Holiday in Brussels
City in Belgium — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇧🇪
Country
Belgium
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to September (15-25 °C, long days). December is atmospheric with Christmas markets. April is blooming in Bois de la Cambre.
Budget/day
80-140 €
Getting there from Germany
Thalys/Eurostar from Cologne in 1:50 h, ICE from Frankfurt in 3 h. Flight to BRU (about 1 h). Car from Cologne about 2.5 h via A4/E40.
Deals for Brussels:
What makes Brussels special as a destination?
Brussels is much more than the capital of Europe — the Belgian metropolis combines Flemish and French culture, Art Nouveau architecture, and one of the best food scenes on the continent in a compact space. The Grand-Place, praised by Victor Hugo as the most beautiful square in the world, forms the heart of a city that never takes itself too seriously, with its gilded guild houses and Gothic town hall. In just a few minutes on foot, you can transition from the EU quarter with its glass palaces to winding alleys, where comic characters adorn entire facades as murals — Brussels is the world capital of comics, the birthplace of Tintin, the Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. Over 60 comic murals create a unique city tour. The Art Nouveau heritage is unique: Victor Horta's townhouses, particularly the Hôtel Tassel (UNESCO World Heritage), made Brussels the birthplace of Art Nouveau. Hundreds of Art Nouveau facades shape neighborhoods like Saint-Gilles and Ixelles. Culinary-wise, Brussels offers world-class options: Belgian fries with dozens of sauces, chocolates from Pierre Marcolini and Neuhaus, over 1,500 different beers, waffles in two varieties (Brussels and Liège), and mussels with fries as the national dish. The market hall in Saint-Géry and the Rue des Bouchers provide a culinary delight.
What are the top highlights in Brussels?
The top highlights in Brussels include Grand-Place, Atomium, Comic-Strip-Route, Hôtel Tassel & Art Nouveau District, Manneken Pis.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Grand-Place
Gilded guild houses and Gothic town hall: Hugo's most beautiful square in the world — illuminated in the evening for an unforgettable spectacle.
Atomium
165 billion times enlarged iron crystal sculpture from 1958: Brussels' landmark with a panoramic restaurant in the top sphere.
Comic-Strip-Route
Over 60 giant murals from Tintin to the Smurfs: an open-air museum of the Ninth Art throughout the city.
Hôtel Tassel & Art Nouveau District
Victor Horta's UNESCO masterpiece and hundreds of Art Nouveau facades in Saint-Gilles and Ixelles — the birthplace of Art Nouveau.
Manneken Pis
The most famous 61 cm tall bronze figure in the world: since 1619 a symbol of Brussels' self-irony — has over 1,000 costumes in its wardrobe.
Marolles Flea Market
Daily flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle: vintage, curiosities, and Brussels' most authentic district away from tourist paths.
Hotels in Brussels
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Reise-SIM für Brussels
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Brussels?
The best time to visit Brussels is May to September (15-25 °C, long days). December is atmospheric with Christmas markets. April is blooming in Bois de la Cambre.. 18-25 °C, pleasant with occasional rain showers In winter: 2-7 °C, mild but gray and rainy
Recommended travel time
May to September (15-25 °C, long days). December is atmospheric with Christmas markets. April is blooming in Bois de la Cambre.
Summer
18-25 °C, pleasant with occasional rain showers
Winter
2-7 °C, mild but gray and rainy
How much does a holiday in Brussels cost?
Budget travellers: 40-65 €/day, mid-range: 80-140 €/day, luxury: 200-400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
40-65 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
80-140 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
200-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Brussels?
Thalys/Eurostar from Cologne in 1:50 h, ICE from Frankfurt in 3 h. Flight to BRU (about 1 h). Car from Cologne about 2.5 h via A4/E40.
Book a package holiday to Brussels
Compare thousands of package holidays to Brussels and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Brussels?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Brussels Card is worth it — free entry to 49 museums plus public transport for 24/48/72 hours.
Fries only in the bag — Belgians eat fries standing from a paper bag, not on a plate. Maison Antoine at Place Jourdan is iconic.
Utilize beer variety — each Belgian beer has its own glass. Delirium Café has over 2,000 beer varieties.
Comic route via app — the official Comic Walk app leads to all 60+ murals with background information.
Go to the flea market on Sundays — the Marolles flea market is daily, but Sunday is the largest and most vibrant.
What should you eat in Brussels?
Typical specialities in Brussels: Moules-frites — mussels in white wine-celery broth with crispy fries: Belgium's national dish, best in autumn during mussel season., Belgian fries — double-fried in beef fat with Andalouse, Samurai, or Tartare sauce: the best fries in the world., Brussels waffle — light, crispy, and rectangular, dusted with powdered sugar: not to be confused with the sweeter, thicker Liège variant., Stömp — mashed potatoes with vegetables (leeks, carrots, spinach) served with sausage: Brussels' hearty home cooking., Pralines — Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus, Marcolini, or Mary: filled with ganache, praline, or marzipan — a must to take home..
These specialties you must try!
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