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Things to do in Brussels

12 places · 10 h 10 min of sightseeing · 2 days

Manneken Pis, Brussels

How many days do you need in Brussels?

12 places add up to 10 h 10 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 2 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 55 min

2 days — 10 h 10 min

3 days — 10 h 10 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Manneken Pis — 15 min visit. Created in 1619, this 61 cm bronze figurine is the only monument in Brussels regularly dressed in costumes.
  2. Grand-Place - Grote Markt — 1 h visit. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this central square is distinguished by its guildhalls and City Hall, famous for its biennial Flower Carpet.
  3. Stoclet Palace — 15 min visit. Instead of visiting the interiors, it offers a walk around to admire its architecture from the street.
  4. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula — 1 h visit. The main church of Brussels, distinguished by two impressive towers, whose construction began in the 13th century. Hours: Mon–Fri 07:30–18:00 · Sat 07:30–15:30 · Sun 14:00–18:00.
  5. Jeanneke Pis — 10 min visit. It is a humorous, lesser-known counterpart to Manneken Pis, hidden in a narrow alley, requiring deliberate searching to find.
  6. National Basilica of the Sacred Heart — 1 h 15 min visit. As the third largest Catholic church in the world, it offers a unique ascent to the dome with a panoramic view of Brussels.
  7. Royal Palace of Brussels — 1 h 30 min visit. The official residence of the Belgian monarch has a 110-meter long facade and is open to visitors in the summer.
  8. Château de Laeken - Kasteel Van Laken — 30 min visit. It is the official, active residence of the King of the Belgians, usually inaccessible to the public, unlike public parks.
  9. Brussels City Hall — 45 min visit. Its majestic 96-meter tower, crowned with a statue of St. Michael, clearly surpasses other buildings on the Grand-Place.
  10. Horta Museum — 1 h 15 min visit. This is the authentic home and studio of architect Victor Horta, where you can admire his own furniture and interior designs. Hours: Tue–Fri 14:00–17:30 · Sat–Sun 11:00–17:30.
  11. Palais de justice - Justitiepaleis — 45 min visit. Built by Joseph Poelaert between 1866 and 1883, it is the largest courthouse in Belgium, standing out in the city's skyline. Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00.
  12. Parc du Cinquantenaire - Jubelpark — 1 h 30 min visit. At its center is a triumphal arch and museum buildings, which distinguishes it from simpler city parks.
  13. La Monnaie De Munt Royal Opera House — 1 h visit. As the Belgian national opera, it played a crucial role in history, being the starting point of the Belgian Revolution in 1830, unlike the Cathedral.
  14. House of European History — 2 h visit. Unlike traditional institutions, it offers interactive exhibitions on European history with free admission. Hours: Mon 13:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00 · Jul–Aug: Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sep–Jun: Tue–Fri 09:00–18:00.
  15. Belgian Comic Strip Center — 2 h visit. Unlike the Musical Instruments Museum or the Fashion and Lace Museum, here you'll find works by Hergé (Tintin) and Peyo (Smurfs). Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00.
  16. Chapel of the Resurrection — 20 min visit. It is an intimate chapel with a modern interior, often used by European institutions, holding symbolic significance.
  17. Grande mosquée de Bruxelles - Grote Moskee van Brussel — 40 min visit. It represents contemporary Islamic architecture and serves as a cultural center, unlike historic churches.
  18. Hôtel Solvay — 1 h 15 min visit. As Victor Horta's private residence, it is accessible to visitors only on selected days and requires prior reservation, unlike public museums.
  19. Église Notre-Dame - Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk — 30 min visit. It stands out with its preserved Gothic roots and beautiful stained glass windows, offering a peaceful atmosphere for reflection without the hustle and bustle.
  20. Great Synagogue of Europe — 30 min visit. It was built in 1878 in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, which distinguishes it from the Gothic and Baroque churches in the area.
  21. Musée des instruments de musique - Muziekinstrumentenmuseum — 2 h visit. The Art Nouveau Old England building, where it is located, is an architectural masterpiece from 1899. Hours: Tue–Fri 09:30–17:00.
  22. Notre-Dame du Sablon Church — 45 min visit. This Gothic temple from the 14th-15th centuries stands out with its rich decorations and its location in the heart of the elegant Sablon district. Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–18:30 · Sat,Sun 10:00–19:00.
  23. Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History — 2 h 30 min visit. It has one of the world's largest collections of weapons and military vehicles, significantly more extensive than other historical museums. Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00.
  24. Galerie du Roi — 45 min visit. Its opening in 1847 makes it one of the oldest covered shopping arcades in Europe.

Where to eat

What to see in Brussels in one day?

Manneken Pis, Grand-Place - Grote Markt, Stoclet Palace, Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Jeanneke Pis, National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Royal Palace of Brussels, Château de Laeken - Kasteel Van Laken.

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