- Eurostar from London St Pancras reaches Brussels-Midi in about two hours
- Base yourself in the centre, Sablon or Saint-Gilles depending on your style
- Allow time for the museums, not just the Grand-Place
- Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven are all easy day trips by train
- Airports
- Brussels (BRU), about 20 minutes by train; Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), about 1 hour by coach; Eurostar to Brussels-Midi
- Best time to go
- April-June and September; December for the Winter Wonders market
- Type
- City
Brussels is the easiest foreign capital to reach from London, and one of the most underrated. Behind its reputation as the home of EU bureaucracy is a city of gilded guildhalls, Art Nouveau townhouses, painted comic-strip walls, serious art museums and some of the best beer bars in Europe. It is bilingual (French and Dutch), cosmopolitan and refreshingly unpretentious.
It works brilliantly for a long weekend, and it also makes a practical base for exploring the rest of the country, as almost every Belgian city of note is within an hour or so by train. For the bigger picture, see our Belgium guide.
Things to do in Brussels
- Grand-Place – the UNESCO-listed main square, ringed by ornate guildhouses and the Gothic town hall. Come early in the morning and again after dark when it is lit up.
- Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – elegant 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcades a few steps from the square, lined with chocolatiers, cafés and bookshops.
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts – Flemish old masters including Bruegel, plus the Magritte Museum devoted to Belgium's best-known surrealist.
- Art Nouveau in Saint-Gilles and Ixelles – the Horta Museum, Victor Horta's own house and studio, is the highlight. Book ahead, as visitor numbers are limited.
- The Comic Strip Route – dozens of murals of Tintin, the Smurfs and other Belgian comic heroes are painted on walls around the centre, and the Belgian Comic Strip Center occupies a Horta-designed building.
- Atomium – the giant model of an iron crystal built for the 1958 World's Fair, with views over the city from its top sphere.
- Sablon and the Marolles – chocolate shops and antique dealers around the Place du Grand Sablon, then the daily flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle just downhill.
- The European Quarter – the Parlamentarium and the House of European History are free and surprisingly engaging, with Parc du Cinquantenaire and its triumphal arch nearby.
Manneken Pis is tiny and always crowded; see it on the way past rather than making a special trip.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Lower town around the Grand-Place | Everything on the doorstep; can be noisy around the Ilot Sacré restaurant streets |
| Sablon | Upmarket and characterful, close to the museums on the Mont des Arts |
| Dansaert and Sainte-Catherine | Independent shops, fish restaurants and lively bars |
| Saint-Gilles and Ixelles | Art Nouveau streets, local cafés and a residential feel; well connected by tram and metro |
| Near Brussels-Midi | Handy for an early Eurostar, though the area itself is less appealing |
Getting there
Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi in roughly two hours, and your ticket usually lets you continue to any Belgian station by domestic train at no extra cost. It is the obvious choice for most UK visitors. Flights go from many UK airports to Brussels Airport (BRU), linked to the city centre by frequent trains in about 20 minutes, and some low-cost airlines use Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), around an hour away by coach. Driving from the Calais ferry or Eurotunnel terminal takes around two hours, but parking in the centre is expensive and public transport is good.
Best time to visit
Late spring and early autumn bring mild weather for walking between neighbourhoods. In August of even-numbered years, a huge carpet of flowers covers the Grand-Place for a few days. From late November the Winter Wonders Christmas market spreads through the centre. Brussels is rainy at any time of year, so pack a light waterproof.
Use the metro and trams with a contactless bank card; tap in on each journey rather than buying paper tickets.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Eurostar from London to Brussels?
Around two hours from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi on the fastest services. Arrive at the station early, as you go through security and passport checks before boarding.
How many days do you need in Brussels?
Two full days covers the main sights, the museums and an evening or two in the bars. Add a day or two if you want to use the city as a base for Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp.
Do people speak English in Brussels?
Yes, widely, especially in hotels, restaurants and museums. French is the most commonly spoken language in the city, and a few words of it are appreciated.
Is Brussels in Flanders or Wallonia?
Neither. The Brussels-Capital Region is a separate bilingual region, surrounded by the Flemish province of Flemish Brabant, which is also where nearby Leuven sits.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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