The Best Things To Do And See In Brussels In Only 12 Hours

Brussels is a truly dynamic city, offering a myriad of cultural opportunities and entertainment to the tourists and locals alike each year. Although spending half a day in Brussels is not nearly enough time to discover the capital, here are a few highlights that will guarantee you make the most out of your visit, even on a tight schedule.

Visit Mont Des Arts

Bar

If you are coming by train, make your way up from the Central Station to Place Royal. Pause at the top of Mont des Arts and turn around to admire the view on the city center. Don’t forget to take a peek at the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) and its magnificent art nouveau facade, located between Mont des Arts and Place Royal. The museum itself houses an extensive and diverse collection of musical instruments and, if you have time, go up to the roof terrace of the museum for a coffee (you don’t have to pay the entrance fee to go to the bar). You can also keep this address in mind for a buffet brunch later in the day.

Discover Surrealism at the Magritte Museum

Museum

René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist, famous worldwide for his often provocative work. The Magritte Museum showcases over 200 works that range from paintings to advertising posters. We recommend investing the four extra euros for the audio guide, as it will give you a clear idea about the nature of his work.

Grab lunch in the trendy part of the city center

Rue de Flandre offers a wide range of choices, from the delicious Italian trattoria, A casa mia, to Asian fusion at San. For a quicker and cheaper option, visit Charli Boulangerie and opt for a tasty sandwich.
A casa mia, rue de Flandre 50, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 513 45 77
San, rue de Flandre 19, Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 318 19 19
Charli Boulangerie, Rue Sainte-Catherine 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 513 63 32

Stroll through Place Saint Catherine and Rue Dansaert

If you enjoy shopping or browsing store windows, walk around the area of the Place Saint Catherine and Rue Dansaert, where you will find local and international designer boutiques.

Visit the Grand Place and Manneken Pis

Go to the Grand Place and admire its splendid architecture that dates back to the 17th century. Within the main square, you will be looking at the Brussels Town Hall, the Museum of the City of Brussels and a number of old guild houses that are recognizable from their craft symbols, which are still visible above their doors. At number 9, (also known as the butcher’s guild house), is famed as the location where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Party Manifesto. From the square, go to see the infamous Manneken Pis, a statue whose size is inversely proportional to its fame. Its wardrobe (yes, they sometimes dress him up) is on display in the above-mentioned Museum of the City of Brussels.

Relax At Arcadi Cafe

Cafe, Coffee, Tea , Belgian

Stop at Arcadi Cafe for a well-deserved sweet stop. The coffee is not known as one of the best, but its wide range of cakes will certainly not disappoint.

People-watch from a terrace

If the weather is nice, exchange cake for beer. Pick one of the bars in a livelier neighborhood, such as Le Fontainas or Au Soleil. If you are not lucky with the weather but still prefer beer over cake, go to Au Bon Vieux Temps to sip a Belgian beer and forget which century you are living in.

Le Fontainas, Rue du Marché au Charbon 91, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 503 31 12

Au Soleil, Rue du Marché au Charbon 86, Brussels, Belgium, + 32 2 512 34 30

Au Bon Vieux Temps, Impasse Saint Nicholas 4, off Rue Marche Aux Herbes 12, Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 217 26 26

Discover Brussels from Parking 58

Parking 58 is the one of the best opportunities to experience an incredible cityscape, where you can admire the areas you have visited or scope out new spots for your next trip to Brussels. Situated close to the Grand Place, individuals can take the elevator to the 10th floor which opens up to a 360-degree view of the city. Don’t forget to look for the Atomium in the landscape.

Taste homemade-style Belgian cuisine at Restobières

Taste delicious Belgian food at Restobières. Try the homemade paté and mussels as a starter, followed by the Belgian beef stew Carbonnade or a Jambonneau, accompanied by a fully flavored Belgian beer. The waiters will also introduce you to the beer of the month. Both the food and the decoration will make you feel as though you were visiting a traditional Belgian home.