1 Day in Brussels: Iconic Sights & Delights

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by Mia

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Brussels 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day adventure through Brussels, the vibrant heart of Belgium, where history and culture collide. Begin your journey with a quick visit to the iconic Manneken Pis, a quirky fountain and sculpture that has become a symbol of the city's irreverent spirit. Just a 5-minute stop, but a lifetime of memories. Next, stroll through the Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at the opulent guild houses and the town hall for about half an hour. Continue to the Brussels City Museum to immerse yourself in the rich history of the city for two enlightening hours. After soaking in the culture, unwind at the Délirium Café, a renowned bar with an extensive selection of Belgian beers, where you can relax for an hour. Rejuvenated, visit the St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels, a majestic church that stands as a testament to Gothic architecture, for a 30-minute exploration. Conclude your day at the Belgian Comic Strip Center, spending an hour celebrating the country's love affair with comic art. This itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Brussels' finest attractions, all within the span of a single day.

ColumbusBrussels
From AU$716
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1 Day in Brussels Itinerary: Day 1

1

Manneken Pis

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Begin your Brussels adventure with a visit to the iconic Manneken Pis, a quirky fountain featuring a small bronze sculpture that has become a symbol of the city's irreverent spirit. Though your stop may be brief, this cheeky little boy provides a whimsical start to your day and a perfect photo opportunity.

Attraction Info

  • Manneken Pis 1000 Brussels Belgium
  • Suggested tour duration: 5-15 minutes
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Le Bistro - Porte De Hal
Le Bistro - Porte De Hal
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L'Ecailler du Palais Royal
L'Ecailler du Palais Royal
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L'atelier de Willy
L'atelier de Willy
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LA TRUFFE NOIRE
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4 min,0.3 km
2

Grand-Place

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Next, stroll over to the Grand-Place, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site that is the beating heart of Brussels. With its opulent guild houses, the impressive Town Hall, and the beautiful King's House, you'll want to spend at least half an hour soaking in the rich history and breathtaking architecture of this grand square.

Attraction Info

  • Grand-Place, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open 24 hours
0.03 km
3

Brussels City Museum

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Continue your cultural journey at the Brussels City Museum, housed in the majestic King's House on the Grand-Place itself. Dedicate a couple of hours to explore the vast collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the tale of Brussels' vibrant past and present.

Attraction Info

  • Grote Markt van, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open on Tue-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm
3 min,0.25 km
4

Délirium Café

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As the afternoon wanes, make your way to the Délirium Café, a legendary spot for beer enthusiasts. With an extensive selection of Belgian and international brews, spend an hour savoring the flavors that make Belgium's beer culture so renowned.

Attraction Info

  • Impasse de la Fidélité 4, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open on Sun,11:00am-2:00am;Open on Fri-Sat,11:00am-4:00am;Open on Mon-Thu,11:00am-3:00am
8 min,0.57 km
5

St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels

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A visit to the St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels, is a serene way to transition from the lively atmosphere of the café. This majestic cathedral, with its soaring Gothic architecture, provides a half-hour of peaceful reflection and an opportunity to admire its stunning stained glass windows.

Attraction Info

  • Pl. Sainte-Gudule, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open from 8:00am-6:00pm
5 min,0.42 km
6

Belgian Comic Strip Center

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Conclude your day with a dose of whimsy at the Belgian Comic Strip Center. Spend an hour delving into the colorful world of Belgian comics, celebrating the country's love affair with the art form and its most famous characters, including Tintin and the Smurfs.

Attraction Info

  • 20 rue des Sables, B-1000 Brussels
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 1/2-6/30,Tue-Sun,10:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 9/1-6/30,Mon;Open from 7/1-8/31,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 9/1-12/23,Tue-Sun,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 12/24-12/31,Tue-Sun,10:00am-3:30pm;Closed all day on 1/1;Closed during Christmas,In July and August the museum is open on Mondays (except 21/8 and 28/8).
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4/5Very Good58 Reviews
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Central Brussels
Brussels
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Top Things to Do in Brussels-2024

TOP 1
Grand-Place
Grand-Place
4.6/5 · 545 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 35,073 review
Highlights:
Most of the buildings on the Grand Place in Brussels were built in the late 17th century, and the style of that year is still well preserved. In 1998, the Grand Place in Brussels was listed as a World Heritage Site. The main square of Brussels City Hall is rectangular, 110 meters long and 68 meters wide. The ground is entirely paved with granite. The prominent building around the square is the Brussels City Hall, which is a typical Gothic building in Brussels. The spired bell tower is 96 meters high and is decorated with a sculpture of Saint Michel slaying the devil. Swan Cafe There is a swan statue on the left door of the city hall is the Swan Cafe. Opposite the City Hall, the building with the same minaret was once owned by the King of Spain and was called the "House of the King". It is now the National Museum, and the clothes given to the Manneken Pis statue by various countries are also collected here. Statue of Serkras The statue of Serkras located in the corner of the Grand Place in Brussels is not to be missed. This gilded bronze statue was built in memory of the hero Sarkras of Brussels, showing the scene of Serkras before his death. It is said that Touching the statue from left to right brings good luck. The other buildings surrounding the square with various buildings belong to various guild organizations, such as boatmen, tailors, painters, etc. The sculptures on the doors of each guild building are sculptures of revered figures or symbolic animals of the guild. Due to the different construction periods, these buildings reflect a variety of architectural styles such as Gothic, Baroque, Louis XIV and so on. Among them, the Duke of Brabant Building, which is decorated with 19 busts of the Dukes of Brabant, is majestic and magnificent. This group of six buildings was built in 1698 and is the seat of guilds such as mill owners and carpenters. , which is now a cocoa and chocolate museum. In addition to admiring the exquisite and atmospheric buildings, the night view of the Grand Place in Brussels is also a highlight. The murals and carvings on all the buildings are shining brightly when the lanterns are first turned on, which is a good place to shoot night scenes. In addition, since 1971, every two years, on the weekends around August 15, there will be a grand celebration in Brussels Square: the laying of carpets. The tapestry selects begonias grown in the Ghent area. Each time, they are designed with different themes, and the amount of flowers used is as high as 800,000. If you happen to meet, be sure to enjoy the beauty of the flowery square.
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TOP 2
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
4.3/5 · 420 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 16,802 review
Highlights:
The Manneken Pis Statue is a must-see for any visitor to Brussels. This cute child peeing is made of bronze and is 60 cm high. It was built in 1619. It is located at the corner of Rudel’Etuve and Ruede Chene in the downtown area, and is surrounded by tourists all year round.
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TOP 3
Atomium
Atomium
4.4/5 · 243 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 16,011 review
Highlights:
The Brussels Atomium is located in the Imundo Municipal Park in the northwestern suburb of Brussels. It was designed by Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn for the Brussels World Exposition in 1958 and has now become a representative Belgian landmark. Unconventional structure This atomic tower adopts the cubic crystal structure of alpha iron magnified by 165 billion times. It consists of 9 large aluminum spheres with a diameter of 18 meters. Each sphere represents an atom and also represents the nine provinces of Belgium. , The balls are connected by hollow steel pipes, each steel pipe is about 29 meters long. The total weight of 9 spheres plus the steel frame structure is 2,200 tons, and the highest sphere is 102 meters above the ground. The surface of each ball is welded with 5800 triangular arc aluminum sheets. Under the sunlight, this imposing building shimmers with silver light, which can be called an unconventional scientific work of art. Top Sphere Overlook At present, 4 spheres of the Atomium are open to the public, and the other spheres are used for research work or rental. From the ground-level circular reception hall, you can take the elevator to the high header ball. This elevator has a speed of up to 5 meters per second, which is the fastest elevator in Europe. The top ball is designed for tourists to enjoy the scenery, surrounded by a fixed circle of tempered plexiglass windows and equipped with multiple telescopes. From the top of the ball, you can see the entire city of Brussels near and far: Brussels City Hall, Sacred Heart National Basilica, Miniature Europe and other buildings can be seen. The tour guide comes down from the top ball, and the metal pipes that run diagonally between the balls can go down to other balls in turn. In these spheres, exhibits on solar energy, atomic energy, aerospace technology, astronomy, and the history of Belgian meteorology are displayed in different categories. At the observation deck on the sixth floor, you can view the Atomium and the 5 balls in it from a very unique angle, which is very interesting. The top half of the delicious restaurant is equipped with a viewing restaurant, and the scenery outside the window is very charming. The restaurant is only open to groups at noon, but you can have dinner here. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance. Dining at an altitude of 100 meters above the ground is an unforgettable experience. There is a dining bar on the bottom of the atomic ball. If you are tired, you can come here to rest and replenish energy. The souvenir shop on the same floor is also not to be missed. There are all kinds of original mugs, earrings, and pens here, which are very creative and can be purchased as appropriate. When night falls, the 9 circles of light bulbs outside each sphere alternately chase and glow. The wonderful lights dot the night scene of Brussels, which is worth seeing.
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TOP 4
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium enterance
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium enterance
4.5/5 · 110 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,805 review
Highlights:
This is a relatively important art museum in Belgium, with more than 20,000 collections, scattered among the six museums under it, four of which are located in the main building, and the other two are dedicated to serving Belgian artists and are relatively small. , located a few kilometers from the city center. There are many collections in the guided museum, mainly distributed in the four museums in the main building - the Classical Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, and the Magritte Museum. The Classical Art Museum on the east side of the Classical Art Museum displays paintings and sculptures from the 15th to 18th centuries. The early Flemish paintings and the special area of Bruegel's works can be enjoyed inside. One of the more worth seeing is "The Fall of Icarus" on the second floor, which is known as one of the seven Belgian treasures. On the west side of the Museum of Modern Art are the Museum of Modern Art, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum and the Magritte Museum, which display various paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The area is very large, with three floors above ground and eight floors below ground, among which the biggest highlights are the 5th floor and the 6th floor.
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TOP 5
Royal Palace of Brussels
Royal Palace of Brussels
4.5/5 · 95 review
Highlights:
The Royal Palace of Brussels is where the King of Belgium exercises his privileges, receives guests and handles state affairs, and it is also one of the most beautiful buildings in Brussels. In summer, the palace is open to the public and can be visited inside. The Royal Palace is located in front of the Brussels Park, and the central axis of the park passes through the Royal Palace and the Belgian Federal Parliament on the other side. These two opposing buildings represent the Belgian polity - the constitutional monarchy. Standing at the Royal Palace can also overlook the scenery of the entire Brussels Park. Every summer, from the end of July to September, the palace is open to the public, and visitors can enter and visit the emperor's rooms, art galleries, conference rooms and valuable collections inside.
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Brussels 1 Day Itinerary