Yes, Brussels is a very walkable city, particularly in the compact city center where most major attractions, such as the Grand Place, are within walking distance of each other. The core is largely pedestrianized, making it ideal for exploring on foot. However, be prepared for some steep, hilly areas, especially when walking between the lower town and upper town.
Brussels is also known for its cartooning scene, and that made for some excellent local posters. One thing that's less cool about walking around Brussels - despite the fact that it rains a lot, the city has a lot of smooth sidewalks.
The area around Gare du Midi in Brussels is known as the "Midi" or "Zuid" neighbourhood and is home to a diverse mix of cultures, cuisines, and attractions. It's considered dangerous because of petty crimes like pickpocketing and mugging.
Rather unfairly, some might say, Brussels has historically earned itself the moniker of being Europe's most boring city, with some tourists complaining of not feeling safe there and the streets being strewn with litter.
Public transport was easy to navigate. (Apple Maps worked better than Google Maps) We used trams, buses and trains. You can download apps for these before you go to help plan your times but there are ticket kiosks at stations. Conductors will check your train tickets so don't lose them.
BRUSSELS TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS | 20+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Brussels + What NOT to Do!
How many days in Brussels is enough?
You can see Brussels' main sights in 1-2 days, but 3 days is ideal for a comfortable pace and exploring deeper, including potential day trips to other Belgian cities like Ghent or Antwerp. A longer stay (4+ days) allows for more museums, leisurely exploration, or side trips, but 2-3 days covers the core landmarks like the Grand Place, Atomium, and Belgian chocolate/beer.
Although Brussels is in general quite expensive, eating out can be relatively cheap, spending as little as € 4 ( US$ 4.65) for a large sandwich (which is prepared on the spot), to visiting some of the best Belgian restaurants where it'll cost approximately € 60 ( US$ 69.83) per person.
Despite rising gang violence, Brussels does not have “no-go zones”. Some areas have even seen a reduction in overall crime, thanks to the efforts of local authorities.
In terms of hours of sunlight, Glasgow is the most overcast city under consideration. Hamburg, home to the Statista headquarters, also makes it into the 'top' ten. This chart shows the European cities with the lowest annual average hours of sunshine.
The number one thing to do in Brussels is visit the Grand Place (Grote Markt), a stunning UNESCO World Heritage square known as one of Europe's most beautiful, with ornate guildhalls and the Town Hall, serving as the heart of the city and a perfect starting point for exploring.
On Mondays, most shops are open in Brussels. So, you can enjoy the high street fashion shops on Rue Neuve or on Chaussée d'Ixelles at your leisure. Looking for a special souvenir, a vintage collectable or an authentic market? Then make your way to the Marolles.
The best time to visit Brussels is in summer when the weather is warm. Spring (April–May) is when the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are open, and cherry blossoms bloom in Parc Cinquantenaire. Visiting in December means pretty Christmas markets and every Belgian dish you can imagine.
Bruges. Bruges steals the hearts of all who visit. The capital of West Flanders, the city is most famous for its string of romantic canals, cobbled streets and medieval architecture.
Brussels is famous for its iconic waffles, rich chocolate (especially pralines), crispy French fries (frites), and diverse Belgian beers, alongside savory dishes like mussels with fries (moules-frites), creamy Waterzooi stew, hearty stoemp, and fresh tomato with grey shrimp (tomate-crevette).
Beyond Greater London, Rochester, Walsall, Luton, Peterborough and Bradford also make it to the list of the gloomiest places to live in Britain, as voted by residents.
Securing the number one spot as the rainiest city in Europe is Bergen in Norway! Topping the data table for being both the city with the highest average rain days per month (12.7) as well as the highest average daily rainfall (8.8mm), Bergen is the outright rainiest city in Europe. But don't let this put you off!
Brussels is a very safe and friendly city, but it is still a major European capital, and as such, touristy, so don't forget that pickpockets may be present. Keep your belongings in your pockets and your bags and purses close to you.
For one journey, you pay € 2.30 at the metro gates or when boarding the bus or tram. Validate the same card or smart device at each connection. If you change vehicles within 60 minutes of the first validation, you can get on and off for free. You pay a maximum of € 8.40 per day.
Yes, the Atomium is generally considered worth visiting for its unique architecture, panoramic city views from the top, and historical exhibits about the 1958 World's Fair, but opinions vary on whether the experience inside justifies the cost and potential long lines, especially if you're short on time or dislike crowds. It's best for architecture lovers, families, and those wanting iconic Brussels photos, but some find the internal exhibitions underwhelming compared to the exterior's impressive look.
Belgium's "30% tax ruling" refers to a special tax regime for expatriates and inpatriates, allowing employers to reimburse certain recurring relocation costs tax-free, generally up to 30% of gross remuneration, capped at €90,000 annually, plus other specific costs like school fees, replacing older schemes for many. This regime aims to attract international talent, exempting these allowances from tax and social security, with conditions like minimum salary thresholds (€75k for non-researchers) and a 5-year duration (extendable).
Carbonnade Flamande, or Flemish stew, is a rich, one-pot beer and beef stew from Flanders. It's slow-cooked over low heat for several hours so that the meat tenderises and melts in your mouth. It's typically served with fries, boiled potatoes or bread, and a glass of Belgian beer.
In Belgium, the price of your meal or taxi ride includes the service charge. As a result, you do not have to leave a tip. However, you may if you received good service. You can give cash to your waiter or taxi driver or ask them to round the amount up to a higher figure if you are paying by card.
