Planning a trip to Belgium? Make sure to visit Brussels, a city that blends historic charm with a modern, lively atmosphere. From the stunning Grand Place and world-famous chocolate shops to delicious waffles and iconic landmarks like the Atomium, Brussels is packed with must-see attractions. But the best part? It’s the perfect base for day trips! In just under an hour, you can explore the fairytale streets of Bruges, the medieval beauty of Ghent, or even hop over the border to Lille, France.
Visit Brussels
From the airport to Brussels City
To get from the airport to the city, we booked our bus tickets with Flibco.com for an easy transfer from Charleroi Airport to Brussels and back. We flew with Ryanair, a budget airline in Europe, into Charleroi, but Flibco also operates from Brussels Airport. Tickets cost €17 each way, the ride takes about an hour, and buses run every 20 minutes. It’s best to book online to skip the long lines at the ticket counter. No need to choose a specific time—your ticket is valid for the day you land or depart, plus four extra hours into the next day.
When you arrive, just follow the big green signs to the Flibco stop, wait in line, and hop on the next available bus. Although they advertise onboard WiFi, we couldn’t get a connection. The bus drops you right in front of Gare du Midi train station, and from there, we walked 15 minutes to our hotel. (If you’re curious about where we stayed, check out the blog post linked in the description!)
For the return trip, just head back to the same spot at Gare du Midi, stand in line, and scan your ticket. Super easy!
What to do in Brussels
Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert
While in Brussels, you must visit the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. It’s a small but stunning mall where you can find shops and restaurants to buy Belgian chocolates at Les Delices du Roy, gifts or grab some waffles. You will also find a Maison Dandoy and Mary Chocolate Shop inside this mall.
Grand Place in Brussels
No trip to Brussels is complete without visiting the Grand Place, the city’s most famous square. This UNESCO World Heritage site is surrounded by ornate buildings, the Town Hall, and the King’s House. It is as beautiful in the day as it is at night. There are plenty of great restaurants and Mary’s chocolate shop to explore.
Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis
A fun must-see is Manneken Pis and his counterpart, Jeanneke Pis. Two statues of kids peeing into the fountain. Manneken Pis, the little boy, has over 1,000 outfits, and his wardrobe is regularly updated for different events and holidays. We didn’t see the Zinneke Pis which is the dog version where it’s lifting its leg to pee.
Royal Museum of Fine Arts
If you enjoy art, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is worth a visit. A standard entry ticket costs €10, and we highly recommend getting the audio guide for an extra €4. However, keep in mind that not all pieces in the museum are included in the guide—only the ones with a number.
There are different ticket options depending on what type of art you prefer. We chose the Old Masters collection, which focuses on paintings from the 15th to 18th century, but there’s A LOT of art to explore. If you’re looking to save money, admission is free on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00 PM until closing.
The best time to visit for fewer crowds is early afternoon during the low season. The museum is conveniently located within walking distance of the Grand Place, so there’s no need to worry about public transport.
Atomium
a massive building shaped like an atom, originally built for the 1958 World Expo. You can go inside to see exhibitions, enjoy panoramic views from the top, and learn about the history of science and architecture.
Tickets cost around 17€. Get them here.
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
It’s one of the most important churches in Belgium. The stained glass windows are unlike any we’ve seen. It’s a massive Gothic cathedral that took about 300 years to complete, starting in the 13th century.
It’s named after two patron saints of Brussels’, St. Michael, the city’s protector, and St. Gudula, a local saint known for her miracles. The cathedral has hosted royal weddings and ceremonies, making it an important part of Belgium’s history.
It’s free to enter and is open everyday from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
Planning a trip to Belgium and don’t know where to start? Our 3-day Belgium itinerary takes the stress out of planning by giving you a day-by-day guide to exploring Brussels, Bruges, Ghent & Lille. We’ve mapped everything out for you with a custom Google Map featuring color-coded pins so you have all the locations in one place. You’ll also get detailed schedules, public transport options, and pricing. Plus, we’ve included direct links to buy tickets for top attractions and travel resources to make your trip smooth and hassle-free. Whether it’s your first time in Belgium or you just want a no-fuss itinerary, this guide has everything you need!
Get yours here!
Where to Eat Belgian Waffles and Belgian Chocolates
Maison Dandoy
One of the most iconic places to try them is Maison Dandoy, known for both Belgian waffles (which are light, airy, and rectangular -shaped) and Liège waffles (which are denser, caramelized, and slightly chewy).
They have several locations, including two near the Grand Place, one inside the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, and one in Sablon, a beautiful and sophisticated neighborhood in Brussels filled with stunning antique shops. However, note that the Sablon location doesn’t serve waffles.
Mary’s Chocolate Shop
Mary’s Chocolate is an iconic chocolatier that has multiple locations across Belgium and is known for its high-quality, handmade chocolates.
Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier
We highly recommend sitting in their tea room and getting a delicious Belgian hot chocolate, along with a chocolate mousse cake. Both were incredible!
Where to eat in Brussels
Wolf Sharing Food Market
A food experience you cannot miss in Brussels is the Wolf Sharing Food Market. This indoor market has an amazing selection of food stalls from all over the world. We tried the seafood stall and highly recommend their lobster roll—it was so good! We were surprised at how many tables there were everywhere to sit and enjoy your food.
Bouillon Bruxelles
On the first night we ate at Bouillon Bruxelles, which has been around since 1893. We had Carbonnade de Jou, a hearty Flemish beef stew made with beer and onions, and the Liège meatballs. For dessert, we had Belgian chocolate mousse (yum!) and île flottante, a meringue dessert that is also typical in France.
Bouillons are historically very well known in Paris to be good yet super affordable food in a beautiful setting. The one in Brussels has a similar vibe but keep in mind it is pricier.
Hard Rock Cafe
For a meal with a view, Hard Rock Café Brussels is a great option, as it overlooks the Grand Place. If you go, ask for a table on the top floor, as it offers even better views.
Unfortunately, we only found out about this after our visit, but now you know! We were on the second floor and still had a great table. The food and service were fantastic.
Nüetnigenough
If you’re looking for a traditional Belgian dining experience, Nüetnigenough is a great place to try.
It’s a cozy restaurant serving traditional Belgian food, with a great decor, atmosphere, and service! We recommend the homemade sausage with stoemp (mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables like carrots, leeks, or cabbage) and confit bacon, which was super delicious, and the beef stew.
We have reduced our alcohol intake to be healthy and love trying 0% beers on our trips so here we tried the Unplugged beer and it was really good!
Where to stay in Brussels
We stayed in a hotel called Numa Lief, a beautiful neoclassical building, just a 10 minute walk from the Grand Place. Not only was it conveniently located, but it was surprisingly affordable for the location and quality. Definitely consider staying here during your next trip and make sure to get a room with a view of the Place Fountains Plein.
Day Trips From Brussels
Ghent (or Gent)
If you’re planning on visiting Ghent and Bruges from Brussels, you can book a guided tour that plans the whole thing for you. It includes transport, lunch, a guide, a walking tour and more. Definitely worth it!
Otherwise, we use Omio to book train and bus tickets. It’s a great way to compare prices and keep all your tickets in one place.
First of all, if you’re planning to visit multiple cities in one day, renting a car is a good option. The drive takes about 50 minutes to Ghent, from there Ghent to Bruges it’s 45 mins. Brussels all the way to Bruges it’s 1h and 20 mins in total. However if you’re just 1 or two people, this option comes out much pricier, [min 400€ deposit hold on card] so public transport might be a better option for you.
The fastest and easiest way to get to Ghent from Brussels is by train. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs €10-15 one way. Trains depart from Brussels Central, Brussels North, and Brussels Midi (South) stations, so double-check your ticket to make sure you go from the correct station. Once you arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters station, take Tram 1 or a bus (which bus) to the city center, which takes around 10 minutes. Ghent’s public transport system is operated by De Lijn, so we recommend downloading their app.
A cheaper but slower option is to take a bus, which takes about one hour and costs around €5-10 on Omio (link in description). Most buses leave from Brussels North station and arrive at Ghent Dampoort, which is about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from the city center.
What to do in Ghent
The most important sites to see in Ghent are Gravensteen Castle, also known as the Castle of the Counts. This medieval fortress is one of the best-preserved castles in Belgium and offers incredible views from the top. Inside, you’ll find historical exhibits, including a fascinating (and slightly eerie) collection of medieval weaponry and torture devices. It’s a must-visit for history lovers!
Another highlight is St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the old post office (De Post) turned shopping centre…
The city is also known for its canals, historic buildings, and charming streets, making it a fantastic place to explore on foot. Check out our video, Christmas in Belgium, for more things to do in Ghent—no matter the time of year.
Bruges (or Brugges)
If you’re traveling from Ghent to Bruges, the quickest and easiest option is the train, which takes about 25 minutes and costs around €10 one way. Trains leave from Gent-Sint-Pieters station and arrive at Brugge station. From there, you can either take Bus 1 or 6 into the city center in about 10 minutes or enjoy a scenic 20-minute walk through Bruges’ charming streets and canals.
A more budget-friendly but slower option is the bus, which costs around €5-7 and takes about an hour. Buses depart from Ghent Dampoort. If you’re driving, the trip takes approximately 45 minutes.
If you’re coming from Brussels, the fastest and most convenient way to get to Bruges is by train. Trains run frequently throughout the day from Brussels-Midi (Bruxelles-Midi), Brussels-Central (Bruxelles-Central), and Brussels-North (Bruxelles-Nord), taking about an hour to reach Brugge Station. You don’t need to book in advance, but you might find cheaper fares if you do. Again, definitely check Omio to buy tickets (link in description). Once in Bruges, the city center is about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away, with taxis and local buses waiting just outside the station.
For a cheaper option, FlixBus offers direct routes from Brussels to Bruges, but the journey takes longer, and buses run less frequently. It’s best to check the schedule in advance and plan accordingly.
If you prefer to drive, the journey takes about an hour, but parking in Bruges’ city center can be tricky, so be sure to research parking options ahead of time.
What to do in Bruges
Of course taking a stroll through its charming streets, taking a boat through the canals, seeing the main square. Bruges is one of our top 9 most underrated places in Europe so definitely check out this blog post where we go into more detail about things to see and do in Bruges.
Lille
If you’re going to Brussels and are planning day trips, you most probably haven’t considered going to France. Lille is a fantastic day trip from Brussels. It is only 35 mins away by the TGV-INOUI high speed train and is an incredible place to visit and has become one of our favourites. This is a great way to visit two countries.
Lille is known in France as the capital of Flanders, sometimes called a mini Paris because of the Haussman style architecture. The fastest way to get there is by train, which takes 35 minutes and costs around €20-30 one way. Trains depart from Brussels Midi station and arrive at Lille Europe station.
For a cheaper but slower option, you can take a bus, which takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and costs €10-15. Buses leave from Brussels North station.
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