Capital of Europe—world's best chocolate, authentic Belgian waffles, 1000+ beers, stunning Grand Place, and surprising comic strip culture.
Brussels surprises with world-class architecture, quirky statues, comic strip murals, and of course, chocolate and beer everywhere!
UNESCO World Heritage Square - Brussels' stunning centerpiece. Gilded guildhalls, Town Hall, breathtaking at night. Flower carpet event (Aug, every 2 years). Surrounded by chocolate shops, cafés. Must-see! Most beautiful square in Europe.
Famous tiny bronze statue of peeing boy (61cm!). Symbol of Brussels' irreverent humor. Over 1000 costumes worn on special occasions. Surprisingly small - tourists often disappointed but it's iconic. Nearby: Jeanneke Pis (girl) & Zinneke Pis (dog)!
Iconic 102m atom structure from 1958 World's Fair. Futuristic building, panoramic views, exhibitions inside, restaurant at top. Take metro Line 6 to Heysel. Kids love it! Best views of Brussels. Unique architecture - Instagram gold!
Palace open July-September only (FREE!). Belgian art museums: Magritte Museum (surrealist), Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Musical Instruments Museum (MIM with rooftop café!). Museum Pass available. Art lovers' paradise!
60+ giant comic murals throughout city! Tintin, Smurfs, Lucky Luke born in Belgium. Belgian Comic Strip Center museum. Walking trail map from tourist office. Unique Brussels attraction. Hunt for murals - fun activity!
EU Parliament, European Commission buildings. Parlamentarium visitor center FREE. See where EU laws are made. Modern architecture. Interesting for politics nerds. Less touristy, more business district vibe.
Beautiful 19th-century shopping arcade. Luxury shops, chocolatiers (Neuhaus!), cafés, bookstores. Glass-roofed, elegant architecture. Great for window shopping and chocolate buying. Near Grand Place. Covered = good for rainy days!
Miniature park next to Atomium. 350 models of European landmarks at 1:25 scale. Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Colosseum, canals. Interactive, educational, fun for kids and adults. Combined ticket with Atomium available. Cute and quirky!
Belgium is world-famous for three things. Experience all three - it's why you're here!
Best in world! Pralines = filled chocolates. Top chocolatiers: Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus (invented praline!), Godiva, Leonidas (cheaper), Mary. Buy from chocolatiers not tourist shops. Try speculoos chocolate. Take home boxes!
Two types: Brussels waffle (light, rectangular) and Liège waffle (dense, sweet, round). Avoid tourist trap "Belgian waffles" near Grand Place (€8-12, mediocre). Best: Mokafé, Dandoy. Authentic = plain or simple toppings, not fruit/Nutella mountains!
1000+ varieties! Types: Trappist (monk-brewed, Westvleteren #1 in world), Lambic (sour, fruit beers), Abbey ales, Blonde/Dubbel/Tripel. Delirium Café has 2000+ beers! Each beer has specific glass. Respect the craft!
Belgians INVENTED fries (not French!). Double-fried = crispy outside, fluffy inside. 20+ sauces (try Andalouse, Samourai). Maison Antoine (Place Jourdan), Fritland famous. Cone with mayo €3-4. Best drunk food ever!
Mussels + fries = Belgian classic! Cooked in white wine/cream/beer. Huge pot (1kg+), €15-25. Chez Léon famous (touristy but good). Seasonal (Sep-Apr best). Messy, delicious, Belgian staple. Try at brasserie!
Beef stew cooked in Belgian beer with onions, spices. Hearty, sweet-savory. Served with fries or bread. Winter comfort food. Every brasserie serves it. Traditional Flemish dish. Try at Nüetnigenough or Fin de Siècle!
Brussels has temperate climate. Rainy year-round (umbrella essential!). Best months for decent weather and events.
Best time! 10-20°C, flowers blooming, outdoor terraces open. April driest month! Fewer tourists than summer. Perfect for chocolate tours and beer terraces. Pack light jacket and umbrella.
18-23°C, warmest but busiest. Grand Place Flower Carpet (Aug, every 2 years - check dates!). Summer festivals, outdoor events. Still rain possible. Can be humid. Book hotels early. Higher prices.
Second best! 12-18°C, golden leaves, fewer crowds. Belgian Beer Weekend (September). Good prices. Cozy season for brasseries and chocolate cafés. Rain increases. Beautiful and atmospheric!
3-8°C, cold, grey, wet. Christmas markets (late Nov-Dec) beautiful! Winter Wonders festival. Cheap accommodation. Dark by 5pm. Good for museums, indoor attractions. Cozy for hot chocolate and beer cafés.
Brussels rains 200+ days/year! Never without umbrella and waterproof jacket. Drizzle more common than downpours. Don't let it stop you - locals don't! Covered shopping galleries useful. Rain = cozy café time!
Grand Place Christmas market, light shows, ice skating, festive food stalls. Late November-early January. Winter Wonders event. Beautiful despite cold! Hot chocolate, mulled wine, waffles. Magical atmosphere!
Brussels is compact. Choose based on priorities: central location, EU quarter, trendy areas, or budget.
Most convenient, main sights walking distance, restaurants, shops, Grand Place. Tourist-central, expensive, noisy, lots of tourist traps. Best for first-timers, short stays. Easy but less authentic.
Trendy area near Grand Place. Old fish market, seafood restaurants, cafés, bars. More local vibe than Grand Place. Good restaurants (Place Sainte-Catherine). Mix of tourists and locals. Great choice!
Residential, multicultural, Flagey square, antique markets (Place du Châtelain), cheaper restaurants, African/Arab shops. 20min walk to center. Local atmosphere. Younger, artsy vibe. Good value!
EU Parliament area. Modern, business hotels, international restaurants. Dead on weekends (everyone leaves!). Good for EU business. Less character, boring evenings. Skip unless on business.
Upscale, Royal Palace, museums, antique shops, chocolate shops (Pierre Marcolini!), elegant. More expensive. Beautiful area. Grand Sablon square weekend antique market. Refined and classy.
Convenient for trains, budget hotels, walking distance to everything. Area can feel less charming. Good for short stays or budget. Easy Bruges/Antwerp day trips. Practical not picturesque.
City center walkable. Metro/tram/bus excellent. Taxis expensive. No need for car in city!
STIB/MIVB network excellent. Buy JUMP ticket €7.50 (1 day unlimited). Validate on entry. Metro 4 lines (Atomium = Line 6). Trams for short hops. Runs 5:30am-midnight. Weekend night service.
City center compact (2km across). Grand Place to Atomium = metro needed. Comfortable shoes (cobblestones!). Most attractions within 20min walk. Best way to discover comic murals and hidden spots!
Expensive (€8 flag + €2-3/km). Uber available and often cheaper. Only use metered taxis. Generally unnecessary - public transport excellent. Good for airport late at night. Not needed daily.
Bike-share system. Not as bike-friendly as Amsterdam (hills, cobblestones, traffic). OK for Parks/outside center. City center better walking. €3.50/day pass. 30min free per trip.
Train to Central Station (€10, 20min, every 15min). Cheapest option. Bus €7 (takes longer). Taxi €40-50 (avoid at arrival - overpriced). Airport 12km northeast. Train best value!
Belgium small = easy day trips! Bruges 1hr (€15), Ghent 30min (€10), Antwerp 45min (€8). Trains frequent and reliable. Weekend tickets cheaper. Brussels perfect base for exploring Belgium!
Brussels mid-range for Western Europe. Cheaper than Paris/Amsterdam, more expensive than Eastern Europe.
Belgium is tiny! Brussels perfect base. Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp all under 1 hour by train. Easy day trips!
1-hour train (€15). Medieval fairytale town, canals, chocolate, lace, Belfry tower. Most visited Belgian city. Packed with tourists but stunning. Half-day or full day. Train every hour. Must-visit!
30-min train (€10). Less touristy than Bruges, beautiful canals, Gravensteen castle, Saint Bavo Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece), student city vibe. Great restaurants. Underrated gem. Full day recommended!
45-min train (€8). Diamond district, fashion capital, Rubens paintings, cathedral, MAS Museum, trendy shopping. More modern than Bruges/Ghent. Fashion lovers paradise. Half-day or full day.
3-hour train (€20-30). Different country! Dramatic fortifications, gorges, modern EU institutions, medieval old town. Expensive but interesting. Long day trip or weekend extension. Unique architecture!
30-min train (€7). University town, Town Hall (Gothic masterpiece), Stella Artois brewery, student atmosphere, cheap bars. Less touristy. Great for beer lovers. Half-day trip. Local experience!
20km south. Where Napoleon met defeat (1815). Lion's Mound memorial, museum, battlefield panorama. History buffs love it. Take bus or join tour. Half day. Important European history site!
Avoid shops within 100m of Grand Place (tourist prices!). Best: Pierre Marcolini (expensive, best quality), Neuhaus (invented praline), Mary (Royal warrant), Leonidas (good quality, affordable). Ask for fresh pralines!
Restaurants immediately on Grand Place (€€€, mediocre). "Belgian waffles" near tourist sites (fake). Manneken Pis area restaurants. Walk 2 blocks away = half price, better quality. Locals eat where rent is cheaper!
Delirium Café (2000+ beers, Guinness Record!), Moeder Lambic (craft beer focus), À la Mort Subite (historic café, 1928), Cantillon Brewery (sour lambic tour). Each beer has specific glass - respect tradition!
Grand Place, Manneken Pis, comic strip murals, Royal Palace (Jul-Sep), Parlamentarium EU center, parks (Cinquantenaire, Brussels Park), Sunday markets, window shopping Galeries Royales. Budget-friendly city!
€28-55 (1-3 days). Includes: museums, public transport, discounts. Worth it only if visiting 3+ museums daily + using transport. Most attractions free or cheap anyway. Calculate before buying!
Brussels bilingual: French south, Dutch north. Most speak English! Use "Bonjour/Goedendag" (hello) politely. Locals appreciate effort. Don't assume language - ask preference. EU brings international mix. Very multilingual!