The Ultimate One Day In Brussels Itinerary

When planning a long trip around Europe or choosing a European city to visit on a short getaway, Belgium has a lot to offer. Either on a short business trip or while on holiday, Brussels is the perfect destination to visit in a day.  

Is one day in Brussels enough? As with most short trips, you might wonder if it’s worth it to spend such a short amount of time in Brussels, or if you would be able to see everything and get a feel for the city and the local culture.

Planning a day trip to Brussels and spending one day in the city while visiting most attractions is totally possible! I have put together this guide to help you discover the most iconic places, enjoy delicious food, and even relax a bit and enjoy your time off. If that sounds like a great plan for you, read on to discover the ultimate one day in Brussels itinerary as we share our secret food spots, the best museums and attractions, our favorite things to do in Brussels in one day, and all of those incredible money saving tips that we have learned while on the road in the land of delicious waffles! Let’s get started!

What to do in Brussels for one day?

STOP 1: The Grand Place

There’s no better way to start your One Day in Brussels than by going to see The Grand Place and visiting two of the most beautiful buildings in the main square: the King's House (Brussels City Museum) and the city's Town Hall. This magnificent square has a unique history, and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site! An early morning walk through the square is the perfect first stop of your trip, and by going early in the morning you’ll definitely beat most of the crowds. The Grand Place is one of the most iconic and opulent squares in Europe, and there’s nothing quite like watching the sunrise from there while having the square all to yourself.

 Note:  If you are visiting Brussels in a day during the spring or summer months and want to go inside the Brussels City Museum, you might want to skip the sunrise and come later: the Museum doesn’t open until 10am!

 During the winter months, the sun rises at approximately 8:30 am. Grab a tea or coffee at Starbuck in one of the corners of The Grand Place, or a ubiquitous waffle at the nearby Maison Dandoy before making your way to the museum.

STOP 2: Mont des Arts

Around 5 minutes away by foot from The Grand Place you’ll find Mont des Arts, making this the perfect next stop in your “Brussels 1 day itinerary”. Mont des Arts is a big urban park very close to the city center. First built at the request of King Leopold II, the project started in 1910 but it wasn’t actually completed as we know it today until 1969!

There are many parks in Europe, but Mont des Arts is definitely one of the most interesting ones. It is well known for its colorful flower arrangements, detailed decorations, and great views. During the summer months, the stairs are a great place to sit back and relax. Spend a few minutes appreciating the greenery and all the iconic buildings nearby before heading off to see any other of the well-known tourist attractions in the area.

Note: Some of the famous landmarks and museums nearby are: the Royal Library of Belgium, the Statue du Roi Albert 1er, The Place Royale and the Musical Instruments Museum, making Mont des Arts the perfect starting point to see several of the city’s magnificent museums in a short amount of time.

STOP 3: Sablon & The Church of Notre Dame du Sablon

The next stop during this One day in Brussels Itinerary will be Sablon and the church of Notre Dame du Sablon. This artistic neighborhood and church are a short trip from Mont de Arts. I would say they’re pretty much adjacent, making it the logical next stop for those exploring the city with limited time.

Going inside of Notre Dame du Sablon is optional, but the artwork depicted on the wooden pulpit (made in 1697!) is truly amazing. Notre Dame du Sablon is said to be one of the most beautiful churches in Belgium, and it’s a great place for a few minutes of prayers, silence, and meditation if you are feeling overwhelmed by the fast pace.

Once we finished praying at Notre Dame du Sablon, we headed back into the streets of Brussels. We went exploring at the local antique market, did some vintage shopping, and visited some art galleries in the neighborhood.

STOP 4: Brunch Food

 Once we had experienced this local neighborhood, it was time to grab some lunch before continuing on to explore some other parts of the city. There are many street cafes, famous chocolatiers, and restaurants to eat delicious food and dessert in this area, and since we were visiting during a sunny day in the fall, we wanted to sit outside and take advantage of the nice weather.

 It was hard to pick one place to eat in Sablon, since every place looked like they would have amazing food. After checking many of the sidewalk cafes and restaurants in the area, we found Crème, an espresso bar and eatery serving Australian style brunch and breakfast. The food was incredible, and the atmosphere was both young and upbeat yet relaxing and inviting. Crème is located on a pedestrian cobblestone street, which adds to its charm, especially if you are sitting outside. Just make sure to book your table in advance or arrive early, as the place definitely gets busy especially during the weekends. Once you finish lunch, head to the closest station to catch the train or bus to Porte de Halle (Halle Gate), our next destination.

Note: Porte de Halle is approximately 20 minutes by foot from Sablon. If you are walking from Sablon to Porte de Halle, I’d recommend stopping by the Palais de Justice, another great landmark in Brussels. The Palace showcases amazing architecture with its beautiful shiny golden dome and marble staircase.

STOP 5: Porte de Halle (Halle Gate)

 Porte de Halle is a medieval city gate and one of the last standing parts of the fortified walls of Brussels. The gate, which resembles a castle from the outside, is more than 600 years old! Today, Porte de Halle is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History. Take the opportunity to stop by and enjoy some of the artifacts and armory exhibits. If you want to learn about fascinating Neo- Gothic architecture, go up to the breathtaking roof. You’ll also enjoy some amazing views of the city from the battlements. The museum is currently open everyday except Fridays.

STOP 6: Saint-Gilles

 Saint-Gilles is another one of the most famous neighborhoods in Brussels. The area is well known for its indie boutiques, trendy art galleries, and multicultural streets. Once you have walked around and taken in all the beauty of the art Nouveau architecture of the area, stop by Parvis De Saint-Gilles. This is the main square and a famous area located at the center of the neighborhood.

You’ll be able to find everything there, from a big fruit and vegetable open market to some renowned bistros and restaurants.

P.S. There’s no better way to end your one day in Brussels than with some tapas and a Belgian beer at one of the trendy brasseries of the area.

Travel Information for your One Day in Brussels

How to get to Brussels?

 If you’re flying to Brussels, you’ll ideally want to fly into Brussels Airport, which is pretty close to the city center. From there, you can take a train or a bus to Bruxelles-Midi central train station. Tickets are between €3 – €12, depending if you choose the bus or the train.

Pro-tip: Brussels has two airports: Brussels Airport (2km from the city center) and Brussels-Charleroi Airport (36km from the city center). Brussels-Charleroi Airport will usually have cheaper flights, especially if you are buying your tickets through Ryanir, but you’ll end up spending considerably more money and time if you add the airport transfers.

From Brussels-Charleroi Airport, a private taxi to Bruxelles-Midi central train station will cost at least 100 euros! A shared taxi is around 15 euros per person, but you’ll have to wait for the taxi van to be full (8 people or so). Trains and buses to Bruxelles-Midi central train station run for similar prices to those in the Brussels airport, but the transfer will take at least an hour.

If you’re traveling via train, Eurostar is one of the most famous railways services connecting all the major cities in Europe, and will stop at Bruxelles-Midi central train station.

Brussels city center and most of the well known Brussels attractions are within walking distance from Bruxelles-Midi central train station, so getting to the station is a good starting point.

Note: While visiting the city of Brussels you can always rely on bicycles, metro lines, trams, buses and the newer scooter rental stations to move from one area to the other. We took advantage of the public transportation as well as scooter rentals across the city. Download the Lime app to rent scooters! It’s really fun and also very convenient.

Best Time to Visit Brussels?

 The high season in Europe starts at the end of June and runs through the end of September. The peak of the peak season runs from the beginning of June to the end of August. However, in my opinion, the best time to visit Brussels is in the spring or during the fall. Temperatures are still enjoyable, there are fewer crowds, and prices are considerably cheaper.

With that said, it’s always a good idea to spend one day in Brussels no matter the time of year. From Christmas Markets to Flower Carpets, there’s plenty to do in the city in every season!

Note: Brussels has a special magic during the Christmas holidays. Every year you’ll find one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world in the Grand Place, with every holiday attraction you can imagine. The city without a doubt becomes in a winter wonderland!

 Every other year in August, the city hosts the Flower Carpet event in the Grand Place as well.

 In May, you can see the Zinneke Parade and in June they celebrate Ommegang, a traditional medieval festival. Both would be great to experience if you’re visiting!

Where to eat in Brussels?

For those always on the hunt for unique local culinary experiences and great restaurants and cafes, in addition to Crème Brussels we also loved Peck 47, a restaurant cafe located in the city center and loved by the locals. Peck has hipster vibes and serves delicious brunch, coffees and milkshakes. The restaurant definitely reminds me of  those mouthwatering brunch cafes in Brooklyn New York. 

During your One Day in Brussels, I either recommend Maison Dandoy or Los Churros & Waffles to enjoy those delicious waffles Brussels is famous all around the world for.

To find some delicious Belgian chocolate, just head to Place Du Grand Sablon and you can’t miss the chocolatiers all around you. This is the perfect place to buy some chocolate souvenirs to bring home with you for family and friends.

Where to stay in Brussels day trip?

Spending just one day in Brussels? Staying near downtown Brussels or in one of the main areas of the city might be the best option to save and enjoy your time in Brussels, due to the proximity to most attractions. For travelers looking to enjoy charming and historical European hotel vibes, we recommend: Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo

For luxurious city views: Warwick Brussels - Grand Place

For a beautiful Mansion: Guest house La Maison Chantecler

Maybe sure to check booking.com when planning your trip. I have found that many of the rental apartments on the site are charming and reasonably priced.

General Travel Tips

For those travelers planning to visit more than one museum or attraction, I recommend getting a STIB ticket, which gives you access to all STIB buses, trams, and train lines, as well as the Brussels Card, which offer discounts and includes admission to most of the famous places of interest. If you are buying a lot of tickets (bus/train+museums) these discounts add up quickly!

If you want to discover more European destinations and recommendations, read our different travel guides to find where to go after spending one day in Brussels and browse through specific European Travel guides on our European Travel section to find amazing destinations nearby. Head there to find our latest articles! And don’t forget to Pin It for later!

Besitos from Brussels,

Laura

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