Brussels
Top Places:
#6 La Crèche des Artistes
Entertainment Quality: 3 / 5
Safety: 3 / 5
Nightlife: 3 / 5
Walkability: 5 / 5
Living Standards: 4 / 5
Free WiFi: 4 / 5
Brussels in Prices & Facts
$19.1 $19.11
Quick Lunch for One
Spoken Languages
Dutch, French, German
$2.7 $2.67
Public Transport Ride
Use keyboard arrows to navigate through photos
View More High-Quality Photos:
The Heart of the European Union
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, serves as the administrative center of the European Union and hosts the headquarters of NATO. This alone hints at the influence and prestige of this vibrant city, also known as the home of the famous "Manneken Pis". The iconic statue of the "peeing boy" often surprises visitors with its modest size, yet it remains one of the city's quirkiest landmarks. Recently, Manneken Pis gained a "girlfriend" — a statue of a peeing girl tucked away in a narrow alley lined with restaurants. Unlike her counterpart, however, Jeanneke Pis faced a less warm reception.
One of Europe's most beautiful squares, the Grand Place, rebuilt in elaborate palace style after bombardments in 1695, stands near sleek modern apartment buildings. Just a short walk from the bustling Town Hall square, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel, a 17th-century gem with unusual sculptures and a historic altar, emerges as a hidden surprise for curious travelers. And then there’s the food scene: Brussels offers everything from traditional Belgian waffles with endless toppings to fresh oysters sold right on the street and a chance to taste the city’s famous Kwak beer. Visitors rarely run out of things to do in Brussels — every corner promises a new discovery.
One of Europe's most beautiful squares, the Grand Place, rebuilt in elaborate palace style after bombardments in 1695, stands near sleek modern apartment buildings. Just a short walk from the bustling Town Hall square, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel, a 17th-century gem with unusual sculptures and a historic altar, emerges as a hidden surprise for curious travelers. And then there’s the food scene: Brussels offers everything from traditional Belgian waffles with endless toppings to fresh oysters sold right on the street and a chance to taste the city’s famous Kwak beer. Visitors rarely run out of things to do in Brussels — every corner promises a new discovery.
Getting Around
On Foot
Brussels is highly walkable, with pedestrian-friendly areas like the historic Grand Place and the European Quarter, and it’s free to stroll around; remember to wear comfortable shoes as cobblestone streets can be tough on the feet. For a local experience, take the time to explore hidden alleyways and discover charming cafés that aren't on the main tourist routes.
Metro
Brussels Metro costs €2.40 per ride and operates from 5:30am to midnight, linking major areas like the Grand Place and Atomium, but consider buying a "Jump" smart card for seamless travel and discounts. Don't forget to validate your ticket at the station to avoid hefty fines!
Other Airports:
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
My first impression of Brussels: incredibly reminiscent of Paris. Every corner is filled with charming buildings featuring sweet little balconies, and yes, plenty of homeless individuals. Just like in Paris, not many people speak English, it’s mostly French. 😃
Overall, in Belgium, we’re welcomed by one city that I’ve long wanted to visit, but that’s a story for another time… »
I really enjoyed it: beautiful squares, delicious cuisine, rich beer traditions 😊. It's a pity that it's a bit chilly. The thermometer doesn't drop too much, but the cold wind can be quite dreary. »
First of all, the prices. Everything here is really expensive. The accommodation I wrote about previously cost around $110 for a double room in a 10-bed dorm, and that was the cheapest option. It’s just absurd. You probably guessed that we didn’t spend the night in beds. 😂
Secondly, the people. Because the Belgians are quite tolerant, there are many refugees in Brussels. While I don't have any bias against other nations, their inappropriate behavior left me puzzled!
Thirdly, why exactly in Brussels there was a bunch of people from the Catalonia region of Spain. 😂 And they were walking around drunk with flags. They really reminded me of football fans.
As I already wrote, the accommodation here is unrealistically expensive, and since we were on a budget, we decided to spend the night at the bus station, where we would catch a bus to Cologne at 6 in the morning. Arriving at the bus station, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was so dirty!!! Just imagine, half the place was filled with garbage, like on a landfill. For me, it was quite strange. So many homeless people and refugees, a bit of criminal element. Due to exhaustion, I was ready to stay there, but luckily, my friend explored the territory, which made me start to feel a bit anxious, thinking I could end up looking as rough as some of the people we saw.
Then my friend said that we should definitely not stay there, and we should go for a walk. But this plan didn’t appeal to me, I felt freezing cold and just wanted to sleep. We began reminiscing about McDonald's. It turns out there’s a round-the-clock McDonald's in Brussels, where we spent the evening before heading back to the bus station. 😂 Picture spending a night in a total dump. Indeed, that was the vibe. The person sitting there was quite unwelcoming. There were homeless people, drunken people, and even other tourists like us, just hanging around sharing cigarettes. Someone tossed napkins to sleeping people, and someone else was snoring loudly. Overall, total chaos!
And I also couldn’t sleep because the security was walking around checking on the sleeping people. And I couldn’t sleep anyway because it felt like I was going to be mugged, just like I experienced here. It was a terrible night. And a very long one. 😱 »
Little alleys bring vibrant splashes of color to this massive metropolis. This is how it should be! 😊
Even the rain didn't stop me from falling in love with many places in Brussels. And oddly enough, I can't imagine what summer would be like here. The ambiance is just unbelievable! 😻 »
Since it was December 31st, there were quite a few tourists around, which gave a mixed feeling about the place. The architecture was simply mesmerizing! 😍 The buildings are incredibly beautiful. If you were to take the tourists, trash, and homeless people out of Brussels, the city would feel almost magical. 💖
Would I go back? I think I definitely would! Spending just one day isn't enough to explore everything, and I’d love to carve out more time for leisurely strolls through the streets. And definitely not on a holiday or weekend! ✌🏽 »
The locals are not standoffish, and most of the pubs were filled with local residents enjoying drinks and playing board games. The atmosphere was vibrant and warm, making the experience worthwhile despite the rainy weather. »
The locals are not standoffish, and most of the pubs were filled with local residents enjoying drinks and playing board games. The atmosphere was vibrant and warm, making the experience worthwhile despite the rainy weather. »