7 ideas for a day in Brussels

1. Cultural Brussels in one day

With many art museums and a wide variety of architecture, Brussels is a dream destination for culture lovers. Travel back in time at the Art and History Museum, where you can see things like Egyptian mummies, Brussels tapestries and a Tintin statue. The Musée Fin-de-Siècle Museum has works of art from the 1900s, when Brussels was the centre of Art Nouveau. Here you will discover paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs of famous artists such as Constantin Meunier, James Ensor and Henri Evenepoel. For exhibitions, concerts and theatre, visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts. For outdoor art, follow the sculpture trail in the European district.

3. Street Art

Are you fond of colourful street art with a message? In Brussels there are several thematic walking routes focused on Street Art. One of these routes is in the Marolles neighbourhood and shows you 11 works of street art that honour the Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel. Another route takes you past miniature sculptures by the Spanish artist Isaac Cordal, which are affixed to façades in various ways. In Laken-Oost and the Anneessens neighbourhood, routes take you to colourful street art by various artists.

4. Nature

The city of Brussels may not immediately spring to mind when you think of nature, but you will be surprised by all the greenery inside and outside the city. Put on your walking shoes and wander through the woods and fields of Brussels. The deciduous Forest of Soignes is close to the city and is an oasis of green in spring and summer. In the Scheut Forest in a more northern part of the city, you can walk past ponds, streams and fields. A completely different landscape, with many species of plants and animals.

6. Culinary Brussels in one day

When you think of Belgian cuisine, you probably think of Belgian beer and Belgian chocolate. Yet you can make your day in Brussels all about its culinary highlights. Visit the traditional Cantillon Brewery and smaller, quirky breweries such as No Science, La Source and L'Ermitage nanobrasserie. Take a guided tour and have a tasting, but obviously not on an empty stomach. Stroll through the city and have lunch at a unique café like the vegan Buddy. Spend your afternoon in the brewery and finish the day with classic Belgian dishes in Au Vieux Saint Martine, where you can taste dishes like their tartar of which the recipe has not changed since 1924.

7. See Brussels heritage by tram

A city with such a rich history is full of historical buildings. Take a walking or cycling tour of the highlights or take tram 92 past the must-see buildings. Get off at some stops to better admire the Schaerbeek town hall, Place Royale and the Church of Our Lady of Sablon.
Would you prefer to travel by bus? Buy a hop-on-hop-off ticket that will allow you to travel through the city by bus without limit for 24 hours. Get a card from the tourist office and let the 'Tootbus' take you to the highlights.

Need more tips? For more ideas, see the page 10 tips for Brussels.

To Brussels by train

Travel to Belgium easily and comfortably by train:

Travel with Eurocity Direct

With Eurocity Direct it will take 2.08 hours. You can book a ticket from Amsterdam from € 25 one-way trip with Eurocity Direct. Book your ticket in time, as lowest Saver fare availability is limited.

Travel with Eurostar

Prefer to travel quick with Eurostar? Travel from Amsterdam to the heart of Brussels with Eurostar in 1.53 hours. Then book about 3 months in advance for cheaper train tickets. Early booking is advantageous!

Photo terrace at top of page: © O. van de Kerchove