What to do in Brussels in 3 days
The capital of Belgium is a large cosmopolitan city, ideally in the center of Europe, and home to the main institutions of the European Community. This makes Brussels a dynamic city, modern but with an artistic heritage of great value. Here are my tips for a quick visit to the Belgian city and its most famous and nearby centres.
Pratical informations
Brussels is truly at the heart of Europe. Whether you arrive by plane, train or car from the rest of Europe, the city is truly one step away from everything. For those arriving by plane, there are two choices of airports. Interaction Brussels airport, about 15 km north-east of the city, is the largest and connected to the Belgian capital. From here you can reach the city center with a comfortable train, taxi or bus. For those opting for the Brussels South airport in Charleroi, the transfer options are the shuttle operated by flibco.com, taxi or free transfer. Charleroi airport is about 1 hour by car from Brussels but it is an interesting option for the vast range of low cost flights based in this hub of the Ryanair company.
Brussels is quickly accessible by train from London, Paris, Amsterdam and other major European cities.
City center
The discovery of Brussels can only start from its delightful historic centre. To discover the magnificence of the city, the beginning of your tour can only start from the Grand-Place. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world (as claimed by Victor Hugo himself who lived in this square), the Grand-Place is a crossroads for people and tourists. Its cafés and restaurants, the monumental facades of its buildings make this place the true living room of the Belgian capital. Here you will find the Town Hall, the Maison du Roi and the other Guild houses.
From the Grand-Place, head into the surrounding alleys, with their shops, waffle shops and chocolate shops. From here, following the crowds, you will reach one of the symbols of the city, the Manneken-Pis. The statue of the peeing boy is one of the best-known attractions in Brussels. Inevitable a selfie with the “child” who among other things is dressed in different clothes according to the season and the various holidays. A few steps from the Manneken-Pis you can also visit the Museum of its costumes. For perfect equal rights, the Jeanneke-Pis, the female version, as well as the Zinneke-Pis (the dog version!) are also located a few meters away.
While discovering the city center, you cannot miss a walk along the elegant Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, a long shopping arcade where you can find luxury boutiques, chocolate shops and art galleries.
Not far away you can easily reach the Royal Palace, the seat of representation of the Belgian monarchy, and its fascinating park, overrun by citizens and tourists during all seasons of the year.
Further advice? Lose yourself in the narrow streets of Sablon and Marolles, two eclectic neighborhoods a few steps from the centre, or admire the city at sunset from the Ferris wheel in Poelaert, in front of the monumental Palace of Justice.
The most beautiful churches
Lovers of religious architecture cannot fail to visit some jewels of Gothic art, such as the majestic Cathedral of Saint Michel and Saint Gudula, the Church of Our Lady of Sablon, in the charming district of the same name, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
The most emblematic museums
For those wishing to visit museums, Brussels offers a wide choice to suit all tastes.
For art lovers, a visit to Magritte’s surrealist museum (1 Place Royale), entirely dedicated to the painter, the Center belge de la bande dessinée (20, rue des Sables), a museum of comics – let’s not forget that many characters comics such as the Smurfs, Tintin, Lucky Luke were drawn by Belgian artists and you will also find many comic murals in the centre!), the Museées royaux des beaux-arts de Belgique (Rue de la Régence 3) which is the main museum of Flemish painting, but also modern with works by Matisse, Picasso, Gauguin, Dali’ etc.
For those who prefer gastronomy to art, the Chocolate Museum is for you!
The European Quarter
Brussels, as we know, is the capital of the European Union. The city hosts the main institutions of the European community, its Parliament, the Commission, the various national representations as well as interesting museums which offer the visitor an overview of the history of Europe over the last century.
A visit to the visitor center of the Parlamentarium is a must (I recommend booking a visit on the official website) as well as to the Hemicycle, the parliament where the representatives of the 27 countries of the Union meet for the main political decisions of the European Community.
The European Quarter is a stylish modern neighborhood. A walk in the Cinquantenaire Park for a bit of relaxation and maybe a picnic is a must.
Atomium etc.
The quintessential symbol of the city is the Atomium, a steel monument built for the 1958 EXPO. 102 meters high, it reproduces an iron atom magnified 165 billion times! Inside you pass between the spheres of the atom by means of escalators with futuristic lights. An unmissable experience from which you can admire an unmissable view of the surroundings. A few steps from the Atomium you will find the park of Europe in miniature (Mini Europe). A journey through the 27 countries of the European Union (plus the United Kingdom) with reproductions of the most famous European monuments.
For design lovers, you cannot miss a visit to the Design Museum, whose ticket is included in the Atomium + Mini-Europe combined ticket.
To reach the Atomium from the city center, the most convenient way is the subway, line 6, to the Heysel station.
Shopping etc...
Shopping lovers will find bread for their teeth. The main streets are: Avenue Louise (wide avenue with the most luxurious boutiques), Boulevard de Waterloo and Rue Neuve. Every day there is also a Flea Market, that of Marolles and Place du Jeu de Balle from 6 am to 2 pm.
For restaurants and various clubs, the list is immense. One of the most famous breweries, where they have been producing family-run beer for more than a century, is the Brasserie Cantillon (Rue Gheude 56). Among the most popular we also find the Delirium café (Impasse de la Fidélité 4°). Among the chocolatiers, Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier (Rue Ravenstein 2 D), Godiva (Place du Grand Sablon 47/48) and Zaabar (Chaussée de Charleroi 125) stand out.
Typical dishes are, apart from mussels and french fries, gaufres (sweet crepes with various fillings), endive (obviously) cooked in various ways, shrimp crochette, filet americain (beef tartar) and café ligeois ( coffee with cream and ice cream).
Trips out of town
Brussels is about an hour away from other major Belgian tourist destinations. One of the most beloved places is Bruges, about an hour by train from the capital. Bruges captivates millions of tourists every year with its canals, Flemish architecture, chocolate shops and museums. A romantic and fascinating city to visit on foot or by boat along its canals.
About an hour from Brussels I recommend the second city of Belgium, Antwerp. A visit to the important city of Flanders, one of the largest ports in Europe, is a must-do if you happen to be in Brussels. Its main square, its museums (including that of Rubens) and the elegance of its streets, make Antwerp a real jewel in Europe.
