Brussels is the capital of Belgium and a great city to explore in one day. The great part of traveling in Europe is the ability to travel quickly between countries. With a walkable historic city center and nearby train station, travelers can get a dose of Brussels in one day from Belgium waffles in the morning, a couple of museums followed by mussels and a Belgium beer. Here are the best things to do in Brussels in one day.
11 Best Things to Do in Brussels in One Day
Walk through the Grand Place
Dig into a Waffle at Maison Dandoy
Stroll Les Galeries Saint Herbert
Go Chocolate Shopping
See the Manneken Pis
Walk Through the Place de la Bourse
Tour the Musical Instruments Museum
Visit the Old Masters Museum
Walk Through the Mont des Arts
Mussels in Brussels at Chez Leon
Sip a Belgium Beer
Walk through the Grand Place or Grote Markt
The Grand Palace or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels. Opulent buildings on all sides enclose it and offers a large open area in the center. s
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates mainly back to the 17th century; however, markets were there as early as the 12th century. The elaborate details and gilding demonstrate Brussels’s financial importance.
Visitors will find the Brussels Town Hall and the neo-Gothic King’s House or Bread House building. The former Guilds of Brussels and Baroque buildings are also on display.
Now, visitors will find street cafes on the first level, street performers and artists. This is a crossroads for travelers, and a constant flow of guide tours runs through the area.
Loacted Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel. Free to enter.
Time to Spend: 1 hour
What’s Nearby: Les Galeries Saint Hubert
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Dig into a Waffle at Maison Dandoy
If you’re in Brussels, then you gotta have waffles. We did and they were worth every calorie. In all fairness, it was the morning and we had all day to walk off the carbs.
Maison Dandoy makes two types: Brussels waffle and Liege waffle. The Brussels Waffle is crispy and square while the Liege Waffle has rounded edges and sugar bits in the batter.
You can choose a variety of toppings, like Nutella, strawberries, whip cream and more. Our Belgium waffles were filling, so we skipped lunch and opted for an early dinner.
The Maison Dandoy also sells European cookies and waffles to go. Be prepared for a wait and I recommend getting to this location a few minutes before they open.
Located at Galerie du Roi 2, 1000 Bruxelles in the Galeries Saint Herbert. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Time to Spend: 1 hour
What’s Nearby: Chocolate Shops
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Stroll Les Galeries Saint Hubert
This covered arcade is actually three separate arcades: King’s Gallery, Queen’s Gallery and Princes’ Gallery. It is covered with a glass roof and lined luxury shopping in Central Brussels. Les Galeries Saint Hubert opened in 1847 and instantly attached the wealthy and the artists to the Renaissance-inspired building.
During my trip, I wasn’t in the market for jewelry however, Les Galeries Saint Hubert also offers several chocolate shops. Belgium is known for its chocolate-making heritage, and I recommend buying the indulgence as a souvenir. As a bonus, many of the shops offer samples.
Located at Galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Brussel. Open daily, most shops at 10 a.m.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
What’s Nearby: Cathedral Saint Michael and Gudule
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Go Chocolate Shopping
I might not be able to afford all luxuries, however I can afford some luxurious chocolate. While in the Les Galeries Saint Herbert browse the chocolate shops that feel like jewelry shops.
I walked through several, like Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini and Mary Chocolatier. If you are visiting on a warm day, consider purchasing your treats at the end of the day to prevent melting.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
See the Manneken Pis
This rather small statue of a chubby little boy taking a pee is one of the top things to do in Brussels. It’s centrally located and free so most aren’t too disappointed with they see the landmark.
I have seen the Manneken Pis placed on more than one overrated attraction list. It is less than two feet tall and shoots water as a fountain.
Kids will love it. Judge for yourself; however, don’t kill yourself trying to get there.
Located at Rue de l’Etuve, 1000 Brussels. Free to visit.
Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour
What’s Nearby: Choco-Story Brussels
Walk Through the Place de la Bourse
Brussels offers great pedestrian squares to explore. From the Grote Markt to the Place de la Bourse, visitors and residents walk around Brussels.
Place de la Bourse is home to the Brussels Exchange Square, now a museum of Belgium Beer. Several restaurants are also in the area.
Located at Place de la Bourse, 1000 Brussels. Free to visit.
Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour
What’s Closeby: Belgium Beer World
Musical Instruments Museum
In the Old England Building, an Art Deco masterpiece, I found the Musical Instruments Museum. It is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History.
With a collection of 8,000 instruments, it is a must for music lovers. The instruments are organized thematically, so I found the same type of instruments grouped together.
The Musical Instruments Museum offers an exceptional keyboard collection. Its self-guided tour also includes musical samples of select instruments.
Located at Montagne De La Cour / Hofbergstraat 2. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is €15.00 and kids 18 and younger enter for free.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
What’s Nearby: Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Beligique
Old Master Museum of Musée Oldmasters Museum
Found in 1801 by France’s Napoleon Bonaparte, the Old Master Museum is in the Royal Quarter of Brussels. This is the museum to see European painters from the 15th to the 18th centuries, considered the Old Masters.
As one of the museums of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, it is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Visitors will find works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, like the 1562 Fall of Rebel Angels and the 1565 Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters and Bird Trap.
Located at Rue de la Régence/Regentschapsstraat 3, Brussels.Open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is €10 and kids 18 and younger enter for free.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
What’s Nearby: Mont des Arts
Walk Through the Mont des Arts or Kunstberg
While in Brussels, walk through the Mont des Arts for its manicured gardens. It is in between the Grand Palace Brussels (not open and under renovation) and the historic Grand-Place.
During the day, it is a gathering place with travelers taking a break or residents having lunch. At night, the Mont des Arts is lit with colorful lights.
Located at Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels. Free to visit.
Time to Spend: less than 1 hour
What’s Closeby: the Grand Palace Brussels
Mussels in Brussels
My secret obsessions are alliteration and mussels. In Brussels, I could combine the two and add a table in a street cafe.
We headed to Chez Leon, known for its mussels and traditional Belgian dishes. It opened in 1893, and its waitstaff speaks several languages. I got my mussels, plus some frites (fries) and a local Belgian beer.
Located at Rue des Bouchers 18, 1000 Brussels. Open daily from noon to 11 p.m.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
What’s Nearby: Les Galeries Saint Hubert
Sip a Belgium Beer
Belgium boasts a rich beer culture. At night, visitors and residents grab a table at a sidewalk cafe and sip a beer. Belgium offers a gamut of beers, from Trappist beers to saisons to dark ales and more.
I recommend you talk with the bartender and ask for recommendations. They always seem helpful in finding a new brew.
During our trip, we settled in at Little Delirium, located at Rue du Marché aux Fromages 9, 1000 Bruxelles. It is a smaller version of the larger Delirium Cafe. We ordered a beer and sat outside while people watched.
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. (4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday).
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
