Brussels Travel Guide: 1-Day Brussels Travel Itinerary

Brussels is known as the diplomatic capital of Europe, but it is also a great choice for a city break destination. From the historic Grand Place to the modern Atomium and everything in between, there is so much to discover in the Belgian Capital.

So, in this post, I’ll be sharing all the tips you need to plan a trip to Brussels, as well as the perfect 1-day Brussels itinerary.

Getting to Brussels

Brussels is easily accessible from the UK by air and by train.

Flying to Brussels Airport

Brussels has its own airport (BRU) with daily flights available from the UK:

Brussels Airport is very close to the city. A taxi can get you to the city centre in under 20 minutes.

You can also take the Eurocity Train from the airport to Brussels Central, Brussels North and Brussels Midi train stations in the centre. There are several trains an hour taking between 20 and 35 minutes to reach the city, depending on the station you’re heading to.

The Number 12 Bus also runs regularly between the airport and Brussels city centre.

Flying to Brussels Charleroi

If you’re travelling with Ryanair, you won’t actually be flying to Brussels Airport. Instead, Ryanair flies to Brussels Charleroi (CRL), located in the nearby city of Charleroi, a 1-hour bus ride to the centre of Brussels.

Interestingly, there are no flights from London to Charleroi. This is probably because it would be much easier to get to Brussels by train than to take the lengthy transfer from Charleroi.

Talking of transfers, the best way to get from Charleroi to Brussels is using the Flibco.

You can pre-book tickets online via the Flibco website. A return ticket costs approximately £34 per person and is valid for one journey at any time of day on your selected dates. The bus drops you off at Brussels Midi Train Station.

You could also take a 1-hour taxi to Brussels, but this would probably cost more unless you were travelling as part of a larger group.

Travelling by Train to Brussels

It is also possible to travel from London to Brussels by train.

Eurostar operates service direct services from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi on a daily basis, making a great option for a quick trip to the Belgian capital.

The Eurostar tends to be quite expensive, but it is a more comfortable way to travel. Plus, you’ve already been through passport control in London and your train arrives directly in the city centre, meaning you can start your city break adventure as soon as you step foot on Belgian soil.

Where to Stay in Brussels

Brussels has a good metro and tram system so, as long as you stay close to one of those stations, you’ll be able to easy navigate the city throughout your stay.

On my trip to the city a few years ago, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel is a little further from the centre than I would normally stay, but it was a nice hotel and was much more reasonably priced than many central options.

And its location just a 2-minute walk from the Porte des Monnaies metro station made it easy to get to all the attractions in the centre.

Brussels 1-Day Itinerary

Brussels has a few great sites, but it is easily doable in one day.

If you’re planning a weekend trip to Belgium, I recommend spending one day in Brussels and using the other day to take a day trip to the nearby city of Bruges.

08:30: Breakfast

09:30: Mini Europe

This attraction is not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it on my trip.

Mini Europe is exactly what it sounds like: an outdoor attraction home to over 350 miniature models of famous buildings from 80 cities across Europe.

If you love architecture, then I’m sure you will enjoy Mini Europe. The models are really well done and, as you explore, you’ll certainly find yourself adding more and more cities to your travel bucket list.

Not only are the models really interesting, but Mini Europe offers great views of the Atomium, one of the main icons of Brussels, from a distance.

Some of my favourite models at Mini Europe include:

• Grand Place (Brussels)
• Sacré Coeur (Paris)
• Santiago Cathedral (Santiago de Compostela)
• Széchenyi Thermal Baths (Budapest)

To get to Mini Europe from the city centre:

• Take the Metro from Gare du Midi to Heizel (Line 6 dir: Roi Baudouin)
• The journey takes approximately 25 minutes

11:00: Atomium

One of the best things to see in Brussels is the Atomium, a 335-foot-tall modern building made of nine stainless steel spheres connected in the shape of a unit cell of iron.

The Atomium was built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair and has since become one of the city’s most recognisable sites.

Inside the spheres are several museums and exhibition spaces, as well as an observation deck providing panoramic views over Brussels. The architecture inside the building is also really interesting, so it’s worth purchasing a ticket to go inside.

However, for me, the highlight of a visit is still taking pictures of the outside of the Atomium. It’s unlike any other building I’ve seen.

12:30: Lunch

13:00: Porte de Hal (Halle Gate)

Take the Line 6 metro all the way from Heizel to Hallepport (dir: Elisabeth) to get to the Porte de Hal, one of Brussels’ medieval gates.

Built between 1381 and 1383, the Porte de Hal (or the Halle Gate) was one of seven gates forming the second set of defensive walls to be built around Brussels. The gate has the appearance of a fairytale tower and is one of the most picturesque monuments to visit in the city.

14:00: Grand Place and Waffles

From the Halle Gate, take tram 4 to Beurs (Hallepoort to Beurs, dir: Gare du Nord) and then make the short walk over to the Grand Place, the central square in Brussels.

The Grand Place is absolutely beautiful and one of the architectural highlights of a visit to the city. The buildings on all four sides of the square are stunning, with the Town Hall and the Brussels City Museum façades being highlights.

The Grand Place and the surrounding streets are also a great place to grab a traditional Belgian waffle.

15:00: Mannekin Pis

Although by no means a stand-out for me, when you’re in Brussels, you’ve got to visit Mannekin Pis, a statue of a little boy urinating. Yes, I know, it sounds strange, but it’s a very famous statue in Brussels.

Comic-book fans may be more interested to see the Tintin Mural on Rue de l’Etuve, the same street where you’ll find Mannekin Pis. The street is just a 2-minute walk from the Grand Place.

15:30: Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

Brussels Cathedral, or the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, is a 15th-century Gothic cathedral just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Place.

The cathedral’s façade is somewhat reminiscent of Notre Dame, with its two identical towers stretching into the Brussels skyline. Inside, pristine stone columns line the main altar and there are several beautiful stained glass windows to admire.

Brussels Cathedral is by no means the most impressive cathedral I’ve seen in Europe, but it is worth stopping by on a visit to the Belgian capital.

Plus, entry is free.

16:30: Parc du Cinquantenaire and EU Buildings

The final sightseeing stop on this Brussels itinerary takes you over to the diplomatic zone of the city.

Take the metro from Gare Centrale (next to the cathedral) to Schuman (Line 1 or 5, dir: Stockel) to reach Parc du Cinquantenaire, a public park built in 1880 to celebrate 50 years of Belgian independence.

The highlight of a stroll through the park is the Cinquantenaire Arcade, a memorial arch at the centre of the park.

After exiting the park to the West, you’ll see the Europa Building, which has served as the headquarters for the European Union since 2017.

The Europa Building is located on Rue de la Loi (Law Street), where you’ll also find several other diplomatic buildings, including the European Commission Building.

18:00: Dinner and an Evening in Grand Place

End your whirlwind day in Brussels with a nice meal before returning to the Grand Place for sunset.

After dark, the buildings of the Grand Place are illuminated with fairy lights, giving the square a truly magical feel. It’s the perfect way to end your time in Brussels.

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

One of the highlights of my trip to Brussels a few years ago was my visit to the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, located a short bus ride out of the city centre close to the Atomium.

The greenhouses belong to the Belgian royal family and are home to 11 greenhouses filled with beautiful plants. Not only that, but there are also extensive grounds to explore, which is the perfect activity for a spring morning in Brussels.

You may be wondering why I did not include the greenhouses on the list if they are so good. Well, that’s because they are only open to the public for 3 weeks every year.

I didn’t know this when I booked my trip but, luckily, I happened to be travelling to Brussels at the start of May, which is when the greenhouses tend to open.

So, if you’re travelling to Brussels in May, check the Royal Greenhouse websites to see if they’re open during your visit.

Public Transport in Brussels

Brussels is a big city, and the attractions you’ll want to visit are fairly spread out. So, you’ll definitely need to use public transport while in Brussels.

Luckily, Brussels has both a metro and tram system, so there are plenty of options when it comes to navigating the city.

Brussels Transport Passes

To use public transport in Brussels, you will need a MOBIB card. This card costs €6 and can then be topped up with a variety of different ticket types.

The two most common ticket types to purchase are:

• Single Journey: €2.70
• 1-Day Pass: €8.90

So, effectively, a full day of transport would cost you €14.90, including the ticket and your MOBIB card.

You can purchase your card at any of the red ‘GO’ kiosks at metro stations across the city, where you can also reload tickets onto it.

To use your card, simply scan your card at one of the scanners on board the buses and trams, or at the gateways in the metro stations. Make sure you validate your ticket EVERY TIME you travel.

For more information about public transport in Brussels, visit the MOBIB website.

Important Transport Lines

As a tourist, these are the transport lines you are most likely to need during your trip to Brussels:

Day Trips from Brussels

If you’re spending the entire weekend in Belgium, there are several great day trips you can take from Brussels.

Bruges

Just a 1-hour train ride away from Brussels is the beautiful city of Bruges. Famous for its picturesque canals, cobbled streets and chocolate shops, Bruges is the perfect place to relax and take in the view, both from the streets and on board one of the many canal boats.

Ghent

Ghent is an often overlooked destination located just a 35-minute train ride from Brussels. Ghent is a great place for architecture lovers, with so many medieval buildings to admire across the city, including the Castle of the Counts and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.

Antwerp

Another great option for a day trip is Antwerp, which is just a 1-hour train ride from Brussels. Antwerp is also home to lots of beautiful architecture, including the Cathedral of Our Lady and Het Steen (a castle).

Should You Visit Brussels?

Brussels is the perfect place for a short trip.

While there isn’t necessarily enough to see to fill an entire weekend, the Atomium and the Grand Place are absolutely beautiful monuments that make the Belgian capital well worth a visit.

That’s it for today’s post.

If you have any questions about visiting Brussels, leave them in the comments section below and I will get back to you.

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Thanks for reading, and see you next time!