The reasons to visit Brussels are many! Not only is the city the capital of Belgium, but it is also the headquarters of the European Union. It has a fascinating history and so much art to see, as well as some pretty quirky monuments. Some claim that Brussels is also the birthplace of French fries (really!). And there is so much great food to try – Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate, Belgian beer and more. If this wasn’t enough, Brussels is a unique city where two languages – French and Dutch, are spoken. You could say that it is a compact package of culture, cuisine, and charisma!
A 3-day stay in Brussels is just right, allowing ample time to fully immerse yourself in the unique charm and experiences this city has to offer.
Day 1 in Brussels, Belgium
Visit the Grand Place
Embark on your Brussels journey with a visit to the Grand Place, the heart of the city. This UNESCO World Heritage square boasts magnificent buildings, including the opulent Guilds of Brussels and the City Hall built in the Flamboyant architecture style.
Visit the King’s House, now home to the Brussels City Museum – a personal favorite. And don’t miss the Grand Place’s dual charm – experience it during the day for architectural splendor and return in the evening when the buildings light up for a breathtaking spectacle.
The place is really popular with tourists. If you would like a more intimate encounter, beat the crowds by arriving super early. ✨
Learn about Brussels at the City Museum
Right off of the Grand Place, you will find the Brussels City Museum, also known as the King’s House. We absolutely love it and highly recommend that you pay it a visit early in your trip. It will provide you with tons of historic information and help you put the rest of your visit in context.
Here you can discover the iconic Manneken Pis, the beloved symbol of Brussels. Following the theft and vandalism of the original statue, a decision was made to safeguard it within the museum, while a replica was placed in its original spot. Your museum ticket also lets you enter the GardeRobe MannekenPis, where you can marvel at over 1,000 outfits that have adorned this pint-sized personality. 🎩👖👗
Stop by Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis
Manneken Pis
Undoubtedly the most famous symbol of Brussels, Belgium is the fountain of Manneken Pis. The small sculpture sits at the intersection of Rue de l’Etuve and Rue de Chene. The fountain was originally built in the 15th century and played an important role in supplying the city residents with water.
The statute has been stolen and recovered multiple times, and currently a replica sits in its place. You may see it naked or dressed as the city residents continue a tradition of dressing Manneken Pis for special occasions.
Jeanneke Pis
Erected in the mid 1980s, the Jeanneke Pis fountain sculpture is situated at the eastern side of the Impasse de la Fidélité/Getrouwheidsgang. Jeanneke Pis was created as a symbol of equality and as a counterpart to the famous Manneken Pis, and made a lesser-known alley in Brussels a tourist destination.
Zinneke Pis
The latest in the series of ‘Pis’ fountain sculptures, Zinneke Pis (the peeing dog), was erected in 1998. It is another example of folk humor popular in Brussels. Zinneke Pis is located at the junction of the Rue des Chartreux/Kartuizersstraat.
Day 2 in Brussels, Belgium
Visit the Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert
Start your second day in Brussels, Belgium by visiting the Royal Saint Hubert Galleries. This group of three centrally located covered shopping passages, named the King’s Gallery, the Queen’s Gallery and the Prince’s Gallery, is a must-see stop on your trip to Brussels. Each boasts beautiful 19th century architecture, great shops and cafes. You can pick up Belgian chocolates from some of the best chocolatiers or stop by for a meal that will transport you back in time.
We highly recommend a visit for lunch or dinner to Taverne du Passage – a magical place that offers the best of Belgian food in a beautiful setting. This traditional brasserie is super popular with tourists and locals alike. Be sure to grab a reservation, especially for dinner or if you have a large party, to ensure that you do not need to wait.
Stop by the European Quarter
Brussels, Belgium is the capital of the European Union and more than 100,000 people from across the continent work in this historic city. Visit the European Quarter for everything that has to do with the European Union. There are museums, bars, exhibits, a park and so much more to explore.
If you want to understand and experience European Union (EU) politics, be sure to stop by the Parliamentarism Museum. Opened daily, this museum presents a unique opportunity to see how the EU works. You can experience the exhibits in 24 different languages.
If you happen to visit this part of town on a Thursday night, you might be able to spot multiple MPs and staff members congregate and relax over a drink around Place du Luxembourg.
Discover the Atomium
The Atomium in Brussels – a huge sculpture of an iron crystal – is one of the unique places to see on your trip to Brussels. It was the main pavilion built for the 1958 World’s Fair and was designed as a tribute to scientific progress. Initially, the Atomium was only supposed to be up for six months. However, due to its popularity, it was preserved and remains a top city attraction. Each of the spheres provides space for exhibit halls and public meeting spaces, and is connected to the rest via steel tubes. The top sphere houses a restaurant with great views of the city of Brussels. Opening hours are between 10am and 6pm.
Day 3 in Brussels, Belgium
Dedicate this day to the Arts. Like most large European cities, Brussels has plenty of great art on display.
Admire the city from Mont des Arts
One of the best viewpoints in Brussels, and a personal favorite, is the Mont des Arts. It is particularly beautiful on a sunny day or at sunset. The spire of City Hall just slices the sky; a picture-perfect place for taking in the city views. 🤩
Take a short walk from here to the Royal Palace, the home of the Belgian Royal family. Enjoy its beautiful architecture and regal presence.
See the Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Close by, you’ll find the Royal Museums of Fine Art – a must-visit in Brussels, especially for art enthusiasts. These museums hold impressive collections of drawings, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, making it a great stop on your Brussels journey.
The Royal Museums of Fine Art is a collection of four different museums that cater to every taste:
- The Old Masters – founded in 1801 by Napoleon Bonaparte; it focuses on works created between the 15th and 18th century of what was known as the Southern Netherlands. Be sure to see the large collection of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder – one of the most influential Renaissance masters.
- The Modern Museum – focuses on exhibiting collections of modern and contemporary art from around 1914 to the present.
- The Magritte Museum – a personal favorite 🤩🤩🤩 that we cover in a lot more detail below👇🏼
- The Fin-de-Siècle Museum (translates to Museum of the Turn of the Century) – focuses on the 1900s, when Brussels was very much in the center of the Art Nouveau movement.
You truly can spend a day or longer visiting the Royal Museums of Fine Art. We encourage you to select what is of most interest to you, as trying to cover all of them even in a full day can be overwhelming.
Make a stop at the Magritte Museum
If you are a fan of the surrealist movement, this museum is an absolute must-see! With over 230 works by the famous Belgian painter, the Magritte Museum houses the largest collection of works by the renowned surrealist artist René Magritte. Be sure to visit this very special museum and expect to be amazed, to think, to laugh and to simply enjoy the works of Magritte.
Typically, this museum is very busy, and you may even have to wait in line to enter. We recommend purchasing your tickets online to avoid waiting at the museum. You can then use the dedicated entrance via the Magritte Museum on Place Royale 2 and get in much quicker.
Foods and drinks to try in Brussels, Belgium
What to try in Brussels, Belgium
Exploring the food scene in Brussels is a treat with so many delicious eats and fantastic drinks to savor. The best part? You do not need to look too hard, as many of the items are easy to find in multiple establishments and possess great quality at all. Here are the must-try items you absolutely shouldn’t miss during your visit to Brussels (you’ll find most of these all over Belgium if you are exploring other areas too):
- Belgian fries – the most perfect fries you have ever tried, we guarantee it!
- Moules frites – Cooked mussels and French fries, absolutely excellent!
- Belgian chocolate – be sure to sample all the chocolate you can handle; it is that good!
- Belgian waffles – try both Brussels waffles and Liege waffles (did you know there are two types of Belgian waffles?).
- Belgian beers – famous around the world; there are so many to try, you will be sure to find multiple favorites!
- Waterzooi: A chicken or fish dish in a vegetable broth of onions, leeks, celery, carrots and cream. It is usually served with potatoes or rice.
- Speculoos: Crunchy biscuit made with brown sugar – yum!
Favorite restaurants, bakeries and more in Brussels, Belgium
And here are a few of our favorite places while visiting Brussels:
- La Taverne du Passage – for excellent brasserie style food; the mussels we had were 💯😋🤩! Grab a reservation to guarantee a spot at your time of choice.
- Maison Dandoy – for the best waffles we tried! Multiple locations, but you might have to wait to be seated, as they are institutions! 😋🤩
- Atelier Frites – for artisanal takes on French fries. 🤩
- Glacier Gaston – for great homemade hot chocolate and excellent ice creams!
- Fine Sablon – an excellent bakery, be sure to try the cruffins (a middle point between a muffin and a croissant).
- Neuhaus, Maison Piere Marcolini, La Belgique Gourmande, and Frederic Blondeel – for Belgian chocolates of the highest quality! Also try some excellent hot chocolate made on premises at each of these establishments. 🤩😋🤩
- À La Mort Subite – one of the oldest cafes in Brussels, serving craft Belgian beers and brasserie style food since 1928! A favorite of musicians, artists, writers, actors and locals alike. 🤩
- Le Marmiton – for a chic and intimate dinner right in the heart of Brussels. 🤩
If you have more time in Brussels, Belgium
Here are additional ideas if you find yourself with more time in Brussels:
- Visit the Brussels Stock Exchange (Pl. de la Bourse, 1000 Bruxelles) and admire its beautiful architecture.
- See a music concert at the Le Botanique – a unique venue housed in the formal Royal botanical glasshouse.
- Take a self-guided Comic Tour, as Brussels is the self-proclaimed comic book capital!
- Visit the Place des Martyrs (Martyrs’ Square), Brussels a beautiful and historically significant location. Learn about the history of the September Days of the Belgian Revolution of 1830.
- Visit Lotto Park stadium and experience a soccer (football) game by beloved Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht (RSCA).
- Consider a one-day trip to the cities of Bruges or Ghent – easily accessible via the excellent rail system.
What we loved about Brussels, Belgium
- Beautiful architecture and well preserved history
- An easily walkable city with excellent transportation options
- Great food and drinks, tons of places to try (multiple trips needed to experience more of them)
- A city focused on the arts housing world-class works
- The lighter side of Brussels is visible through its sculptures and symbols
- Even though English is not an official language, most people speak it and it was easy to get around without speaking French or Dutch.
- We visited during the Christmas season and loved the festive atmosphere, the city decorations and the food and drinks we tried.
In closing, we loved our time in historic Brussels and hoped we could do more art exploration, food and drink tastings. We also missed on seeing a football game but hope to return and experience more of the city as well as the countryside.
And if you only have one day to spend in Brussels, check out our post on How to Maximize Your One Day in Brussels, Belgium.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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