The capital of Belgium, located on the banks of the Seine, attracts millions of tourists from different cities of the world every year. Tourists are not only interested in what you can see in Brussels, but also strive to become part of this unusual city. The city leaves a feeling of unreality and magic, because only here ultramodern buildings and monuments of architecture in the Gothic style get along in an amazing way, and numerous cafes and restaurants serving aromatic coffee and famous waffles complement the atmosphere.
There are so many attractions in the Belgian capital that the city can rightfully be called an open-air museum. Of course, it is impossible to visit all the historical and architectural places in Brussels in one day, but you can create a tourist route and see the most significant sights. Our article will help you figure out where to go in the Belgian capital, and what to see in Brussels in 1 day.
What to see in Brussels in one day
Before you start exploring the city, buy a map of Brussels with attractions. This will help you navigate the kaleidoscope of museums, palaces, and parks.
1. The historical center of the Belgian capital
Historically, Brussels is divided into two parts-the Upper City, where rich people lived and luxurious palaces were built, and the Lower City, where representatives of the working class lived.
It is better to start exploring Brussels from the historical center – the Grand Place, which is the best proof of the high aesthetic and social level of Belgians and is rightfully considered a masterpiece of architectural art. Quite rightly, the Grand Place has received the status of the most beautiful square in Europe, its exclusive touch is the spire of the city hall, 96 meters high, which is visible from anywhere in Brussels.
Interesting fact! The spire of the town hall is decorated with a statue of the Archangel Michael, who is the patron saint of the city.
Opposite the city Hall is the King’s House, a luxurious palace that looks more like the setting for a science fiction movie. Each building is an object of cultural heritage and is imbued with the spirit of history, medieval atmosphere.
A tourist who finds himself in Brussels for the first time, it is difficult to concentrate, I want to have time to see everything. This will be helped by a guide who will conduct a sightseeing tour and tell you many interesting facts and legends related to Brussels.
According to one legend, Louis XIV, once in the capital of Belgium, envied the beauty and splendor of the city and ordered it to be burned. However, the merchants of Brussels built the square with their own money and made it even more beautiful. The Grand Place is a unique architectural ensemble, where every detail is thought out.
Here is the residence of the mayor of the capital – the city hall, decorated in the Gothic style. The left side of the building dates back to the early 15th century. The right side of the town hall was built in the middle of the 15th century. The two rear towers are designed in the Baroque style. The facade and interior of the building is decorated richly and luxuriously. Guided tours are available in English, Dutch and French. The tour costs 8 euros (the price also includes a visit to the city museum). After dark, the town hall is illuminated with multi-colored lights, and a 10-minute performance takes place once an hour.
Decoration of the square – Guild houses. There are 29 of them in total and they are built around the perimeter of the Grand Place. Each house is decorated in a specific style, typical of the 17th century. The facades of houses are a real work of art, because families tried to demonstrate their wealth.
Interesting fact! Most tourists are attracted to the Swan House, which belonged to the butchers ‘ Guild. The facade of the haberdashers ‘ house is decorated with a high relief in the form of a fox. The Archer Guild house is decorated with a fearsome she-wolf. It is believed that sculptures bring happiness if you touch them.
In Brussels, there is a tradition – every two years the Grand Place turns into a flower garden.
Another event is associated with the Christmas holidays, when the Belgian capital attracts the most tourists to visit the brightest fair in Europe. During the holidays, the Grand Place sparkles with colorful lights, smells of different scents and attracts different tastes. Representatives of all Belgian provinces come here to present original dishes and drinks.
Children will enjoy numerous attractions and, of course, an ice rink. A spruce tree is set up in the center, sparkling with thousands of lights.
How to get there:
- train – from the station only 400 meters on foot;
- metro station De Brouckere, then 500 meters on foot;
- Beurs tram stop;
- Parlement Bruxellois bus stop.
2. St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral
The majestic building is built on the Trorenberg hill. It stands proudly between the two parts of the city. This is the main cathedral of the capital, built in the 11th century and decorated in Romanesque style. In the 13th century, it was reconstructed and re-formed in the Gothic style. Today it is a unique building, the architecture of which is a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque styles.
The walls of the temple are white, giving the whole building a feeling of lightness and weightlessness. Tourists can see the basement where the ruins of the ancient cathedral are kept (entrance fee-2€).
The facade of the attraction is represented by two towers in the traditional, Gothic style, between them a gallery is built, decorated with openwork patterns carved from stone.
This is interesting! The height of each tower is almost 70 meters. The observation decks offer scenic views of the city.
The grandeur and grandeur of the premises do not leave anyone indifferent. Travelers spend hours walking between columns, sculptures, and huge windows decorated with stained glass.
An organ concert can be enjoyed in the cathedral. On Sunday, melodies played by the bells of the church can be heard all over the district.
You can view the cathedral daily from 8-00 to 18-00. Admission is free. Website: https://cathedralisbruxellensis.be.
How to get there:
- Gare Centrale metro station;
- tram and bus stop Parc.
3. The Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
The oldest department store in Europe among the attractions of Brussels (Belgium) takes pride of place. The building was built in the middle of the 19th century. It is a unique harmonious combination of culture and commerce under a cylindrical glass roof.
Interesting to know! Travelers call the department store the most beautiful European gallery.
Monarch Leopold and his sons took part in the opening of the attraction. The department store consists of three galleries.
The building is decorated in the neo-Renaissance style. There are more than fifty stores here and you can buy any product. If you want to buy a souvenir of your visit to Brussels, be sure to check out the capital’s incredible department store. There is a theater and a museum, an exhibition of photographs, you can have a delicious snack and just enjoy the atmosphere.
The entrance to the galleries is organized from four streets. The 212-meter-long and 8-meter-wide passageway is sure to have plenty to do and see. where else to go shopping in Brussels and the surrounding area can be found on this page.
Practical information:
- gallery address-Galerie du Roi 5;
- website – galeries-saint-hubert.be.
4. Laken Park Complex
The landmark is located in the historic district of Brussels with the same name and is included in the list of places to see in one day of travel in the capital. A royal residence has been built nearby. For the first time, the idea of ennobling the territory adjacent to the castle came to the mind of Monarch Leopold II.
Interesting fact! The opening of the park was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium, which was celebrated in 1880.
A well-groomed park area of 70 hectares is decorated with flowers and shrubs, greenhouses are organized here – this is a greenhouse complex designed by architect Alphonse Bala. There is a monument to Leopold I on the hill, as well as a Chinese pavilion and a Japanese Tower.
To fully enjoy the beauty of the blooming park and see the unique plants, it is best to come to Brussels in the second half of April or early May. The greenhouse complex opens for only 20 days.
- The ticket price for visiting one of the main sights of Brussels is 3 euros.
- Official website: www.monarchie.be/en/heritage.
5. The Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle
The church is the oldest in Brussels and is famous for the fact that the painter Pieter Brueghel and his wife are buried under it. At the beginning of the 12th century, the Benedictines founded a chapel on the site of the temple, and over time, houses of poor residents were built around it. Today, this area is called Marol. In the future, the chapel expanded and became a church, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
In the middle of the 13th century, the church was presented with a relic-part of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Since that time, the church has become a tourist attraction in Brussels, with pilgrims coming here every year.
During the reconstruction, a bell tower decorated with a dome and a cross was added to the church. In addition, the church houses an ancient font, created in 1475, and a pulpit made of wood in the early 18th century.
6. Museum of Natural Sciences
The attraction is unique in that it features the largest collection of a wide variety of dinosaurs. There are also halls:
- dedicated to human development;
- with minerals;
- “living planet” with 3D models of more than 850 animals.
The exhibition features more than 2 thousand minerals. Whole families come here, as a walk through the halls is a real journey into the world of amazing discoveries. In addition to dinosaurs, guests can see a real mammoth, get acquainted with the life of ancient hunters. Here are exhibits whose age is difficult to even imagine. The history of mankind is shown as fascinating and accessible as possible. Among the exhibits are extinct animals and birds, a moonstone, and meteorites.
- You can see the attraction at the address: Rue Vautier, 29, Maelbeek.
- Working hours: during the school season, daily from 9-30 to 17-00, during the rest of the year – from 10-00 to 18: 00.
- Website: www.naturalsciences.be.
Route:
- Trône metro station;
- bus stop Muséum.
Ticket price:
- full – 7 euros;
- children (from 6 to 17 years) – 4.50 euros. Admission is free for children under 6 years of age.
See what other museums are worth visiting in Brussels on this page.
7. Parliament
Brussels is home to the European Parliament, where tourists get to know the workings of the European Union from the inside. The building is a palace designed in a futuristic style. Its tower gives the impression of being unfinished-a symbol of an incomplete list of EU states.
Next to the entrance is a sculpture that symbolizes the united European countries.
The main house of the European Parliament hosts guided tours, and you can even attend a plenary session. The main feature of the tour is that it is fully interactive, it gives great pleasure to children, because you can press any buttons. You can view the attraction for free. Multimedia guides take visitors to the heart of the European Parliament, explaining the path to European cooperation, how the European Parliament works and what its members are doing to address the challenges of our time.
How to get there:
- by bus # 34, 38, 80 and 95;
- metro, lines 2 and 6, Trone / Troon station;
- metro, lines 1 and 5, Maalbeek station.
The main entrance is located on Parliament Square.
Opening hours:
- Monday – from 13-00 to 18-00;
- from Tuesday to Friday – from 9-00 to 18-00;
- weekends – from 10-00 to 18-00.
You can enter the building 30 minutes before closing – no later than 17-30. Official website: www.europarl.europa.eu.
If you visit these Brussels sights in one day, you will surely have your own impression of this unique Belgian city.
What else to see in Brussels
If your trip to the Belgian capital is not limited to one day, be sure to continue exploring Brussels. After all, there are an incredible number of unique places that can not be seen in one day.
Bois de la Cambre Park
The attraction is located in the center of the Belgian capital on Avenue Louise, it is a huge, well-groomed forest park area, where families and friendly companies come to relax. Why is the park not included in the list of attractions that you can see in one day? The fact is that you want to spend much more time here – it is convenient to sit in the shade of trees, organize a picnic. Brussels residents call the park a breath of fresh air in the chaos of the city.
The park hosts cultural and entertainment events, you can visit the theater, night club, eat in the restaurant. The attraction covers 123 hectares, so it is better to use a bicycle or roller skates to explore.
Interesting fact! In the park, you can take several lessons and learn roller skating.
Autoworld Museum
If the Gothic, medieval Brussels bores you a little, pay attention to the museum of retro cars.
The exhibition will delight not only adult fans of cars, but also children and women. The museum is located in the southern hall of the complex, built in the park of the 50th anniversary. Here are collected more than fifty cars from different eras – from the second half of the 19th century to the present day. What you can see in the museum:
- Belgian – made cars of the pre-war period, by the way, have not been produced for a long time;
- first car models;
- the first fire trucks;
- vintage military vehicles;
- limos;
- fleet owned by the monarch family;
- Roosevelt and Kennedy cars.
The exhibits are located in themed halls and on two floors.
Useful to know! The museum has a souvenir shop, where you can buy any car model presented in the exhibition.
You can view the attraction at the address: Parc du Cinquantenaire, 11.
Opening hours:
- April-September – from 10-00 to 18-00;
- October-March – from 10-00 to 17-00, on Saturday and Sunday – from 10-00 to 18-00.
Ticket price:
- full – 11 euros;
- children (from 6 to 11 years old) – 4 euros.
- Admission is free for children under 6 years of age.
Useful information can be found on the official website autoworld.be.
Cantillon Brewery
Another attraction of the capital, which you can spend one day exploring, enthusiastically studying the beer production process. The brewery museum is located near the central station at Gheude 56. The distance about Grand Place is about 1.5 km.
This area of Brussels is called Anderlecht, where immigrants from Africa live. The brewery is located behind a door that resembles the entrance to a garage. You can get acquainted with the beer making process from October to April. The main product is lambic beer, its difference from other varieties is spontaneous fermentation. Be prepared that the brewery premises are far from sterile, and mold can be seen on the stilts.
Interesting fact! Lambic is the basis for making other types of beer – Goise, Creek, Faro.
- Cost of visit: 9,5€, the tour includes two glasses of beer, the guest chooses the variety independently.
- Opening hours: from 9-00 to 17-00 on weekdays, from 10-00 to 17-00 on Saturdays, Sunday is a day off.
- Website: www.cantillon.be.
Please note! What to see in Bruges in one day-read this article with photos.
Mountain of Arts Park
The attraction is located in the Saint-Rochez district, it is a museum complex. The park was created by the decision of the monarch Leopold II. In 1910, the World’s Fair was held in Brussels, the king issues a decree-to demolish the old buildings and organize a park area in their place to surprise guests.
The park is laid out on an artificial hill, on its top are the Royal Library and the Palace of Congresses, and on the slopes of 2 museums — musical instruments and fine arts. A scenic staircase leads to the top, complete with fountains. On the observation deck there are shops with sweets.
Near the park there is the Gare Centrale Metro station and the Royale bus stop.
- Address: Rue Royale 2-4.
- Official website: www.montdesarts.com.
Mini Europe Park
Another capital attraction that you can spend one day exploring. The park is located next to the Atomium. The area of the park is 2.4 hectares, and visitors have been coming here since 1989.
350 exhibits from 80 cities on a scale of 1:25 are collected in the open air. Many recreated models are moving – railway, cars, mills. The objects were selected for their architectural quality and European symbolism. They are reproduced to the smallest detail. The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral alone required 24,000 hours of work. In the arena of Seville, 6000 figures were placed one after another to attend the bullfight. Big Ben is 4 meters high. The Eiffel Tower is 13 meters tall and taller than a three-story building.
The park is included in the list of the most visited and popular attractions in Brussels, and more than 300 thousand guests of the capital come here every year.
You can reach the park by metro and tram to the Heysel stop, then you need to walk no more than 300 meters.
Work schedule:
- from March 11 to July and in September – from 9-30 to 18-00;
- in July and August – from 9-30 to 20-00;
- from October to January – from 10-00 to 18-00.
Ticket price:
- adult – 17€;
- children (from height 115 cm to 11 years inclusive) – 12.10 euros.
- Admission is free for children under 115 cm tall.
The park’s website: www.minieurope.com.
On a note! You will find a description of the main attractions of Antwerp in Belgium in this article.
Grand Sablon Square
The attraction is located on a hill that divides the capital into two parts. The second name of the square is Sandy. This is due to the fact that in the 13th century there was a sand hill here. Then they built a chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary. In the 15th century, the chapel became a church, where services and baptismal rites are held. In the middle of the 18th century, a fountain was built here, which is still preserved today. In the 19th century, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out. Today it is a respectable metropolitan area, where restaurants, boutiques, luxury hotels, chocolate houses, antique shops are concentrated.
In front of the attraction there is a picturesque garden decorated with sculptures. In the eastern part is the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, which dates back to the 15th century.
You can get there by tram numbers 92 and 94 and by metro, Louise station. On weekends, there are markets where antique items are presented.
There are a huge number of attractions on the map of Brussels, of course, it is impossible to see them in one day. However, once in the Belgian capital, you will definitely want to come back here again. Prepare a list of Brussels attractions with photos and descriptions and immerse yourself in its incredible atmosphere.
