I'll be honest and say that last year I went into my first trip to Brussels with pretty low expectations. I hadn't heard rave reviews about this place from anyone who had been there. Plus, my parents went there years ago in the winter when it was freezing, couldn't find much to do, and ended up spending most of their time cooped up in their hotel! But on my first visit last summer, it far exceeded my expectations! In my opinion, this is generally quite underrated.
It's a fairly straightforward Eurostar train ride between London and Brussels, which is perfect if you're trying to cut down on your air miles or don't want to fly. There is such architectural variety and facets to the city that all have different characters. I think the key to really enjoying your stay in Brussels is to explore these different neighborhoods, and not just stay around the Grand Place or the city center which can seem a little small after a few days.
However, depending on how far in advance you book your tickets and whether you opt for a very early/late departure, the Eurostar can sometimes prove to be enough Dear. However, the good news is that once you arrive in Brussels, there are a whole host of free things to do in the city to save your budget. I also found that the city is generally very walkable, saving us the expense of public transportation. Visiting in summer, when the weather is nice and sunny, will also help, allowing you to visit many of the beautiful parks and gardens on offer, which are free to enter.
The Grand Place – no tickets
It's not difficult to understand why some claim that the Grand Place is the most beautiful square in Europe. The Gothic architecture and medieval spire are stunning, and the buildings' golden gilding catches the light as the sun sets. The main square is full of cafes and chocolate shops, but don't forget to explore the surrounding alleyways too!
Cinquantenaire Park
This is a stop for anyone staying in the European Quarter. The Parc du Cinquantenaire is full of interesting monuments and buildings to discover, such as the (controversial) monument to the Belgian pioneers in the Congo, the Tournai tower and the central memorial arch. You can best see the sculptures and curved structure of this arch from the Cinquantenaire arcade. The park houses the Museum of the Army and Military History, as well as the Museum of Art and History (entrance fee). The Great Mosque of Brussels is also on the north side.
European Parliament
It's a nice place to visit and stroll around the grounds of the European Parliament. The modern architecture here offers a nice contrast with the old town and the Gothic buildings of the Grand Place. It was great to take a look at the statues and flowers while exploring the surrounding park on a sunny day.
Parlamentarium – tickets required
It's a good stop for anyone interested in the EU or international politics. The Parlamentarium is the visitor center of the European Parliament. It traces the history and functioning of the EU in an interactive and visual way. As it's completely free, the Parlamentarium unsurprisingly functions as a sort of advertisement for the EU, but it's a great activity to do indoors if you're unlucky enough to catch some rainy weather. Just note that you need to book your free tickets online in advance.
Manneken Pis and Jeanneke Pis – no tickets
Have you ever been to Brussels if you haven't visited the legendary Manneken Pis? Translated as “little man who pees,” this small bronze statue is one of the most famous symbols of Brussels and literally depicts a boy peeing in a fountain. The Manneken Pis has become such a symbol for the city that it offers hundreds of outfits that change regularly!
Jeanneke Pis is the lesser known female counterpart which was erected much later than the Manneken Pis, but in the interest of gender equality you may want to pay her a visit as well.
The Botanical Garden – no tickets
The Botanical Garden is quite small and not the most impressive of all the parks and gardens in Brussels, but it is a bit of an oasis amidst the tall buildings and hustle and bustle of the city. It's a nice place to enjoy some peace and quiet or grab a quick sandwich in the sun. There is also a large glass greenhouse, part of which has been converted into a cafe. The main orangery building is today used as a cultural center and concert hall for the French Community of Belgium.
Window shop or buy chocolate at the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert – no tickets
The Royal Galleries of St-Hubert are a must-visit in Brussels. These covered shopping arcades are full of chocolate shops, traditional Belgian lace and cafes. The historic architecture, beautiful lighting, and glass roof combine perfectly, making it a nice place to window shop even if you don't plan to buy anything.
Although many stores will be closed in the evening, the galleries themselves will remain open 24 hours a day. Some chocolate shops stay open quite late into the night, which is perfect for an after-dinner treat!
When it comes to chocolates, I would particularly recommend Neuhaus to anyone with intolerances, as their marking of different allergens was much better than most other stores I've been to. (See Guide to gluten-free Brussels for more information on this subject.) They also claim to be the inventors of Belgian praline!
The Mont des Arts Garden – free, without ticket
Literally translated as “Mount of Arts,” this is a lovely viewpoint and park to visit at sunset. This hill allows you to contemplate the city and its monuments. We actually ate our sandwiches here before heading back to catch the Eurostar, and the atmosphere was incredible in the evening!
There are also many museums around the Mont des Arts, such as the Musée des Instruments de Musique, the BELvue museum or the Musée Oldmasters Museum, but these will require an entrance fee.
Brussels Park – no tickets
This is the royal park which adjoins the Royal Palace of Brussels. In addition to being the oldest, it is also the largest park in the center of Brussels. This park is very spacious, but also full of different features such as fountains, a bar and statues. During our visit, there was a free exhibition of bronze statues representing Le Chat, a comic book series created by Philippe Geluck.
If you're staying in Brussels for a mini-break, it's important to keep in mind that there are different neighborhoods and areas of the city. Therefore, I recommend that you first think about what interests you most and choose your location accordingly.
Because I wanted to explore the European Parliament and the Parlamentarium, we decided to stay in the European Quarter. If you're thinking about budget, prices are generally a bit cheaper here and you're still only about a 20 minute walk from the old town!
We stayed at the Thon EU hotel which was clean and comfortable. It was a perfect starting point to explore the European Quarter and head towards the city center. Additionally, I found the gluten free options very convenient to find at this location. Just note that the European Quarter is up a hill from the Old Town, so potentially not very suitable if you don't like walking or have mobility issues.
Thanks so much for reading and I hope you found this budget guide helpful! If so, don't forget to like and subscribe to my blog to receive my guides straight to your inbox 🙂
