Brussels

Grand Place grandeur, moules-frites and flea-market finds

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Brussels rewards unhurried exploring, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include the Grand Place, the Atomium and the Magritte Museum. Food lovers should not miss Chez Leon and Fin de Siecle. Below you will find 20 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, markets and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Brussels at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: late spring to early autumn
Highlights: Grand Place and the Atomium
Where to stay: the historic centre and Sablon
Local picks: 20 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable centre, plus STIB metro and trams

Where to stay in Brussels

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Atomium

Brussels’ most famous landmark, built for the 1958 World Fair as an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Ride up to the top sphere for panoramic city views and exhibitions inside the connecting tubes. Adult entry is around 16 euros.

Aux Armes de Bruxelles

A classic brasserie in the Ilot Sacre serving traditional Belgian cuisine, from shrimp croquettes to waterzooi, with old-school service and charm.

Brussels Beer Tasting Tour

Belgium is a beer superpower, and a guided tasting tour is the tastiest way in, sampling Trappist, lambic and abbey brews in historic Brussels bars with a local expert.

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour

A walking and tasting tour through the city’s finest chocolatiers and the elegant Galeries Royales, learning what makes Belgian chocolate special along the way.

Chez Leon

A Brussels institution near the Grand Place serving moules-frites, mussels and fries, since 1893, the go-to for the city’s signature dish.

Fin de Siecle

A lively, no-reservations Brussels favourite serving hearty Belgian classics like stoofvlees and rabbit in beer, generous and full of atmosphere.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

An elegant 1847 glass-roofed shopping arcade, one of Europe’s oldest, lined with chocolatiers, cafes and boutiques. Free to wander and lovely in any weather.

Goupil le Fol

Well it’s probably one of the weirdest places you’ll ever see in Brussels because it is a really really underground bar, with rooms hidden everywhere and it is quite nice to walk…

Grand Place

One of Europe’s most beautiful squares and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ringed by ornate guild houses and the Gothic Town Hall. Free to visit and dazzling when lit at night.

Grand Place & Old Town Walking Tour

A guided stroll through the Grand Place, the medieval lanes, Manneken Pis and Saint-Gery, with the history and legends behind Brussels’ Old Town.

Magritte Museum

A museum devoted to Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte, holding the world’s largest collection of his work, from bowler hats to floating apples, on the Kunstberg art hill.

Manneken Pis

The tiny, cheeky bronze fountain of a boy that has become Brussels’ most beloved mascot, regularly dressed in hundreds of different costumes through the year.

Marche du Midi

One of Europe’s largest markets, taking over the streets around Brussels-Midi station every Sunday morning with more than 450 stalls of produce, fish, Moroccan pastries and spices.

Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

The MIM houses thousands of instruments from around the world inside a stunning Art Nouveau building, with headphones that play each as you pass and a rooftop cafe with city views.

Place du Jeu de Balle Flea Market

A daily flea market in the Marolles held since 1919, with around 300 stalls of antiques, curios, art and second-hand treasures. Come early for the best finds.

Place Sainte-Catherine Market

A central market square with stalls several days a week, strong on Belgian farm cheeses, North Sea fish, charcuterie and fresh oysters, plus organic produce on Wednesdays.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

Six galleries holding more than 20,000 works from the 15th to 21st centuries, including Flemish masters like Bruegel and Rubens, at the heart of Brussels’ art quarter.

Before you go

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Brussels travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Brussels?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Brussels at a relaxed pace, with time for the Grand Place, a museum or two and a flea-market morning in the Marolles.

Where is the best area to stay in Brussels?

The historic centre around the Grand Place is the most convenient base for a first visit, while Sablon and Ixelles offer quieter streets with plenty of restaurants and independent shops.

What are the best things to do in Brussels?

Browse the local picks above, from the Grand Place and the Atomium to the Magritte Museum and the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market.

What is the best time to visit Brussels?

Late spring through early autumn brings the mildest weather, and September is especially pleasant with thinner crowds, though Brussels is worth visiting year-round.