Today I am going to share how to spend a couple of days in Brussels, the best things to do in Brussels, and, of course, the reason we decided to visit the city in the first place – which is something that was really interesting for me. But I’ll tell you all about that a little later.
Let’s first start with the two airports in Brussels, because that’s probably how you’ll arrive in the city.
Brussels Airport vs Charleroi Airport
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main airport and is located just outside the city centre. It is the most convenient option if you want to start exploring Brussels as soon as possible, as there are fast public transport connections that will take you directly into the city. If you’re flying with a full-service airline, this is most likely the airport you’ll arrive at.
Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Charleroi Airport (CRL) is located outside Brussels and is mainly used by low-cost airlines, so you’ll often find cheaper flights here. To get to the city, you’ll first need to take a bus to Brussels Midi Station, which takes around 50 minutes, and then continue your journey using the metro or other public transport.
Getting from Charleroi Airport to Brussels is actually much easier than it sounds. After collecting your luggage, you’ll see ticket machines just before leaving the airport. Here, simply buy a ticket from Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels Midi Station. Once you leave the terminal, walk towards the bus station, where you’ll easily spot the large Flibcobuilding. That’s where you’ll catch your bus. Honestly, it’s very straightforward, so don’t worry – you can’t really get lost.
If you prefer to book your bus tickets in advance, you can click here to visit the Flibco website.
Getting Around Brussels
Before we jump into the sightseeing, let’s quickly talk about public transport in Brussels.
The easiest way to get around the city is by using the Brussels Metro. The network is easy to navigate and connects all of the main attractions you’ll want to visit. Just keep in mind that Brussels is a large city with lots of people, so don’t expect the metro to be the cleanest one you’ve ever seen.
You can buy your metro tickets from the ticket machines located at every station, or if you prefer to organise everything before your trip, you can purchase them online by clicking here.
How I Recommend Exploring Brussels
To make your trip easier, I recommend dividing Brussels into different areas instead of travelling from one side of the city to the other all day.
We’ll start with The Pentagon, which is the name of the historic city centre of Brussels. This is where you’ll find many of the city’s most famous landmarks and historical attractions. If you can find a hotel in this area, you’ll be within walking distance of many of the best places to visit in Brussels, making your trip much more enjoyable.
The Pentagon - The Historic Centre of Brussels
The first part of Brussels I want to tell you about is The Pentagon, which is the name of the historic city centre of Brussels. This is where you’ll find some of the most famous attractions in Brussels, and if you can find a hotel in this area, you’ll be able to walk to most of them without needing public transport. I think it’s the best area to stay if you’re visiting Brussels for the first time.
Grand Place
The Grand Place is without a doubt the most beautiful square in Brussels and the place you’ll probably remember long after your trip. Surrounded by impressive guild houses with golden details, the Town Hall, and the Maison du Roi, it’s easy to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I recommend visiting it at least twice – once during the day to admire the architecture and again in the evening when the buildings are beautifully illuminated. The atmosphere completely changes after sunset, and I honestly think it’s even more beautiful at night. If you’re visiting in August during an even-numbered year, you might also be lucky enough to see the famous Flower Carpet, which transforms the entire square.
Manneken Pis
Only a few minutes’ walk from the Grand Place, you’ll find one of Brussels’ most famous attractions – Manneken Pis.
I’ll be honest, it’s much smaller than most people expect. I actually laughed when I first saw it because I couldn’t believe that something so small had become one of the city’s biggest landmarks. Still, this little bronze statue has become a symbol of Brussels and is definitely worth seeing while you’re exploring the historic centre.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch him wearing one of his many costumes, as he has hundreds of different outfits that are changed throughout the year.
Royal Palace of Brussels
If you’re interested in royal history and beautiful architecture, make some time for the Royal Palace of Brussels. Although the Belgian royal family doesn’t actually live here, the palace is still used for official ceremonies and receptions.
The building is impressive from the outside, while the nearby Brussels Park is the perfect place to slow down for a walk or take a short break from sightseeing. If you’re visiting during the summer months, the palace opens its doors to visitors, giving you the chance to explore its beautiful interiors.
Mont des Arts
Mont des Arts quickly became one of my favourite spots in Brussels. The terraced gardens lead to one of the best viewpoints in Brussels, with a perfect view stretching towards the Town Hall tower.
It’s a great place to stop for a few minutes, take some photos, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. The area is also surrounded by several museums and cultural buildings, making it an excellent stop if you’re planning to spend the whole day exploring the city centre.
Where to Eat in the Historic Centre
While you’re exploring The Pentagon, I highly recommend stopping for a pizza at Pizza Pronto. We found it by chance, and it turned out to be one of our favourite meals in Brussels. The pizza was absolutely delicious, and if you enjoy beer, I also recommend ordering a Leffe to go with it. It was the perfect combination after a long day of walking around the city.
Don't Leave Brussels Without Trying Belgian Chocolate
As you walk through the streets of Brussels, you’ll quickly notice that chocolate shops are everywhere. From famous Belgian brands to small family-owned chocolatiers, there’s no shortage of places to satisfy your sweet tooth.
I definitely recommend buying some Belgian chocolate while you’re here because it really is worth it. Even if you only buy a small box, you’ll understand why Belgian chocolate is famous all over the world. After all… it’s chocolate!
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Now let’s leave The Pentagon and head to another one of my favourite places in Brussels – Parc du Cinquantenaire.
If you’re looking for a place to relax after exploring the busy city centre, this is the perfect spot. The park is one of the most beautiful green spaces in Brussels and is great for a picnic, a peaceful walk, or simply sitting on the grass and taking a break.
The highlight of the park is the impressive Triumphal Arch. If you visit during opening hours, you can climb to the top and enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Brussels. I definitely think it’s worth doing if you have the time.
Atomium & Mini-Europe
The next two attractions are right next to each other, so I highly recommend visiting them on the same day. It’ll save you time and make planning your Brussels itinerary much easier.
Atomium
The Atomium is probably the most recognisable landmark in Brussels and one of the city’s biggest attractions.
Personally, I found it much more impressive from the outside than from the inside. It’s such a unique building that it’s worth visiting just to admire the architecture and take some photos.
If there isn’t a long queue, then I would recommend going inside. However, when we visited, the waiting time was around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and for me it honestly wasn’t worth it. The exhibitions inside were interesting, but not enough to justify such a long wait.
If you do decide to enter, you’ll find exhibitions inside several of the spheres, while the top sphere offers beautiful panoramic views over Brussels.
Mini-Europe
Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Atomium, you’ll find Mini-Europe, and for me this was actually the more enjoyable attraction.
The park features detailed miniature versions of some of Europe’s most famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and hundreds more.
What makes it even more fun is that many of the models are interactive. You’ll see moving trains, boats, windmills, and even erupting volcanoes, which makes the experience much more entertaining than you might expect.
I especially recommend Mini-Europe if you’re travelling with children, but honestly, I think adults will enjoy it just as much. Since it’s located right next to the Atomium, visiting both attractions on the same day makes perfect sense. You can also save a little money by buying a combined ticket.
The Reason We Visited Brussels - Mundo Pixar Experience
Now it’s finally time to tell you the reason we decided to visit Brussels.
It wasn’t actually because of the famous landmarks – it was because of the Mundo Pixar Experience.
As huge Pixar fans, we simply couldn’t miss it.
The exhibition brings some of Pixar’s most loved movies to life through life-sized sets that make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the films. You can walk through Andy’s bedroom from Toy Story, explore the colourful streets of Coco, visit the headquarters from Inside Out, and discover scenes inspired by Finding Nemo, Up, Cars, Ratatouille, and many more.
The entire exhibition is highly interactive and filled with amazing photo opportunities, making it a fantastic experience for both children and adults. It honestly felt like we had stepped into the Pixar universe.
The exhibition was located at Brussels Expo, just a short walk from both the Atomium and Mini-Europe, which made it easy to combine all three attractions into one day.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Mundo Pixar Experience was only a temporary exhibition in Brussels. It travels to different cities around the world, so if it looks interesting to you, click here to see where it’s heading next. You might even be lucky enough to catch it in a city near you!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed our time in Brussels. Before visiting, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the city completely surprised me. From the beautiful Grand Place and the delicious Belgian chocolate to the iconic Atomium and the fun experience at Mini-Europe, there was always something new to discover.
I hope this guide helps you plan your own Brussels itinerary and gives you a better idea of the places that are truly worth visiting. Of course, there are many more things to do in Brussels, but these were my personal favourites and the places I would happily visit again.
The main reason we travelled to Brussels was the Mundo Pixar Experience, and it made the trip even more special for us. I took many photos during our visit, so I may share a separate article with more details about the exhibition and what you can expect from it.
Until then, I hope this Brussels travel guide helps you organise your trip and enjoy the city as much as we did.