One day in Brussels
Even though I spent a weekend in the city and went on some really nice day trips (one day to Bruges and Groot Bijgaarden Castle) and even took a tulip tour from Amsterdam, that doesn’t mean the city is so big. I can easily say you can see the most important things in one of the European Union’s capitals in one day in Brussels.
I must admit I loved the city center and even more the fact that you can find chocolate wherever you turn your head. Also, coffee is nice as long as you know where to look. And there are places that will surprise you and impress even the most exigent art lover.
Plenty of green spaces, but also plenty of shopping options. Brussels is a mix.
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Table of Contents
- One day in Brussels itinerary
One day in Brussels itinerary
When is the best time to visit Brussels
We were in early April, and the weather was rather cold. I think it was my fault because I didn’t bring my winter jacket, but you should know better than me.
The sun was out during the day, and it was pretty nice. However, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, the weather turned pretty cold. That shouldn’t be a problem with the right clothing, though, and I would totally recommend visiting Brussels during spring or fall.
Nevertheless, summer is also a great time to plan your visit to Brussels if you don’t mind the fact that it might get more crowded. I don’t think temperatures get extremely high, and it can be pleasant to walk around for your one-day itinerary.
Getting from the airport to the city center
One important thing to know when you only have one day in Brussels is how to get from the airport to the city as soon as you can. That’s how you will have more time to explore the city and let yourself seduced by the chocolate town.
If you’re traveling from Europe and choose a low-cost company (like we did—flying with Ryanair), you will most probably land at Charleroi Airport.
From there, there are 2 options of getting to town:
- Take the shuttle bus to Brussels City – this might prove to be a bit tricky. That’s because the bus runs every 30 minutes and only one bus leaves. We had to wait in line for at least 30 minutes both when we arrived and when we left. Add around 1 hour for the transit. If you, however, choose this option, it might be a good idea to book ahead of time online and save up to 9 EUR.
- Book a private transfer and forget about the lines. You’ll reach the city faster but will spend more. Book your privet transfer here!
The second option is to arrive in Brussels at Zaventem airport. From here it is much easier to get to town:
- The bus: 272 and 471 will take you to the North Train Station;
- By train: take the train from the platform inside the airport. The ticket is around 9 EUR, and you can check out timetables, options, and prices here.
- Book a private transfer or take a taxi. Book your privet transfer here!
Where to stay in Brussels
Personally, I loved very much the Sablon part of Brussels, thus if I were to come back I would book one of the below:
- The Hotel Brussels – a really nice cozy design, right in the heart of the city and next door to high-end stores.
- 9Hotel Sablon – spacious rooms, an interior pool, and a sauna in the heart of the city.
- Warwick Brussels – Grand Place – in Sablon, this coquette hotel will make you feel pampered in the heart of Brussels. It is a 5* hotel with an affordable price range.
Check out prices and reviews here!
If you have a lower budget, as we did, you can always look a bit further from the city center.
The area we stayed in wasn’t the best, especially after nightfall, but it was overall okay. The Ibis Hotel Brussels Centre Gare du Midi we stayed in was clean and nice.
Getting around in Brussels
- Public transportation: Get your Brussels Card with STIB public transportation, valid for 24 hours, and forget about how much you pay. You’ll save money while you go.
- Hop on hop off bus – that’s a great option when you have little time, as you do with one day in Brussels. It is also a great option for when the weather is not very friendly. Book your ticket here!
- Tours – a tour is a great option when you have less time and want to see more things. I will recommend tours as we go and you can choose the one you like most.
What to see in one day in Brussels
My itinerary will help you see the best of Brussels in one day without running from one place to the other. There’s only so much you can see in one day in Brussels, and I strongly believe in making the most of each trip.
Today’s society makes us want to do and see everything. But at the end of the day, we risk being exhausted. Also, it is very possible that weeks after the trip, we won’t even remember what we saw and where.
Thus, this is a friendly one day in Brussels that you will actually enjoy!
Grand Place (Grote Markt)
Start your day in the heart of the city, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. Mainly because all roads lead here or from here, but also because in the morning, you might be lucky to see it not as packed with tourists as it usually is later.
Admire the imposing guild halls (buildings historically used by guilds for their meetings), take some Instagram-worthy pictures, and, if you are really determined, visit the City Hall.
Another thing worth knowing when you visit is that one of the buildings in the Grote Markt is the Belgian Brewers Museum. However, I would rather go on a Brewery tour with a local and discover all those famous Belgian beers—and taste them!
Mannekin Pis
Only a few steps away from the Central Market, at the junction of Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat and the pedestrian Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat you’ll find the famous (yet small) Mannekin Pis statue.
One of the most famous landmarks in Brussels is actually (as the name says it) a small statue of a boy urinating in the fountain’s basin.
The statue has a long history. He was first mentioned in 1451 and has many legends surrounding him. If you’re curious to learn more, booking a Brussels walking tour is always a good idea. You’ll see the city and learn about local stories and legends.
Chocolate shops, Choco-Story, Chocolate workshop
One thing you won’t lack in Brussels is chocolate for sure. As a chocolate lover, I thought the streets of Brussels were paradise!
Wherever I turned my head there was some small chocolate shop. Chocolate, waffles, and beer! Have I convinced you yet?
Some of the greatest chocolate in the world comes from Belgium, and even in the Grote Markt, there are at least 4 chocolate shops. I thought I might have enough, but that’s never the case with chocolate!
In addition to exploring all the chocolate shops in the city center, I couldn’t help but visit the Choco-Story Museum. I’ve learned so many things about cocoa and its origins, as well as about the process it goes through until it reaches the ultimate desire: chocolate!
Book your Choco-Story ticket ahead of time.
Of course, I had some amazing sweets and chocolate in Colmar as well, but it was in Brussels that I really tasted heaven and saw the production process.
Book a Belgium Chocolate-making workshop and spend some hours having fun, learning, and tasting fabulous chocolate.
Taste some Belgian waffles
If chocolate is not your thing, or if you would rather have it with something else, I’ve got you covered. Presenting the famous waffles.
I’ve learned in Brussels that there are actually two types of waffles: Belgian waffles, the sweeter type with a more sugary batter that will get denser and usually served with chocolate or any kind of sweet jam, and Brussels waffles, which have a pancake-like texture, are airier, and are not as sweet as the Belgian ones.
No matter which one you choose, I wouldn’t miss out on going to Maison Dandoy. It is one of the most famous places, and you should try their waffles.
When you want to learn how to make these super sweet goodies and impress the people back home with your skills, book a waffle making workshop.
Mont des Arts
Just a short stroll away from the Central Market and right next to Brussels Central Train Station, you’ll find the famous Mont des Arts.
Meaning the “hill of the arts literally,” this place is actually a hill and is where you’ll find a nice public garden and some urban and historical sites of Brussels.
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The location offers a great view of the city and offers some pretty nice Instagram opportunities. I’ve seen plenty of people around with their cameras, making the best of the location and the light.
Right outside the main park, there are some really amazing historic buildings waiting for you to admire them. Some of them, like the Musical Instrument Museum, hide pretty cool museums inside.
The Royal Palace and the park
Climb the small hill from the Mont des Arts and head straight to the Royal Palace of Brussels – the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. When you visit during summer you will even have the chance to go inside, because they open their doors to the public.
However, if you visit at another time of the year, you can do what we did: take a few pictures of the Palace and cross the street to the beautiful Parc de Bruxelles and have a good Belgian beer.
Sablon
End your one day in Brussels off with a walk around Sablon and a beer crat or pub crawl – Book your tour here!
Sablon was one of my favorite areas in Brussels. I loved strolling around and especially tasting some incredible chocolate at Pierre Marcolini.
Some other things to consider for Brussels in one day
You could also consider starting your day off differently and taking the hop-on hop-off bus outside of the city center and all the way to the Atomium and Mini Europe.
It might be a good idea to see these places first thing in the morning when there aren’t many people around, and head afterward back to town.
Buy your tickets ahead of time to avoid wasting time waiting in line. This will also give you plenty of time to visit all the other attractions of Brussels.
Book Mini Europe ticket online
Book Atomium tickets online here
It is worth stopping by the Serres Royales de Laeken (Royal Greenhouses) during spring. This place is definitely the most Instagram-worthy location in Brussels, and you must go in the morning to skip the crowds.
Just know that they are open to the public only for 3 weeks every year.
Book your Brussels Experience with a visit to the Royal Glasshouses!
Other useful facts worth knowing for Brussels in one day
If you are visiting Brussels for the first time, there are some things you might want to know, and here are a few of them.
Currency
The local currency is the Euro, and as in most European countries, you will need cash.
Weather
As we’ve experienced, the weather in Brussels might get a bit moody. Because of its location, the country has a very humid climate, thus it could feel colder than it actually is.
My tip for you when you are considering traveling during spring or autumn is to bring a really good jacket. My leather jacket didn’t do the trick in April.
Also, make sure to bring an umbrella or plan to visit indoor museums when it starts raining.
Local Cuisine
I must admit I’m not such a huge fan of French fries, but you should have some in Brussels. That’s because they are actually Belgian fries, not really French. Top them up with some mayo and ketchup, and enjoy them as a snack.
Another thing to try is the famous mussels with fries.
And yeah, don’t leave without eating tons of chocolate and waffles.
Public Transportation
Brussels has a good public transportation system, and you can always take the tram, metro, or bus. For maps, schedules, and price lists, you can always check out the STIB-MIVB.be site.
Note that some lines, like the one we took to go to Groot Bijgaarden Castle for the tulip festival, are operated by De Lijn. I wish I had known that before wasting so much time (and money on the wrong tickets) looking for the bus stop and waiting for the wrong bus. We finally bought the tickets on the bus and managed to find our way once we knew the deal.
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