Roavina

City guide · Belgium

Brussels

A photograph of Brussels
Photograph · Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brussels combines a compact historic centre with separate museum, European Quarter and Atomium districts. The lower town around Grand-Place is best explored on foot, while the upper town rises toward the royal and institutional quarters. Metro, tram, bus and urban rail make the dispersed areas manageable. Group each day by elevation and district instead of repeatedly crossing the centre’s steep north-south slope.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Practical information

Language spoken
Dutch, French and German
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+32
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and E · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is regulated by Belgium's regional authorities

Turn this list into a plan

Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.

Plan Brussels

Planning a visit

Suggested stay
2-3 days
Getting around
Walking, metro, tram, bus and urban rail
  1. January: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  2. February: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  3. March: good time to visit
  4. April: good time to visit
  5. May: best time to visit
  6. June: best time to visit
  7. July: best time to visit
  8. August: best time to visit
  9. September: good time to visit — current month
  10. October: good time to visit
  11. November: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  12. December: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  • Best time
  • Good time
  • Viable with trade-offs
  • Difficult conditions

Sources

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Atomium Atomium
    02 2 hours

    Atomium

    The Atomium is a building in the shape of a cube standing on one corner, and it is a model of something: the unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  2. Manneken Pis Manneken Pis
    03 10 min

    Manneken Pis

    Manneken Pis is a bronze fountain figure of a small boy urinating, 55.5 centimetres tall, set in a stone niche on the corner where the Rue du Chêne meets the Rue de l'Étuve, a short walk downhill from the Grand-Place.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  3. Brussels Town Hall Brussels Town Hall
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels Town Hall

    Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles - Stadhuis van Brussel

    The City Hall of Brussels is the working seat of the city's administration and the only building on the Grand-Place that a visitor can go inside on a ticket.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  4. Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries
    05 45 min

    Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries

    Galeries royales Saint-Hubert - Koninklijke Sint-Hubertusgalerijen

    The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries are a prestigious ensemble of glazed shopping arcades in central Brussels. Designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer and inaugurated in 1847, they represent one of Europe's earliest covered shopping passages.

    • Must see
    • Market
  5. Horta Museum Horta Museum
    06 1 hr 15 min

    Horta Museum

    Musée Horta - Hortamuseum

    The Horta Museum is the house and architectural studio that Victor Horta built for himself in Saint-Gilles, and it is the only building on the Art Nouveau circuit in Brussels that a visitor can walk through room by room.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  6. Magritte Museum Magritte Museum
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Magritte Museum

    Musée Magritte Museum

    The Musée Magritte Museum is a museum devoted entirely to René Magritte (1898-1967), installed in the Hôtel Altenloh on the Place Royale and run by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  7. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
    08 1 hour

    Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

    Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule - Sint-Michiels-en-Goedelekathedraal

    The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula stands on the Treurenberg slope in central Brussels, dedicated to the two patron saints of the city and built in Brabantine Gothic.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
  8. Belgian Comic Strip Center Belgian Comic Strip Center
    09 2 hours

    Belgian Comic Strip Center

    Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée - Belgisch Stripcentrum

    The Comic Art Museum, still widely signposted and registered under its founding name Belgian Comic Strip Center, occupies a department store that was never meant to hold pictures.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  9. Cinquantenaire Park Cinquantenaire Park
    10 1 hr 15 min

    Cinquantenaire Park

    Parc du Cinquantenaire - Jubelpark

    Cinquantenaire Park, also called Jubelpark, is the formal park and monumental complex in Brussels' European Quarter, made for Belgium's fiftieth anniversary in 1880. It began on the former Linthout drill ground and expanded after the 1880 national exhibition.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  10. Mini-Europe Mini-Europe
    11 2 hours

    Mini-Europe

    Mini-Europe is a miniature park at the foot of the Atomium in Laeken, in the north of Brussels, where some 350 monuments from across the European Union are rebuilt at a scale of 1/25 and set into roughly 2.5 hectares…

    • Must see
    • Entertainment venue
  11. Oldmasters Museum Oldmasters Museum
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Oldmasters Museum

    Musée Oldmasters - Oldmasters Museum

    The Old Masters Museum is one of the four sites that make up the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, a federal institution whose main entrance is at Rue de la Régence 3, on the slope below the Place…

    • Must see
    • Museum
  12. Musical Instruments Museum Musical Instruments Museum
    13 2 hours

    Musical Instruments Museum

    Musée des instruments de musique - Muziekinstrumentenmuseum

    The Musical Instruments Museum, universally called the MIM, is a federal Belgian museum of roughly ten thousand instruments, of which about twelve hundred are on show.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  13. Royal Palace of Brussels Royal Palace of Brussels
    14 45 min

    Royal Palace of Brussels

    Palais Royal - Koninklijk Paleis

    The Royal Palace of Brussels serves as the official palace of the Belgian King and houses the administrative services of the monarchy. Despite its name, it is not the royal residence; the King lives at the Palace of Laeken.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  14. Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium
    15 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium

    Muséum des sciences naturelles de Belgique - Museum voor Natuurwetenschappen van België

    The Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium is a major natural history museum located in Brussels. Its local names are Muséum des sciences naturelles de Belgique in French and Museum voor Natuurwetenschappen van België in Dutch, reflecting Belgium's bilingual character.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  15. Autoworld Autoworld
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Autoworld

    Autoworld is a motor museum located in Brussels, Belgium. The institution occupies a historic building within the Parc du Cinquantenaire complex, a prominent architectural setting in the European capital.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  16. BELvue BELvue
    17 1 hr 30 min

    BELvue

    Musée BELvue - BELvue Museum

    BELvue is a museum located in Brussels, Belgium. It occupies a historic building and presents exhibitions related to Belgian history, democracy, and society. The museum is situated in the Royal Quarter of Brussels, near the Royal Palace.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  17. House of European History House of European History
    18 1 hr 30 min

    House of European History

    Maison de l'Histoire européenne - Huis van de Europese geschiedenis

    The House of European History is a museum in Brussels dedicated to the history of Europe and European integration. Located in the European Quarter near the European Parliament, it occupies the Eastman Building, a former dental institute.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  18. Parlamentarium Parlamentarium
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Parlamentarium

    The Parlamentarium is the visitors' centre of the European Parliament, located in Brussels. It serves as an exhibition space designed to inform the public about the European Parliament's role, history, and democratic processes.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  19. Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon
    20 30 min

    Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon

    Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon - Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Zavelkerk

    The Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon is a Roman Catholic church in Brussels, Belgium. Its local names are Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon in French and Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Zavelkerk in Dutch.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
  20. Bourse Palace Bourse Palace
    21 45 min

    Bourse Palace

    Bourse - Beurs

    Bourse Palace, known locally as Bourse or Beurs, is a historic landmark on Boulevard Anspach 80 in central Brussels. The building stands in the pedestrian zone beside Grand-Place and combines public halls with visitor attractions, hospitality venues and services.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  21. Palace of Justice of Brussels Palace of Justice of Brussels
    22 45 min

    Palace of Justice of Brussels

    Palais de justice - Justitiepaleis

    The Palace of Justice of Brussels, known locally as Palais de justice or Justitiepaleis, stands as one of Belgium's most monumental law courts.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  22. Brussels Park Brussels Park
    23 45 min

    Brussels Park

    Parc de Bruxelles - Warandepark

    Brussels Park, known locally as Parc de Bruxelles and Warandepark, is a public park situated in the heart of Brussels. It lies adjacent to the Royal Square and the Belgian Parliament building.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  23. Bois de la Cambre - Ter Kamerenbos Bois de la Cambre - Ter Kamerenbos
    24 1 hour

    Bois de la Cambre - Ter Kamerenbos

    Bois de la Cambre, known in Dutch as Ter Kamerenbos, is a public park situated in Brussels, Belgium. It occupies a significant green space within the urban environment of the Belgian capital.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  24. Palace of Coudenberg Palace of Coudenberg
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Palace of Coudenberg

    Coudenberg

    The Palace of Coudenberg was a medieval royal and imperial palace located on Coudenberg hill in Brussels. It served as the seat of government for the Dukes of Brabant and later for the Habsburg rulers.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  25. Stoclet Palace Stoclet Palace
    26 45 min

    Stoclet Palace

    Palais Stoclet - Stocletpaleis

    The Stoclet Palace is a private residence in Brussels, Belgium, designed by architect Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstätte between 1905 and 1911. It stands as one of the most refined achievements of the Vienna Secession movement.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  26. Belgian Beer World Belgian Beer World
    27 1 hr 30 min

    Belgian Beer World

    Belgian Beer World is a Brussels attraction devoted to Belgian beer culture and heritage.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  27. Choco-Story Brussels Choco-Story Brussels
    28 1 hr 30 min

    Choco-Story Brussels

    Choco Story Brussels

    Choco-Story Brussels is a museum devoted to chocolate in the Belgian capital. The visit connects cocoa’s Mesoamerican origins with the development of European chocolate-making and Brussels’ strong praline tradition.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  28. Design Museum Brussels Design Museum Brussels
    29 1 hr 30 min

    Design Museum Brussels

    Design Museum Brussels is a Brussels museum devoted to design history and contemporary design practice. It places functional objects, visual ideas, and manufacturing culture within a wider cultural setting.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  29. Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History
    30 1 hr 30 min

    Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History

    Musée royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire militaire - Koninklijk Museum van het Leger en de Krijgsgeschiedenis

    The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History occupies the Cinquantenaire complex in Brussels. It presents Belgium’s military heritage across several centuries, combining historical interpretation with large collections of military objects.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  30. Garden of the Mont des Arts Garden of the Mont des Arts
    31 1 hour

    Garden of the Mont des Arts

    Jardin du Mont des Arts - Tuin van de Kunstberg

    The Garden of the Mont des Arts is a formal garden on an elevated site in central Brussels.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  31. Train World Train World
    32 1 hr 30 min

    Train World

    Train World is Belgium’s national railway museum, housed at the historic Schaerbeek railway station northeast of central Brussels. The museum presents Belgian railway history through locomotives, carriages, railway technology, and the station environment itself.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  32. Erasmus House Erasmus House
    33 1 hr 30 min

    Erasmus House

    Maison d'Erasme - Erasmushuis

    The Erasmus House, known locally as Maison d'Erasme or Erasmushuis, is a historic museum dedicated to the life and work of Desiderius Erasmus, the renowned Renaissance humanist, theologian, and scholar.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  33. Arts center of Red Cloister Arts center of Red Cloister
    34 1 hr 30 min

    Arts center of Red Cloister

    Rouge Cloître - Rood Klooster

    Arts center of Red Cloister is a cultural venue at Rouge Cloître, also called Rood Klooster, in the Sonian Forest area of Brussels. The setting brings together the atmosphere of a former Cistercian priory and present-day artistic activity.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  34. Royal Castle of Laeken Royal Castle of Laeken
    35 45 min

    Royal Castle of Laeken

    Château de Laeken - Kasteel Van Laken

    The Royal Castle of Laeken serves as the official residence of the Belgian royal family. Located in the Laeken district north of central Brussels, this neoclassical palace complex stands within extensive private grounds.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  35. Church of Our Lady of Laeken Church of Our Lady of Laeken
    36 30 min

    Church of Our Lady of Laeken

    Église Notre-Dame de Laeken - Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk van Laken

    Church of Our Lady of Laeken is an active Catholic church and a prominent landmark in Brussels' Laeken district.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
  36. Square du Petit Sablon - Kleine Zavelsquare Square du Petit Sablon - Kleine Zavelsquare
    37 1 hour

    Square du Petit Sablon - Kleine Zavelsquare

    Square du Petit Sablon, called Kleine Zavelsquare in Dutch, is a compact formal garden in Brussels' Sablon district.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  37. Van Buuren Museum & Gardens Van Buuren Museum & Gardens
    38 1 hr 30 min

    Van Buuren Museum & Gardens

    Van Buuren Museum & Gardens is a Brussels cultural attraction that combines a museum interior with designed outdoor grounds.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  38. Halle Gate Museum Halle Gate Museum
    39 1 hr 30 min

    Halle Gate Museum

    Musée de la Porte de Hal - Hallepoort Museum

    Halle Gate Museum is Brussels’ surviving medieval city gate, known in French as Musée de la Porte de Hal and in Dutch as Hallepoort Museum.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  39. Archive and Museum for the Flemish Living in Brussels Archive and Museum for the Flemish Living in Brussels
    40 1 hr 30 min

    Archive and Museum for the Flemish Living in Brussels

    Archief en Museum voor het Vlaams Leven te Brussel

    The Archief en Museum voor het Vlaams Leven te Brussel is an archive and museum dedicated to Flemish life in Brussels. It preserves and presents materials related to the Flemish community's history, culture, and presence in the bilingual Belgian capital.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  40. Art & History Museum Art & History Museum
    41 1 hr 30 min

    Art & History Museum

    Musée Art & Histoire - Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis

    Art & History Museum, also called Musée Art & Histoire and Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis, is a major Brussels museum in Cinquantenaire Park. The monumental complex presents the city with an encyclopedic journey through art, archaeology, and material culture.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  41. Art)&(marges Museum Art)&(marges Museum
    42 1 hr 30 min

    Art)&(marges Museum

    Art & marges musée - Art & marges museum

    Art)&(marges Museum is a Brussels museum dedicated to art brut and outsider art. It gives institutional space to self-taught artists and creative practices developed outside established academic and gallery systems.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  42. Belgian Museum of Freemasonry Belgian Museum of Freemasonry
    43 1 hr 30 min

    Belgian Museum of Freemasonry

    Musée Belge de la Franc-Maçonnerie - Belgisch Museum van de Vrijmetselarij

    The Belgian Museum of Freemasonry occupies a historic building in Brussels dedicated to preserving and presenting the heritage of Belgian freemasonry.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  43. Belgisch Museum voor Radiologie
    44 1 hr 30 min

    Belgisch Museum voor Radiologie

    Musée Belge de la Radiologie - Belgisch Museum voor Radiologie

    Belgisch Museum voor Radiologie, also known as Musée Belge de la Radiologie, is a Brussels museum devoted to the history of radiology and medical imaging.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  44. Brussels City Museum Brussels City Museum
    45 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels City Museum

    Musée de la ville de Bruxelles - Museum van de Stad Brussel

    Brussels City Museum, also called Musée de la ville de Bruxelles and Museum van de Stad Brussel, introduces the history and culture of Belgium’s capital.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  45. Brussels Comics Figurines Museum Brussels Comics Figurines Museum
    46 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels Comics Figurines Museum

    Brussels Comics Figurines Museum is a Brussels attraction devoted to comic-book figurines and related collectibles. It brings Belgian and Franco-Belgian comic culture into a three-dimensional setting, giving visitors a chance to focus on character design, sculpture and collecting.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  46. Brussels Museum van de Geuze Brussels Museum van de Geuze
    47 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels Museum van de Geuze

    Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze - Brussels Museum van de Geuze

    Brussels Museum van de Geuze, also known as Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze, explores geuze and the brewing culture surrounding this distinctive Belgian beer. The museum places spontaneous fermentation and lambic traditions within Brussels’ wider food and industrial heritage.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  47. Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding
    48 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding

    Musée bruxellois du Moulin et de l'Alimentation - Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding

    Brussels Museum van de Molen en de Voeding, or Musée bruxellois du Moulin et de l’Alimentation, brings together the history of milling and the wider story of food.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  48. Brussels Urban Transport Museum Brussels Urban Transport Museum
    49 1 hr 30 min

    Brussels Urban Transport Museum

    Musée du Tram - Trammuseum

    The Brussels Urban Transport Museum, locally called Musée du Tram or Trammuseum, preserves the history of public transport in Belgium’s capital. Its central subject is the tram: the vehicles, infrastructure and working world that carried people through Brussels over time.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  49. Camille Lemonnier Museum Camille Lemonnier Museum
    50 1 hr 30 min

    Camille Lemonnier Museum

    Musée Camille Lemonnier - Camille Lemonnier Museum

    Camille Lemonnier Museum is a literary museum in Brussels devoted to Belgian writer Camille Lemonnier. It presents his life and work in a historic setting connected with his legacy.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  50. Charlier Museum Charlier Museum
    51 1 hr 30 min

    Charlier Museum

    Musée Charlier - Charliermuseum

    Charlier Museum, or Musée Charlier, is a Brussels house museum set inside a historic townhouse.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  51. Chinamuseum
    52 1 hr 30 min

    Chinamuseum

    Musée de Chine des Missionnaires de Scheut - Chinamuseum

    Chinamuseum, also known as the Musée de Chine des Missionnaires de Scheut, is a Brussels museum devoted to Chinese art and culture. Its collections grew from the work of the Scheut missionaries and their long historical connection with China.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  52. Fashion & Lace Museum Fashion & Lace Museum
    53 1 hr 30 min

    Fashion & Lace Museum

    Musée Mode & Dentelle - Mode & Kant Museum

    The Fashion & Lace Museum, known locally as Musée Mode & Dentelle or Mode & Kant Museum, is a Brussels institution dedicated to textile heritage.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  53. Fin-de-Siècle Museum Fin-de-Siècle Museum
    54 1 hr 30 min

    Fin-de-Siècle Museum

    Musée Fin de siècle - Fin de siècle Museum

    Fin-de-Siècle Museum, also called Musée Fin de siècle, explores Belgian art from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is a specialist Brussels destination for travelers drawn to the period’s changing artistic language, social atmosphere, and decorative richness.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  54. KBR Museum KBR Museum
    55 1 hr 30 min

    KBR Museum

    KBR museum

    The KBR Museum is a cultural institution in Brussels associated with the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR/Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België). It presents exhibitions drawn from the library's extensive collections, which span manuscripts, rare books, prints, and historical documents.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  55. La Fonderie, Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour La Fonderie, Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour
    56 1 hr 30 min

    La Fonderie, Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour

    La Fonderie

    La Fonderie, the Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour, presents the industrial history of Brussels and its surrounding region. The museum occupies a former industrial site, making the setting part of the subject.

    • Must see
    • Museum
  56. Marc Sleen Museum Marc Sleen Museum
    57 1 hr 30 min

    Marc Sleen Museum

    Maison Marc Sleen - Huis Marc Sleen

    The Marc Sleen Museum, known locally as Maison Marc Sleen or Huis Marc Sleen, is a museum in Brussels dedicated to the Belgian cartoonist Marc Sleen.

    • High
    • Museum
  57. Maurice Carême Museum Maurice Carême Museum
    58 1 hr 30 min

    Maurice Carême Museum

    Musée Maurice Carême - Maurice Carême Museum

    The Maurice Carême Museum is a Brussels literary house museum dedicated to the Belgian poet Maurice Carême. It occupies the home where he lived and worked, allowing visitors to encounter his writing through the domestic surroundings connected with his life.

    • High
    • Museum
  58. Meunier Museum Meunier Museum
    59 1 hr 30 min

    Meunier Museum

    Musée Meunier Museum

    The Meunier Museum is a museum in Brussels dedicated to the Belgian artist Constantin Meunier, known for his sculptures and paintings depicting industrial and working-class subjects.

    • High
    • Museum
  59. MigratieMuseumMigration
    60 1 hr 30 min

    MigratieMuseumMigration

    MigratieMuseumMigration is a museum in Brussels dedicated to the history and experience of migration. The institution examines human movement, settlement, and cultural exchange, with particular attention to migration patterns affecting Belgium and Europe.

    • High
    • Museum
  60. Museum of Ixelles Museum of Ixelles
    61 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Ixelles

    Musée d'Ixelles - Museum van Elsene

    The Museum of Ixelles, also known as Musée d'Ixelles and Museum van Elsene, is a municipal art museum in the Ixelles/Elsene municipality of Brussels. Its local identity distinguishes it from the major federal museums concentrated in the city center.

    • High
    • Museum
  61. Museum of Medicine Museum of Medicine
    62 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Medicine

    Musée de la Médecine - Geneeskundemuseum

    The Museum of Medicine, known locally as Musée de la Médecine in French and Geneeskundemuseum in Dutch, is a medical history museum in Brussels.

    • High
    • Museum
  62. Museum of the Public Social Welfare Centre of Brussels Museum of the Public Social Welfare Centre of Brussels
    63 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of the Public Social Welfare Centre of Brussels

    Musée du CPAS de Bruxelles - Museum van het OCMW van Brussel

    The Museum of the Public Social Welfare Centre of Brussels presents the history of public welfare in Belgium’s capital.

    • High
    • Museum
  63. Museum van de Belgische Brouwers Museum van de Belgische Brouwers
    64 1 hr 30 min

    Museum van de Belgische Brouwers

    Musée des Brasseurs belges - Museum van de Belgische Brouwers

    Museum van de Belgische Brouwers, also called Musée des Brasseurs belges, is a Brussels museum devoted to Belgian brewing. It presents brewing as part of the country’s cultural identity and introduces visitors to the traditions behind Belgian beer.

    • High
    • Museum
  64. Museum van de Nationale Bank van België Museum van de Nationale Bank van België
    65 1 hr 30 min

    Museum van de Nationale Bank van België

    Musée de la Banque nationale de Belgique - Museum van de Nationale Bank van België

    The Museum van de Nationale Bank van België introduces visitors to money, banking, and Belgium’s financial history. Operated by the National Bank of Belgium, it links a national institution with public education.

    • High
    • Museum
  65. Museum van de Orthodoxe Kerk
    66 1 hr 30 min

    Museum van de Orthodoxe Kerk

    Musée de l'Église orthodoxe - Museum van de orthodoxe Kerk

    Museum van de Orthodoxe Kerk, also called Musée de l’Église orthodoxe, is a Brussels religious museum connected with Orthodox Christian heritage. It presents sacred art and liturgical traditions within the setting of an Orthodox church.

    • High
    • Museum
  66. Museum voor Spontane Kunst Museum voor Spontane Kunst
    67 1 hr 30 min

    Museum voor Spontane Kunst

    Musée d’Art Spontané - Museum voor Spontane Kunst

    Museum voor Spontane Kunst, also known as Musée d’Art Spontané, is a Brussels museum devoted to spontaneous art. Its collection focuses on artistic expression shaped by intuitive and non-academic creative processes.

    • High
    • Museum
  67. National Museum of the Resistance National Museum of the Resistance
    68 1 hr 30 min

    National Museum of the Resistance

    Musée national de la Résistance - Nationaal Museum van de Weerstand

    The National Museum of the Resistance, known locally as Musée national de la Résistance and Nationaal Museum van de Weerstand, is a museum in Brussels dedicated to documenting Belgium's resistance movement during the Second World War.

    • High
    • Museum
  68. Printing Museum
    69 1 hr 30 min

    Printing Museum

    Imprimarium

    Printing Museum, also known as Imprimarium, introduces the history and craft of printing in Brussels. The subject connects machines, type, ink, paper, books, and the spread of written information.

    • High
    • Museum
  69. René Magritte Museum René Magritte Museum
    70 1 hr 30 min

    René Magritte Museum

    Museum René Magritte Musée

    The René Magritte Museum is a dedicated museum celebrating the life and work of the Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte.

    • High
    • Museum
  70. Schaerbeek Beer Museum Schaerbeek Beer Museum
    71 1 hr 30 min

    Schaerbeek Beer Museum

    Musée schaerbeekois de la bière - Schaarbeeks Biermuseum

    Schaerbeek Beer Museum, also called Musée schaerbeekois de la bière or Schaarbeeks Biermuseum, is a Brussels museum devoted to beer history and culture.

    • High
    • Museum
  71. Sewer Museum Sewer Museum
    72 1 hr 30 min

    Sewer Museum

    Musée des Égouts - Riolenmuseum

    Brussels’s Sewer Museum, known locally as Musée des Égouts or Riolenmuseum, turns the city’s sanitation infrastructure into an industrial-heritage experience. The visit connects everyday urban life with the hidden engineering that carries wastewater beneath streets and buildings.

    • High
    • Museum
  72. Street Lamp Museum Street Lamp Museum
    73 1 hr 30 min

    Street Lamp Museum

    Musée du Réverbère - Museum van de Straatlantaarn

    Street Lamp Museum, also called Musée du Réverbère and Museum van de Straatlantaarn, is a Brussels museum devoted to the history of street lighting.

    • High
    • Museum
  73. The Children's Museum The Children's Museum
    74 1 hr 30 min

    The Children's Museum

    Le Musée des Enfants - Het Kindermuseum

    The Children’s Museum, known as Le Musée des Enfants or Het Kindermuseum, is a Brussels attraction built around learning through play. It gives children an active role, encouraging them to explore, handle, imagine, and make connections outside a traditional classroom.

    • High
    • Museum
  74. Wiertz Museum Wiertz Museum
    75 1 hr 30 min

    Wiertz Museum

    Musée Wiertz Museum

    The Wiertz Museum in Brussels is devoted to Antoine Wiertz, a Belgian Romantic painter and sculptor. The museum occupies the artist's former studio and residence, making the building part of the visit rather than a neutral container for the collection.

    • High
    • Museum
  75. Experimental Garden Jean Massart Experimental Garden Jean Massart
    76 1 hr 30 min

    Experimental Garden Jean Massart

    Jardin botanique Jean Massart - Botanische tuin Jean Massart

    Experimental Garden Jean Massart is a botanical garden in Brussels, also known as Jardin botanique Jean Massart and Botanische tuin Jean Massart. It is affiliated with the Université libre de Bruxelles and combines public access with scientific research.

    • High
    • Museum
  76. Humanist Sculpture Park Humanist Sculpture Park
    77 1 hr 30 min

    Humanist Sculpture Park

    Humanistisch Sculpturenpark

    Humanist Sculpture Park, locally called Humanistisch Sculpturenpark, is an open-air cultural space in Brussels where visitors encounter sculpture within a landscaped setting.

    • High
    • Museum
  77. Gardens of La Cambre Abbey Gardens of La Cambre Abbey
    78 1 hour

    Gardens of La Cambre Abbey

    Jardins de l'Abbaye de la Cambre - Tuinen van de Ter Kamerenabdij

    The Gardens of La Cambre Abbey are historic green grounds in Brussels, associated with the former Cistercian abbey founded in the medieval period. The site combines formal garden character, mature greenery, open lawns, and the presence of surviving abbey buildings.

    • High
    • Nature site
  78. Beersel Castle Beersel Castle
    79 45 min

    Beersel Castle

    Kasteel van Beersel

    Beersel Castle, also called Kasteel van Beersel, is a medieval fortress in the municipality of Beersel, southwest of Brussels. Its preserved defensive form is defined by circular towers, heavy masonry and a moat surrounding the castle.

    • High
    • Historic monument
  79. Charle-Albert Castle Charle-Albert Castle
    80 45 min

    Charle-Albert Castle

    Château Charle-Albert — Charle-Albertkasteel

    Charle-Albert Castle, also known as Château Charle-Albert or Charle-Albertkasteel, is a named historic castle structure in Brussels.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  80. Groot-Bijgaarden Castle Groot-Bijgaarden Castle
    81 45 min

    Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

    Kasteel Groot-Bijgaarden

    Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, known locally as Kasteel Groot-Bijgaarden, is a historic castle situated in the municipality of Dilbeek, within the Brussels-Capital Region's broader metropolitan area. The structure represents Belgian feudal and Renaissance architectural heritage, with origins tracing to medieval fortifications.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  81. Karreveld Castle Karreveld Castle
    82 45 min

    Karreveld Castle

    Château du Karreveld - Kasteel Karreveld

    Karreveld Castle, known as Château du Karreveld and Kasteel Karreveld, is a historic castle and cultural landmark in Brussels. The site is associated with Wikidata identifier Q2971719 and contributes to the heritage character of the Brussels region.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  82. Linthout Castle Linthout Castle
    83 45 min

    Linthout Castle

    Castel de Lindthout

    Linthout Castle, also known as Castel de Lindthout, is a documented historic structure in Brussels and is identified by Wikidata as Q2941363.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  83. Rivieren Castle Rivieren Castle
    84 45 min

    Rivieren Castle

    Château de Rivieren - Kasteel ter Rivieren

    Rivieren Castle, also called Château de Rivieren and Kasteel ter Rivieren, is a heritage landmark in Brussels. Its French and Dutch names fit the bilingual character of the Belgian capital.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  84. Wemmel Castle Wemmel Castle
    85 45 min

    Wemmel Castle

    Gemeentehuis Wemmel

    Wemmel Castle, also known locally as Gemeentehuis Wemmel, is a civic landmark in the municipality of Wemmel near Brussels. The second name means Wemmel Town Hall and explains the building’s present municipal role.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  85. Wittouck Castle Wittouck Castle
    86 45 min

    Wittouck Castle

    Château de La Fougeraie - Kasteel van Fougeraie

    Wittouck Castle, also known as Château de La Fougeraie and Kasteel van Fougeraie, is a private estate in Uccle, in the southern part of Brussels.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  86. Wolvendael Castle Wolvendael Castle
    87 45 min

    Wolvendael Castle

    Château de Wolvendael - Kasteel Wolvendael

    Wolvendael Castle, also called Château de Wolvendael and Kasteel Wolvendael, is a historic landmark in Brussels. The French and Dutch names place it within the capital’s bilingual cultural landscape.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  87. Botanical Garden of Brussels Botanical Garden of Brussels
    88 1 hour

    Botanical Garden of Brussels

    Jardin botanique - Kruidtuin

    The Botanical Garden of Brussels, also called Jardin botanique or Kruidtuin, is a historic green space in the Belgian capital. Established in the nineteenth century, it combines urban parkland with the architectural heritage of botanical cultivation.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
  88. Duden Park Duden Park
    89 1 hour

    Duden Park

    Parc Duden - Dudenpark

    Duden Park, or Parc Duden and Dudenpark, is a wooded public park on a hillside in southern Brussels. Its slopes and mature vegetation give it a more naturalistic character than the city’s formal flat parks.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
  89. Academy Palace Academy Palace
    90 45 min

    Academy Palace

    Palais des Académies - Academiënpaleis

    Academy Palace, Palais des Académies or Academiënpaleis, is a neoclassical institutional building in Brussels. It serves as the seat of five Belgian royal academies, including the Royal Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  90. Autrique House Autrique House
    91 1 hr 30 min

    Autrique House

    Maison Autrique - Autrique-huis

    The Autrique House, known locally as Maison Autrique or Autrique-huis, is a historic residence in Brussels. This building holds significance as an early work by the renowned Belgian architect Victor Horta, predating his more famous Art Nouveau creations.

    • Notable
    • Museum
  91. CINEMATEK CINEMATEK
    92 1 hr 30 min

    CINEMATEK

    CINEMATEK is Brussels’ cinematheque: a cinema and film archive devoted to preserving, studying, and showing film heritage. Its programme centres on classic, rare, and historically important works rather than the newest commercial releases.

    • Notable
    • Museum
  92. Cauchie House Cauchie House
    93 1 hr 30 min

    Cauchie House

    Maison Cauchie - Cauchiehuis

    Cauchie House, Maison Cauchie or Cauchiehuis, is an Art Nouveau townhouse in Brussels designed by architect and artist Paul Cauchie in 1905. It served as his residence and studio, allowing him to shape both the building and its decoration.

    • Notable
    • Museum
  93. Egmont Palace Egmont Palace
    94 45 min

    Egmont Palace

    Palais d'Egmont - Egmontpaleis

    Egmont Palace is a historic aristocratic residence beside the Petit Sablon in central Brussels. Today it serves as a venue for Belgian and international state functions, diplomatic meetings, ministerial gatherings and ceremonial occasions.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  94. Halle Gate Park Halle Gate Park
    95 1 hour

    Halle Gate Park

    Parc de la Porte de Hal - Hallepoortpark

    Halle Gate Park, also known as Parc de la Porte de Hal or Hallepoortpark, is a public green space beside Brussels' historic Halle Gate.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
  95. Palace of Charles of Lorraine Palace of Charles of Lorraine
    96 45 min

    Palace of Charles of Lorraine

    Palais de Charles de Lorraine - Paleis van Karel van Lotharingen

    The Palace of Charles of Lorraine is a historic Brussels building associated with Charles of Lorraine and the aristocratic world of the Habsburg Netherlands.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  96. Palace of National Industry Palace of National Industry
    97 45 min

    Palace of National Industry

    Palais de l'Industrie Nationale - Paleis voor de Nationale Nijverheid

    The Palace of National Industry, known as Palais de l'Industrie Nationale in French and Paleis voor de Nationale Nijverheid in Dutch, is a Brussels building linked with Belgium's industrial heritage.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  97. Palace of the Count of Flanders Palace of the Count of Flanders
    98 45 min

    Palace of the Count of Flanders

    Palais du Comte de Flandre - Paleis van de Graaf van Vlaanderen

    The Palace of the Count of Flanders is a Brussels landmark associated with the Count of Flanders title and Belgium’s aristocratic heritage. Its identity is architectural and historical rather than that of a conventional museum.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  98. Palace of the Marquess of Assche Palace of the Marquess of Assche
    99 45 min

    Palace of the Marquess of Assche

    Palais du marquis d'Assche - Paleis van de Markies van Assche

    The Palace of the Marquess of Assche is a Brussels aristocratic residence linked with the city’s noble architectural heritage. Its importance lies in the way titled families shaped the Belgian capital’s built environment.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
  99. Royal Park Theatre Royal Park Theatre
    100 1 hour

    Royal Park Theatre

    Théâtre Royal du Parc - Koninklijke Parktheater

    The Royal Park Theatre, known locally as Théâtre Royal du Parc in French and Koninklijke Parktheater in Dutch, is a historic performing arts venue situated in Brussels.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

How the city is laid out

The historic lower town clusters around Grand-Place, the Bourse and Sainte-Catherine. Uphill, the Mont des Arts links the central station to the Royal Quarter, Sablon and major museums. The European Quarter lies east around Schuman and Leopold Park, while the Art Nouveau neighbourhoods extend south through Saint-Gilles and Ixelles. The Atomium and Heysel plateau are a separate northern trip. Brussels is administratively fragmented, but these visitor zones form clearer planning units than municipal boundaries.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting around

Walk inside the central lower and upper towns, then use STIB-MIVB metro, tram and bus services between outer districts. Contactless payment is available across the operator’s network, and the official trip tools show real-time connections. Urban trains can also be useful between major stations. The Atomium, European Quarter and southern Art Nouveau districts should each be linked to the centre by transit rather than forced into one long walking route.

Checked 2026-08-26

Common questions

How many days does Brussels need?

Two to three days suit a first visit. Use one day for the historic centre and upper town, then divide the remaining time between the Atomium, European Quarter and southern neighbourhoods.

When is the best time to visit Brussels?

May, June and September usually offer useful daylight and comfortable walking conditions. Rain is possible throughout the year, so keep museums available as flexible indoor blocks.

Is central Brussels walkable?

Yes, but the elevation change between the lower town and Royal Quarter is easy to underestimate. Walk within each zone and use metro or tram when connecting to Heysel, the European Quarter or southern districts.

Can visitors pay contactless on Brussels public transport?

Yes. STIB-MIVB supports contactless payment on its buses, trams and metro network. Use the same card or device consistently and check the operator’s current conditions before travel.

Which Brussels areas should be planned separately?

Treat the Atomium and Heysel as a northern trip, the European Quarter as an eastern block, and Saint-Gilles or Ixelles as a southern route. The historic centre and Royal Quarter combine most naturally.