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.
