Too often reduced to its image as an institutional capital, Brussels surprises with its Baroque splendour, its self-deprecating humour and its generous cuisine. Two days are enough to discover the essentials — here's our itinerary, to complete on our what to do in Brussels page.
Day 1 — The Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis & the galleries
Start with the Grand-Place, UNESCO-listed: gilded Baroque façades, Gothic town hall and former guild houses form one of the finest urban ensembles in Europe. Steps away, the Manneken Pis, tiny and world-famous, embodies Brussels' sense of humour.
Continue to the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, Europe's first covered shopping arcades (1847): chic boutiques, chocolatiers and an elegant glass roof make for the perfect stroll, rain or shine.
Guided tours & activities in Brussels
Historic centre tours and cultural experiences to book.
Day 2 — Atomium, comic strips & the European quarter
Head to the Atomium, futuristic symbol of Expo 58: go up to the top sphere for a panorama over the city. In the afternoon, dive into comic strip culture at the Belgian Comic Strip Center, housed in a former Art Nouveau department store by Horta, before following the comic strip walk and its wall murals through the city centre.
End with a stroll through Cinquantenaire Park and its monumental arch, at the gates of the European quarter — a lovely architectural contrast to close out the stay.
Atomium & museums in Brussels
Tickets for the Atomium and visits to the city's main museums.
