Best of Brussels

Brussels is much more than chocolate and waffles: grand squares, royal history, hidden underground passages and a world-famous beer culture. A full day in the heart of Europe with a local guide from our trusted Belgian partner.

Available every day. We suggest a 9:00 or 10:00 start and can adjust to suit you.

  • 8 hours
  • city tour icon
    History Tour
  • Walking icon
    Walking Tour
Best of Brussels, From €1,150

Best of Brussels: Grand Place, Coudenberg and Belgian Beer

Discover a city where medieval streets, royal history and European politics come together. Brussels is far more than chocolate and waffles, and together with our trusted tour partners, you’ll explore the city’s fascinating past through its grand squares, hidden underground passages and world-famous beer culture.

Begin with a guided walk through the historic centre, taking in the magnificent Grand Place and the elegant streets that surround it. Visit the Broodhuis Museum to discover how Brussels developed from a medieval trading city into the capital of Europe, before descending beneath the Royal Palace to explore the remarkable remains of the Coudenberg Palace, once home to the powerful Burgundian rulers.

No visit to Belgium would be complete without beer. At Belgian Beer World, you’ll discover why Belgian brewing is celebrated around the world before enjoying a tasting on the rooftop terrace with spectacular views across the city. With plenty of time for lunch, coffee and photo stops along the way, this full-day experience offers the perfect introduction to Belgium’s vibrant capital.

Experience the following Brussels highlights

  • A guided walk through the historic centre and the Grand Place
  • The Broodhuis Museum, and how Brussels grew from trading city to capital of Europe
  • The Coudenberg Palace, the Burgundian rulers’ residence surviving underground beneath the Royal Palace
  • Belgian Beer World, with a tasting on the rooftop terrace and views across the city
  • Time for lunch, coffee and photo stops along the way

See more tours in other Belgian cities about Experience The Best Of The Belgium, or contact us for more information on Brussels and other destinations in Belgium.

Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour, minus any non-refundable tickets, in writing, under our terms and conditions.

Price Includes

  • A local private guide for the full day
  • Pickup and drop-off within Brussels
  • Entrance to one museum of your choice
  • A drink with snacks along the way

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the tour start?

In Brussels itself. Your guide meets you at your hotel or another agreed point in the city, and sees you back there at the end of the day. If you are travelling in from Amsterdam or elsewhere, we can arrange that as a tailored addition, so tell us where you are staying when you enquire.

How long is the Best of Brussels tour?

Eight hours in the city with your private guide, with time for lunch, coffee and photographs along the way.

What is included in the price?

A local private guide for the full day, pickup and drop-off within Brussels, entrance to one museum of your choice, and a drink with snacks along the way. Anything beyond that, a second museum or a proper lunch, is paid on the day, so you spend more only if you decide to.

What is the Coudenberg?

The Coudenberg was the palace of the Burgundian and Habsburg rulers of the Low Countries. It burned down in 1731 and the site was built over, so what survives is a network of rooms and streets underneath the modern Royal Palace. Walking through them is the most surprising half hour of the day for most people.

What is Belgian Beer World?

An exhibition inside the old stock exchange building on the Beursplein, devoted to Belgian brewing, ending with a tasting on the rooftop terrace and a wide view over the city. It is the natural finish to a day in Brussels.

Do we go inside the museums?

Yes. Entrance to one museum is included and you choose which one, whether that is the Broodhuis, the underground Coudenberg or Belgian Beer World. A full day in a single city leaves real time to go inside properly rather than admire things from the pavement, and if you want to add a second stop your guide will tell you what it costs and how long it takes.

Is there a lot of walking?

There is steady walking through the day, much of it on cobbles, and the centre has a few slopes. Because the tour is private, your guide sets the pace around you and you stop whenever you like.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but time for it is. Your guide will point you to somewhere good, whether you want a quick bite between stops or a proper sit-down break.

Is the tour suitable for families?

Yes. The underground palace tends to be the highlight for children, and the Grand Place needs no explanation. The rooftop tasting is for the adults.

Practical info

  • Start times: available every day. We suggest a 9:00 or 10:00 start and can adjust to suit you
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Language: English. Other languages on request
  • Private tour: only you and the people you travel with, with your own guide. For larger bookings we add more guides, so it stays intimate whether you are 2 or 30+
  • Minimum age: none, all ages are welcome
  • Walking: steady walking, much of it on cobbles, with a few slopes
  • Meeting point: your guide meets you at your hotel or another agreed point in Brussels. Travel from Amsterdam can be added on request
  • Weather: the tour runs in all weather, and your guide adapts the plan to make the most of your day
  • Booking: last-minute bookings are welcome whenever a guide is available

Our Reviews

Posted on Google Google
Steve profile picture
Steve
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
What a wonderfully special afternoon enjoying cheese with Michael! He taught us so much!! We tried cheeses we had never even heard of and thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend!
Posted on Google Google
Alexis Matzawrakos profile picture
Alexis Matzawrakos
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Thank you very much for this wonderful journey into european history. I want my children to become European and plan our journeys and the (for special reasons even private) guided tours on that purpose. You definitely sparked their couriosity 👍
Posted on Google Google
J M Hill profile picture
J M Hill
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Chris is truly knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Amsterdam. He is a delight and the tour was terrific. Definitely recommend!!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Angela G profile picture
Angela G
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
Fantastic! 👍 Excellent tour and experience!
Posted on Getyourguide Getyourguide
GetYourGuide Traveller profile picture
GetYourGuide Traveller
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on GetYourGuide
Less was a terrific Guide. We leaned so much from start to the VR experience finish. The meeting point would be better described with a description of the small statue we were to look for….and the VR goggles I had were foggy. I LOVE VR though so it was worth doing and then just let Kess know my goggles needed refreshing. I would like to know Kess’ great grandfathers’ name. So great an experience.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
LeeAnn B profile picture
LeeAnn B
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
Brews and Tales WONDERFUL This was such a fun excursion. We learned so much about the history of Jenever. Enjoyed traveling from place to place with a VERY knowledgeable guide pointing out sights of Amsterdam and the history behind them. At the last Pub we had an included cheese tray. Our guide described each cheese and showed us the “proper” way to cut and enjoy cheese. It was worth the money for such an enjoyable time.
Posted on Google Google
Sophia Newton profile picture
Sophia Newton
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Excellent, top notch. So interesting. Highly recommend. Kees was the perfect t tour guide. Thank you.
Posted on Airbnb Airbnb
Linnea profile picture
Linnea
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Airbnb
Fantastisk tur og historier langs vejen. Det afsluttede med en virtueltour i Huset hvor familien gemte sig. Jeg tror dette er bedre end selve Anne Frank huset, hbor man skal gå sammen med 80 andre!
Posted on Google Google
Adam Martindale profile picture
Adam Martindale
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
We had a fantastic time with our guide. A great way to spend part of the afternoon in Amsterdam.
Posted on Getyourguide Getyourguide
GetYourGuide Traveller profile picture
GetYourGuide Traveller
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on GetYourGuide
Sehr spannende Tour und von unserem Guide total gut erzählt! Ist sehr zum empfehlen!!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
leylagransell profile picture
leylagransell
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
A fantastic tour and guiding by Michael! This was the best guided tour I have been on recently! I think it could be better than visiting the Anne Frank House, where you have to go with 80 other guests. It concluded with a 3D virtual experience of the house the family fled to. It was very real the whole thing! I am very excited! So thanks to Michael for guiding us through the swings of history.
Posted on Google Google
Wendy Quinn profile picture
Wendy Quinn
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Michael was very knowledgeable on the subject of Anne Frank and her family. He was kind and helpful in managing our group through the city streets of Amsterdam. The virtual reality section was interesting because we could take our time to explore the Secret Annex on our own, looking at the details of the living situation that the 8 people in hiding endured.
Posted on Google Google
Jennifer Ritchie profile picture
Jennifer Ritchie
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Well informed and way more knowledgeable/informative than actual Anne Frank tour. And wait, there’s a plot twist!
Posted on Google Google
Jennifer Ritchie profile picture
Jennifer Ritchie
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Cees was a great tour guide! We really enjoyed all the information and history he provided! Was a great alternative to going to the actual house!
Posted on Google Google
Denise Happel profile picture
Denise Happel
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Kees hat unserer Schulklasse eine wirklich tolle Führung ermöglicht. Er ist auf jede Frage ausführlich und immer absolut zugewandt und freundlich eingegangen. Ein wirklich sehr höflich und respektvoller Mensch, der sich gut auf das Alter der Schüler*innen einlassen konnte. Sehr empfehlenswert!!
Posted on Google Google
Enes Meral profile picture
Enes Meral
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Michael was the greatest tour guide, very interesting and an amazing personality.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
MWF profile picture
MWF
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend this Tour Excellent experience. The guide personalized the tour to reflect our interests. Lived in the area and could share a local perspective to life in Amsterdam.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Annie C profile picture
Annie C
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
Anne Frank Tour Was a very informative tour, great host
Posted on Google Google
Chris Zugel profile picture
Chris Zugel
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
Highly recommend this tour for someone visiting Amsterdam! The walking tour was very informative and enjoyable! Michael was very knowledgeable! Loved the virtual experience…loved the furnished views and the voice of Anne Frank explaining her time living in the space!!
Posted on Google Google
kiera profile picture
kiera
October 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google
loved this tour, very informative and Michael was a great guide. the virtual reality experience was fantastic and very interesting to get an inside scoop to what their life was like

Bespoke Amsterdam Experiences is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 3,108 guest reviews on Google, Tripadvisor, Airbnb and GetYourGuide.

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