Brussels itinerary — 3 days
Day 1 — Brussels
5 stops · ≈ 5 h 24 minStanding atop Treurenberg Hill, this magnificent Brabantine Gothic cathedral serves as the national church of Belgium. Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, its majestic twin 64-meter facade towers strongly evoke Notre-Dame de Paris. Inside, soaring vaulted naves are lined with statues of the twelve apostles, a dramatic 17th-century carved Baroque wooden pulpit by Verbruggen, and stained-glass windows by Bernard van Orley.
The premier historic urban park in the heart of Brussels, laid out between the Royal Palace and the Palace of the Nation, seat of the Belgian parliament. Designed in the late 18th century in strict French neoclassical geometry, its avenues are arranged in an intriguing pattern associated with Masonic symbolism. The park is adorned with shaded linden-lined avenues, ornamental fountains, classical marble statues, and a bandstand.
The official palace of the King of the Belgians, situated opposite Brussels Park. Commissioned by King Leopold II, its neoclassical facade commands the Place des Palais. The palace serves as the administrative workplace and official reception venue of the monarchy. Inside, grand ceremonial halls include the famous Mirror Room, whose ceiling was transformed by artist Jan Fabre using over a million shimmering jewel-beetle wing-cases.
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels comprise six prestigious institutions showcasing over twenty thousand artworks across six centuries. The Old Masters Museum holds an incomparable collection of Flemish art, featuring masterpieces by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens, and Anthony van Dyck. The adjacent Magritte Museum houses the world's largest collection of surrealist paintings by René Magritte.
A late Gothic church of the 15th century in the Sablon quarter, grown out of a small chapel that received a venerated statue of the Virgin in 1348. Inside are pale stone, pointed vaults, stained glass and the burial vault of the Thurn und Taxis princes. The church stands a couple of steps from the Grand Sablon square with its chocolatiers and antique dealers. Entry is free, and the organ often sounds through the nave in the evening.
Reserve
8If you have time left — worth it too.
The Grote Markt in Antwerp is a town square located in the very heart of the city's old quarter. It is filled with an extravagant town hall, numerous artfully decorated 16th-century guild houses, and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Located within walking distance of the River Scheldt, it hosts a Christmas market and an ice rink in winter.
The European Parliament in Brussels sits at the heart of the European Quarter in the Espace Léopold complex. Open to individual visitors free of charge, it offers access to the impressive debating chamber (the Hemicycle) equipped with handheld multimedia guides in all 24 official EU languages. Next door, the Parlamentarium—Europe's largest parliamentary visitor centre—presents immersive 360-degree cinema screens exploring EU lawmaking.
Abbaye de La Cambre is a historic former Cistercian abbey founded in 1196, tucked in a green valley beside the Ixelles Ponds in Brussels. The architectural complex combines a 14th-century Gothic church with refined 18th-century cloister buildings. Its crowning glory is the terraced French formal garden, featuring clipped boxwood hedges, bubbling fountains, and sweeping staircases, providing a serene and free escape in the city.
A working family brewery from 1900 and a lambic museum in one: Cantillon still brews spontaneously fermented lambic, gueuze and kriek in open vessels and oak barrels. A self-guided tour with a brochure leads through the brewhouse, the attic coolship and the cellars, ending with three tasting glasses — lambic, gueuze and a fruit beer. Damp walls and vinegar smells are all part of the authentic charm.
A hands-on confectionery masterclass in central Brussels, where visitors learn the art of authentic Belgian chocolate making. Guided by professional chocolatiers, participants master the tempering process, create filled pralines with assorted ganaches, and mold sweet bars. At the end of the session, all handcrafted treats are neatly packaged into souvenir boxes to take home.
The Parlamentarium is the European Parliament's visitor centre near Place du Luxembourg, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Interactive floors trace the history of European integration and follow a law from idea to final vote. A 360-degree film runs in the rolldome cinema, with hands-on stations and games for children. Entry is free, and the audio guide comes in 24 languages.
Tour & Taxis is a magnificent early 20th-century customs and freight warehouse complex along the Brussels canal, transformed into a thriving cultural and eco-district. Its crown jewel is Gare Maritime, a former railway freight station sustainably converted into Europe's largest mass-timber covered hall, featuring indoor gardens, retail spaces, and a food market. The Royal Depot and public park host international art fairs and design events.
One of the largest churches in the world, crowning the Koekelberg plateau in north-west Brussels. Built in Art Deco style between 1905 and 1970, it is clad in dark brick with terracotta trim. An ascent to the gallery of the dome opens a panorama over the whole city, while below sit a museum of modern religious art and an exhibition tracing the basilica's six decades of construction.
- Purchase a Brussels Card for free access to public transport and discounts on attractions.
- Always validate your metro ticket before boarding.
- Try to learn a few basic phrases in French or Dutch, as locals appreciate the effort.