Brussels stands as the center of the European Union, with historic attraction and fashionable power permeating by way of Belgium’s capital. The compact metropolis centre places main sights inside strolling distance, making it superb for a in the future Brussels itinerary.
Are you craving world-class goodies, trying to find comedian guide murals, or eager to marvel at gold-gilded structure? Brussels is the place for you – the town packs centuries of tradition into its walkable core. With cautious planning, you may expertise the town’s highlights in simply 24 hours, from the UNESCO-listed Grand Place to the stylish meals markets.
Time to see how one can spend in the future in Brussels with my helpful itinerary plus tips about transport, getting round and the place to remain.
Statue within the Old Masters Museum
Planning Tips For One Day in Brussels
Map Of Things To Do In Brussels
While I couldn’t match all the pieces into in the future in Brussels, I’m completely satisfied to share my analysis that will help you plan your go to. I hope this map of issues to do in Brussels turns into a useful information for exploring the town.
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Lindemans Beer in Biergarten
Getting to Brussels by Train
Brussels’ central location and powerful rail connections make it simply accessible from most main European cities, and essentially the most sustainable transport choice. I arrived from Amsterdam on the European Sleeper and departed from Brussels to London on the Eurostar.
The Eurostar connects London to Brussels in simply 2 hours, whereas the Thalys high-speed community hyperlinks Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne on to the Belgian capital. Train journey cuts CO2 emissions by as much as 90% in comparison with flying.
For the most effective ticket costs, guide your journey 2-3 months forward – Eurostar does flexi-tickets so you may all the time change your dates and pay the additional in case your plans change.
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Eurostar in Brussels
Tips for Sustainable Sightseeing in Brussels
Brussels’ structure makes strolling a superb approach to expertise the town. Most main sights sit inside a 20-minute stroll of one another, letting you’re taking on the street life, structure, and native tradition at your individual tempo.
The STIB-MIVB public transport community gives a frequent service. Single tickets price €2.30, whereas day passes run €8.90 – each out there at station machines or by way of the STIB app. Metro strains 1 and 5 join most vacationer spots, operating from 5:30 AM to midnight on weekdays and 6 AM – 12:30 PM at weekends.
For biking followers, the Villo! bike-sharing system maintains 360 stations throughout Brussels. Pick up bikes utilizing a bank card at automated stands – the primary half-hour are free with a day go. The flat metropolis centre fits informal riders, with devoted bike lanes on main routes.
Consider buying the Brussels Card. Depending in your size of keep, they’re legitimate for twenty-four, 48 or 72 hours after first activation, and might get monetary savings on particular person entrance to 49+ museums and sights, reductions in eating places and bars, and free public transport or offers on Villo! bike rental.
|| YOU MAY LIKE TO READ MY GHENT CITY GUIDE
How To Spend One Day In Brussels
Visit the Musée Magritte Museum
René Magritte is one in every of Belgium’s most well-known surrealist artists and I jumped on the probability to go to the Musée Magritte Museum devoted to his life and works. Located within the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, it homes the world’s largest assortment of Magritte’s work and drawings.
As I wandered by way of the galleries, I used to be mesmerised by his dreamlike imagery, intelligent illusions, and thought-provoking symbolism. From iconic items like Forbidden Literature to lesser-known works, the Musée Magritte Museum is a must-visit attraction in Brussels.
“The Infinite Reconnaissance” on the Magritte Museum
|| TOP TIP: Grab a Brussels Museum Pass for 49+ sights with an choice to incorporate public tranport
Visit The Old Masters Museum
The Old Masters Museum showcases an unbelievable assortment of European work from the fifteenth to 18th centuries. Part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, it options nice works by Flemish and Dutch artists like Rubens, Bruegel, and Van Dyck, alongside works from the Italian and Spanish faculties.
Admittedly, the Old Masters and spiritual iconography usually are not my scene. However, I liked wandering by way of the galleries, admiring among the colossal Baroque work and smaller Renaissance particulars. When I found the work of Tobias Verhaecht, the tiny particulars in his huge landscapes drew me into his masterpiece.
Old Masters Museum
Walk round Jardin du Mont des Arts
The Jardin du Mont des Arts is a fantastically landscaped city backyard, initially envisioned by King Leopold II within the early twentieth century. It was first developed as a short lived backyard for the 1910 Universal Exhibition earlier than being redesigned within the Nineteen Fifties by architect René Pechère.
Also known as the Garden of the Kunstberg, the best vantage level is from the elevated platform just under Koningsplein (Place Royale) with sights of symmetrical flower beds and the spire of the Town Hall. It’s among the many greatest views in Brussels regardless of the season.
Jardin du Mont des Arts
Lunch within the WOLF Sharing Food Market
Take a lunch break at WOLF Sharing Food Market — it doesn’t matter what you’re craving, there’s a avenue meals stall for everybody, from Belgian flavours to Mediterranean, Asian, Peruvian and vegan dishes.
Housed in a fantastically transformed former financial institution, this buzzing meals corridor has communal seating and a cool industrial vibe with upcycled decor. I all the time love attempting native craft beers once I journey, so WOLF was excellent with a microbrewery on-site. They companion with Belgoo, identified for high-fermentation and natural brews. I used to be very happy, munching on a samosa, sipping a traditional Belgian ale, and watching the world go by!
WOLF Sharing Food Market || REVIEWS || LOCATION
Brewery at WOLF Sharing Food Market
Enjoy the Grand-Place
The Grand-Place in Brussels, also called the Grote Markt, is a shocking UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates again to the twelfth century. The very first thing that caught my eye was the gold-adorned buildings and the unbelievable mixture of Baroque, Gothic, and neo-Gothic structure surrounding the sq.. I couldn’t cease wanting round, taking in each intricate element, from the guild halls to the Town Hall and the Maison du Roi (King’s House). Everywhere I turned, there was one thing spectacular to admire – it’s simple to see why the Grand-Place is taken into account probably the most stunning squares in Europe
|| BOOK A GUIDED TOUR || FREE Walking Tour of Brussels OR verify different Brussels Walking Tours
Grand-Place in Brussels
Visit The Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is a small bronze statue of a boy urinating in a fountain basin. Despite its modest measurement, this quirky cultural icon has captured the hearts of many and has turn into one in every of Brussels’ most well-known landmarks.
Designed by sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy within the early seventeenth century, Manneken Pis is surrounded by quite a few legends. One well-known story recounts a younger boy saving the town by urinating on a fireplace to extinguish it, whereas one other story tells of a boy relieving himself throughout a siege, taunting enemy troopers and lifting the spirits of the locals.
The statue is greater than only a vacationer attraction; it performs a major function in native customs and celebrations. Manneken Pis is a mode icon with a wardrobe of over 1,000 costumes and even has an official dresser. Yes, you heard that proper! In 1755, an act was handed whereby the City of Brussels formally appointed an individual with the only authority to decorate Manneken Pis — a practice that continues to this present day. His outfits are ceremoniously modified for particular events, holidays and cultural occasions.
Explore The Street Art in Brussels
Brussels is known for its Comic Strip Route, the place larger-than-life murals rejoice iconic Belgian comics like Tintin, The Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. But past the comics, I liked recognizing thought-provoking graffiti, political artwork, and gorgeous large-scale items by artists like Phlegm, Bonom and ROA.
I used to be in my component exploring Brussels’ open-air gallery, recognizing daring murals and provoking avenue artwork tucked away in its streets and alleyways. With simply in the future in Brussels, I barely scratched the floor of their city artwork scene. Next time I go to Belgium’s capital, taking a avenue artwork tour of Brussels might be on the prime of my record.
Dinner in The Beer’s Garden
I wished to flee the vacationer crowds round Grand Place, so I headed to Place Sainte-Catherine, identified for its nice neighbourhood vibe. With the solar shining, I grabbed a spot for dinner al fresco at The Beer’s Garden, proper by the attractive St. Catherine’s Church.
I went for stoofvlees, a standard Flemish beef stew, served with Belgian fries. I washed it down with a Lindemans beer — a family-run brewery from Vlezenbeek that specialises in lambic beers. Sitting again with my drink, digging into my scrumptious meals and appreciating the full of life sq. was the proper approach to wrap up my day in Brussels.
The Beer’s Garden || REVIEWS || LOCATION
Stoofvlees with Belgian fries and a beer
PIN for One Day in Brussels
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