What to do in Brussels for a day – everything you need to know for the perfect trip

If you find yourself in Brussels for a day, and you are wondering what to do, you have come to the right place. In this post we detail everything you need to know to spend a day in Brussels, including how to get around, what to see, and what to eat and drink.

Wondering if Brussels is worth visiting – here is a post for you.

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A day in Brussels – need to know information

Country: Belgium

Language Spoken: French, Dutch, German – English is also widely spoken

Currency: Euros

Famous for: Chocolate, Beer, the EU

Brussels is a multicultural city, and not only is it the capital of Belgium but it is also the political capital of Europe. The EU Headquarters are based in Belgium with over 40,000 employees living in the city.

Brussels, also doesn’t just have one official language in fact it has 3. This includes, French, Flemish Dutch, and German. But it is good news for those planning a day in Brussels, who speak English. English is widely spoken and you can get by without speaking French, Dutch, or German.

Finally, you cannot visit Brussels for a day without indulging in some of the incredible food the city has to offer. We will go into more detail in the sections below, but did you know that it is actually the Brussels international airport that is the largest chocolate selling point in the world. This is good news for those of you wanting to stock up on sweet treats before a flight.

Things to do in Brussels for a day

Here are some of the best things to do when you have one day in Brussels.

Chocolate Museum

Can you really visit Brussels without a visit to the Chocolate Museum? We think not. We highly recommend adding a trip to the Choco-Story to your day in Brussels. It’s an interactive museum, that includes chocolate tasting along the way. You get to learn all about the history or chocolate, and there is a chocolate making demonstration right at the end, which is really interesting. You can purchase tickets on the day or online in advance.

Hop On Hop Off Bus tour

If you are trying to see Brussels in a day, then one of the best ways to see as much as possible is by doing a Hop On Hop Off Bus tour. The tours are a great way to familiarise yourself with a new city, and they also double as your transport for the day as well.

Grand Place

One of the highlights in the centre of Brussels is the Grand Place. It is the central square of Brussels and is surrounded by some incredible architecture. One of the prominent buildings includes the former Guilds of Brussels, which was pretty much the centre of economic life in the late medieval and modern periods.

The Town Hall is another highlight with its Flamboyant architecture. And yes, Flamboyant is actually a style of architecture.

Every second August, the floor of the square is covered in a flower carpet made from begonias. If you are lucky enough to be in the city at this time do take advantage and visit.

Royal Palace of Brussels

Speaking of incredible architecture, we highly recommend visiting the Royal Palace of Brussels. It is the official palace of the King and Queen in Brussels, but it isn’t used as a royal residence. Every year in the summer months the palace is opened to the public, although you do need to book a place in advance.

Even if you don’t go inside it’s still a really beautiful building and close to other city attractions, so we recommend visiting the outside at least.

Manneken Pis

Belgians seem to love their peeing statues, or at least the ones in Brussels do. The most popular of them all is Manneken Pis. Located about a 5 minute walk from Grand Place, it is basically a small bronze statue of a naked boy peeing. The statue attracts many visitors, and even gets dressed up for special occasions. For example, when we visited the statue was wearing full graduation attire. I’m still not entirely sure why.

It’s a bit of a novelty, and worth a visit if you are in the area. Some people find it a bit disappointing, but we found it a bit of fun.

Belgian Comic Strip Centre

Belgium is famous for comics. Something that we only realised when we arrived in Brussels.

If you do get the time we highly recommend a visit to the Comic Strip Centre. It’s perfect to include into your day in Brussels because it is centrally located, and you only really need an hour or so to explore.

It is basically a museum dedicated to the history of comics in Belgium. Some of the more famous comics include the likes of Tintin and the Smurfs, which I discovered were Belgian creations.

Comic Strip Walk

We mentioned above that comics are a pretty big deal in Brussels. If museums aren’t your thing then you could do a Comic Strip Walk across the city instead. Across the city you will notice comics on walls and facades that pay tribute to Franco-Belgian comic book characters. There is a specific route you can take, or you can just keep your eyes peeled as you move around the city.

You can also book onto a tour that will take you to specialist comic book stores, and other comic sights in the city.

The Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert

The Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, was one of the first shopping arcades built in Europe. It was built in 1847, and still lures in visitors with its high end shops, and intricate window displays.

It’s only a short walk from the Grand Place, so you will more than likely walk through here at some point if you are trying to see Brussels in a day. If shopping isn’t your thing, you can grab a decadent hot chocolate, or a coffee and some pastry at one of the many cafes.

National Museum of Beer

If you want something a little stronger than a hot chocolate or a coffee, then you should definitely visit the National Museum of Beer. It’s a small museum located in Grand Place and you can learn all about the traditions involved in brewing Belgian Beer. You also get to do some beer tasting too.

And if you are a big fan of beer we also recommend visiting Prague!

Brussels Park

One of the beautiful things about Brussels is that it has quite a bit of green space. So if you want a break from the hustle and bustle why not visit Brussels Park. It is the largest urban park in the city, with several places to sit and relax. We visited in the summer months, and there were a few cafes in the park where you could sit outside and enjoy the green space whilst sipping beer. There is such a chilled vibe here, we could have stayed for hours.

Old England

Brussels has some really incredible architecture, and the Old England Building is another stand out example. It’s an Art Nouveau style building that was once home to a large retailer. These days though you will find the Musical Instruments Museum. If that is not your thing don’t worry you should still visit, as the restaurant at the top of the building has some incredible views that cannot be beaten.

Mont des Arts

Mont des Arts is an urban square located in the centre of Brussels, that includes buildings like the Old England, but also the Royal Library of Belgium and the National Archives. There is a public garden in teh centre, where you will find people chilling out in the sunshine. It’s a great place to people watch, or listen to the buskers, whilst soaking in the atmosphere.

Mini-Europe

As Brussels is the political centre of Europe it is probably unsurprising that one of the most popular attractions in the city is Mini-Europe. You get to explore the park, which has sculptures of different European nations, and you can also learn about the EU in the process.

Tickets can be purchased on the day or online in advance.

Atomium

Just like the symbol of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, and the symbol of Rome is the Colosseum, the symbol of Brussels is the Atomium. It’s one of the more popular attractions in the city, and was built in 1958 for the Brussels World Fair. These days tourists from around the world come to visit, so be prepared to wait in long queues.

If you do decide to visit we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance. As long as you select the day, you can attend at any time.

Also something to keep in mind if you are only in Brussels for a day, this attraction and Mini-Europe (which is just across the road) are a little bit further out of the city centre.

Eating and drinking during your one day in Brussels

If you are anything like us, you will want to make the most of spending a day in Brussels, by eating and drinking as much as possible. Here are some of the must eat food and drink that you should try during your one day in Brussels.

Belgian Waffles

You might not know this, but there are actually 2 different kinds of waffle that you can get in Brussels. You have the Brussels waffle, and the Liege waffle.

The Brussels waffle, is the lighter and fluffier of the two. It is usually rectangular in shape, and is the one shown in the picture below. Although I know it is hard to see the waffle with the mouthwatering toppings. If you do want toppings the Brussels waffle is the better option, and you can top it with things like Nutella, strawberries, cream, and so on.

The Liege waffle, is your other option. It is denser, and a bit sweeter. It’s also usually an oval kind of shape with rounder edges. You don’t need to top it like you do the Brussels waffle, because it is sweet enough as it is. Although a lot of people like it with a dusting of sugar.

The good news, if you are only in Brussels for a day, you will find waffles almost everywhere. Particularly if you are exploring the streets of the Grand Place, you will see store after store serving these delicious treats.

You can even do a waffle making workshop if you really want to.

Pomme Frites

Another bit of Belgian street food, that you have to try are Pomme Frites. Or as others may know them, French Fries. The fries are not French though, as they actually originated in Belgium. There is a bit of an art to making the fries, for starters they are not supposed to be more than 1cm thick, and they are also friend twice.

They are so crispy and delicious, and are usually served with at least one sauce. Your standard sauces are ketchup, mayo, and mustard, but a lot of places do fancy toppings too. Our advice is to find the sauce that is right for you, and try them all! I mean when in Brussels right!

Belgian Chocolate

Indulging on Belgian Chocolate in Belgium is pretty much a no brainer. You will find so many shops selling Belgian Chocolate in the city, particularly around the Grand Place. There is basically no way you can do Brussels in a day without encountering chocolate. For something a little different you can book on a chocolate making workshop.

Moules-Frites

Moules-Frites is considered the national dish of Belgium, so definitely worth a try during your day in Brussels. It’s essentially mussels in a white wine and garlic butter broth served with fries.

If you are game to give them a try what we would say is avoid the area right by the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, and Grand Place. There are way too many tourist traps around here, instead try and go a bit further out. Le Zinneke is one of the best places in Belgium to try the dish, it’s a bit out of the centre, but if you have the time it is very much worth it.

Belgian Beer

If you are an alcohol drinker then Brussels is a great place to try some Belgian Beer. Even if you don’t really like beer, I would still recommend trying it. I really dislike beer, but drank a lot of the fruit beers with ease, much to my surprise.

A word of warming though, Belgian beer is strong. So make sure you pace yourself, and have some food!

If you are short on time a Beer tasting tour is a great way to sample some beers.

And this tour is another option if you want to visit some bars in Brussels and taste some beers.

Where to eat and drink in Brussels for a day

Here are some of our personal recommendations for places to eat and drink when you are in Brussels for a day. All of these recommendations are in the centre of Brussels, and are a walking distance away from Grand Place.

Brunch for your one day in Brussels

If you are looking for brunch options for your one day in Brussels, these are two of our favourite spots in the city.

Woodpecker 20 – this is supposed to be one of the best brunch spots in Brussels. It was super busy when we arrived so we did have to wait in line for a while. That being said you should be ok if you get in early, and you visit on a weekday. They serve everything from Eggs Benedict, to Belgian waffles. We highly recommend it.

Frank – this is another great brunch option, particularly if you cannot get into Woodpecker 20. It’s a little more expensive, but the food is really nice. The restaurant/cafe is tucked away at the side of the Opera House, and they serve your brunch classics like Eggs Benedict and pancakes.

Where to drink Beer when you are in Brussels for a day

Beer is a must (if you are an alcohol drinker) for your day in Brussels. There are so many awesome bars in Brussels, that you won’t be able to try them all. But here are some of our highlights.

Le Cercueil – This bar is very close to the Grand Place, and definitely worth a visit. It is coffin themed so it’s great if you are wanting something a little quirky. They serve Belgian Beer, but also have a few cocktail choices, and wine too.

Le Fleur en Papier Dore – The Le Fleur en Papier Dore was an artists bar back in the day. And really you only have to take one look at the walls to see that. It’s a historical bar in the city, and is great for Belgian Beer and food.

A La Becasse – This is perfect if you want to visit a traditional style beer house. It’s a no fuss bar with long tables, a good selection of beer, and a pretty decent atmosphere too.

A La Morte Subite – Another classic Belgian Beer style cafe. Again it is great for beers and food. We had some Belgian Beer with a side of cheese. Honestly it was bliss.

Cocktails options for your day in Brussels

Goupil Le Fol – This atmospheric bar is perfect if you are beered out. They do some incredible flavoured wine, which we highly recommend. It’s kind of got this sort of vintage dive bar feel, so grab yourself a quiet nook and get cosy.

La Pharmacie Anglaise – Another great place to go if you are sick of beer. They do cocktails and they do them well. We went with an Old Fashioned that they poured straight out of a barrel, which was cool. The decor has a vintage pharmacy vibe. If you get a seat on the top floor there is a great view of the bar, and it is probably best not to ask what is in all the little jars around you.

How much money do I need to see Brussels in a day?

One of the things that pleasantly surprised us about Brussels was how affordable it was. We budgeted €100 each for a day in Brussels, and we didn’t even come close to spending that. And keep in mind this was us going out for food, and drink, buying souvenirs, paying for attractions, and getting from the airport.

If you stick to the centre of Brussels most of the attractions are within walking distance, so you won’t have to spend much on public transport (just the transport for getting into the centre). Most city centre attractions are either free (like walking around the Grand Place, or visiting the Manneken Pis. Others are relatively cheap like the Choco-Story which is under €10, or the Comic Book Centre which is about €12.

Also if you are eating things like Frites, and waffles, you won’t be spending a ton of money. I think where most of our budget went was on cocktails and souvenirs in the form of fancy chocolate. So that being said we think around €100 between 2 is probably doable.

If you happen to be flying into Charleroi and you are getting the bus to Brussels, you also need to set aside about €34 for a return bus fare. So again keep this in mind.

Brussels in a day – Getting here

If you are only spending one day in Brussels, chances are this is part of a planned stopover. In which case your day in Brussels will probably start at one of the cities two airports, or the train station.

There are two airports in Brussels. Brussels Zaventem Airport which is the main airport, and Brussels Charleroi.

From Zaventem Airport

Zaventem is the easier airport to travel from. You can hop on a train into Central Brussels within about 20 minutes. The trains are really frequent with 8 leaving every hour. The train fare will set you back around €12, but this is far cheaper than a taxi.

If you decide to get a taxi straight from the airport this will set you back somewhere between €40-€50. It will also take around 15-20 minutes, so in our opinion you are better off with the train.

From Charleroi

If you are arriving at Charleroi airport, then chances are you are flying with one of the low cost carriers like Ryanair. The airport is about an hour away from the centre of Brussels, and transport options are limited. Your only real public transport option is the Flibco shuttle bus, which departs every 30 minutes. It will take you just under 1 hour to get into the centre of Brussels.

The bus will drop you at Midi Station, and you will need to make your own way into the centre from here. It’s not that far though, only a couple of stops on the train.

From Midi Station

Finally if you happen to be travelling to Brussels via train, including the Eurostar then you will most likely end up at Midi Station. It is only a few minutes train ride into Brussels Central station, so you should be in the midst of all the action in no time.

Getting around during your day in Brussels

The public transport in Brussels in phenomenal. Or at least in our experience anyway. We only really needed to use the train and metro network, which made things a whole lot easier. Tickets can be purchased at all metro stations or train stations, and you can purchase day tickets or tickets for a single journey.

The vast majority of the attractions in this guide are within walking distance of each other, and located in the centre of Brussels. The exceptions being the Atomium, and Mini-Europe. For these you will need to get the metro, but fortunately they are both quite close to each other.

Arriving late? Where to stay for your one day in Brussels

If you are arriving late into Brussels, or departing early the next morning you might be wondering where to stay.

We recommend staying around the Grand Place. The accommodation might be a bit more expensive, but the location is fantastic. You are close to a lot of the main attractions, and most importantly public transport.

We stayed at Hotel Hubert which was only a 5 minute walk from Grand Place. The rooms were modern, and admittedly they were small, but for one day in Brussels it wasn’t a big deal.

If you happen to be arriving into Brussels Midi Station late at night and are looking for nearby accommodation, our recommendation is the YOOMA Urban Lodge. It was around the €100 per night mark, with modern large rooms. It’s about a 10 minute walk from Midi Station, and you walk on some very busy and well lit roads to get here.

Is one day in Brussels enough?

You might be wondering if one day in Brussels is enough? In our opinion no, one day in Brussels isn’t enough time to see everything and get to grips with the city. Ideally you want to spend a good 2 or 3 days in Brussels to really make the most of your time there.

That being said, if you only have the option of seeing Brussels in a day, then all is not lost. It’s not a huge city, and a lot of the key attractions like the museums, the Grand Place, and the Mannikin Pis are located in the centre and within walking distance from each other. So you can cover some good ground by spending a day in Brussels.

Brussels in a day – onward destinations

Chances are if you are doing Brussels in a day it is because you are off to explore some other nearby destinations. Here are some of the more popular ones, and how to get there.

Ghent

Ghent is a really beautiful city located only 30 minutes from Brussels by train. It’s also only 11 Euros to get the train which is a bargain really – especially because in the UK it would be about 5 times that price. You can get the train from Brussels Central Station or Brussels Midi.

The city itself has some incredible architecture, beautiful squares, gorgeous canals and so much more to explore as part of your Ghent itinerary.

Bruges

Another popular destination in Brussels is Bruges. Filled with cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and picturesque canals, you will feel a million miles away from Brussels here.

The good news though is that Bruges is only around hour away from Brussels via train. You can get a train from Brussels Central station for around €10-€15, with a train leaving every 30 minutes.

Here is some further information for a more detailed weekend in Bruges itinerary.

Best time of year to explore Brussels in a day

If you are wondering what the best time of year, to plan your one day in Brussels, we genuinely feel Brussels is a place you can visit year round. There are beautiful parks, and outdoor dining that you can take advantage of in the summer months. In the winter you have lots of museums and comfort food to gorge on when the weather turns bad.

The summer months in Brussels are packed with tourists, particularly in the August. So if you are staying the night, make sure you book your accommodation well in advance for the cheapest rates.

So should I go to Brussels for a day?

If you are wondering if you should go to Brussels for a day, then we highly recommend you do. Ideally you might want an extra day or so, but it is one of those cities that you could realistically visit for a day. Make sure you plan ahead, and you should be ok to enjoy your one day in Brussels.

We hope you enjoy your day in Brussels. If you found this guide useful please do pin it for later. Happy travels.

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