Advice and tips for visiting Brussels
Updated on December 1, 2022 by Pierre
Advice & tips for visiting Brussels
While Paris, London, and Rome are instant "love at first sight" destinations that you fall in love with almost the moment you step off the plane, Brussels is a capital that requires a bit of effort and preparation to uncover its hidden gems . To help you create an amazing itinerary for your stay in Brussels , we've gathered tips and tricks that will set you on the path to a fantastic weekend in our beautiful capital.
1. Tip #1: Leave the “Brussels” tourist guide at home
If you're a fan of tourist guides like "One Weekend, One Capital" or "Super Top 10 Things to Do," save some money and, for once, try exploring the city in a way that goes beyond simply hopping from one tourist spot to another. While the Grand Place , Manneken Pis, and the Atomium are undeniably iconic symbols of the city, limiting yourself to these tourist sites will mean missing out on its true charm . To find out what to see and do in Brussels, check out Inside Bruxelles, written by locals, and quality blogs for all kinds of great places to eat, Brussels Kitchen for delicious food, and Bruxelles Les Oies if you're visiting Brussels with children.
2. Tip #2 Meet the locals in Brussels
The best way to soak up the atmosphere of a city is not so much to walk up and down the streets from evening to morning as to live this city as the locals do on a daily basis. So go and meet the people of Brussels; Belgian of origin or international (there are many expatriates in Brussels with the European institutions), they are sociable and easy to contact. They will gladly answer your questions and share their best addresses with you.
All our tips and good plans for meeting the people of Brussels are here.
3. Tip #3 Take a look at the Capital Events Calendar
Brussels, as the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium and of Europe, hosts many festivals, concerts, exhibitions all year round… During these events you will experience the atmosphere in this cosmopolitan capital.
- To not miss any news in Brussels, browse the site Agenda.be
- For tickets to shows, concerts, plays, cinema at a reduced price, it's Arsene 50 that you should consult: more than 200 places are put up for sale there daily with reductions of up to -50%.
- For a personalized program to visit Brussels. Finally, if you dream of a 100% Brussels weekend without the organizational headaches, then you need a personalized program! To learn more, read our article “A tailor-made program to visit Brussels”
After living in Lyon, Munich, Hanover, Paris, and Nice, Marion settled in Belgium. Since 2012, Brussels has become her new playground for her passions: cooking, walking, sports, and photography! In her articles for Inside Brussels, during chocolate-themed tours, or by creating a tailor-made itinerary for you , Marion loves to show you Brussels from the inside, as if you lived there.
