You’ve landed in Brussels. What next? Stay or go?
Brussels has world class art, architecture, and cultural history. But it’s wrapped in a messy, lived in capital city vibe.
For some, that’s authentic and energizing. For others, it feels underwhelming compared to smaller, more polished Belgian towns like Bruges.
So yes, for some, it’s kind of a love-it-or-leave-it place.
Grand Place stuns. But the rest of the city can take effort (and a good guide) to fully appreciate.
I think I would’ve felt more love if my bag hadn’t been stolen at the airport. That’s never a good way to meet a new city.
Still, I think Brussels will appeal, if you’re discerning, don’t hate cities, and dig deep. I liked it more and more each day honestly.
Overview & Tips
Here’s how I recommend spending 2 days in Brussels. You don’t have to see it all of course. But these are the best options:
Day 1: Classic Brussels & Art Highlights
- Grand Place – Marvel at Brussels’ UNESCO-listed central square
- Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – Browse historic arcades and elegant shops
- Mont des Arts – Scenic viewpoint and cultural heart of the city
- Musical Instruments Museum – Housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building
- Magritte Museum – Discover surrealism at its finest
- Old Masters Museum – Flemish and Belgian masterpieces spanning centuries
- Sablon – Explore antiques, chocolate shops, and charming streets
- Rue de Boucher – restaurant row
Day 2: Modern Icons & Art Nouveau Treasures
- Atomium – Brussels’ futuristic landmark and panoramic views
- Mini-Europe – Whimsical, miniature version of Europe next to Atomium
- Horta Museum – Step inside the home of the Art Nouveau master
- Maison Hannon – A newly restored Art Nouveau gem
- St. -Giles – Brussels’ most eclectic and foodie-friendly neighborhoods
- Ixelles – Trendy neighborhood with great food and architecture
For a city of its prominence and size, I still think Brussels can be seen relatively quickly. 2 days is the perfect amount of time.
If you’re pressed for time and have a short agenda, you could also easily visit the city on a day trip from Bruges or Ghent.
In high season, here’s what you’ll probably want to book in advance:
Day 1: Central Brussels + Museums
Start your day at Brussels’ showstopper: the Grand Place. It’s the city’s main square and a certified jaw-dropper, even if you’re sharing it with a crowd.
Surrounded by ornate Baroque guild houses, the old City Hall, and the King’s House, it’s a place that delivers a real wow moment.
For the best photos (and a very brief moment of quiet), arrive early. The light hits the historic facades beautifully. And you’ll get clearer views of the narrow cobbled lanes radiating from the square.
Look up and spot the Town Hall’s towering spire. It’s the tallest in the square and the architectural anchor.
The Gothic style building dates back to the 15th century and is the oldest structure on the square. Its facade is lavishly decorated with over 150 statues of saints, nobles, and historic figures.
You can tour the interior on a one hour guided visit. Though honestly, I didn’t find it particularly memorable.
Every other August, the Grand Place transforms into a spectacle of color with its famous flower carpet. It’s laid out by florists using nearly a million begonias. If your timing’s right, it’s worth seeing.
A short stroll away, stop at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for coffee or a chocolate tasting. This elegant glass roofed arcade may remind you of Paris’ covered passages.
Or, go more casual: grab a Belgian waffle or some fries to go. Get a topping other than ketchup! Or settle into a cafe just off the main square for mussels and people watching.
If you must, swing by to see Manneken Pis. He’s Brussels’ bafflingly beloved mascot.
It’s a small bronze statue of a peeing boy, meant to reflect the city’s irreverent spirit. To me, it felt like a punchline without a setup.
But it’s a local icon. And yes, he occasionally wears costumes.
Just a block away, the Chocolate Museum (Choco-Story Brussels) offers a deep dive into Belgium’s most delicious export—complete with demonstrations and samples.
>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket
Next, walk uphill to Mont des Arts, where you’ll find sweeping views of the city and geometric gardens below. It’s one of the best panoramas in central Brussels.
On your way to the big museums, make time for the Museum of Musical Instruments. It’s a spectacular niche museum housed in a striking Art Nouveau building. With over 1,500 instruments and quirky audio guides, it’s one of Brussels’ hidden gems.
Then head to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. Start in the Magritte Museum. This is, after all, Magritte’s city.
In 2023, the museum underwent a renovation to celebrate the surrealist’s 125th birthday, adding 29 new works and a giant green apple perched on the roof. It’s a sly nod to Magritte’s signature surrealism.
Inside, the museum explores his bizarre, brilliant world, from early sketches and ad designs to famous pieces like The Treachery of Images (“Ceci n’est pas une pipe”) and lesser-known gems like Untitled [A Box at the Theatre].
Your ticket also includes admission to the Old Masters Museum in the same building.
Here, reality returns in a flourish of Bruegel peasants, Rubens drama, and sweeping Flemish landscapes.
Brussels-born Pieter Bruegel the Elder is getting a second life here.
Cinematic exhibits and interactive features that spotlight his eerie masterpiece The Fall of the Rebel Angels. It’s a hallucinatory clash between archangel Michael and a seven headed beast.
Once you’ve had your fill of surrealism and saints, make your way to the elegant Sablon neighborhood. It’s a chic corner of Brussels lined with antique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes.
Pop into the Église Notre-Dame du Sablon, a gorgeous Gothic church currently undergoing renovations. Even with some scaffolding, its soaring arches and stained glass are still worth a peek.
Then, treat yourself to artisan chocolate at Pierre Marcolini or Passion Chocolat. Honestly, Belgian chocolate ruined me. I haven’t looked at a Hershey’s bar the same way since.
If time allows, wander past the Royal Palace. It’s stately from the outside, but only open to visitors in the summer.
It boasts a Neo-Classical facade with grand columns and a formal, symmetrical design.
Inside, a highlight is the Mirror Room, with a ceiling partially covered in iridescent green jewel beetle wings by artist Jan Fabre. It’s a tad strange, unexpected, and oddly beautiful.
If you want to sample Belgium beer, the world’s best, consider Brussels Beer Project, just a short walk from the Sainte-Catherine area. It’s a modern, experimental microbrewery known for creative, often rotating beers (IPAs, saisons, fruit sours, etc.)
End your day with a casual dinner back near city center. You can try Rue des Bouchers, the “restaurant street.”
But choose carefully because many of the restaurants here are tourist traps. Ignore the hustlers who try to get you into their eateries. I tried La Roue d’Or off the main drag and it was cozy with good rabbit.
You could also return to Ixelles or Saint-Gilles for something authentic. Or go on a guided food tour with Secret Foods. Those are always fun.
You don’t have to settle for stuffy French food, if you don’t choose. Brussels is becoming a culinary powerhouse. You’ll find Korean, Latin America and Morocco cookeries.
Day 2: Atomium + Horta + Street Life
Atomium
Take the metro to Heysel and visit the Atomium.
Built in the 1950s, It’s replica of an iron molecule with nine aluminum clad spheres.
The roughly 300 foot tall lattice is kitschy, yet cool, especially the views from the retro-futurist cafe at its summit.
An elevator with a glass ceiling will shoot up a 300 foot shaft to an upscale restaurant. It’s equipped with custom Vitra reproductions of a 1960 Verner Panton chair and 1950’s Belgian porcelain reissued by Royal Boch.
A ticket (pre-book in high season to avoid lines) gives you access to the panoramic sphere at the top. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions inside the other spheres. And it’s all connected with escalators and elevators.
Mini-Europe
Mini-Europe is right next to the Atomium.
It’s a fun, quirky outdoor park with miniature versions of Europe’s most famous monuments (Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, etc.).
It’s surprisingly detailed and makes a good combo visit. Especially if you’re traveling with kids or want to see all of Europe in an hour.
>>> Click here to pre-book a Mini-Europe ticket
Afternoon:
If you are into Art Nouveau (I am) head south to the magnificent Horta Museum in the eastern part of Saint-Gilles neighborhood (metro + tram or direct taxi).
Victor Horta and his contemporaries pioneered Art Nouveau. It’s a style that infused colors and forms from nature into furniture, art, and architecture.
It’s one of the most important early 20th century buildings in Brussels.
If you’ve admired the Art Nouveau architecture in Barcelona, you’ll see that the Brussels version is more elegant and refined with a heavy use of iron work.
Every detail is integrated, with no hard edges. Just flowing lines, inspired by plants and vines.
The staircase is the real showpiece. Iron railings curl like tendrils, and the form spirals organically, drawing the eye upward like a blooming stem.
To top that, the museum is surrounded by elegant Art Nouveau townhouses.
Many were designed by Victor Horta or his contemporaries. To see some of the finest facades in the city, take a stroll along:
- Rue Américaine
- Rue Africaine
- Avenue Louise
- Avenue Brugmann
>>> Click here to book a 3 hour Art Nouveau tour
Maison Hannon
Just a 5 minute walk from the Horta Museum is the newly restored Art Nouveau house-turned-museum, Maison Hanon.
Opened in 2023, it’s a beautiful blend of Belgian and French Art Nouveau. It’s often overlooked and far less crowded than the Horta Museum.
Built in 1904 as architect Jules Brunfaut’s one and only flirtation with Art Nouveau, this striking house is a showcase of the style’s decorative drama. There are allegorical frescoes, jewel-toned stained glass, curving ironwork, and symbolic flair packed into every detail.
After your visit, return to city center or spend time in Ixelles for a more relaxed, local feel. These are great places to unwind and see another side of Brussels.
Ixelles pond is scenic, tree-lined place surrounded by elegant townhouses. In Flagey Square, you’ll find fresh produce, cheeses, flowers, and casual food stalls.
If you stay for dinner, try La Buvette, Humphrey, Le Clan des Belges, or something lively near Place Fernand Cocq.
Alternatively, since you’re already in St.-Giles, you can dine there. It’s one of Brussels’ most eclectic and foodie-friendly neighborhoods: artistic, slightly bohemian, and packed with great dining.
Some good options for dinner are Le Chou de Bruxelles (mussels) or Brasserie de l’Union (Art Deco brasserie where the locals go).
Practical Info & Tips For Brussels
How To Get There
Brussels has two airports. Most flights come into the Zavebntem.
As I mentioned above, on my last visit, my bag was taken from the airport by someone with a similar looking bag — despite having a prominent name tag.
The airport officials told me this happens about 10-20 x a day, perhaps because Brussels is such a business hub. So, I’d be sure to do whatever you can go make you bag look uniquely yours.
How To Get Around
I walked everywhere in Brussels, using my phone GPS. You can also take the metro, trams, buses, or rent a Lime scooter.
In general, Brussels can be a bit confusing to navigate. There’s no regular grid layout and, as I mentioned, there’s an upper and lower town.
You can also take the hop on hop off bus.
Where To Stay
As you would expect, Brussels has a slew of hotel options.
Hotel Le Dixseptieme is a sleek and luxurious option near Grand Place. Hotel Amigo (Rocco Forte Collection) is also nearby, and features five star elegant art-filled spaces.
Juliana Hotel Brussels is a glamorous hotel with Art Deco–inspired interiors. The Dominican is the place to go or modern luxury and moody interiors.
On my most recent visit, I stayed at the 4 star Le Louise Hotel Brussels – MGallery in Ixelles. I really enjoyed. it.
It’s a chic urban hotel focused on Belgium art and design. As a plus, it’s near Lloyd’s Coffee Shop, which is great breakfast or brunch spot.
When To Visit
Spring in Brussels is fresh, colorful, and not too crowded.
Otherwise, I would opt for September to mid-October or Christmas time.
Language
Brussels is official bilingual. The street signs and maps are in both Dutch and French.
Which, all things considered, is pretty odd. The languages are so different. And, happily, almost everyone speaks English.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 2 days in Brussels itinerary. You may find these other Belgium travel guides useful:
- Best things to do in Ghent
- Best things to do in Bruges
- Guide to the Ghent Altarpiece
- Guide to Ghent’s Gravensteen Castle
- Guide to Bruges’ Groeninge Museum
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