7-Day Itinerary for Traveling in Brussels

Day 1: Arrival & Grand Place

Arrival: Arrive at Brussels Airport or Brussels-South Charleroi Airport. You can easily reach the city center by train (around 30 minutes from Brussels Airport, and 60 minutes from Charleroi).

Accommodation: Consider staying in the historic city center for convenience. Some popular choices include Hotel Manos Premier, NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon, and Aloft Brussels Schuman.

Activities: Start your day with a visit to the iconic Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Admire the ornate guildhalls and the towering City Hall.

Lunch: Try the traditional Belgian waffles or frites (fries) at one of the food stalls nearby.

Day 2: Museums & Modern Brussels

Morning: Visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium to see works by Rubens, Magritte, and other masters. Then head to the Comic Strip Center to delve into the world of Belgian comics (home to Tintin, The Smurfs, and Lucky Luke).

Lunch: Have lunch at Comme Chez Soi, one of the city’s oldest and most famous restaurants.

Afternoon: Explore the European Quarter where you can find the Atomium, a iconic 1958 World Expo structure representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Dinner: Dine at Bon Obi La, a trendy spot known for its innovative Belgian cuisine.

Day 3: At the Green Heart of Brussels - Parc du Cinquantenaire & Bois de la Cambre

Morning: Start your day with a visit to Parc du Cinquantenaire, where you can see several museums, including the AutoWorld and the Military Museum.

Lunch: Grab lunch at Le Pain Quotidien or any other café in the park.

Afternoon: Head to Bois de la Cambre, a beautiful urban park perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at La Quincaillerie, a cozy restaurant offering a variety of Belgian dishes.

Day 4: Day Trip to Bruges (Ghent is an alternative)

Morning: Take a day trip to the picturesque city of Bruges, less than an hour away by train. Explore its canals, cobblestone streets, and historic buildings.

Lunch: Have lunch in Bruges at a traditional Belgian restaurant like ’t Pynneke or Cafe ’t Brugs Hooghuis.

Return to Brussels & Dinner: Return to Brussels for dinner. Try the Michelin-starred restaurant A.Waesele, offering innovative Belgian cuisine.

Day 5: Explore Ixelles

Morning: Spend your morning in the trendy district of Ixelles. Visit the Place Flagey, the Flagey Building (home to a cinema and radio broadcasting studios), and the Botanique Royal Greenhouses.

Lunch: Lunch at Bonobo, a popular spot offering Mediterranean cuisine in a lively setting.

Afternoon: Head to the Magritte Museum to delve into the surreal world of one of Belgium’s most famous artists. Then, explore the nearby IN-KO, an independent design center showcasing contemporary Belgian and international designers.

Dinner: Dine at Le Pain Quotidien or Café Des Fédérations in Ixelles for a casual dinner.

Day 6: Shopping & Art Nouveau

Morning: Spend your morning shopping on Rue Antoine Dansaert, known for its fashionable boutiques and concept stores. Then, head to Sablon, where you can find antique shops, chocolate boutiques, and the beautiful Church of Our Sablon.

Lunch: Have lunch at La Truffe Noire, a charming restaurant offering French-inspired dishes with a Belgian twist.

Afternoon: Visit the Art Nouveau district, where you can find many buildings designed by Victor Horta, the father of Art Nouveau architecture. Don’t miss the Horta Museum-Studio.

Dinner: Dine at Le Pain Quotidien or Comme Chez Soi for a special occasion dinner.

Day 7: Departure

Morning: Enjoy your last few hours in Brussels, perhaps revisiting favorite spots or exploring areas you missed.

Lunch & Departure: Have lunch at Le Pain Quotidien or any other café in the city center, then head to the airport for your departure.