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How to Spend One Day in Brussels Belgium
If you are looking for what to see in Brussels in one day, you’re in the right place! Did you know over one million people visit Brussels each year? Why is Brussels Belgium worth seeing? It is the largest city in Belgium, home to the European Union, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, AND is full of fun things to do. In fact, there are so many great things to see and do, if you only have one day, it needs to be well thought out.
One of Brussel’s must-see attractions is Grand Place, a gorgeous UNESCO site, be sure to visit again at night to see it lit up. Wander the art nouveau homes in the Ixelles and St Gilles districts If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience. Brussels is full of museums and Atomium is one of the most unique. Foodies will want to eat moules frites (mussels and fries) while in the city. And, if you love spending time outdoors you will not want to miss Mont des Arts and Parc du Cinquantenaire.
As you can see, you will have no problem filling your day in Brussels Belgium with amazing experiences. Below is how to see the best of Brussels in 24 hours. Use my hour-by-hour Brussels itinerary as a template and make it your own by filling in your personal bucket list dreams. I have included additional things to do in Brussels and possible day trips at the end of this post. Here is your easy-to-follow guide for 24 hours in Brussels. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Belgium Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
READ 100 Things to Do in Brussels Belgium, a Bucket List City
Arrival in Brussels Belgium
Arrive the night before. While it is possible to see the best of Brussels in one day, you really need the full day! Brussels has two international airports, Zaventem Airport and Charleroi Airport. Most will arrive at Zaventem Airport. It is a 20-minute taxi ride to the city center, expect to pay 50€. Booking a private airport transfer is less expensive than a taxi. There is a direct train from Zaventem to the city center that runs every 10 minutes. One-way tickets are 12.70€ and the ride is 17 minutes. It is also possible to reach the city center by bus for 3€ and will take about 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Pro Tip: Be sure to look up at the Smurf Mural as you walk under the underpass from the train station toward the city center.
Where to Stay in Brussels Belgium
Check into your hotel and drop off your bags. Ask the hotel to help you make dinner reservations for 7 pm, I suggest requesting a place serving mussels and fries, an area specialty.
I stayed at the Aris Grand-Place Hotel. I chose it because it was mid-priced in a great location. It was a five-minute walk from the Brussel-Centraal train station, the gorgeous Saint Hubert Kraliyet Galerileri was next door and Grand Place was a quick minute walk down a side street. However, I booked the loft and do not recommend that room, it was difficult to get to, and did not have internet access. Note, the hotel entrance is behind the Lloyd Coffee Eatery.
Exploring Brussels Highlights in 24 Hours
8 am Have a quick breakfast and walk over to the UNESCO Grand Place before the crowds arrive. Spend some time taking photos of the Gothic architecture. Do not miss St Michael slaying the devil on the Town Hall’s spire and be sure to rub the arm of the Everard ‘T Serclaes for good luck. Head to the top floor of Aroma Coffee Lounge for views of Grand Place. Then, make your way to Mont des Arts for one of the best views of Brussels. You may also want to check out the view from the fifth floor of the Royal Library of Belgium.
10 am Continue walking toward the Royal Palace of Brussels. Photograph La Pharmacie Anglaise on the way and take a coffee break with a view at the Musical Instruments Museum restaurant. Wander around the Royal Quarter and check out the Clock of the Citizens. The Royal Palace was being renovated during my visit, check their progress and purchase tickets if able.
Noon Time for lunch, walk toward Place du Petit Sablon and Place du Grand Sablon and eat in a cute outdoor cafe. Step inside the off-the-beaten-path Palace of Justice for photos. Be sure to ride the glass elevator down the hillside as you make your way back to the city center and Quartier de l Îlot Sacré. OR, continue walking down Rue Belliard to Parc du Cinquantenaire and climb to the top of the arch for panoramic views (free).
3 pm Wander the city center’s cute streets, do not miss Rue des Bouchers. Notice the comic book murals as you walk. Be sure to enjoy a Belgian waffle as you go. Stop for photos of the famous Manneken Pis and take a quick walk through GardeRobe MannekenPis to see his MANY costumes (closes at 5 pm).
5 pm Head to Delirium for a flight of Belgian beer, and snap a photo of Jeanneke-Pis while there. Walk through the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert and purchase souvenir chocolates from a few of the many chocolatiers. Drop your chocolates off at the hotel and rest your feet for a few minutes before heading out to dinner.
7 pm Enjoy a dinner of mussels and fries. Walk through the Grand Place on your way back to the hotel to see it lit up at night.
Looking for more options? Continue on for additional things to do in Brussels to supplement this 24-hour itinerary or jump down for Brussels day trip ideas.
Top Things to Do in Brussels Belgium
- Visit the Museum of the City of Brussels to learn the city’s history
- Tour Town Hall and climb the tower for city views
- Visit the Belgian Brewers Museum to see 18th-century equipment
- Learn how to make Belgian waffles
- Photograph the Brussels Stock Exchange
- Explore Brussels Metro Station art
- Learn about the history of the EU at the Parlamentarium
- Visit the European Parliament Hemicycle and see where the EU debates happen
- Check out the headquarters of the European Commission at the Berlaymont Building
- Visit the Belgian Comic Strip Center Museum
- Take a comic book mural tour
- Wander the art nouveau homes in the Ixelles and St Gilles districts
- Browse the 7k instruments at the Musical Instruments Museum
- Have a beer at Play Label’s rooftop bar and enjoy the view
- Photograph the steelwork on the Huis Saint-Cyr
- Watch the sunset behind the city from Mont des Arts
- Buy a souvenir from the Smurf Store
- Check out the Halle Gate
- Feed the ducks at Parc Leopold
- Take a Belgian beer-tasting tour
- Check out the ruin of the old medieval city wall and Anneessens Tower
- Watch a demonstration with a master chocolatier at the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
- See the stained-glass windows at the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula
- Stroll through the Botanical Garden of Brussels
- Dance the night away at Madame Mustache
- Tour the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Do some high-end window shopping on Avenue Louise
- See the Dinosaur Gallery at the Natural Science Museum
- Take a chocolate walking tour
- Visit the Atomium
- Walkthrough Mini Europe
Be sure to check Visit Flanders Belgium website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Day Trips From Brussels Belgium
Can you squeeze another day or two into your exploration of Belgium? Consider a visit to Bruges, Ghent, and/or Antwerp. Each city is easy to reach by train and has plenty of fun things to do. Ghent Belgium is a port city full of Gothic buildings, cobblestone streets, canals, waterfront cafes, a castle, waffles, Gruut Beer, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
READ One Day in Ghent Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Bruges Belgium has been called an open-air museum and is one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The historic pedestrian-only city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bruges is also nicknamed Venice of the North due to its canals lined by weeping willow trees and white swans. You will find lots of folklore, chocolate shops, and lace boutiques in this fairytale city.
READ One Day in Bruges Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city. It is also the world’s diamond capital. Antwerp Belgium is gritty and a favorite of the hipster crowd. You will find coffee cafes, second-hand stores, art galleries, and vinyl record shops. In 2019, Lonely Planet awarded Antwerp as a Top 10 City in its Best in Travel Awards.
READ How to Spend One Day in Antwerp Belgium
Belgium Itinerary
Do you prefer a more relaxed itinerary? You can easily combine my itineraries to create a 7-day itinerary for Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent Belgium. Or, start your vacation in Paris and end in Amsterdam for a 2-week itinerary.
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