Europe. It’s just a short walk from the futuristic Atomium landmark.

Dining and nightlife in Brussels

Enjoy the village atmosphere at the Parvis de Saint-Gilles market while you shop for fresh produce and deli goods. The neighbourhood is a gastronomic favourite, with outdoor terraces and bistros serving the national obsession of moules frites(mussels and chips). Between art galleries and traditional cafés, the Marolles district is an authentic hub for bar hopping.

From Grand Place to Place Fontainas and Place du Grand Sablon, the city centre brims with patisseries, pubs and rooftop bars. Embark on a guided Brussels pub crawl to visit the most famous beer-drinking venues. Enjoy traditional wooden puppets with a show at the Royal Theatre Toone and put your dancing shoes on for jazz concerts at the Music Village.

Getting around Brussels

Brussels Airport is just a 20-minute train, bus or taxi ride from the city centre. Get around with ease between neighbourhoods via the efficient public transport system of the metro, trams and buses. Consider a Brussels Card, which provides free access to museums, along with unlimited access to public transport and hop-on, hop-off buses. The city centre is walkable and cycling routes offer a fun way to see the sights.

Where to stay in Brussels

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Grand-Place

If you're spending some time in Grand-Place, La Grand Place and The King's House are top sights worth seeing.

Grand-Place
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Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk, you might enjoy attractions like La Grand Place and Rue des Bouchers. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's fascinating museums before hopping on the metro at Bourse-Beurs Station to see more of the city.

Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk
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Ixelles

Consider a visit to Avenue Louise and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Ixelles. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Dautzenberg Tram Stop or Flagey Tram Stop.

Ixelles
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Sint-Gillis

Noted for its coffee shops and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Sint-Gillis. Top attractions like Brussels South Railway Station and Saint Gilles Town Hall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bethléem Tram Stop or Guillaume Tell Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Sint-Gillis
Jubilee Park featuring heritage architecture and a garden

European Quarter

4/5(90 area reviews)

Travellers choose European Quarter for its great bars. Hop aboard the metro at Maalbeek-Maelbeek Station or Arts-Loi - Kunst-Wet Station and check out top sights like Schumanplein.

European Quarter
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Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk

Get to know Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk and its many features like its museums and live music. You might want to explore sights like Royal Palace of Brussels and Place Royale, and you can jump on the metro at Palais Tram Stop or Royale Tram Stop to get around the city.

Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk
The Hotel

The Hotel

5 out of 5
38 Boulevard de Waterloo, Brussels
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £131 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£131
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Brussels. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,257 reviews)
"Great room, access to 24th floor lounge is worth the money, incredible breakfast.. best in the world in all my travels."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

The Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Brussels Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Brussels Airport by IHG

Berkenlaan 6A, Machelen
The price is £78 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
£78
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Machelen. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Popular attractions La Grand Place and Atomium ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (290 reviews)
"Everything was good"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express Brussels Airport by IHG
Thon Hotel EU

Thon Hotel EU

4.5 out of 5
Rue de la Loi, 75, Brussels
The price is £104 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£104
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Brussels. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Thon Hotel EU
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi

Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi

3 out of 5
33 Bd du Midi, Brussels, Bruxelles
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and climate control. Popular attractions La Grand Place and Brussels Christmas ...
6.4/10 (407 reviews)
Smart hotel
"Stayed here for a 3 night stay. The apartment was very modern but needed maintenance.. firstly the TV was not working and we went down to reception and told them and we was told there was a problem with the ariel and all TVs in the building were out. I don’t know how long that’s been going on for ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi
Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels

Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels

3 out of 5
51 Quai Au Bois A Bruler, Brussels
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,344 reviews)
"Nice location"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
Citadines Toison d'Or Brussels

Citadines Toison d'Or Brussels

3 out of 5
61-63, Av. de la Toison D'Or, Brussels
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (910 reviews)
"Very nice hotel and cute room, staff helpful and welcoming, excited to stay again in a few days."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Citadines Toison d'Or Brussels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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