One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

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Brussels has a lot to offer; one could easily spend a week discovering the many touristic attractions, hidden gems, and diverse cuisine. If you only have one day in Brussels, better make the best out of it! Lace-up your bootstraps, it’s time for an adventure into the heart of this European metropolis.

The city of Brussels is the deliciously multicultural and vibrant capital of both Belgium and Europe and as such attracts flocks of tourists each year. With good reason! Aside from a very lavish Grand Place (main square) dripping in gold, the streets are lined with Art Nouveau masterpieces and every second establishment is a bar serving…Belgian beer!

As time is of the essence, it will not be possible to visit all the attractions in the city – there are simply not enough hours in a day to pack everything into your Brussels Itinerary.

As a local, giving you the very best experience in my own city is very close to my heart.
Therefore, I have tried to mix in known and lesser-known locations for your blitz visit. This one-day Brussels itinerary serves up the very best the city has to offer, for every type of budget. 

Good to know: In case you are a little curious and debating whether to extend your time, check out this full weekend itinerary to Brussels or 31 fun day trips from Brussels to explore more of Belgium.


Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.


Manneken Pis in Brussels
Brussels Itinerary

1-day in Brussels planning guide

For a capital city, Brussels is relatively small. One can easily see Brussels in a day, with a bit of advance planning that is. Most tourists stick to the few kilometers around the Grand Place) if they only have one day to visit Brussels. With some careful planning, and a grasp of the public transport system there is no reason not to venture out further into the city and away from the tourist traps.

  • Public Transportation: The Brussels inner-city public transport uses one single ticket across the various bus, metro & trams systems and gets you all across Brussels and the suburbs.
    Book any tickets for public transportation online.
  • Brussels Card: Now this is worth it, even if you are only spending one day in Brussels! Allows you to skip lines, get entrance to 41 museums and also includes tickets to all the public transport in Brussels. The Brussels Card is a great time and money saver.
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus: Wizz around the city in a 100% electrical hop-on hop-off bus. Simply purchase your ticket in advance and find a bus stop nearest to you. The bus takes you through the must-see attractions during your 24 hours in Brussels and gives your feet a welcome break! 
  • Luggage Storage: Only spending a few hours in Brussels on a layover and don’t want to lug your luggage around. Store it at any of the three main stations (Brussels North, Brussels Central, Brussels Midi). Prices start at €1/hour. Reserve your storage online.
where to stay in Brussels
Cocoon Boutique Hotel Brussels

WHERE TO STAY IN BRUSSELS

It doesn’t matter what type of traveler you are Brussels has 10 areas that I would recommend choosing to stay in. As a local, I’ve got the inside scoop to help you make a decision!


Brussels in a day for first-time visitors: 8 highlights to visit

In order to cover the basics for your Brussels day trip, this guide will mainly stick to the historical center of town. Granted, this part of town is considered the most “touristy” for locals but rest assured, it is worth exploring, with a little help from a local (yours truly) you will be avoiding the tourist traps.

Tip: If it is not your first time visiting Brussels, check out hidden gems in Brussels or some of the prettiest castles around Brussels for an alternative Brussels itinerary

One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels
Image courtesy of Magritte Museum Brussels

1. Visit the Magritte Museum

Your day trip to Brussels starts off with a splash of color at the Magritte Museum. The museum contains – not surprisingly – the largest collection of paintings by the Belgian master of Surrealism René Magritte.  If you are a fan of Surrealism then this museum is not to be skipped. Aside from paintings, the museum holds music scores, drawings, and even pictures of the master himself.

Address: Place Royale, 1000 Bruxelles
Tickets: Purchase your tickets online. Entrance fee included in the  Brussels Card
Duration of visit: One to two hours


Musical Instruments Museum Brussels

2. Grab a coffee at the MIM and enjoy the best views over Brussels

Next up on the Brussels itinerary is a coffee (or other beverage) at a bar not many people know about. From the Magritte Museum walk 5 minutes towards the museum of Musical Instruments (MIM). This Art Nouveau building has a little secret, a wonderful rooftop restaurant with one of the best views over Brussels.

In case you have not had breakfast yet, try out the delicious brunch offer or settle for a beverage. To access the rooftop restaurant, you will need to walk into the museum and take the elevator all the way to the top floor, the entrance is free! Although the museum itself is worth a visit, as you only have 24 hours in Brussels you might want to hold off on visiting for another trip.

Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Bruxelles
Tickets: Free entrance to the café
Duration of visit: 30 minutes


One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

3. Stroll down to the Historical Centre via Mont des Arts (Kunstberg)

Time to stretch those legs again, your Brussels day trip continues with a walk through Mont des Arts. One of the most photographed squares in all of Brussel. Mont des Arts is surrounded by the Royal Library of Belgium, the national archives, a meeting center, and Plein Public (This venue is great for an aperitif in the evening while catching the sunset).

Depending on how you would like to spend your one day in Brussels, there are two options for your next location.

  • Option two is to continue walking toward the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. On the way, stop to have a little browse in the Galerie Bortier bookstore. Walking into the Gallery of Saint Hubert, look up at the grand 19th-century architecture. The gallery contains some of the best Belgian chocolate shops in Brussels and also houses a cinema and theatre. Make sure to look for the Art Nouveau chocolate store (Corne Port-Royal), all be it just for the architecture as the chocolate itself is overpriced.

Address: Galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Brussel
Check out the cinema and theatre schedule:
Official website


4. Marvel at the Grand Place

I might be biased, but the Grand Place in Brussels is simply put the prettiest main square in Europe. As a local, I have passed by this square plenty of times and it still manages to put a smile on my face.

The Grand Place of Brussels has been classified as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1998. Most of the buildings around the square date back to the 18th century when the Grand Place was rebuilt with money from the guilds. Note how harmonious the building style is, this is in part thanks to strong city regulations back in the day!

Aside from the opulent guild houses, have a look at the Brussels City Town Hall (guided tours are available on specific days of the week). Now swirl around and gaze upon the impressive King’s building. These days the King’s building is home to the Brussels city museum.

What to do on the Grand Place: Brussels Beer Museum, Brussels City Museum, Climb the spire of the Brussels City Town Hall, learn about the history via a guided walking tour.

Best views over the Grand Place: First floor of Café La Brouette

Experience the Grand Place from the comfort of your bed.
If you are in the market for a truly unique hotel, try staying at Cocoon Boutique hotel right on the grand place. At $200 it is not cheap, but the views might just be worth it for a unique one night in Brussels. Check Rates & Availability


One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

5. See the trio of peeing statues – a must during your 1-day in Brussels itinerary

It is time to go and see one of the city’s most popular – yet deceptively small – tourist attractions. Walk 5 minutes from the Grand Place to see the famous Manneken Pis (Little Julien). He is impossible to miss as there is permanently a line of tourists taking selfies, much to the chagrin of locals trying to pass by on their commute to work.

There are a lot of stories concerning the origin of Little Julien, but the most likely one is that he is a homage to the city tanneries that were here during the Middle Ages. Back in the day, the urine of kids was used to process the leather (a fun fact you can now share with friends).

Tip: Aside from the Little Julien, there are two other so-called “peeing-statues”. The statue of a little girl peeing (Jeanneke-Pis) and a little dog peeing (Het Zinneke) are all within walking distance from each other.


Art Nouveau Bar in Brussels - Le Cirio

5. Discover the Fontainass neighborhood and grab a delicious Belgian beer

The Fontainass neighborhood is not usually ranked high as one of the places to visit in one day in Brussels which slightly surprises me. Although very close to the touristy Grand Place, the neighborhood has managed to stay very local (and prices reflect this). Great places to grab a beer include Moeder Lambic or the Les Cercles des voyageurs bar.

If you are looking for a true hidden gem head over to the Art Nouveau bar Au Vieux Saint Antoine on the Marché au Charbon (the most gay-friendly area in town).


One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

6. Hunt down the comic strips and street art in town

Touring Brussels in one day involves a fair amount of walking. While navigating through the city, it would be hard not to see the large murals that adorn many of the city walls. In fact, these larger-than-life murals were commissioned by the city. Tintin features heavily as the iconic character is an important cultural heritage of Belgium.

How to explore the street art on your Brussels day trip

Free: Simply walk around town and look up. Works wonderfully, though you might not get to see all the artwork that is available.

$: Comic Strip Walk- Pick up the €2.5 brochure from the local tourism office. Use it as a guide to walk around the city and hunt down all the comic strip murals. 

$$: Comic Strip & Street Art private walking tour with a local: Skip the brochure at the tourist office and get a local guide to show you the coolest comic strip murals as well as some much lesser-known street art. Tours usually last around 2 hours.  Check rates and availabilities


7. Take a food & beer tour

When people ask me what to do in Brussels in one day, I always recommend a food tour. There are too many tastefully decorated tourist traps in the historical center, making it hard to navigate for travelers. I had a friend over and we booked the Hungry Mary’s Beer and Chocolate tour. It was honestly awesome, even as a local there was a lot of new places I had never been too!

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: Hungry Mary’s Beer and Chocolate tour

TOP RATED BEER TOUR: Mark’s Belgian Beer Tour

TOP RATED CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP: Brussels Chocolate Tasting & Workshop

TOP RATED WAFFLE WORKSHOP: The Brussels Waffles Workshop

One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

8. Chill out like the locals

End your one day in Brussels at Place Sainte Catherine, a popular hangout for the locals. During the summer the square is lined with terraces and the sidewalks around the little stream are filled with locals hanging out and catching up over a drink.

Try grabbing a beer at Bar des Amis or get a glass of wine with a little something to nibble at the Noordzee. Choux des Bruxelles on the square offers one of the best Flemish Carbonnades of the city and is a 2-minute walk away.

If you are planning on staying in Brussels, and looking for the perfect spot to spend a night on the town consider bar hopping at Place Sainte Catherine or shake out your dancing legs at the Madame Moustache club.

Kunstberg Monts des Arts Brussels
Kunstberg Brussels
Brussels Grand Place
Grand-Place of Brussels

4 additional places to see in Brussels in a day

READ | Hidden Gems in Brussels

For those travelers that have already visited Brussels previously, worry not, there is plenty more to see & do in the city to keep even the most skeptical traveler happy. Browse through the below 5 places to see in Brussels and start planning!

One day in Brussels

1. Use the metro on your 24 hours in Brussels and spot the cool metro art

The metro in Brussels is efficient and will take you around the city in no time. But, did you know that plenty of the metro stations in Brussels contain artwork by local artists?  In truth, the Brussels Underground is almost like a free museum.

Here are a few of my favorites metro stations:

  • Het Pannenhuis (line 6): Welcome to the 60-ies. No really, stepping onto the platform of Het Pannenhuis metro station you are greeted with bright orange chairs, futuristic lighting and very oddly shaped ceiling ornaments.
  • Stockel (end station of line 1): The station is home to a 135-meter-long wall depicting 140 life-size Tintin drawings. It was drawn up by Hergé (the creator of Tintin) right before his death.
  • Porte de Namur (lines 2 and 6): Find the four large reliefs by local artis Octave Landuyt. These reliefs go by the name Le Stade de la Vie, as the name reveals they represent the four stages of life: birth, adulthood, love and death

2. Hunt down the coolest Art Nouveau Buildings in Brussels

Aside from the very obvious Comic Mural Art, your eyes might have noticed the mixture of different architectural styles that make up the Brussels skyline. Pretty much every city in Belgium looks like an expressionist took a brush to it and tried to include as many different brush strokes as possible. Urban planning is not our strong suit.

But then there is beauty in the chaos, especially when it comes to the Art Nouveau houses dotted around the city. The Art Nouveau movement originated right here in Brussels before it expanded into the rest of Europe. Although very short-lived, it still managed to leave a legacy of over 500 Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels, many of them in the Ixelles and Uccle neighborhood.

If your 1 day itinerary in Brussels allows for it, go on a scavenger hunt and find some of the city’s most prized Art Nouveau possessions. Short on time? Skip the hunt and head straight for the Victor Horta Museum open Tuesday to Sunday in the afternoon (from 14.00 PM), tickets can be purchased online.

For those looking to delve a little deeper into the Art Nouveau scene of Brussels, there are various options available.

Free: Every Saturday of the year, the free 2-hour Art Nouveau Walking Tour takes you to the main Art Nouveau buildings in the city.

$: A locally guided walking tour lasting 3 hours. Walk around the Bailli area spotting Art Nouveau details in the various buildings (doorknobs, façades of buildings, letterboxes). Ends at the Hort Museum. Check prices and availability.

$$: For the real Art Nouveau Lovers: Get a fully personalized tour taking you through several areas in the city to hunt down the prettiest Art Nouveau buildings. This package includes a guided tour of the Victor Horta Museum. Check prices and availability.


One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

3. Take a little ferry and go for a drink on an island in the middle of the city

In the heart of Brussels lies the enormous Bois de la Cambre park which bleeds into the Sonian Forest. The vast green lung of the city is a popular spot for locals to walk, mountain bike, and even picnic. If you happen to be visiting Brussels for a day when the sun is out, chances are high you will find most locals chilling in this very park.

Chalet Robinson is located on an island in the middle of the largest pond of Bois de la Cambre. The wooden chalet is only reachable by a little boat, a fee of €1 roundtrip is to be paid upon entering the boat (cash only).  When dusk starts to settle in, the fairy lights around the chalet light up giving off true fairytale vibes.

Truth be told, the food is passable but there are better places to grab a bite in the area. Go for the experience, have a drink (or two), and partake in some prime people-watching.

Address: Sent. de l’Embarcadère 1, 1000 Bruxelles
Opening Hours & Menu: Official Website


4. Explore the oldest neighborhood of Brussels – The Marolles

The Marolles is my absolute favorite neighborhood in Brussels. This part of the city is right off the wealthy Sablon area and made up of tiny little streets filled with gently crumbling bars, and vibrant second-hand stores selling everything from clothing to interior design.

Unlike elsewhere in Brussels, stores are open in the Marolles on Sunday making it there perfect place to stroll around on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Most tours will not cover this part of town, if you do want a local guide to show you around book a private walking tour.

TIP: Every Sunday from 07.00 am to 01.00 pm a flea market is held on the central square (Jeu de Balle/ Vossenplein). It is a treasure trove for bargain hunters and one of my personal favorite places to purchase second-hand furniture for my house.

Where to stay during your Brussels one-day trip

READ: Detailed guide of which areas to stay in Brussels – written by a local

All hotels recommended have a focus on sustainability and minimizing their ecological impact by using locally sourced ingredients and supporting the local economy. Find hotels in Brussels.

where to stay in Brussels
Views over the Grand Place from
our room at Cocoon

RECOMMENDED: COCOON

The Cocoon Boutique Hotel is situated just a few feet from the Grand Place in Brussels. This romantic space is sure to charm as you watch the sunrise over this magnificent square. Walk to the nearest coffee shop and enjoy a chat with a welcoming local. Location: On the Grand Place

Most unique design – ($) Art Deco: Le Berger Hotel


Fixate your eyes upon the vintage and original Art Deco pieces throughout The Art Deco: Le Berger Hotel. An immersive experience if you have an appreciation for Art Deco. Relax in the heated outside pool before you shop until you drop in one of Brussels’ most high-end neighborhoods, Le Sablon.
Location: 10 min walk from the Magritte Museum


A cosmopolitan hotel – ($/$$) Moxy Brussels City Centre

Brussels’ Moxy is conveniently surrounded by bars & restaurants so if you are looking to go out for the night this is the spot for you! This trendy and modern worldwide chain also serves an excellent breakfast. Fuel up for the busy day ahead.
Location: In the safest neighborhood of Brussels – Ixelles/Elsene


Beautiful Places in Belgium - Brussels
Marble staircase of the Palais de Justice in Brussels

It is worth investing in a tour for a day trip to Brussels?

That honestly depends on what you are looking to get out of your 24-hour visit to Brussels. The city is perfectly safe and easy to navigate on your own, and with a bit of research in advance, you will be able to tick off the major must-see attractions in Brussels.

Reasons to invest in a tour when visiting Brussels

  • Navigate around the city hassle-free: Move from spot to spot and get the most out of your Brussels itinerary without feeling rushed or stressed. Having a local there to guide you around will allow you to sit back and enjoy
  • Save money & avoid tourist traps: Most tours include food & drink in a local establishment (far removed from tourist traps). You will not only be getting better local food, but it will also cost less too.
  • Get passionate about Brussels: Locals have one thing in common: They absolutely love their city and enjoy nothing more than sharing that with visitors. Taking a local tour during your one-day trip to Brussels will allow you to feel that passion, and who knows start a love affair with the city.

Top Tours for Foodies

Best of Brussels Tours


Where to eat during your day trip to Brussels

READ | 10 Best vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Brussels; Locals guide to Brunch in Brussels

There are plenty of really good restaurants and bars in Brussels. The culinary scene is so good that you could come spend your entire Brussels day trip doing nothing but eat and drink.

It is noteworthy to mention that traditional Belgian cuisine is not vegetarian-friendly, at all. Have a look at the above-linked guide if you are traveling to Brussels as a vegetarian.

  • Noordzee, Saint Catherine: Authentic Schrimp Krokettes: Noordzee, Saint Catherine
  • Choux de Bruxelles: Flemish Carbonade
  • Mussels and Fries: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, La Quincaillerie
  • Cocktails in an Art Nouveau Bar: La Belladone
  • Lively bars with great beer selection: Zebra, Moeder Lambic, Café Belga
  • Best Frietkot (for fries): Maison Antoine or Flagey frietkot

Map of all things to do in Brussels for one day

To help you navigate the various different things to do during your weekend in Brussels, I plotted them on a map for you. Check out the interactive Google Maps if you want a closer look, or alternatively sneak a peek at the below image. Green pins indicate day one, red pins indicate day two and yellow pins are the option activities of day three.

One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

Where to store my luggage for 24 hours in Brussels

Despite being a capital city, there are not a huge amount of places to store your luggage in Brussels. Your best bet is to head either to Brussels Centraal (central station) or Brussels Midi (south station) and use the locker facilities here. Book online or head to the locker section at the station immediately. Payment is done by (credit) card or coins.

INSIDE BRUSSELS MIDI: Head in the direction of platform 6. There is a section of lockers in this part of the station (right opposite the bathroom). Prices start at €4/day for a small locker and €12/day for larger lockers for automatic storage. Storage is accesible 24/7

MORE LUGGAGE STORAGE PLACES: Alternatively, check Nannybag which is slightly more expensive but has more locations to drop off your bag (payment is done online, in advance).

How to get to Brussels

Fly into Brussels

Despite what the internet may say, Brussels has only one main airport Brussels International Airport. You might be confused as when searching for flights to Brussels you will most likely have come across Brussels South Airport.

Although Brussels South Charleroi Airport is indicated as Brussels, it is in fact located in Charleroi a 45-minute bus ride away from Brussels. Flights to Brussels South Charleroi airport will most likely be cheaper (as this airport is the hub for low-cost airlines to and from Belgium) you do need to factor in the additional cost of the bus (€15 one way).


Getting from Brussels International Airport to Brussels Centre

The easiest (& cheapest) way to get from the airport to downtown Brussels is by taking the direct train. Head out of the arrivals area, and follow the signs for the train. Multiple direct trains run hourly into town. Brussels has three main stops: Brussels North, Brussels Central, Brussels Midi (South). The closest to the Grand Place is Brussels Central.

Get tickets: Book tickets for the train to Brussels

There are plenty of taxis ready to take you to the center of town too. At the arrival gate, follow the sign for taxis. Only take a taxi from the official taxi stand and always ask for them to put the meter on. The price should be around €45 ($49). A private airport transfer costs between $34 and $51 and is cheaper than the average Taxi price.


Getting from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Brussels Centre

The Brussels South Charleroi Airport is located 46 kilometers from Brussels. Getting into town is fairly easy, though it will require you to take a 45-minute bus ride into town. Busses are stationed at the arrivals area of the airport and drive directly to the drop-off point at Brussels Midi (South) train station. A one-way ticket will set you back €15 ($18).

While private transfers are possible, they quickly cost ($100) therefore I would recommend sticking with the busses.

Get tickets online: Check tickets and timetable


Take the train to Brussels

As a European capital, Brussels is well connected to other European cities via a network of (high) speed trains. In fact, a day trip to Brussels from London, Amsterdam, or Paris is a very common occurrence.

International trains will come into Brussels Midi (south station). From there you can simply take a connecting train to Brussel Central (the closest station to the Historical Centre of Brussels) to start your Brussels Itinerary.

  • London to Brussels for a day trip: Travel time approx 2h two-way ticket prices range from €87 ($95) to €250 ($273) depending on how far in advance you book.
  • Paris to Brussels day trip: Travel time approx 1h30, two-way ticket prices range from €60 ($65) to €300 ($330). Booking in advance is essential for this route.
  • Amsterdam to Brussels one day trip: Travel time approx 2h. Two-way ticket prices can cost as little as €40 ($43).

Purchase tickets: Check timetables and compare costs on Omio

Is Brussels worth a day trip?

Brussels is often overlooked for its starlet neighbors Amsterdam and Paris. While it is undeniable these capital cities are bursting with charm, spending a day in Brussels will soon show you that size does not always matter.

The city is small, walkable and absolutely choc-a-bloc with Art Nouveau architecture not to mention cozy bars with endless types of Belgian beer and little chocolate shops serving bite-size mouthwatering Belgian chocolate.

An added benefit of Brussels is its location. As the capital of Europe, the city is very well connected to just about anywhere in Europe. High-speed trains whisk you off to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Aachen, and Cologn in a few hours while the night trains to Berlin and Viena make travel further afield a piece of cake. Roam around Brussels for a day before heading off to explore the rest of Europe!

Getting around Brussels for one day

Depending on the weather, you could easily spend 24 hours in Brussels walking around the various tourist attractions. That is the beauty of the city, compact with plenty of sidewalks for pedestrians. Unlike Amsterdam, the city is not made for biking around, sadly the infrastructure is just not there. As a local, I never take my bike because, frankly, I do not feel safe.

Fret not however, Brussels is covered by a very solid public transportation network which will get you from one end of the city to the other in under 40 minutes.

Taking the metro and tram around Brussels

One day in Brussels via metro

The Brussels Metro is made up of 6 lines and runs between 05.30 am and midnight on weekdays, 06.00 to midnight on the weekend and public holidays. Metro stations are indicated by a blue sign with a large white “M”. Stops are shown on a small electronic screen by the doors as well as announced over the speaker.

  • Lines 1 and 5: Connect the east and west of Brussels. Take these to get to Cinquantenaire and the Brussels Park.
  • Lines 2 and 6: The circle lines of Brussels. Take them to get to Brupark, the Atomium and Mini Europe.
  • Lines 3 and 4: Connect northern and southern Brussels to each other. Great if you want to get to the Historical Centre of Brussels from Gare du Midi.

Taking the tram on your day trip to Brussels

The tram system in Brussels is one of the largest in the entire world. It contains over 17 lines whizzing above ground and operates the same hours as the metro. Lines 3 and 4 are what we call “pre-metro” as part of their journey is underground in the tunnels dug out for the metro.

Tram stops are dotted along the way and easily spotted by following the track tracks. A stop is indicated by a pole upon which a panel is placed with the number of the tram that passes as well as the direction it goes. Usually, the panel is electronic and gives you an indication on how long you will need to wait for the next tram to pas.

Purchasing tickets for the metro and the tram

Tickets can be bought in advance from the gray and red machine (see above picture) by (credit) card or on the metro/tram itself. If you want to purchase the ticket on the metro/tram simply swipe your (credit) card on the red box right next to the door upon entering the carriage.

TYPES OF TICKETS: Single-journey ticket (€2.5); 5-journey ticket (8); 10-journey ticket (€16.4) or a one-day travel card (€8). The 10-journey ticket is a card that can be topped up at the machine.

If you have a multi-journey ticket, do not forget to validate your ticket before entering the tram/metro. For the metro this is done at the turnstile before entering (see above) while validating your ticket on the tram is done inside the carriage by swiping your card upon entering.

NOTE: The metro and tram have the same ticket e.g. if you purchase a 10-journey ticket you will be able to use it both on the tram and the metro (as well as certain busses, more on that below).

Busses in Brussels

Brussels is serviced by three different bus companies: De Lijn, STIB/MIVB and TEC. Each of these have a different system to purchase tickets, making taking the bus a little complicated at times.

DE LIJN: Yellow and white busses. Tickets can be purchased on the bus (no cash payment allowed) or by sending a text message to 4884 with the words “DL” (only valid for Belgian numbers).

STIB: Orange and gray buses. These busses operate with the same tickets as the tram and metro i.e. if you purchased a one-day pass you do not need to purchase a separate ticket for this bus.

TEC: Bright yellow busses. Tickets can be purchased via their website or their app ar alternatively on the bus (cash only).

Nightbusses in Brussels

If you are spending one day and one night in Brussels over the weekend, you can look into take a night bus to get back to your hotel. The night busses called Noctis run Friday and Saturday from 12.15 am to 03.00 am from La Bourse.

Historical Centre of Brussels

What to do in Brussels if you have more than one day

READ | How to spend a weekend in Brussels & Magical castles around Brussels

Truth be told, it is impossible to see Brussels in a day. Despite the relatively small size of the city, it packs a punch! Between the various historical monuments, comic book-related tourist attractions, funky metro art and – my favorite – Art Nouveau museums, one could spend a week and not have seen everything.

Personally, I would really recommend spending time browsing around the Marolles neighborhood and popping into the majestic Palais de Justice (Brussels Courthouse), see the very cool dinosaur exhibition at the National History Museum, explore our very own Arc de Triomphe in Parc du Cinquantenaire and to grab a beer in one of the many Art Nouveau Cafés like La porteuse d’eau or Cirio.


MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR VISITING BELGIUM

Brussels: A local guide to 2-days in Brussels
Brussels: 10 Most beautiful castles around Brussels
Brussels: Best brunch places in Brussels
Belgium: 16 Castle hotels in Belgium to spend a romantic weekend
Belgium: 24 Beautiful places in Belgium to add to your bucket list
Mechelen: Discover lesser-known Mechelen in Northern Belgium
Antwerpen: The perfect weekend guide to Antwerpen

One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels
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One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels
One day in Brussels: A local’s guide for a day trip to Brussels

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Caroline Muller

Thanks for dropping in! With this blog I hope to harness the power of travel to do good in the world. Think connecting with local cultures, sustainable tourism and in-depth guides to known and lesser-known adventures. 

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