What is the best route to visit Brussels in one day?

Updated July 27, 2024 by Pierre

Do you only have one day to explore the Belgian capital? Do not panic ! Brussels is full of surprises and unexpected experiences. This guide will allow you to discover the city's must-see attractions, but also to unearth secret corners and experience unique moments.

Visiting Brussels in one day is possible! 

Many tourists only come to Brussels for one day, some spend a weekend there. The capital is not very large, but you can quickly lose time. This is why for visit Brussels in one day, you better be prepared. We have therefore prepared an itinerary for you to visit Brussels on foot in one day.

This itinerary makes you visit the free places. Do not hesitate to consult our other articles on

• 🔥The best activities and free tours not to be missed in Brussels?
• 👪 The “ Free-Tour in Brussels", free guided tour of Brussels.
• 💸What to do for free in Brussels?
• 🍟Typical Belgian restaurants not to be missed?

Before going any further: our thematic itineraries

One route does not fit everyone. This is why we also have different articles dedicated to different themes. Don’t hesitate to take a look to personalize the itinerary below.

Is it possible to visit all of Brussels in one day?

Passing through Brussels for a day? Want to rediscover the Belgian capital? Indeed, visiting Brussels in 1 day is possible! Our mission today is simple: to make you discover Brussels, eat the best fries and share with you our favorite places on the route such as the best selfie spots. And this, with a minimum budget and little/no public transport.

Some will say that in a single day, it is impossible to visit Brussels. However, sometimes you have to make a compromise. If you are only in Belgium for a weekend, such as a bachelor party. Sometimes it's worth spending a whole day in Bruges and another in the center of the capital.

Put on your sneakers, we have put together a smooth journey for you, pleasant with a minimum of public transport. The route is approximately 13 km. If you're not a big fan of walking, you can easily do the first few kilometers by Villa or take electric scooters. Follow the guide, let's go!

🚌 If visiting all of Brussels on foot seems too fair to you in one day, try the hop-off bus, it will save you time. Also practical with small children, in case of heavy rain or heat wave

Our itinerary for visiting Brussels in one day

📍 1. Merode:

Le starting point of your route is the Cinquantenaire arc, which you can reach by metro. We chose to start on this side of Brussels, so the rest will be mostly uphill :) Head towards the Cinquantenaire arch visible in the distance.

📍2. LThe park and the Cinquantenaire arch:

This is one of my favorite places in Brussels, it's also the place for runners. The park is made up of different zones:

• Gardens & monuments,
• Museums
  • Royal Museum of the Army and Military History,
  • Royal Museums of Art and History,
  • Autoworld
  • Triumphal arch with 3 arcades: the Cinquantenaire.

The large aisles lead you to the “ Pavilion of Human Passions » designed by the famous Victor HortaMore.

Consult here our article on the Horta Buildings to visit.

Cross the park towards Schuman to reach the European Quarter.

(I.e. 3. The Berlaymont – Visit the European district

You will recognize it when you see the European flags. This is a selfie spot worthy of the capital of Europe. Building Berlaymont is the headquarters of the European Commission. You will find it at the intersection of rue de la Loi and boulevard Charlemagne. Inside, it houses the offices of the President of the Commission as well as the European Commissioners. To visit it, you sometimes need to be in a group of a certain size and book in advance. However, the place remains nice to see for a souvenir selfie of your visit to the center of Europe.

(I.e. Parc Léopold: a bit of greenery in the middle of business

Then head to Leopold Park, probably one of the expats' favorite parks. This constitutes a haven of greenery in the center of the European district. At lunchtime, its lawns are invaded by expats who work in nearby institutions. If the weather is not good or you want to see dinosaurs, go to natural science museum which is really close. If hunger strikes, you can opt for a Jourdan fries located a few steps away.

(I.e. European Parliament + Parliamentarium + Place du Luxembourg

If it's raining, and you're curious to know more about the European Parliament, you can visit the exhibition " Parliamentarium“, the visitor center of the European Parliament. Thanks to the numerous interactive screens, you will discover the history of European institutions and European politics in a very fun way. Take advantage of it, it's absolutely free! If you are expats (or still in Brussels on Thursday evening), note the name “Place Luxembourg”, it is the ideal place, the place to be, for expats’ afterwork in Brussels.

(I.e. Royal Palace and Royal Park of Brussels

Once there, you will not doubt it, this large building is indeed the royal palace. The Palace constitutes the administrative residence as well as the workplace of the King. He receives representatives of different political institutions, his foreign hosts and guests. Inside, large prestigious lounges. It is in these that round tables and receptions are organized, for example. Don't get too excited, the interior is only visible to the public a few days a year (after the National Day from July 21 until the beginning of September). Opposite the Palace, you will find the Royal Park, one of the favorite places for runners who live in the center of Brussels.

(I.e. Place royale: Magritte and Museum of Musical Instruments

Continue on your way down towards Place Royale. You are heading towards the Mont de Arts. On your way, you will meet the MIM: Museum of Musical Instruments. You can go inside and ask for free access to the rooftop brasserie terrace. This offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. One of the best rooftop in Brussels for the brunch or a coffee break during your visit. A little further on is the Museum Magritte, the Coudenberg museum (former underground passages in Brussels), as well as the fine arts museum, …) If you have some time ago an unusual bar two steps away. Attention, reservation necessary in case of affluence.

(I.e. Jardin du mont des arts: a must-have on the Brussels in one day itinerary

Here is one of my favorite spots for taking photos! It gives a breathtaking view of the buildings of the Grand-Place seen from afar. You can also find the National Library there. This is also where one of the stages of the Brussels Summer Festival is located in August. If you are a music fan, don't miss this cultural and musical event during your visit. In July, when the weather is nice, passers-by lie in deckchairs set up by the cafés and PopUp Store, listening to the musicians who liven up the Mont de Arts.

(I.e. Saint-Michel and Gudule Cathedral

The cathedral stands at the crossroads of two important ancient routes (Flanders to Cologne and Antwerp to Mons via Brussels). The cathedral stands at the crossroads of two important ancient routes (Flanders to Cologne and Antwerp to Mons via Brussels). It is also an ideal selfie spot during your day trip to Brussels!

(I.e. Royal gallery of chic in case of rain! You could spend the day there!

Simply Wow! So a lively place for a timeless journey. Tourists and Brussels residents come to stroll and shop there all year round. …Designed in 1847, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are among the oldest in Europe. It is a place steeped in history, not to be missed during your visit to Brussels. The architecture is inspired by the Palaces Italian of the XNUMXth century. Look to the sky, the roof is covered over the entire length of a metal structure canopy. Each year, it is crossed by some six million visitors. They consist of three galleries: the Queen's Gallery, the King's Gallery and the Princes' Gallery. Ideal in case of rain during your visit to Brussels

(I.e. Don't forget to visit Jeanneken-pis & Delirium Café, to end the day

Did you know there was a Maneken Pis girl version? Her name is “Jeanneken Piss”. The statue is right in front of the Delirium Café. This is a world famous beer café. His choice is huge. Over 3.000! During your visit to Brussels, we advise you to taste the Belgian Trappists: (In Belgium, there are 12 Trappist abbeys, 6 of monks and 6 of nuns. Six have a brewery: 3 in Flanders (Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel) and 3 in Wallonia: Chimay, Orval and Rochefort. There is only one outside Belgium, in the Netherlands, the Notre-Dame de Koningshoeven abbey with its "De Schaapskooi" brewery.) The triple Karmeliet is also very good and appreciated. To drink in moderation, all that is quite strong! If you are hungry? Think twice before eating in the Butcher Street... Some say there are a lot of tourist traps around here. We have prepared a list of suggestions for you where to eat near the Grand-Place in Brussels

(I.e. To visit by day and night: the Grand-Place of Brussels:

Continue through the Queen's Gallery to head towards the Grand-Place from Brussels. If you are only in Brussels for one day to visit, here is one of the key places not to be missed. Wow. You can see it during the day but also at night! It changes the perspective quite a bit. Take a look at the town hall, the café le Roi d'Espagne is quite nice in winter with an open fire.

Once on the Grand-Place, remember to book a “free-tour” in advance. It is possible to visit Brussels for free via a tour organized by volunteers.

I discover the free tour of Brussels

(I.e. At the end of the course: Brussels Stock Exchange

Pass by the Saint-Nicolas church to head towards the Brussels Stock Exchange. There are sometimes exhibitions inside the Brussels stock exchange, such as the Van Gogh exhibition. On the other hand, if you visit Brussels in one day, it may be too short for exhibitions! If you are faster than expected, at De Brouckère take the metro to visit the Brussels Atomium and the Heizel area.

(I.e. Sainte-Catherine district – to visit for waffles & ice cream! 

Go through the Sainte-Catherine Church district. There are good ice cream and crepes at the back of Place Sainte-Catherine, Chez Gaston. Do not hesitate to take a look at our good addresses for eat waffles in Brussels. 

(I.e. Flanders Street: Zinneke-Pis

Pass rue des Flandres. Around here, there are quite a few real people from Brussels. You will actually find that Manneken-pis also had a dog… Pissing dog: Zinneke Pis. In old Brussels (“brusselair”), Zinneke means both the little Senne (river which formerly bypassed Brussels) as well as a mongrel dog. Today, Zinneke is the symbol of the cosmopolitan and multicultural character of Brussels. S

Do not miss our article on the free comic book trail et the comic strip museum

(I.e. The covered market which alternates exhibitions and concerts: Halles St-Géry

Since 1881, the Halles-Saint Géry have stood in the historic heart of Brussels. Its architecture characteristic of the Flemish neo-renaissance style. This covered market-like building is an exhibition space with hybrid programming that alternates exhibitions, meetings, conferences, concerts...

(I.e. The Gay Quarter – Chez Maman

The gay heart of the capital beats in the rue “Marché au Charbon”, “Plattesteen” and the area around the Grand-Place! In these rainbow streets are concentrated a majority of gay places. Do not hesitate to go to Maman, the transformist cabaret, a must during your visit to Brussels.

(I.e. The emblem of the city of Brussels: Manneken Piss

Formerly made of stone, the bronze statuette representing the little boy urinating known as Manneken-pis is a heritage of the city of Brussels. Located between rue de l'Étuve and rue du Chêne, it embodies the rebellious spirit of Brussels.

(I.e. The remains of the wall of Brussels: Villers Gate

Go to “la porte de Villers”. The “T”our de Villers » also called "Tour scallop » and one of the best preserved vestiges of the 1st enclosure of the city of Brussels. This dates from the 13th century. From the course of the Dutch-speaking school Sint-Jorisinstituut (16 rue des Alexiens), you can see the extra-muros face. From the rue de Villers, we can see the face intramural face is visible from the rue de Villers.

Do not hesitate to consult our article on hidden and unusual places in Brussels

📍AArchitecture & Antiques: The Sablon District

Go through the Sablon to Edmond Park. The district of Template inherited its name from the fine sand that covered the hills overlooking the Senne valley. The Sablon district is one of the assets of the city of Brussels. The charm of architecture, the wealth gastronomic and especially its antique are treasures that absolutely deserve to be discovered.

(I.e. A Waouww view of Brussels: Palace of Justice & Place Poelart

Go under the scaffolding and get a little closer. (If it is accessible and open). The courthouse is falling into ruin… The scaffolding is used to support the building. Inside, it seems that there are very few rooms. The building is constructed of high ceilings. Nearby, Place Poelaert is worth the detour for the view, especially at the end of the day, to see the sunset with a breathtaking view.

(I.e. Antique dealers Brussels and Porte de Halles: lthe Marolles

If you are still motivated, spend some time in the Marolles district. The district is made up of vintage stores, antique shops and other friendly concepts. If you are still there on Sunday morning, go there for the flea market. You can also go see the Porte de Halles.

Normally you should be able to cover this Brussels sightseeing itinerary in one day. After that, you might get hungry. Do not hesitate to take a look at our good addresses. As for example, happy hours, Where to go at night, the best waffles , where to eat good meat , where to eat mussels in Brussels . Also if you want buy Neuhaus chocolates at factory prices, it's this way!

To go further and discover Brussels in several days

Are you staying more than one day in Brussels? Here are our tips

• The best hotels in Brussels
• Unusual places in Brussels
• The best Brunch in Brussels
• The best restaurants in Brussels

We also have a me by me program:

• What to do in Brussels in May?
• What to do in Brussels in August?
• What to do in Brussels in December?