As well as being the capital of the European Union and an important commercial hub, Brussels is a popular tourist destination with stunning cathedrals, castles and world heritage sites.
When you fly to Brussels for a city break, you can immerse yourself in the city’s beautiful sights, museums, parks and delectable treats. The stunning Grand Place is the heart of the city with its beautiful facades dating back to the 17th century.
Take a leisurely stroll the city’s cosmopolitan districts, avenues and quirky market places, before sampling Belgian’s renowned beer, waffles and of course- chocolate!
Brussels really is a spectacular city for a weekend break, and a true city for all seasons. View my tips for enjoying the best trip to this city and start planning a city break to Brussels today.
Flights to Brussels
With daily direct flights to Brussels from the UK and Europen destinations, the Belgian capital is a must visit location being amongst the most celebrated tourist attractions in the world. Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner.
Getting to Brussels from the Airport
By Bus
A bus station is below the Arrivals hall. The #12 bus on weekdays before 8pm and the #21 at all other times takes passengers to the European Quarter of the city and costs EUR6. There are also buses that serve Brussels Airport to Antwerp.
By Train
There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. It runs every 15-20 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5.30am and 12.20am from the airport and costs EUR8.50.
Airport Bus
An airport bus link also operates between the Brussels railway lines and the airport. These are buses of De Lijn, the Flemish regional public transport operator, connecting the airport with towns and railway stations in Flanders, as well as parts of Brussels.
By Taxi
There are licensed metered taxis available outside the Arrivals hall; the 30-minute journey to Brussels costs around EUR35.
Where to Stay in Brussels
In addition to cheap flights to Brussels, you’ll find that accommodation in the capital during the weekend can be very inexpensive. The city offers a real mixture of B&B’s, hostels, budget hotels moving on to the more luxury boutique and chain hotels. Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
If you’re just flying to Brussels for a short break, I recommend you stop close to the Grand Place or the exclusive Avenue Louise.
For cheap digs in Brussels, the Albert Inn is recommended. Overnight accommodation at this quiet venue include free parking and breakfast starting at $48 per person. Located a mere 150 feet from the metro and only five stops from the Brussels Midi train station, this establishment makes a great launching point for daily sightseeing excursions.
Made In Louise is a reasonably priced boutique hotel set in an historic 18th Century building on a quiet street in a residential area of Brussels. Just a few blocks from Avenue Louise, the area has superb transport links to and from the city centre via tram and Metro, and is situated near to museums, parks and shopping areas.
The award-winning Aloft Brussels Schuman is an ideal choice whether you plan to work or play while in Brussels. With its prime location in the heart of the European quarter, all major EU institutions are within walking distance and the hotel is just minutes from the city centre. All rooms feature comfortable beds, oversized spa showers and 42-inch flat-screen TVs.
Listed as one of the 65 most luxurious hotels by Condé Nast Traveller, one of CNBC Business Magazine’s top 25 business hotels in Europe and Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice winner, Be Manos is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Brussels. Its 60 rooms and suites are all decorated in timeless black and white with modern accents, while the restaurant, Be Lella, offers a taste of pure luxury.
Offering the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll find the Sofitel Brussels Le Louise just off the stylish Avenue Louise. Set in the European District and close to the Grand Place, the Sofitel Brussels Europe is an elegant five-star hotel within easy reach of many of the city’s main attractions.
Stylish and central, Hotel Amigo is a Rocco Forte Hotel, which claims to be the best luxury hotel in Brussels. Close to the financial and antiques districts, Hotel Amigo is located in Grand Place in the heart of Brussels.
Food and Eating Out
Brussels has a well renowned reputation for its excellent food. In recent years, local chefs have been experimenting on giving traditional Belgian dishes a new and unique gastronomic twist.
For Belgians dining out is a way of life and each meal has to be a tasty good food experience with excellent customer service set in a beautiful décor.
When in Brussels, make sure you visit the world famous Rue de Bouchee area, location near the Grand Place – a maze a cobbled streets, full of quirky individual restaurants full of character.
I really recommend you try some typical Belgian dishes such Moules Frites, Stoemp (bangers and mash), Flemish asparagus or stoofvlees (beef stew)!
Although Belgium is often identified with waffles, chips, beer and chocolate, make sure you try something a bit more unusual on your trip!
Transportation and Getting Around
The public bicycle access system known as Villo is a cheap transport in Brussels. With nominal daily and weekly fees, and only 30 euros for a one-year pass, visitors are allowed unlimited bike rides for a duration of 30 minutes or less.
Access cards track check-outs and returns, as well as any minor overage fees. For access to trams and buses, Rail Europe offers the Brussels Card. With one-day rates starting at $41, tourists are allowed unlimited transportation on the city’s buses and trams.
You might also want to also view the best city sightseeing tours and attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Exploring Brussels – Shopping and Sightseeing
Whether you’re visiting Brussels on business or pleasure, you can’t really miss the Grand Place or Grote Markt – the central square of Brussels.
Surrounded by guildhalls, the city’s Town Hall and the Breadhouse, the square provides an ever-changing calendar of entertainment throughout the year and is one of Belgium’s most memorable landmarks.
Brussels has a very strong “Café culture” lifestyle, with nearly every street in the city offering cosy bars with outdoor seating. Enjoy one (or two) Belgian beers in one of the many cafes this city has to offer whilst watching the world go by.
Don’t miss out on visiting one of the showy Art Nouveau places and medieval survivors around the Bourse (Stock Exchange) area such as Café Belga, Le Cirio and the Falstaff and try a “demi/demi” (half sparkling wine/ half wine).
Why not book yourself on a “Brussels Walking Food Tour”, where your guide will show you the best restaurants the city has to offer, sample Belgian specialities, plus learn about Brussels’ history and culinary traditions?
Some of the dishes you’ll get to sample include Assiette Ardainaise (selection of ham, sausages, cheeses and steak tartare), North Sea shrimps, mussels, beef stew, endive and off course Belgian beer. The Belgian cuisine is highly respected throughout Europe, and this walking tour is a must for food and history lovers!
Some popular places and unmissable attractions to see in Brussels include:
Parlamentarium
If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes on within the European Parliament, then don’t forget to visit the Parlamentarium. Interactive multimedia displays guide you through the history of Europe and allow you to further appreciate the impact parliament has on our lives.
Horta Museum
For a slice of history in a modern Brussels, don’t miss the Horta Museum on Rue Americaine. Originally designed and built by Victor Horta, one of the founders of Art Nouveau, the museum is now one of the only places in the city where you can see his signature design style in all its stunning glory.
Atomium
Visit the Atomium, is probably one of Europe’s most bizarre buildings located just north of Brussels. The iconic 335ft tall landmark consists of stainless steel tubes connected to spheres forming the shape of a “unit cell of an iron crystal”. The top sphere has stunning views overlooking the city. At night the spheres sparkle and the restaurant opens for business!
Magritte Museum
The Magritte Museum, located in the heart of Brussels at the Place Royale, displays more than 200 works of the surrealist Belgian Rene Magritte. The collection consists of oil canvasses, gouaches, drawings, sculptures and painted objects as well as advertising posters, musical scores, vintage photographs and films produced by the surrealist artist.
Shopping
Brussels is the perfect destination for shopaholics – for shopping and cafes visit Les Galeries Saint Hubert – a glass roofed arcade, which was the first covered shopping arcade in Europe.
Brussels has many shopping areas such as the Rue Neuve. This long pedestrian street runs from the Place Rogiers to the Grand Place and offers international chain stores and shopping malls.
If you’re looking for something more exclusive, then head to the Avenue Louise district (Brussels’ answer to the Champs-Elysées) for exclusive designer shopping. You’ll find most designer boutiques between “Trone” and “Louise” metro stations, so don’t forget your credit card.
The Galeries Royales St-Hubert is Europe’s very first covered shopping centre and hosts the city’s most desirable stores such as Delvaux in the most ornate surroundings. The gallery is the perfect location to buy some delicious Belgian chocolates!
Bear in mind that most retail shops are closed on a Sunday (with the exception of the shops around the Grand Place).
Brussels Travel Tips
Language
Belgium has three official languages – Dutch, French and German – but you’ll find that French is the most popular spoken language in Brussels.
City Sightseeing Passes
Several sightseeing passes like The Brussels Card also provides free access to all major museums, and as much as a 25 percent discount on other typical tourist attractions, restaurants shops and bars.
Places to Visit Near Brussels
The Dutch-speaking region in the Northern part of Belgium, Flanders, is home to the stunning cities of Bruges, Ghent, Ostend and Antwerp.
Fly to Brussels and simply catch the train underneath the Brussels Airport terminal building to one of these amazing historic cities.
Each of these cities are individual and distinctive in their own way and offer the perfect getaway for a break full of culture, art, architecture, art, shopping and gastronomy.
View more advice on my Belgium travel guide.