Brussels Holidays

The best time of year to visit Brussels depends on what type of trip you’re after. Each season has its own unique charm. Winters can be wet and grey, but the Christmas markets in December bring the whole city to life. Spring and early autumn offer milder weather and less crowds, while summers are often busy with festivals like the Ommegang Pageant. Travel either side of the school holidays – May, June or September – to get the perfect balance.

Many visitors underestimate Brussels, treating it as a daytrip destination. While you can see the Grand Place and Atomium in a single day, three days lets you explore museums, neighbourhoods like Marolles or Ixelles and enjoy other daytrips to Ghent or Bruges.

Brussels is compact, so you can see a lot in a short time which makes it perfect for a weekend visit. The challenge is deciding what to prioritise – Grand Place, Atomium, European Quarter or chocolate and beer tours. If you’re only coming for a weekend, then focus on the highlights in the historic centre, then add a half-day trip to the Atomium or do a comic book walk.

Brussels is pricier than Prague or Budapest, but generally cheaper than Paris or Amsterdam. Hotels and restaurants near Grand Place can be expensive, but street food (frites, waffles etc.), budget eateries and free museums (like Magritte Museum on the first Wednesday of the month) make it manageable.

Brussels is officially bilingual, with French and Dutch both being spoken, but don’t worry because English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants, museums and shops. In local cafés or markets, French is more common, but simple English usually works. Learning a few words of French (“Bonjour,” “Merci”) adds a nice touch.

Brussels has two airports – Zaventem (main) and Charleroi (budget airlines). If you’re travelling into Zaventem, catch the train to Bruxelles-Central. They run every 10 minutes and you’ll get to the city centre in just 20 minutes. From Charleroi, shuttle buses take around an hour. Taxis are reliable but pricier.

Belgian cuisine is hearty and indulgent. Must-tries include moules-frites (mussels with fries), carbonnade flamande (beer-braised beef stew), waffles and artisanal chocolate. Don’t miss local beer pairings – Belgians take their brewing heritage seriously, with Trappist and lambic styles that are unique to the region.

Yes – Brussels is family-friendly. The Atomium fascinates children with its sci-fi design, while Mini-Europe next door lets families ‘travel’ across the continent in miniature. Comic strip murals around the city turn sightseeing into a fun game, too.

Brussels’ central location is one of its biggest perks, and tourists often underestimate how many options there are. Ghent and Bruges are just 30-60 minutes by train, Antwerp is under an hour away, and Paris, Amsterdam or Cologne are under two hours by high-speed rail.

Most shops, restaurants and museums accept Visa, Mastercard and contactless payments. However, some small cafés, market stalls and friteries (chip stands) prefer cash. It’s best to carry a small amount of euros just in case.

Brussels is more relaxed than Berlin or Barcelona, but it’s still pretty lively. The Delirium Café (with over 2,000 beers) is world-famous. Place Saint-Géry is buzzing with cocktail bars, while Ixelles has student-friendly pubs and live music venues. Expect a mix of beer halls, jazz clubs and chic lounges.