Brussels

Travel Guide

La Grand Place which includes street scenes, a castle and a square or plaza
Brussels
Photo provided by Visit Brussels
Mont des Arts featuring a city and a park as well as a couple
Brussels
This cosmopolitan capital city is a melting pot of languages, cultures and traditions, and the perfect destination for the discerning gourmand.

Located in the heart of Belgium, Brussels is a bustling hub with a vibrant and diverse population. Immigrants from all over the world have made this city their home, enhancing its already rich culture and cuisine. Belgium has two main national languages, French and Flemish, and you'll see evidence of this linguistic cohabitation on street names and signs all over the capital.

Brussels is a great city to explore on foot. It may be the largest metropolitan area in the country, but its centre is compact and full of historical buildings and period architecture. Take a stroll through the city centre and, as you meander through the attractive streets, learn a bit about this young nation's history. Visit the Royal Palace of Brussels on the edge of Brussels Park, then walk through the park itself to see where the Belgian Revolution began. No trip to Brussels would be complete without a visit to the Manneken Pis. This world-famous statue of a urinating child gives you an insight into the national sense of humour.

The city has some great museums, and the vibrant BELvue, dedicated to the country's political, military and royal history is highly recommended. Modern masterpieces can be seen at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

Belgium is famous the world over for its chocolate, beer and dairy produce. Brussels' lively, restaurant-lined Place du Grand Sabon is a great place to sample some of the country's culinary delights, or stock up on some antiques. The Cantillon Brewery, meanwhile, is an absolute must for beer enthusiasts as well as seeing how their century-old beer is made, you'll be able to sample some of the fine finished product.

Summers in Brussels can be damp but, because the temperature doesn't generally exceed 25 degrees Celsius, it can be an oasis of cool when temperatures elsewhere in Europe are soaring. You can fly to Brussels International Airport, but with Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam so close, many opt to come by high-speed train or Eurostar. There are no less than 19 municipalities in the city, all of which are connected by a reasonably priced and reliable metro system.

Where to stay in Brussels

Default Image

Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk, you might enjoy attractions like La Grand Place and Rue des Bouchers. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's fascinating museums before hopping on the metro at Bourse-Beurs Station to see more of the city.

Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk
Default Image

Grand-Place

If you're spending some time in Grand-Place, La Grand Place and Royal Theatre Toone are top sights worth seeing.

Grand-Place
Default Image

Ixelles

Consider a visit to Avenue Louise and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Ixelles. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Dautzenberg Tram Stop or Flagey Tram Stop.

Ixelles
Default Image

Sint-Gillis

Noted for its coffee shops and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Sint-Gillis. Top attractions like Brussels South Railway Station and Saint Gilles Town Hall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bethléem Tram Stop or Guillaume Tell Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Sint-Gillis
Jubilee Park featuring heritage architecture and a garden

European Quarter

4/5(90 area reviews)

Travellers choose European Quarter for its great bars. Hop aboard the metro at Maalbeek-Maelbeek Station or Arts-Loi - Kunst-Wet Station and check out top sights like Schumanplein.

European Quarter
Default Image

Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk

Get to know Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk and its many features like its museums and live music. You might want to explore sights like Royal Palace of Brussels and Place Royale, and you can jump on the metro at Palais Tram Stop or Royale Tram Stop to get around the city.

Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk
Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
4.5 out of 5
Place Victor Horta 1, Brussels
The price is S$178 per night from 4 May to 5 May
S$178
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Brussels. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Clean and easy to park. Lovely surrounding area. Only stayed one night."

Reviewed on 9 Apr, 2025

Pullman Brussels Centre Midi
The Hotel
The Hotel
4 out of 5
38 Boulevard de Waterloo, Brussels
The price is S$216 per night from 4 May to 5 May
S$216
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Brussels. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,166 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 6 Apr, 2025

The Hotel
Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection
Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
AVENUE DU BOULEVARD 14, Brussels
The price is S$208 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$208
includes taxes & fees
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Brussels. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions La Grand Place and Royal Palace ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (317 reviews)
"Na"

Reviewed on 5 Apr, 2025

Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi
Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi
3 out of 5
33 Bd du Midi, Brussels, Bruxelles
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and climate control. Popular attractions La Grand Place and Royal Palace of ...
6.2/10 (267 reviews)
"It's a budget property, in a less than popular area, close the the midi station and a short walk to everything in the city centre. The out of hours arrangement was perfectly ok, though getting through the front door was challenging. All the icons were rubbed out, so makes it difficult to press the ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar, 2025

Résidence Midi 33 - Bruxelles Midi
Aparthotel Adagio Access Brussels Delta
Aparthotel Adagio Access Brussels Delta
3 out of 5
Boulevard du Triomphe 207 - 1160, Brussels
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (206 reviews)
"I am over satisfied to stay at Adagio, the staffs are so helpful, kind, available, respectful, open mind,. therefore it become my favourite place in Brussels. i thank the Adagio personal to make my stay pleased"

Reviewed on 13 Mar, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Access Brussels Delta
Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
3 out of 5
51 Quai Au Bois A Bruler, Brussels
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Brussels. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,298 reviews)
"Love are stay at this apartment. We were very well welcome and had easy access to their private secure parking lot just under the building for 20 euros. It is close to everything. Lots of restaurant around the hotel even offers free coffee 24/7. Apartment was well equipped with all the amenities ..."

Reviewed on 8 Mar, 2025

Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Brussels

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
226
5 - Excellent 34%
4 - Good
325
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
92
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
15
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
6
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Usually this is a great place to spend a few days. However, all cafés, restaurants, museums etc are now closed because of the coronavirus, and non food shops are closed at weekends.

4/5 - Good

Hannah

Brussels is a beautiful city with great architecture. Only downside is that it’s quite expensive there.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

A building site, lovely when finished I'm sure. Town centre a bit dirty sadly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not really safe as a capital

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Well hidden ‘secret’, an ‘unusual’ place to visit well worth visiting.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Sandemans free walking tour was a great way to get to know the main city sights - you just pay what you think it's worth :-) A quick visit the the EU parliament was interesting and very welcoming - so sad that the UK has left :-(