24 Hours in Brussels Travel Guide
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is renowned for its beers, chocolates, and fries. Despite this delightful combination, Brussels unfortunately tends to be perceived as a dull city. Apart from hosting numerous institutions related to the European Union, it also serves as the de facto capital of the EU. Additionally, being the headquarters of NATO, Brussels is often associated with bureaucracy and politics. During my day-long exploration of Brussels, I endeavored to discover the city as much as possible, and the experience was truly enjoyable.
Brussels Travel Guide: Transportation
Low-cost airlines typically land at Charleroi Airport. From there, you can take the Flibco shuttle to the city center, departing every 20 minutes. The ticket costs 17 Euros if purchased at the airport and 14 Euros if bought online. Personally, I used Ryanair in May to reach Brussels and utilized this airport.
If your flight lands at Brussels Airport, you can use the train on the -1st floor to reach the city center. Details can be found here.
Brussels Travel Guide: Accommodation
Due to my limited time and the desire to make the most of it, I stayed in the heart of the city. Despite the well-developed metro and tram network, staying in the center is recommended for those with limited time. This allows you to explore the must-see places by foot. You can check out accommodation options in Brussels here.
Brussels Travel Guide: When to Go
The most suitable times to visit Brussels are during March-May and September-October. During these periods, the weather is pleasant, and there is less tourist congestion compared to the summer months. Additionally, one of the most beautiful times in the city is December when Christmas markets are set up, and the city becomes lively. I visited Brussels in May, and with a light jacket, I comfortably explored the city.
Brussels Travel Guide: Internet
If you want to avoid any internet inconveniences while exploring, you can purchase an e-sim from Airalo here. When making your first e-sim purchase on Airalo, use the code IAMONT3974 to receive a $3 discount. 🙂
Brussels Travel Guide: Places to Visit
At the end of the article, you can find the Google Maps map where I pinned all the locations mentioned in this article.
Brussels Park
Similar to other European cities, Brussels boasts several parks. The largest of these parks is Brussels Park, also known as Park Royale due to the royal buildings and significant structures surrounding it. If you want to breathe in fresh air and observe city life a bit, you can visit here.
Royal Palace of Brussels
This is the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. However, the royal family does not reside in this palace; they live in another palace outside the city. This palace, along with the parliament building located next to it, represents the constitutional monarchy of Belgium.
Plaza Real / Koningsplein
Koningsplein means King’s Square in Dutch. This square, located very close to the Royal Palace, was built in the 18th century. The square features the statue of Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, on horseback.
Mont des Arts
Meaning “Mount of the Arts,” Mont des Arts was built upon the request of King Leopold II, involving the demolition of old settlements and structures in the area. The area, renovated between 1950 and 1960, houses the city library, archives, and a large park. From the top of the stairs, you can see the tower of the famous city hall.
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert
Designed in the 19th-century style, this passage consists of three sections: King’s Gallery, Queen’s Gallery, and Princes’ Gallery. Architecturally, it closely resembles Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. With its glass ceiling and numerous shops inside, this old shopping center is worth a visit.
Grand Place
The most famous tourist spot in Brussels is Grand Place. There are beautiful buildings on all four sides of the square. Construction of the square began in the 11th century, and it suffered significant damage from French bombs in the 17th century. Almost all buildings, except for the City Hall and its tower, were destroyed.
The square, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomes millions of tourists every year. In August, a carpet of flowers is created in the square, and all activities and gatherings in the city take place here. Additionally, during Christmas, a Christmas market and a large Christmas tree are set up in the square.
When you arrive at the square, I recommend taking your time to carefully observe all the buildings around you. I believe you will love these beautiful buildings and the square, down to the smallest detail.
Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula
With Gothic architecture, the construction of this cathedral began in the 11th century and was completed in the 16th century. As Belgium’s national church, this cathedral hosts royal weddings, state officials’ funerals, and national ceremonies.
From the garden of this cathedral, you can enjoy a beautiful city view and see the tower of the city hall.
Manneken Pis
A statue of a little boy urinating. I don’t understand how this can be a city’s symbol, but indeed, this statue is the symbol of Brussels. I passed by this statue a few times without noticing it, unfortunately, I couldn’t see it or take a photo. Imagine such a small statue it is. 😀 Due to being stolen and attacked several times (in this sense, I likened this statue to the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen), the real statue is kept in the Brussels City Museum. The one we saw on this street is a replica.
Atomium
Honestly, I didn’t go here because of my limited time and lack of interest. Built for the 1958 EXPO, this structure represents an atom and consists of interconnected spheres. The top sphere houses a restaurant.
Brussels Travel Guide: Dining & Food and Drink
When you come to Brussels and think about what to eat and drink, there are many things you can enjoy here. Brussels equals chocolate, beer, mussels, and french fries. If this is not a perfect combination, what is?
French Fries
You can find places making French fries everywhere in the city, especially around Grand Place. We got our fries from Friterie Tabora, which we happened to come across. While exploring the city, we enjoyed delicious, crispy fries.
Beer
Belgium has hundreds of different types of beer. Beer is almost a part of the culture here. In Brussels, there are many places called Beer Halls where you can try different types of beer. In addition to these, there are also boutique beer bars producing their own beers. I went to a pub called Six Nations and tried Belgian beers Leffe and Maes Pils. Beer prices range from 3 to 6 Euros. Since you’ve come this far, I recommend trying these beers at their homeland.
Brussels Travel Guide: Activities
In Brussels, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. You can take a chocolate and beer tour, taste various delights, and explore different shops. Additionally, consider day trips to cities like Bruges and Ghent. Take a look at the options below, and you can conveniently purchase tickets online.
Brussels Travel Guide: Notes & Recommendations & Closing
- I pinned the places to visit and the restaurants in order on Google Maps. If you save the map below, you can easily access the locations even without the internet.
- Brussels is a city that will take one or at most two days of your time. If you have time, you can go from Brussels to Bruges or Amsterdam. By checking the bus and train options to these cities, you can plan short trips.
- You can find my travel guide to Bologna, another European city I visited in 24 hours, here.
