According to Vogue magazine, Brussels is ‘the charming, quirky capital you need to visit now’. The good news is, Belgium‘s well-connected capital can easily be explored in a day. I’ve lived in Brussels for a decade so I know the city well. Beyond the political workings of its European Union institutions is a place that doesn’t always take itself so seriously. Here is the perfect 1 day Brussels itinerary so you can discover the best of this city.
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Quick overview of the best 1 day Brussels itinerary
- Morning: Atomium and Mini Europe, or take a bus tour
- Lunch: Enjoy traditional Belgian cuisine
- Afternoon: Chocolate museum and guided walking tour
- Evening: Grand Place
Arriving in Brussels
Most international visitors will arrive at Brussels Airport or Brussels Midi Station.
Brussels has an international airport with many airlines operating cheap flights to Brussels. From here, you can take the Airport Express train to Brussels Central Station, which takes 15-20 minutes. A cheaper option is to catch a bus to the city centre. For convenience, you can book a private transfer in advance to take you from the airport to your accommodation in the centre.
International trains such as the Eurostar usually arrive at Brussels Midi Station. Take Metro Line 2 or 6 to “De Brouckère” station, which takes around 10 minutes, or there are plenty of taxis outside the station if you prefer.
Alternatively, you could choose a guided day trip instead of travelling independently. There’s one from Paris to Brussels and Bruges and a similar one from Amsterdam that includes transportation and covers both cities in one day.
If you’re not staying overnight in Brussels, you can leave your luggage in these convenient lockers.
Where to stay in Brussels
The best area to stay for your 1 day Brussels itinerary is near Grand Place in the historic city centre. The Sainte-Catherine district is another excellent choice, known for its trendy restaurants and bars. Both areas give you easy access to metro lines for getting around the city.
The best places to stay in Brussels
One of the best budget hotels for couples and solo travellers is the fabulous Motel One Brussels. This boutique-style accommodation has soundproof, air-conditioned rooms.
A popular hostel in Brussels is the Sleep Well Youth Hostel in the heart of the city’s main tourist area. This eco-friendly hostel has private rooms and dorm rooms, including female-only options.
For a well-priced and stylish B&B option, try the fabulous B&B DRUUM, on a quiet street close to Sainte Catherine. Set in a 19th century mansion, each room has been designed by an artist.
Browse and book the best accommodation deals for your dates in Brussels by exploring the map below:
Planning your 1 day Brussels itinerary
This 1 day Brussels itinerary covers the city’s top attractions, including the Atomium and the Mannekin Pis statue. There are also tasty treats from the Chocolate Museum to a Belgian beer tasting.
Morning
Start your itinerary at the iconic Atomium and Mini Europe or take the popular hop-on hop-off bus tour for a relaxed view of these and more of Brussels’s major sights over 2.5 hours.
9-10.30am: See the spectacular Atomium
Brussels is home to Europe’s most bizarre building, The Atomium. Designed to resemble nine giant atoms, it was built in 1958 for that year’s World’s Fair (photo with me for scale below). Standing at 102 metres tall, it’s impressive from the outside and you can also go inside. Each giant silver ball hosts an exhibition, while the ball at the top contains a restaurant with 360 degree panoramic views over Brussels. In the evenings, the whole building lights up beautifully and occasionally hosts parties and firework displays. The closest metro stop is Heysel on Metro Line 6, around 30 minutes from the city centre.
Avoid the queues by booking your ticket to The Atomium in advance.
10.30-11.30am: Walk around Mini Europe
Brussels is considered the capital of Europe, so where better to have a theme park with tiny replicas of all the European countries?
At Mini Europe you can find many of the continent’s most famous landmarks in miniature. In total, there are reproductions of around 80 cities and 350 buildings, including France’s Eiffel Tower, Germany’s Berlin Wall, Athens’ Acropolis and the UK’s Houses of Parliament (see my photo below).
Skip the queues at Mini Europe: buy your ticket in advance.
Lunch – traditional Belgian dishes
If you’re not on the bus tour loop, take the metro from Heysel to Sainte-Catherine on the metro, which takes 20-30 minutes.
The Sainte-Catherine area is also known for its excellent seafood restaurants and Belgian brasseries, so you’ll find plenty of lunch options there. Try Rugbyman no. 2 which serves the best lobster, fish and seafood in town. For a cheaper and more casual option, head to the Brasserie Grimbergen Bruxelles, which also serves great Belgian beer.
Afternoon
After lunch, spend your afternoon exploring Brussels’ sweet side and discovering the city’s stories. You’ll learn about Belgium’s world-renowned chocolate culture, then join a guided walking tour that includes the famous Manneken Pis statue and brings Brussels’s unique history to life.
1:30pm – 3pm: Chocolate museum
A 15-minute walk from Place Sainte-Catherine is one of Brussels’ most popular attractions, Choco-Story Brussels. This chocolate museum reveals the sweet history of Belgian chocolate, with tastings and live demonstrations.
Book your tickets in advance to the Choco-Story Brussels, including a tasting here.
3:30pm-5pm: Guided walking tour
At 3.30pm, meet at the nearby Grand Place, in front of the City Hall, to join a popular guided walking tour of Brussels.
Your guide will take you through Brussels’s history from medieval times to today, visiting important sites and giving insider tips on the best local bars, restaurants and where to buy quality chocolate at reasonable prices.
One of the stops will be the famous Manneken Pis statue. In Dutch, it means ‘Little Pisser’ and, as the name suggests, it’s a bronze sculpture of a small naked boy urinating into a water fountain.
Book your place on this guided walking tour to discover the Mannekin Pis and much more here.
Evening
Use this time to explore the stunning Grand Place, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares and browse the charming streets around it. The perfect opportunity for souvenir shopping and tasting Belgian waffles.
End your Brussels day trip with your choice of cuisine from the Wolf Food Market and enjoy one last glass of Belgium’s world-famous beer as you marvel at the sparkle and lights of Grand Place.
Day trips from Brussels
If you’re staying longer than one day or you want to explore beyond Brussels, there are excellent day trips to Belgium’s historic cities and neighbouring countries.
A very popular day trip from Brussels is to Bruges and Ghent, combining two of Belgium’s most beautiful medieval cities in one 10.5-hour tour. These places are not to be missed.
Another popular option is a Dinant and Luxembourg day trip from Brussels. Explore the charming riverside town of Dinant in Belgium’s Wallonia region, famous for its dramatic clifftop citadel and as the birthplace of the saxophone. Then cross the border into Luxembourg to discover the capital’s UNESCO-listed fortifications and stunning valley views.
The Amsterdam day trip is another well-loved option as it’s just 3 hours from Brussels. This 12-hour excursion includes a guided canal boat cruise through Amsterdam’s famous waterways for a memorable trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough to see Brussels? Yes, this 1 day Brussels itinerary covers the city’s best attractions. If you have longer, you might want to visit some of its museums such as the Magritte Museum – check out the Brussels City Card for top value access to 49 museums plus shopping/dining discounts.
What’s the best way to get around Brussels in one day? The metro network connects The Atomium to the city centre in 20 minutes and most afternoon attractions are within walking distance of each other. This Brussels City Card + transport includes unlimited public transport journeys.
Should I book attractions in advance? Yes, especially for The Atomium and Mini Europe to skip the queues, which can get long.
Final thoughts on the best 1 day Brussels itinerary
This 1 day Brussels itinerary perfectly captures what makes the Belgian capital so special – its delightful mix of the profound and the playful. From the architectural marvel of The Atomium to the whimsical Manneken Pis, you’ll see why Brussels earns its reputation as one of Europe’s most charmingly quirky cities. You’ll have the opportunity to taste its world-famous beer, waffles and chocolate, for a day that’s wonderfully weird, unexpectedly profound and absolutely unforgettable.
Next, read more about the best way to spend a day in the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges.
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