When I think about Brussels, I imagine ‘architecture’ – grand, monumental, gothic, fries, and cobblestones. Then, there is the city’s diversity and a history attached to every famous building. Well, that’s how I see it! And I have curled a 2 day Travel guide, itinerary and tips for a 2 day vacation in Brussels.
Architecture aside! Let’s discuss why we are here – exploring Brussels, things to do, and a 2 day Brussels travel guide and itinerary. Compared to Amsterdam and Paris, Brussels is a less pricey city. I had a delicious plate of pasta Bolognese from an Armenian restaurant (I forgot the name) for €10, compared to €22 in Amsterdam Central.
Naturally, spending 2 days in Brussels is more than enough to visit most, or all, major attractions in the city. Unless you planned a day trip to Bruges or Ghent, then you could add a buffer day. But ideally, a 2-day trip to Brussels is enough to visit major attractions and cover an itinerary for Brussels. Like Amsterdam, the city is walkable and I always recommend exploring from the farthest to the closest attraction.
WE’LL DISCUSS:
- Six things to note before you visit Brussels
- Best time to visit Brussels
- Where to stay
- Where to eat
- Getting around in Brussels
- A complete 2-day itinerary and guide to explore Brussels
- 18 free activities and things to do in Brussels
For me, getting to Brussels was not a headache at all. Depending on where you are coming from, the easiest ways to get to Brussels are by bus and train. Most travelers outside Europe will usually take a flight, but if you are already in Europe, buses and trains are very affordable. A Blablacar bus ride will take about 3h45 from Paris, same as the train (or equivalent). Trainline, Flixbus, and SNCF also have affordable budget-friendly fares for Brussels, and I recommend them based on my experience.
Please bear in mind that this 2 day Brussels travel guide and itinerary is entirely based on my experience during my trip.
1. SIX THINGS TO NOTE BEFORE YOU VISIT BRUSSELS
- Belgium is home to two official languages – Dutch and French. French is predominantly spoken with street signs in Dutch and French (sometimes in English too). For me, I allowed my Google Maps to find the addresses in French, that way, I navigate in one language.
- Monday is considered jour de repos or day off, so most businesses are closed on Mondays. Same as some cities in the French Provence. For this, I advise that when planning your itinerary, you should put off any major activity on Monday. I went by the second half of the week and did not have issues with closed stores.
- Most statues and sculptures in Brussels are green because they have been exposed to the elements, so they oxidize and look green.
- Most people confuse the two airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zavantem, 20 minutes from the city, and the Brussels Chaleroi (CRL) airport in the south.
- Public transportation is easy to navigate, so there may be no need for taxis. Aside from that, most attractions are within walking distance from each other.
- English is widely spoken. Even though it is mostly required for hospitality professionals to be bilingual, most of my interactions with local sellers and shopping areas were in English. So, you don’t have to worry if you don’t understand a lick of French or Dutch.
2. BEST TIME TO VISIT BRUSSELS
I don’t think there is a bad time to visit Brussels, but if you are on a budget or plan to see the city’s activities, there are specific times to visit.
Of course, summer is the best time to visit but be aware that it might be a bit pricey. Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Brussels because there are fewer crowds and affordable accommodations.
Further reading: 2-day Barcelona Travel Guide and Itinerary
3. WHERE TO STAY
For context, this was my first visit to Brussels so I chose a hostel close to major attractions, this way, I didn’t lodge far from the city center.
Depending on your preference and budget, there are a handful of budget-friendly accommodations on Booking.com for Brussels.
For my trip, I stayed at the Brxxl 5 City Centre Hostel, about a 10-minute walk from the Gare du Midi Station. The hostel was close to most major attractions (the Mannekin Pis is 4 mins away), the staff was friendly and bilingual, the rooms had ensuite bathrooms cleaned daily, and a lounge area.
Additionally, I recommend the Ibis Hotel in Grand Place, Park Inn by RadissonHotel, and Ibis Hotel, around Gare du Midi, as good choices to stay. Even though these areas can be noisy or crowded, the windows are adequately sealed so you don’t have to worry about the noise.
4. WHERE TO EAT
For a 2 day Brussels travel guide and itinerary, finding a place to eat is not difficult. If you are lodged around the city center, especially around the Lemmonier Metro Station, try the Arab or East Asian (not so sure) restaurants and pastry sweet shops around there. The food was delicious and a plate of spaghetti Bolognese cost me €8 around May.
If you don’t have a planned menu for your trip, don’t skip the frites or fries’ kiosks (not French fries) in the city. Some shops offer moules et frites (mussels and fries) as a meal combo, with a dressing of choice.
Don’t forget to stop at Maison Dandoy, on your way to the Grand Place, for a serving of waffles with your choice of topping. Or stroll to the Haagen Dazs shop at St Hubert Gallery, for a waffle breakfast and coffee.
If you love beer, grab a jug of Belgian beer from the Délirium Café, or a traditional Flemish beef stew from Chez Léon.
And don’t forget Belgian chocolates too!
5. GETTING AROUND IN BRUSSELS
In contrast to Amsterdam, most of the major attractions in Brussels are a few minutes apart from each other, so getting around is easier. Attractions like The Atomium, Planetarium, Little Europe, Wolf food Market, etc., are very close to each other.
In Brussels, public transportation is very efficient and easy to track. The STIB-MIVB 1-trip paper ticket of €2.60 allows you to use the bus, tram, and metro for one hour after activation. You can also choose to buy a 1-day ticket for €8.
During my stay, I used a 3-trip ticket for €7.50 and it was sufficient for me to cover major attractions far from my accommodation.
Explore my full travel pictures from Brussels
6. A COMPLETE 2-DAY ITINERARY TO EXPLORE BRUSSELS
DAY 1
MANNEKIN PIS
Depending on your accommodation, this beautiful simple edifice is just at the city center and a major attraction in Brussels. If you are around Gare du Midi, it’s about a 5 minutes walk.
While the statue depicts a little boy urinating, its costumes are usually changed on special occasions and are considered Brussels mascots. Today, you will find a collection of the Mannekin Pis costumes on display at the Garde de Robe Mannekin Pis museum.
GRAND PLACE
About 4 minutes from the Mannekin Pis is the famous Grand Place – considered the most visited attraction by tourists in Brussels. Take your time and soak in the beauty of the architecture around this place and browse through the stores.
CHOCOLATE MUSEUM
This small museum features all displays and history of chocolate in Europe and beyond. While it is a paid and guided experience, you will explore various chocolate creations and can also buy some treats to take as souvenirs. All information regarding entry and tickets is available on their website.
ST. HUBERTS GALLERY – GALLERIE ST. HUBERT
Right after you leave the Grand Place, a few minutes away is the St Hubert Gallery. This gallery feels like a mini-mall with luxury shops on display.
While the stores may be pricey for budget travelers, you’re welcome to browse through the windows and get a feel of the items inside the stores.
If you feel hungry along the way, Haagen Dazs waffle shop is just at the exit, and they made the best waffles I had for breakfast there.
MONT DES ART GARDEN – JARDIN MONT DES ART
I will nominate this as the most beautiful garden in Brussels. Right before you take the stairs to the garden is the Statue of Albert I.
Up the stairs gives you an aerial view of the garden and continuing through the top landing are the beautiful white architectural buildings that make up the attraction at Mont des Art.
ST. JACQUIES SUR COUDENBERG CHURCH
Walking distance from Mont des Arts is this beautiful church. Although it may not be the center of most tourists’ attention, the architecture is grand and typically Belgian.
Entry into this church is free but loud talking or shuffling is not encouraged inside. You might even find the church choir rehearsing for a service.
ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (MUSEES ROYAUX DES BEAUX-ARTS)
3 minutes from the Coudenberg Church is this grand museum. While it is a paid experience, the museum houses a collection of six museums.
OUR LADY OF VICTORIES AT SABLON
This church is a magnificent Gothic building in the Sablon area. The site was formerly a Chapel, but was then reconstructed into a church for 100 years, and later restored for 14 years. Entry into the church is free but as usual, explore silently.
Facing the church on the left is the Palace and Park of Egmont (Parc et Palais d’Egmont). Although the estate had been handed down from generation to generation, the palace and park are is managed by the government.
Further reading: Solo Travel 101: How To Start Traveling Alone
DAY 2
BRUSSELS PALACE (PALAIS ROYAL DE BRUXELLES)
The next street behind the St. Jacquies sur Coudenberg Church is a long square and the Brussels Palace. Although it was not open to the general public at the time of my visit (due to renovations), the palace was a free experience with a garden at the northeastern corner.
BRUSSELS PARK (PARC DE BRUXELLES)
Just opposite the Brussels Palace is this park, the largest park in Brussels. It has two fountains, usually very green from May, and a cool park for tourists. You will also find bar and food spots inside the park.
CINQUANTENAIRE PARK (PARC DU CINQUANTENAIRE)
With the Cinquantenaire Arch at the entrance, this public park hosts three museums – the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, Art & History Museum, and the Autoworld Vintage Car Museum.
At the time of my visit, these museums were not open to the public, but you can take in the lush greenery in the park. There are also free toilets at the park for your use.
THE ATOMIUM
Regarded as the symbol of Brussels, this monument is made of six spheres and is usually compared in height with the French Eiffel Tower.
You can take pictures of the Atomium from the grounds, but entry into the Atomium is paid.
LITTLE EUROPE
About 5 minutes from The Atomium is Little Europe or Mini Europe. It is a small park with replicas of all monuments in Europe at a ratio of 1:25. I recommend that you book your tickets on time to avoid long queues.
PLANETARIUM
In the same area and less than 5 mins from The Atomium, is the Planetarium. Although not flooded with tourists at the time of my visit, this observatory is a scientific museum for science lovers. To avoid long queues at the entrance, you can plan your tickets here.
ST. MICHEAL AND ST. GUDULA CATHEDRAL
This is a Roman Catholic Cathedral and the biggest Gothic architecture in Brussels (in my opinion). Through the flight of stairs into the church, is the beautiful cathedral with a nave, a Baroque pulpit, descriptive stained-glass windows, and other statues. Beside the cathedral are also small chapels.
Entry into this grand church is free, so you can take your time to soak in the edifices.
THE STATUES AND SCULPTURES AT THE BANK OF BRUSSELS
If you take a few minutes walk from the cathedral above, you will find the Bank of Brussels. I noted the beautiful green statues around the bank – a seated woman, a kneeling girl, and women resting on square columns.
Just take a picture and be on your way!
BOTANIC GARDEN (JARDIN BOTANIQUE)
About 10 minutes walk from the Bank of Brussels is this former botanical garden and it houses about 52 sculptures. Entry is free and you can scroll through the garden and enjoy the greenery.
ST. MARY’S ROYAL CHURCH
Two minutes from the Botanic Garden is this grand church. Although some may mistake it for a mosque because of its top gold dome, this catholic church offers pamphlets to tourists as guides.
Entry and tour of the church is also free but it is not open everyday. Do well to check the website for any changes.
COMIC MURALS
A few minutes from St. Mary’s, is this neighborhood with a trail of comic arts at Kolenmarkt or Place Saint Géry. Note that these murals are not concentrated in one place and may require you to walk a lot.
18 FREE ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO IN BRUSSELS
If you have decided to visit Brussels, here’s a 2-day travel guide and itinerary you can do for free:
- A quick selfie with the Mannekin Pis
- A long walk around the beautiful Grand Place
- An exterior and interior tour of the Church of Our Lady of Victories at Sablon (Notre Dame des Victoires au Sablon)
- Roam around the Sablon area and soak in the beautiful buildings around it.
- Explore the Egmont Park and its statues, and stroll further to the Palace (Parc d’Egmont and Palais d’Egmont). The park is free but the palace is now a government property and was not open to the public. It is also opposite Our Lady of Victories at Sablon
- Take a free tour of St. Jacquies sur Coudenberg Church, close to Palais de Bruxelles.
- Visit the Brussels Palace (Palais de Bruxelles)
- And right opposite it, stroll to Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles), see the beautiful water fountains, and soak in the nature around you.
- Take a tour of the grand Cinquantenaire Park (Parc de Cinquantenaire), and the flora in the park.
- After the tour at St. Gudula, take a 5-minute walk to the Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique), the surrounding flora, and the greenhouse flora.
- Visit the EU Parliament and explore its sections in one hour.
- Saint Mary’s Royal Church (Église Royale Sainte-Marie)
- See the Comic Trails
- St Hubert Gallery (Gallerie St. Hubert)
- Mont des Art Garden (Jardin du Mont des Arts)
- St. Micheal and St. Gudula Cathedral
- The Pannenhuis Station
- Lunch at Wolf Food Sharing Market
TO CONCLUDE
From my experience, Brussels is a friendly city and English is widely spoken. As a female solo traveler, Brussels is pretty safe as long as you avoid late night walks. The locals are also friendly and willing to help you.
The city is easy to navigate even with Google Maps – just be aware of the bilingual street signs. You can easily move around with public transportation without worrying about spending money on taxis.
Compared to Amsterdam, Brussels architecture is reeks of beauty and there are a lot of attractions to visit, including parks.
If you plan to see more of Belgium, feel free to plan day trips to Bruges, Ghent, The Hague, or visit the EU Parliament. But 2 day Brussels travel guide and itinerary is more than enough to see the city’s landmark and attractions.
Happy Travels!
