Explore Brussels, a city where wide, elegant streets blend into cosy medieval lanes. The gorgeous Grand Place, with its glittering guildhalls, is a real show-stopper and just steps away you’ll stumble into buzzing neighbourhoods full of cafés, chocolatiers, and quirky little shops. With its mix of Art Nouveau gems and playful comic-book murals, Brussels feels both wonderfully historic and refreshingly modern.
Brussels, first mentioned in the 10th century, is the capital of Belgium and grew into a major political and cultural crossroads, flourishing especially during its rise as a key European trading and artistic centre.
Here’s why Brussels should be at the top of your travel list:
Our advice: Better with an overnight stay
Travel time from Amsterdam: about 2 hours each way.
Around two hours each way makes for a very long day. Brussels works much better as part of a stay in Belgium, and our Brussels tour starts in the city itself.
Brussels’ Grand Place is a calm, well-balanced mix of historic architecture and everyday city life. The ornate guildhouses and the Town Hall give the square a distinctive character, while its open space makes it a pleasant spot to pause and look around. Every two years, the Flower Carpet adds a temporary burst of colour, offering a different way to experience one of Brussels’ most recognisable places.
Every two years, the Grand Place is transformed by the Flower Carpet, a stunning temporary display. Hundreds of volunteers carefully arrange hundreds of thousands of begonias, sometimes with dahlias and grasses too, into a vibrant, intricate design that covers almost the entire square.
Each edition follows its own theme, often inspired by history, culture, or different parts of the world. The carpet is only on show for a few days, and you can enjoy it from the square or take in the full view from the Town Hall balcony. It is one of Brussels’ most delightful traditions, brief, beautifully crafted, and a wonderful way to see the Grand Place in a completely new light.
Quirky and proudly cheeky, Manneken Pis is Brussels’ most famous little character and he’s got quite the wardrobe to match! Nearby, his lesser-known partners, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis, complete the city’s playful trio. Hunting them down is half the fun, and it’s a perfect excuse to wander through Brussels’ charming side streets.
The Atomium looks like something straight out of a retro sci-fi film, and that’s exactly why people love it. Climb inside to enjoy sweeping views over the city, then wander over to Mini-Europe next door, where you can “travel” from Paris to Prague in under an hour. It’s light-hearted, fun, and surprisingly impressive
Mont des Arts has a lively, open feel, with its tiered gardens, fountains, and wide stairways creating a natural flow of people moving between the upper and lower parts of the city. The view over the historic centre adds a sense of space, and the area often feels full of energy thanks to nearby museums, street performers, and casual gatherings. It’s an easy, pleasant place to linger and take in the rhythm of Brussels.
Place Royale is indeed the elegant heart of old Brussels. The neoclassical square, lined with cultural institutions and crowned by the stunning church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg, has a quiet grandeur to it. It’s a lovely place to start a stroll through the city’s historic layers.
If you’re looking for a bit of grandeur, Cinquantenaire delivers. Its sweeping park, impressive triumphal arch, and excellent museums make it a perfect place for a relaxed walk or a culture-filled afternoon. On sunny days, locals come here to picnic, read, or simply enjoy the open space.
In the European Quarter, modern Brussels takes centre stage. Glassy buildings, international cafés, and bustling offices give this area a lively, cosmopolitan feel. It’s fascinating to see where so many European decisions are made, and it’s also a surprisingly nice place for a stroll.
Brussels’ comic strip murals are pure joy. Scattered across the city, they turn ordinary walls into colourful storyboards featuring Tintin, the Smurfs, and other beloved characters. Following the comic trail is a fun and easy way to explore the city while catching little bursts of creativity at every corner.
One day covers the Grand Place, Manneken Pis and a couple of museums. Two days allow for the Atomium, the Royal Quarter and Parc du Cinquantenaire. A third day gives time for local neighbourhoods like Ixelles or Saint Gilles.
The historic centre around the Grand Place is comfortable to explore on foot. Areas around Midi Station are less attractive, especially late in the evening, but the main visitor areas are safe with normal awareness. Public transport is reliable for longer distances.
High speed trains connect Brussels with Amsterdam, Paris and London. The city has two airports, Zaventem and Charleroi. Within Belgium, trains from Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges are frequent and easy.
From Amsterdam or Paris the high speed train takes about one and a half hours. From Bruges and Ghent it is under one hour. A day trip covers the main sights, though many visitors stay longer for museums and food experiences.
Belgian waffles, fries, chocolate and beer are the classics. Mussels with frites and stoofvlees are traditional dishes. Brussels has many speciality beer bars and chocolatiers that attract visitors.
Most first time visitors stay near the Grand Place for easy sightseeing. The Sablon area is ideal for art lovers and chocolate shops. Ixelles and Saint Gilles offer cafés, nightlife and a more local feel. The EU Quarter is convenient for business travel.
