Brussels

Comic strips, waffles and Art Nouveau

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Airports: BRU

Brussels at a glance

Brussels combines a compact historic centre around the Grand-Place with Art Nouveau streets, comic-strip heritage, chocolate shops and the institutions of the European Quarter. Most first-visit sights sit within a walkable core, while the Atomium, Mini-Europe and some museums need a metro or tram ride.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–4 days

Best time to visitLate spring to early autumn

AirportsBRU

Budget travelAccommodation, restaurants on Grand-Place and paid museums drive daily costs. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Milder months suit squares, parks and neighbourhood walks, though rain is possible year-round. Wet days work well for chocolate shops, covered galleries, Magritte, the Comic Strip Centre and European Quarter indoor visits.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

SNCB / NMBS train

About 15–25 min to Brussels-Nord, Central or Midi, depending on the station

Check the current SNCB/NMBS airport fareTransport

Must-see sights

Grand-Place and Town Hall

Manneken Pis

Atomium and Mini-Europe

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Grand-Place, Town Hall exterior and the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert.
Lunch: Manneken Pis and a Belgian waffle at a Galeries side café.
Afternoon: Mont des Arts, then Brussels Park and the Royal Palace exterior.
Evening: Sablon or a neighbourhood restaurant away from the square.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Historic centre
Pentagone
The most convenient base for Grand-Place, the Royal Galleries and Manneken Pis, with busy streets and generally higher visitor prices.
Best for
First visits and walking
Sablon
Sablon / Zavel
An elegant area between the centre and Marolles, useful for museums, churches and evening meals without staying on the busiest square.
Best for
Antique shops, chocolate and a calmer historic feel
European Quarter
A modern district around Schuman with Parlamentarium, the House of European History and good metro links, less atmospheric at weekends.
Best for
EU institutions and quieter evenings
Ixelles / Saint-Gilles
Ixelles / Elsene
Lively districts south of the centre with restaurants, cafés and local life, a short metro or tram ride from Grand-Place.
Best for
Neighbourhood dining and Art Nouveau streets

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple accommodation, friteries or bakeries, public transport and free squares or parks; excludes travel to Brussels.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, café and restaurant meals, public transport and selected museums.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central higher-end accommodation, frequent dining, taxis and several reserved attractions.

Airports

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

BRU
Brussels Airport
12 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

BRU

SNCB / NMBS trainBRUUsually the most practical connection for the centre and onward Belgian rail travel. Use the official planner for the correct station, platform and ticket.
About 15–25 min to Brussels-Nord, Central or Midi, depending on the station
Check the current SNCB/NMBS airport fare
Details
Usually the most practical connection for the centre and onward Belgian rail travel. Use the official planner for the correct station, platform and ticket.
STIB / MIVB Airport Line 12BRUUseful when a current Line 12 stop is close to your accommodation. Confirm the route, ticket validity and service notices before boarding.
A longer public-transport journey toward the European Quarter and selected city stops; time varies with traffic
Check the current STIB/MIVB airport fare and ticket rules
Details
Useful when a current Line 12 stop is close to your accommodation. Confirm the route, ticket validity and service notices before boarding.
TaxiBRUConvenient for groups, families and heavy luggage. Use an official airport rank and confirm the destination before departure.
Door-to-door journey; often around 20–40 min depending on traffic and destination
Confirm the current metered fare and any supplements
Details
Convenient for groups, families and heavy luggage. Use an official airport rank and confirm the destination before departure.
Private transfer or rideshareBRUUseful when a driver meeting, child seat or larger vehicle matters. Follow current airport pickup instructions and verify the vehicle and driver.
Pre-booked or app-based door-to-door journey; time varies with traffic and pickup
Confirm the complete quoted or in-app price before booking
Details
Useful when a driver meeting, child seat or larger vehicle matters. Follow current airport pickup instructions and verify the vehicle and driver.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

WalkingThe historic centre is compact but cobbled and occasionally steep toward Mont des Arts. Group nearby sights and wear comfortable shoes.
Best around Grand-Place, the galleries, Sablon and Mont des Arts
Free
Details
The historic centre is compact but cobbled and occasionally steep toward Mont des Arts. Group nearby sights and wear comfortable shoes.
Metro, tram and busSTIB/MIVB covers most visitor journeys. Validate or activate the correct ticket and use the official planner for disruptions.
Efficient to the Atomium, European Quarter and outer districts
STIB/MIVB zones and ticket rules
Details
STIB/MIVB covers most visitor journeys. Validate or activate the correct ticket and use the official planner for disruptions.
TrainMidi, Central and Nord connect the city with Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven. Confirm the station that matches your onward route.
Useful between Brussels stations and for Belgian day trips
SNCB/NMBS fare
Details
Midi, Central and Nord connect the city with Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven. Confirm the station that matches your onward route.

Top sights

Grand-Place and Town Hall
Grand-Place / Grote Markt
Brussels' UNESCO-listed central square is framed by the Gothic Town Hall and ornate guildhalls. Visit early or later in the day, then check official access if you want the Town Hall interior or tower.
Manneken Pis
The famous small bronze fountain sits a short walk from Grand-Place. Combine it with nearby streets rather than making it a standalone stop, and expect crowds and souvenir shops.
Atomium and Mini-Europe
Atomium
The Atomium is a landmark exhibition building in Heysel, with Mini-Europe beside it for model European monuments. Use metro and check official access; treat them as a half-day outing rather than a quick add-on.
Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Nineteenth-century covered galleries near Grand-Place house shops, cafés and theatres. They are especially useful in rain and for a slower look at Brussels chocolate and design.
Mont des Arts
Mont des Arts / Kunstberg
A terraced viewpoint and cultural area between the upper and lower town, with gardens, museums and a classic view toward the Town Hall tower. Combine it with a central walking loop.
Royal Palace and Brussels Park
Palais Royal / Warandepark
The royal palace faces a formal park used for walking and events. Interior access is seasonal and limited, so confirm official visitor arrangements and enjoy the park even when the palace is closed.
European Quarter
Around Schuman you can visit Parlamentarium and the House of European History for free, indoor introductions to the EU. Check official opening information and group them as one focused outing.
Sablon and Marolles
Sablon et Marolles
Sablon mixes churches, chocolate and antiques; Marolles below it is known for the flea market, everyday streets and a more local atmosphere. Walk between them rather than treating them as separate taxi trips.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre
Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
A museum in a restored warehouse presenting Belgian comics and their creators. It is a strong family or rainy-day choice close to the centre.
Magritte Museum
Musée Magritte
A major collection devoted to René Magritte, in the Royal Museums complex above the centre. Check official tickets and combine it with nearby Mont des Arts rather than crossing the city twice.

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Brussels at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Historic centre

Sablon

European Quarter

Ixelles / Saint-Gilles

Approximate budget