Brussels travel guide

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Introduction to Brussels

Welcome to Brussels! This municipality and capital city of Belgium is a bucket list destination, home to many famous attractions, including Grand Place, Atomium, and Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. In this ultimate travel guide to Brussels, you will learn everything you need to know before booking your ticket to Belgium. Discover the day-to-day life of the over 188.7 thousand people who call Brussels home and explore the city’s fascinating history, rich culture, and distinct architecture.

Easily accessible from Brussels South Charleroi airport, Brussels is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Belgium any time of the year.

Travelers curious about Brussels might find it interesting that the city was named after Broek and founded in 1795. You'll learn more fascinating facts about Brussels as you explore this spectacular city.

Traveling to Brussels is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Brussels below!

Top services in Brussels

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Brussels, Belgium. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 395 airlines that fly to Belgium. Browse the 347 top-rated tours available to you in Brussels. Compare the rates and services of the 6 types of places to stay in Brussels and the 7 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Brussels.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Brussels, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Brussels on your vacation in Belgium.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Brussels from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Brussels!

Learn more about Belgium

There are many reasons to visit the city of Brussels, but a trip to Belgium needs no explanation.

Exploring Belgium, which spans 30,688 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Belgium offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Grand Place, Atomium, and the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Belgium.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Belgium.

What to see in Brussels

 Brussels, Belgium. Parc du Cinquantenaire with the Arch built for Beglian independence in Bruxelles. Brussels, Belgium. Parc du Cinquantenaire with the Arch built for Beglian independence in Bruxelles.

Brussels has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Brussels.

Top attractions in Brussels

Home to plenty of top attractions, Brussels is more than just a wonderful city in Belgium. Brussels is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Belgium.

One fascinating sight in Brussels is the unforgettable Grand Place. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Brussels.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Belgium, check out our list of top attractions in Brussels below. Discover the best places to visit in Brussels, including the fascinating Grand Place, Atomium, Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and Parc de Bruxelles.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Brussels.

Things to do in Brussels

Cityscape of Brussels in a beautiful summer day.

Enrich your travel experience in Brussels by joining tours and activities. Brussels offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Brussels below.

Most popular experiences in Brussels

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Brussels.

Brussels offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Walking Tours, and Bus Tours are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Belgium.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Brussels by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Brussels

Travelers in Brussels can choose from 17 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Transfers and Transportation is the answer.

The most popular tour in Brussels is the fantastic BLACK CAR SERVICES: One-way private transfer from/to Brussels Airport (Zaventem). By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Brussels one of the best travel destinations in Belgium.

Brussels also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Tell Me About Brussels! | First Day Must-Do | Local Storytellers is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 3 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Brussels. This Historical Tour is available in 1 language: English. Around 275 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 5 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Brussels and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Brussels below.

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Search for things to do in Brussels

Discover the best things to do in Brussels. Choose from 347 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Brussels. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Brussels

 Brussels Belgium, city skyline at Arcade du Cinquantenaire of Brussels (Arc de Triomphe) and Square de la Bouteille.

The best and easiest way to visit Brussels is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Belgium.

Booking a vacation package to Brussels means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Brussels to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Brussels is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find 222 unique vacation packages to Brussels, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Brussels.

Popular types of vacations in Brussels

The most popular way to experience Brussels is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Belgium. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Brussels on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Belgium, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Belgium, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Brussels, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Brussels below.

Top vacation packages in Brussels

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Belgium. In fact, you can choose from as many as 222 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Brussels, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Belgium.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Brussels.

For an epic vacation, discover Brussels and other top destinations in Belgium on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Road Trip to Belgium and Germany from Brussels to Cologne, Kassel, Berlin, and Lemgo. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Brussels, but also in other top places to visit in Belgium. If Grand Place, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Bois de la Cambre, Leopold Park, and Museum of Natural Sciences are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Brussels, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Belgium City Break in Brussels and spend as little as 396 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Brussels, including the fantastic Grand Place, Mont des Arts, Parc de Bruxelles, Museum of Natural Sciences, and St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral.

Get more Brussels vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Belgium that match your needs and budget.

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Find vacation packages in Brussels

Discover and compare 222 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Brussels.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Brussels get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Belgium. Your customized holiday package to Brussels is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Brussels

To get to the city of Brussels the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Belgium can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Brussels by booking flights with any of the 119 airlines that offer direct flights to Brussels South Charleroi airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Brussels South Charleroi airport are Lufthansa, United Airlines, Ryanair, British Airways, and Delta Air Lines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Brussels.

To reach the city of Brussels, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Brussels South Charleroi airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Brussels, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Brussels South Charleroi airport and Brussels below.

Find cheap flights to Brussels

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JULY 6: Manneken Pis statue in Brussels. Statue of a pissing boy in a beautiful summer day in Brussels, Belgium on July 6 2014.

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Brussels, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Belgium. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Brussels, Belgium, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Brussels costs around 18 EUR and is offered by the airline Ryanair. The flight leaves on May 16 at 3 and departs from Sofia airport in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Brussels cost approximately 255 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on May 16 and the return flight is scheduled on May 23. The flight time is around 8 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Brussels South Charleroi.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Belgium and the city of Brussels from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Brussels

Travelers visiting Brussels in Belgium can fly to Brussels South Charleroi airport directly from 2290 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Brussels South Charleroi airport and the city of Brussels in Belgium depart from Albany airport in Albany, Australia, Santa Rosa airport in Santa Rosa, Argentina, and Norman Manley International airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

Travelers can fly to Belgium by choosing from from 2 weekly flight(s) from Albany; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Santa Rosa; and from 17 weekly flight(s) from Kingston.

The airline that operates most flights to Belgium is Emirates. Emirates offers 872 scheduled flight routes to Belgium.

Discover the most popular flights to Brussels below. Click to view flights to Brussels, Belgium from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Brussels

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Brussels is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Brussels usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Brussels offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Brussels and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Brussels planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Brussels, you'll find 6 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Belgium can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Brussels. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Brussels.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Brussels in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Brussels

A trip to the fascinating Brussels, Belgium, means opportunities to relax at any of the 6 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 291 hotels, 262 vacation rental apartments, 5 guesthouses, 5 bed & breakfasts, 2 cottages and 1 hostel. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Brussels provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre is one of the top picks of travelers in Brussels.

The hotel is located at 135-137 Rue du Midi (also Zuidstraat) and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Bar.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Brussels. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Brussels, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Jacques Brel Youth Hostel. For approximately 30 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 6 different types of places to stay in Brussels. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Brussels

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Brussels for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 566 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Brussels provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Brussels are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Brussels.

Warwick Brussels offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Brussels. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out B&B Hotel Brussels Centre Louise, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Brussels, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Brussels. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Brussels

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Brussels on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Brussels that match the information provided.

Car rental in Brussels

Photo of Brussels, Belgium by Goi

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Brussels. Brussels has 7 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Brussels start from 31.08 EUR per day or 217.57 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Volkswagen Polo Auto.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Brussels, starting from 25.26 EUR per day or 176.79 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Ford Fiesta.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Brussels, Belgium, below.

Popular types of car rental in Brussels

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Brussels to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Brussels can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Belgium at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Brussels is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Brussels is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Brussels.

Check out all options available in Brussels and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Belgium below.

Search for car rental in Brussels

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Brussels. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Brussels, Belgium, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Brussels

Photo of Brussels, Belgium by Walkerssk

The city of Brussels is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Belgium. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Belgium has it all.

Belgium is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Belgium that are as magical as the city of Brussels. The most popular travel destinations in Belgium are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Belgium

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Belgium. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Brussels

Photo of Brussels Belgium, by Walkerssk-brussels

A taste of Belgium through a visit to Brussels can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Brussels to another remarkable destination in Belgium.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Brussels to other spectacular locations in Belgium, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Search domestic flights from Brussels

Traveling to another city or region in Belgium? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Brussels to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Belgium on the selected dates.

Popular domestic flights from Brussels

Travelers in Belgium can catch flights to domestic airports in Ostend, and Liège. Domestic flights in Belgium are operated by 10 airlines: Transavia, TUI fly Belgium, Wizz Air Malta, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. There are around 15 scheduled flight routes operating to Brussels on a weekly basis.

From Brussels, travelers can book scheduled flights to 2 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Brussels depart to many top-rated destinations in Belgium and are offered by Transavia, TUI fly Belgium, and Wizz Air Malta.

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