24 Best Things To Do In Brussels in 2024
Visiting Brussels is an exciting adventure filled with stunning architecture, rich history, and some of the world’s best beer. With countless museums, city squares, and striking buildings, enjoying a stay in Brussels is the easiest thing in the world. On the other end of the spectrum is the gastronomic scene of Belgian’s capital, known for fries, chocolates, and delicious waffles. Whether your idea of a good time is a historic tour or partaking in some delicious Belgian food, Brussels won’t disappoint. The city attractions range from a stunning royal palace to some of the best art museums in Europe. Walking through the city’s cobblestone alleys allows discovery of its Gothic facades, Art Nouveau buildings, and the weirdest statues imaginable. Start the day with a tour of Brussels’s historic center. Then, jump on the tram and head to a theme park with miniatures of the most famous landmarks in Europe, followed by Belgian beers in the evening. If that sounds fun, you’re in for a treat with this guide to the best things to do in Brussels!
Brussels isn’t usually the first city that comes to mind when planning a trip to a European capital. It’s often overshadowed by the likes of Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, but that just means fewer crowds. The city has loads of tourist attractions that cater to everyone, and it’s a joy to roam around its streets. And it’s very close to several other famous cities in Belgium, allowing for easy and affordable day trips. Best of Brussels Quick Guide Must See: Grand Place, Mont des Arts, Manneken Pis, Parc du Cinquantenaire Where to Stay: Ibis Hotel City Center, 9Hotel Sablon, Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Fun To Do: Autoworld Brussels, Mini Europe, Chocolate Tasting, Atomium Day Trips: Leuven, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent Must-Try Foods: Belgian waffles, fries, chocolate
Best Things To Do in Brussels
The great thing about Brussels is that it has something to offer to everyone, whether they’re into art, history, or just having a good time. The city’s many restaurants and bars stay open late into the night, and its museums are surprisingly affordable to tour. You can have a good time in Brussels no matter what you enjoy. But it helps to enjoy Gothic buildings and street art because they’re everywhere in central Brussels!
1. Walking Tour of Grand Place & Brussels Old Town
A first-time visit to Brussels should start with a walking tour of the city’s historic center. Begin at the Grand Place central square to discover the Gothic architecture of the old city, dominated by the Brussels Town Hall. Brussels’ Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its political and cultural importance and the starting point of most walking tours. Other top sights in Brussels Old Town include the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Mont des Arts, Church of Saint Catherine, and Passage du Nord. All are within walking distance from Grand Place. While you’re walking around the streets of Brussels, you’ll come across various sculptures. Manneken Pis, Jeanneke-Pis, and Zenneke Pis, all of which depict the act of urinating. It’s incredibly weird, but kind of iconic in Brussels. Practical Information: Guided walking tours normally take up to two hours, and that is plenty of time to explore the top sights in the historic center of Brussels.
2. Tour the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is a complex of six museums. All are situated on the square in front of the Brussels Royal Palace and are separate establishments. The six museums in this complex are the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the OldMasters Museum, the Modern Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Wiertz Museum, and the Meunier Museum. Magritte Museum is by far the most popular of all the royal museums. It is the most visited museum in all of Belgium, with more than 230 pieces of art by the famous Belgian artist. The Old Masters Museum is also fascinating, with a collection that features Reubens, Bosch, Ribera, Van Dyck, and many others. Art lovers will struggle to choose just one museum, and to them I say, stay in Brussels long enough so you have time to visit them all. Insider Tip: Access to the museum’s permanent collections is free every first Wednesday of the month after 1 PM. Practical Information: The various Fine Arts Museums are open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM until 5 PM. The Wiertz and Meunier museums are free, and combi tickets are available for other museums for 10-15 Euros.
3. Take a Break At Brussels Park
Set on the former hunting grounds of the Palace of Coudenberg, Brussels Park is the largest public park in the Belgian capital. It’s also the first public park that opened in the city back in the 18th century. The royal park features a fountain, manicured hedges, and some interesting park architecture. Many statues can be seen throughout Brussels Park, as well as some interesting buildings. Muziekkiosk, the gazebo that hosts live concerts, is perhaps the most charming of all. Royal Park Theatre is a spectacular building worth seeing from the inside. Go in and inquire about tickets just to get a glimpse at the ornate interior. And if you hear any music, head to the adjacent Vaux Hall to see what’s going on. Practical Information: Brussels Park is free to enter and open at all times. It’s serviced by metro, tram, and bus stops.
4. Tour The European Parliament
Book a tour of the European Parliament to experience the contrast between old and new Brussels. While the city’s historic center might be famous for Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture, the European Parliament building is as modern as it gets. The glass and concrete building is massive, entirely different from the medieval buildings of the inner city center. You can’t walk around the actual Parliament building, but you can go to Parliamentarium. It’s a state-of-the-art visitor’s center with multimedia exhibits on how the parliament operates. If you’re not very familiar with the workings of the European Union, this short tour will be fascinating and very informative. Insider Tip: Head to park on the (left) side of the building to see a piece of the Berlin Wall. Practical Information: Parlamentarium is open daily from 9 AM or 1 PM (Mondays) until 6 PM. Tours are free of charge and take approximately 90 minutes.
5. Indulge in Belgian Chocolate
Belgian chocolate is world-famous as some of the best in the world, and no trip to Brussels is complete if you don’t consume half a pound of chocolate. At least! The city’s historic center is home to the best chocolate shops, where you can taste everything from pralines to handmade chocolate bars. Exercising restraint is the most difficult thing about chocolate shops in Brussels. It’s exceptionally hard to walk into one of these shops and not get everything on the menu, although the high prices will help with self-control. Some of the best chocolate shops in the city center are La Belgique Gourmande, Leonidas, and Godiva Grand Place. If you fancy it, we do recommend this chocolate tour. But only if you love chocolate 🙂 Practical Information: Most chocolate shops in central Brussels are open from 9 AM to around 11 PM, with similar prices. Specialty chocolate bars start at approximately 10 Euros, and boxes of assorted chocolates at 25 Euros.
6. Mini Europe Theme Park
Jump on line six of the metro and head to the Heysel station to visit Mini Europe, a fabulous theme park in the northwestern part of Brussels. The miniature park features 25:1 scale replicas of the most famous landmarks in Europe, from the Eiffel Tower to the Acropolis. What is even more fun about this open-air theme park is that many of the exhibits are interactive. You can vandalize a section of the Berlin Wall and witness a Vesuvius eruption. There are even miniature replicas of famous battles throughout history. The theme park even gets current-event updates, and in 2022, several exhibits related to Ukraine were added. European Union candidates are not represented at Mini Europe, so this was a ground-breaking moment for the theme park. Practical Information: Mini Europe is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Full-priced tickets are €19, and there’s an option to buy combo tickets for the Atomium, Planetarium, Kinepolis, or Tootbus.
7. Visit the Autoworld Museum
Set in Parc du Cinquantenaire, Autoworld is one of the most interesting museums in Brussels. Car lovers and motorsport fans must add this museum to their Brussels itinerary because it will be the highlight of the entire trip. From presidential limousines to old Formula 1 cars, the exhibit features more than 250 vehicles that illustrate the last century of automotive history. Many oldtimers are included in the museum exhibit, and there’s everything from a 1969 Citroen to a prototype Lamborghini Countach. You can also see racing suits, engines, and miniature toy models. It’s worth noting that all the vehicles exhibited at the Autoworld are either from Europe or the United States, so sadly, no Toyotas or Hondas are part of the collection. Practical Information: Autoworld Brussels is open daily from 10 AM until 5 PM. Tickets start at €13, but entrance is free with the Brussels Museum Pass.
8. Discover the Stately Rooms of the Royal Palace of Brussels
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