Tips for Traveling to Brussels, Belgium - What to Know Before You Go
by Rebecca Hollman
updated November 5, 2020
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and also the de facto capital of the entire European Union. Because of this, it has a very official feel, not unlike Washington DC in the United States. Besides all the official government work and politics, Brussels also has lovely architecture, amazing waffles, and a unique mix of French and Dutch history. A lot of people think that Brussels can be visited and over with in 1 day or less but I think it’s a lovely city that should be explored thoroughly. Learn about what to know before you go to Brussels, how to get there, what to do there, where to stay, and what to eat below!
What to Know
LANGUAGE: Belgium has two languages - French in the South and Dutch in the North. Brussels has a good combination of both of French and Dutch. Since Brussels is also the capital of the EU, almost every European language is common here. English is VERY common throughout Belgium and all over Brussels.
CURRENCY/BANKS/ATM: The currency of Belgium is the euro, which is the commonly used currency throughout the entire European Union. The US dollar is not commonly accepted so if you want to use cash, you will need to exchange it for euros. You will likely get a bad exchange rate in the airport so I would wait to exchange your money at a bank. Otherwise, almost everywhere takes major credit cards. Make sure to tell your credit card company that you will be traveling abroad and where so that they don’t flag your purchases. Also, consider signing up for a credit card that doesn’t have any foreign exchange fees. That 3% fee on every charge can really add up!
WEATHER: In Brussels, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 34°F to 74°F and is rarely below 22°F or above 85°F. During the summer the average daily high temperature is 67°F while during the winter the average daily high temperature is 48°F. The best time of year to visit Brussels for warm-weather activities is from late June to early September.
GETTING AROUND: Getting around in Belgium is extremely easy thanks to it’s train system. Like any good European system, the public transportation system is robust and easy to use. Most things within Brussels are walking distance. And if not, an Uber ride will do the trick. There is absolutely no need for a car. If you want to go a little farther out or visit other cities in Belgium, a train ride is cheap and fast.
SAFETY: In Belgium, crime rates tend to be higher in the bigger cities than in rural areas, but serious crime in Brussels is low. However, petty crimes such as muggings, bag snatching, and pickpocketing are common in tourist areas, so it's important to use common sense when you're out and about. Realistically, Brussels is an extremely safe city and the joke is that the biggest thing you need to worry about is eating too much food!
How to Get There
BY PLANE: Brussels is a major city in Europe and has a very large airport accommodating flights from all around the world. If you are flying into Brussels, you could get a flight there from anywhere in the world. However, if you are flying into Europe from the USA and Brussels is only one of your stops, you might consider flying into a “hub city” to make the flight cheaper and then getting a bouncer flight or train from there. For the US, the hub city in Europe is most often London. You can usually get a much cheaper round-trip flight from New York City or Boston to London and then buy a separate flight from London to Brussels.
BY TRAIN: If you are already in Europe, then getting from one European city to another is usually quite easy by train. High-speed trains are relatively cheap, easy to use and a common means for travel within the EU. Consider taking a train over flying if you are coming from another nearby EU city.
*Once you are in Brussels, everything is walking or biking distance from another. And if it is not, you can easily use the public transportation system or get an Uber/taxi. A rental car is entirely unnecessary in Brussels and will honestly make your life harder having to find parking for it. The only exception would be if you are doing a cross-Europe road trip and have your own car or if you already live in Europe and plan to drive to Brussels.
What to Do There
1. VISIT LA GRAND PLACE: Arguably the most famous and most visited destination in all of Brussels, the Grand-Place is a square surrounded by historic governmental buildings. The Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. It is also considered as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is surrounded by opulent guildhalls and two larger edifices, the city's Town Hall, and the King's House or Breadhouse (French: Maison du Roi, Dutch: Broodhuis) building containing the Brussels City Museum. When the town of Brussels was originally founded, this area was used as a market place for meat, bread, and cloth. The name stuck over the years and it is still called the Grand Market (Grand Place in French and Grote Markt in Dutch).
2. SEE MANNEKIN PIS IN ALL HIS DIFFERENT OUTFITS: Mannekin Pis is an iconic 17th-century fountain with a bronze statue of small boy, peeing out into the fountain below. He is somewhat of a legend in Belgium and he is often dressed up in costumes for different occasions. There is even an entire museum of previous Mannekin Pis costumes. This is just a quick stop to check off that you’ve seen Mannekin Pis yourself and you really don’t need more than 10 minutes to walk by.
3. GO MUSEUM HOPPING: Brussels has hundreds of museums spread all across the city, ranging from science to art to prostitution. You could spend weeks in the city and never see all the museums, and you could spend days in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and never see all the exhibits. I’ve consolidated a list of Brussels locals’ favorite museums, as well as tourist’s favorite museums, so you can get a taste of a little bit of everything: modern art, film making, science, history, and the just plain weird. Purchasing a Brussels Card will give you entrance into almost all of these museums for free and is a great way to save money on admissions.
4. VISIT LA PARC DU CINQUANTENAIRE: The Park of the 50th Anniversary is a park dedicated to Belgium’s 50 years of independence. The iconic triple archway was built in 1905 and is dedicated to 50 years of Belgian freedom. The rest of the park is a great place to relax with manicured gardens. There are also a few museums inside and next to the park including the Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History, the Art & History Museum, AutoWorld and La Maison Cauchie Bruxelles.
Where to Stay
Made in Louise - A mid-range hotel in a converted 20th century Belgian townhouse. It offers 24 rooms and is a 15 minute walk from the EU Parliament.
easyHOTEL Brussels - A cheap and clean budget hotel option in the heart of the city center.
MEININGER Hotel - Another budget hotel with shared bathrooms. The whole hotel is carbon-neutral and located in the city center. The hotel is located inside a converted red-brick building that once was a brewery.
Where to Eat
Noordzee - A casual and cheap place to get amazing seafood. It’s more street-food style, with stand-up tables vs. an entire sit-down service. It’s known for its mussels, seafood soups, and quick and easy service. $$
Belga Queen - Beautiful restaurant in an old bank. Great atmosphere and setting to enjoy a great meal. Known for its high quality oysters and fish. This restaurant is a great place for a romantic dinner. $$$$
Bia Mara - Casual, small restaurant known for its interesting takes on the classic fish & chips. This restaurant does 'street food' interpretations of the classic British dish using styles by cuisines & cultures from all over the world. $$
Comme Chez Soi - A Michelin star restaurant that serves food that is almost too pretty to eat. If you want to treat yourself to an incredibly nice meal, this is the restaurant in Brussels to do so. $$$$
Don’t forget to try pommes frites, Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate and Belgian beer while in Brussels. These are some of the most classic Belgian foods and you can find restaurants selling these on almost any corner. There are even companies that do food and beer tours.
