Brussels Cathedral
Brussels Cathedral, formally called St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, is located in downtown and worth a visit for the architecture alone. It’s free to visit the inside and is open 7am-6pm on weekdays, with modified hours on the weekend. If you want to visit the archeological site, romanesque crypt or treasury, those will cost €2 each.
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Brussels Cathedral
- Time Needed: 1 hour
The Grand Place
The Grand Place is the historical center of Brussels and arguably the most picturesque part of the city! It’s free to walk around the square and there are plenty of outdoor dining options to admire the view. Brussels’ town hall is the main attraction here and is the only remaining medieval building in Grand Place.
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Mannekin Pis
Mannekin Pis (dutch for “little pissing man”, not joking) is a famous fountain in Brussels. There are many legends surrounding the little boy that the statue depicts, but its primary use was to provide drinking water. Today, Mannekin Pis is a symbol of the city of Brussels and is often dressed up in costumes depending on the time of year. It is said the statue has over 1,000 costumes!
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 15 minutes
Sandeman’s Walking Tour
One of our favorite things to do in a new city is to take a walking tour to get ourselves acquainted. Sandman’s New Europe offers free walking tours with local guides throughout Europe so we joined their free Brussels tour! Not only do the guides teach you about the iconic sights and history of the city, they also share recommendations about where to eat and what to do as well.
- Cost: Free (+tip)
- More Information: Sandemans Free Tour of Brussels
- Time Needed: 2.5 hours
Pro Tip: Our guide taught us about a mitraillette sandwich, a classic late night snack for locals after a few beers! Mitraillette translates to machine gun in French and is essentially a kebab with FRIES INSIDE the sandwich! (Yes, you read that correctly). We recommend trying the Andalouse sauce as well if you like a little spice!
Enjoy a Belgian Waffle
Speaking of our tour guide, they also told us where to find the best (authentic) Belgian waffles in the city! Of course we made a point to stop for breakfast the next day after our tour to try one, and we were not disappointed. They were so sweet and warm because the sugar is caramelized on top! There are a lot of gimmicky waffle spots in Brussels that are stacked high with fruit, candy, Nutella and whipped cream but this is the classic version. Look for little yellow food trucks called Glacier Pascalino (that also sell ice cream) for a delicious and authentic Belgian Waffle (at an affordable price too)!
- Cost: €3-€8
- Time Needed: 15 minutes
Royal Palace of Brussels
The Royal Palace of Brussels is another site to add to your list when visiting the city. It is currently closed to visitors due to renovation work happening but you can see admire the gardens and view from the outside!
- More Information: Royal Palace of Brussels
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Monts de Arts
One of the best things to do in Brussles is admire the view from Monts de Art Garden. Located between the Royal Palace and the historical city center this garden is meant to connect the upper and lower parks of the city between the Royal Quarter. There are plenty of benches and water fountains so it’s a great spot to enjoy your Belgian waffle!
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Parlementarium
The Parlementarium is a modern museum where you can learn about the history of the European Union. This is one of the best free things to do in Brussels and is worth a visit for anyone interested in history or international affairs. We couldn’t believe how many interactive exhibits they had!
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Parlementarium
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Chocolate Museum
This museum takes you through the history of chocolate! Your ticket includes an audio guide and some chocolate samples (of, course). If you are a chocolate lover, you may want to also considering booking a chocolate making workshop* while in Brussels!
- Cost: €7-€13
- More Information: Chocolate Museum
- Time Needed: 1.5 hours
Fun Fact: One of the most interesting things we learned was why some chocolates (such as Godiva, Lindt or other specialized shops) have products that are creamy and melt in your mouth, while other chocolates (like M&M’s) don’t. This is because some companies only use cocoa powder, which is cheaper. But in order to get that creamy taste, you must use cocoa butter and cocoa powder!
Day trip to Brugges
It takes an hour by train to travel from Brussels to the fairytale city of Bruges, making it the perfect day trip! From strolling the canals to sampling drinks at the Beer Museum, we were absolutely charmed by this city. If you don’t want to take the train, you could also consider a tour* that includes transportation.
- Cost: €20-€50 (train tickets) or $51 (tour)
- More Information: Tour to Bruges & Ghent*
- Time Needed: All day
Beer Tour
Belgium is not only famous for it’s chocolate and waffles but also its beer! We truly learned so much while on a beer tour* – from how beer is made, to why different types of beer taste a certain way! Our guide brought us to a few different stops and our tour included sampling a variety of beers. Our guide ended the tour at Delirium Cafe which holds the Guinness World Record for most beers available at a bar (2,004 to be exact)!
- Cost: $86
- More Information: Brussels Beer Tasting Tour*
- Time Needed: 4 hours
Overall, two days in Brussels didn’t feel like enough time to see everything but it gave us a taste of a really charming city. We definitely plan to return to this region to enjoy more chocolate & beers!
