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Looking for the top things to do in Brussels? You’re in the right place!
With gorgeous architecture and amazing food, Brussels, Belgium, sums up pretty much everything that we love about traveling in Europe! Our time in the Belgian capital was filled with rich history, beautiful sights, and more chocolate and waffles than we thought possible.
We had an amazing time and now, we’re so excited to share our top recommendations with you! We have 7 amazing ways to enjoy your time in Brussels. So if you’re planning a trip anytime soon, keep reading!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was take this day trip to Burges and Ghent! We saw castles, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets, and ate lots and lots of chocolate – Burges is famous for it!
Check out the 2,300+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is very popular, so book your spot in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Brussels, Belgium
- 1. Discover Brussels’ hidden gems and history with a local guide
- 2. Go on a day trip to see the historic towns of Bruges and Ghent
- 3. Take a chocolate and praline-making class
- 4. Explore the city on a bike tour
- 5. Try authentic Belgian beer (and more chocolate!)
- 6. Learn how to make Belgian waffles
- 7. Find the best chocolate in Brussels
- Where to Stay in Brussels, Belgium
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Brussels, Belgium
1. Discover Brussels’ hidden gems and history with a local guide
- Price: €85 – €250
- Duration: 3-8 hours
- Time: 8 am – 5 pm
- Highlights: flexible, private tour, visiting hidden gems, Grand Place, Royal Palace, The Sister Brussels Cafe, the Atomium, EU Parliament
- Inclusions: private guide, customizable itinerary,
- Rating: 5 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We loved this private walking tour in Brussels. With a Brussels native to guide us around, we got an amazing introduction to the city and began to fall in love with it as we discovered historic highlights and hidden gems. We told our guide, Patrick, what we wanted to see and he crafted the perfect itinerary.
Another great thing about this tour is that you can choose the duration that best suits you, from 3 to 8 hours. We went for the 6-hour tour, which we felt was a happy medium!
We began by ticking off Brussels’ major highlights, including the iconic Royal Palace of Brussels, and of course, we wanted to see the Belgian Parliament building! However, we also veered off the beaten tourist track to explore places we definitely wouldn’t have found on our own. For example, we told Patrick how much we love craft beer, so he took us to some awesome Belgian breweries.
A few of our other favorite stops included a hidden chocolate shop in a quiet neighborhood where we tried some unique truffles – it doesn’t get much more Belgian than that! We also took a peaceful stroll through the lovely Watermael-Boitsfort area, which was a refreshing contrast from the touristy city center. We also had a blast exploring Mantonge, which is Brussels’ African Quarter, where Patrick gave us some awesome jazz bar recommendations.
This tour was the perfect introduction to Brussels. I love that we got to see both the tourist hotspots and lots of local hidden gems. It truly offered us the best of both worlds. The only problem is that because it’s so well-rated, it does tend to sell out, so make sure to book in advance!
Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
2. Go on a day trip to see the historic towns of Bruges and Ghent
- Price: €48
- Duration: 10.5 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Castle of the Counts, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent’s old port, Bruges’ market square, Basilica of the Holy Blood, scenic drive through the Belgian countryside
- Inclusions: round trip transport, professional guide, audio headset
- Rating: 4.2 stars (check 4,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The chocolate-box city of Bruges is just 1.5 hours from Brussels, and Ghent is only an hour away, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to explore them both on this full-day history tour! We didn’t have time to do overnight trips to either city, so this tour was an easy way to see them both.
We were beyond excited to arrive in Ghent. The whole city is basically Hogwarts – we can see why it’s UNESCO-listed!
We loved learning about its history from our guide, Jan, who taught us about how Ghent was once a city-state as we visited landmarks like the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Our favorite part of the town, though, was the old port, which was beyond picturesque – don’t forget your camera!
Next up, we wound our way through the verdant Belgian countryside towards Bruges. It was a quick but beautiful drive, and then before we knew it, we were in Bruges! The city was so scenic, and we especially loved exploring the pretty Market Square.
Jan took us on a thorough tour of the city, and taught us about fascinating landmarks, most notably the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This Gothic Revival church is beautiful inside and out, and it’s a very important religious site, as it’s the home of the Relic of the Holy Blood, which is believed to be a vial of Jesus’ own blood.
Naturally, this church had a super interesting history. We also loved seeing the rest of Bruges, and Jan pointed out some fantastic chocolate shops for us, which of course we took full advantage of. The views at Minnewater Lake were wonderful, too.
There was also the option to go on a boat ride through Bruges’ canals for an extra fee. We decided to go for it because we couldn’t pass up the chance to enjoy yet more picture-perfect views from the water, but you can enjoy some free time in the city instead if you’re on a budget.
Check availability and book this top-rated day trip here!
3. Take a chocolate and praline-making class
- Price: €48 – €55
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 10 am – 4:30 pm
- Highlights: crafting Belgian pralines and mendiants, drinking hot chocolate
- Inclusions: all ingredients and equipment, over 30 chocolates to eat or take home, hot chocolate, professional instructor
- Rating: 5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
When I think of Belgium, I automatically think of chocolate! So taking this chocolate making class was an absolute must for me in Brussels. I’ve always had a big sweet tooth, so how could I pass up the chance to make my own chocolates?
Our instructor, Miranda, was super lovely and she taught us a little about why Belgium is the chocolate capital of the world. Then, we got to work making pralines and mendiants, which are chocolate discs covered with dried fruit. It was so much fun and the smell of chocolate throughout the class was just amazing!
Of course, we got to use the finest Belgian chocolate in our cooking, and we learned different ways to manipulate the chocolate without burning it or altering the taste. We ended up making around 30 different chocolates that we could take home with us, although of course, we ate some before we left the class. Miranda gave us a cup of rich hot chocolate to wash them down with, which made it even better.
I am so glad that we did this class! It was so much fun to get hands-on and make our own chocolates, and we loved the friendly and welcoming environment in the class. This is such a fun thing to do in Brussels, and as it’s a short and sweet (no pun intended) activity, it should be easy to fit into your itinerary. We definitely recommend making the time!
Check out the HUNDREDS of positive reviews and book this tour here!
4. Explore the city on a bike tour
- Price: €33
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Brussels Stock Exchange, the fish market, St. Catherine’s Church, the Justice Palace, Saint-Gilles neighborhood
- Inclusions: bike rental, helmet, local guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The first time we visited Brussels, we didn’t have that much time to spend in the city. We decided to make the most of our time by booking this guided bike tour, and it proved to be a great decision!
Our guide, Andrea, showed us so much in just a few hours, from famous highlights to hidden gems. We started by visiting the bustling Place de la Bourse, the old fish market, and St. Catherine’s Church, so we got a glimpse into the more historic side of beautiful Brussels.
Andrea’s stories really brought these places to life, and navigating the city’s maze of streets was effortless with her as our group leader.
I think my favorite part of the tour, though, was pedaling through the trendy Saint-Gilles area. I loved the art nouveau architecture and Bohemian vibe here. In fact, it’s definitely the kind of area that I could see myself living in!
Then, it was onto the Justice Palace. We didn’t go inside, but since it’s perched atop a hill, we got amazing views of the city from up here! I think we covered about 18 kilometers (11 miles) of Brussels during this tour, so we got to see a ton. However, it wasn’t too tiring, especially as we got a break midway through to enjoy a drink at a cozy terrace bar.
We thought that this tour was a great way to explore Brussels, and at €33 per person including bike rental, we felt it was good value for money. The only downside to this tour is that it does tend to sell out a few weeks in advance, so we highly recommend reserving your spot sooner rather than later.
Check availability and reserve your spot here, before it sells out!
5. Try authentic Belgian beer (and more chocolate!)
- Price: €90
- Duration: 1 pm or 3 pm
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Highlights: chocolate tasting session, visiting various Belgian bars and taverns, snacking on local cheeses and cured meats, small group tour, visiting the city’s oldest bar, exploring the city center on foot, and seeing famous attractions
- Inclusions: at least 6 different beers, 12+ chocolates, walking tour of the city center, friendly local guide, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We’re huge craft beer fans, and to be honest, trying different local beers was one of our main motivations for visiting Brussels! So naturally, we just had to book this beer and chocolate tasting tour, and we’re happy to report that we had the best time.
However, this wasn’t just a beer tour! We actually kicked off the afternoon with a chocolate tasting at a boutique chocolate shop within the gorgeous Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries. I loved exploring these beautiful arcades, but what was even better was the fact that we got to taste over a dozen delicious Belgian chocolates!
It’s safe to say that we started out on a pretty high note, but the tour only got better as we headed towards the majestic Grand Place and began beer tasting. I loved the chance to check out so many cozy local taverns, and we got to try an amazing variety of quality Belgian beers. We were really impressed.
Along the way, our guides, Mary and Antoine, regaled us with amusing historical tales and made us laugh with personal stories about life in Brussels. Perhaps the beer helped, but we thought that they were really funny! We also got a cheese and cured meat platter in one of the pubs, which was a real treat. It turns out that in addition to beer, chocolate, and waffles, the Belgians also know how to make amazing cheese!
Don’t miss out – book this tour with over 1,700 5-star reviews here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Learn how to make Belgian waffles
- Price: €33
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Time: 2 pm
- Highlights: baking waffles from scratch, decorating them with lots of toppings, eating as many as you can
- Inclusions: all ingredients and equipment, instructor, all-you-can-eat waffles, a drink
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 75+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Did someone say, “All you can eat waffles?”
Whatever the season, you can pretty much always smell freshly baked waffles in the streets of Brussels. We were tempted by them quite a few times while we were in the city, but we knew that nothing could beat the chance to make our own, so we booked this class.
The waffle workshop was such a fun experience. We loved the old-school vibe of the kitchen, and our instructor, Jack, was super engaging and friendly. Making the batter proved to be easy once you knew how, and we got to cook as many waffles as we wanted on proper waffle irons!
My favorite part of the class was definitely decorating the waffles. With lots of whipped cream, chocolate, fruit, and sauces to choose from, we were pretty spoiled for choice. Then, when it was time to sit down and eat, it was definitely more satisfying knowing that we had made these delicious creations ourselves.
We had so much fun during this workshop. We did it as a couple, but we think that this is a real must-do for families visiting Brussels. It’s hands-on but the process is quite straightforward, so it’s perfect for children. And come on, what kid doesn’t love all-you-can-eat waffles?
Secure your spot on this tour here and get FREE cancellation options before you go!
7. Find the best chocolate in Brussels
- Price: €39
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 2 pm
- Highlights: visiting five of Brussels’ best-known confectioneries, trying gourmet chocolates, learning about chocolate-making, small group tour
- Inclusions: 7+ chocolate samples, a knowledgeable guide
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Last but not least, I’m sure you knew that a chocolate tour was coming, didn’t you?
Chocolate tasting is a serious must while you’re in Brussels. I mean, what’s the point of going to the chocolate capital of the world if you don’t eat as many truffles and pralines as you can? We certainly weren’t going to miss out, so we booked this chocolate tour, and we loved it!
Our guide, Nina, was lovely, and she taught us about the history of Belgian chocolate industry as we explored the city with her. She took us to hidden chocolate shops that we wouldn’t have come across on our own, and we couldn’t believe how delicate some of the creations were here. Best of all, we got to try a ton of gourmet chocolates.
We discovered that it’s true what they say – Belgian chocolate really is better!
After this tour, we really can’t deny that Brussels is the ultimate travel destination for chocolate lovers. It was so great to have the guidance of a local chocoholic, as Nina’s passion for chocolate really did make the afternoon so much better. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Brussels!
Check out the 300+ positive reviews and reserve this tour here.
Where to Stay in Brussels, Belgium
Now that you’ve planned the perfect Brussels itinerary, you need somewhere comfortable to stay. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and have picked out the top three places to stay for a luxury, mid-range, or budget option.
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for historic charm and top-tier service, the Hotel Le Plaza Brussels is your best bet! Located near the shopping district and a quick tram ride from bustling Grand Place square, you’re in the heart of the city. I love the French style architecture and large, spacious rooms with all the fixings for a luxurious stay.
Double rooms go for about €135 to €250, or you can book a suite or family style room starting at €400. Check prices and book your stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Novotel Brussels Centre Midi is a comfortable stay, centrally located to the Midi train station so you can get around the city easily. Rooms are well-priced for a large king room, and the modern decor makes this an upscale stay without breaking the bank! The staff are very accommodating and you can enjoy the onsite restaurant too.
Prices range from €100 to €400 depending on which date and room you choose. Check availability and book this hotel on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Meininger Hotel Bruxelles Gare du Midi is a trendy hostel that offers dorm or private rooms. All the rooms have attached bathrooms, there is a shared kitchen available, a fun lounge area, and a bar. I love that this is a well-kept hostel, so you can have a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.
Dorm rooms start at €43 and private rooms start at €100. Book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Check out all the hotels in Brussels here for even more options!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
We had such a fun time exploring Brussels! I know you will too, whether you’re on a chocolate tasting experience, sipping on craft beer, exploring the countryside, or cycling your way through the city. There is even more to Brussels than we could fit on this list, so get out there and explore it for yourself!
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over the world and have put together tons of resources to help you plan your next adventure. I’ll leave a few related reads below to get you started:
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