Is Brussels Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion

On By saar.decosterIn Belgium, Europe

Is Brussels worth visiting?

I hear this question all the time, and I also hear a lot of tourists say that Brussels wasn’t anything special and that they wouldn’t recommend visiting.

And honestly?

I kind of understand why they feel that way.

But I also think a lot of people experience Brussels in the wrong way.

If you come to Brussels, walk around the tiny touristy area around Grand Place, eat overpriced chocolate, buy fries from a tourist trap, take a photo of Manneken Pis and then call it a day…

I meannnn… what are you doing then???

Brussels is so much more than that tiny piece of the city.

And that’s exactly why I think Brussels is absolutely worth visiting, you just need to know where to go.

If you’re planning a bigger trip around Belgium, check out my Belgium Complete Travel Guide: Cities, Food, Festivals & Local Tips for more ideas on where to go, what to eat and how to plan your trip.

So, Is Brussels Worth Visiting?

Yes. Absolutely.

But I wouldn’t necessarily say Brussels is the most beautiful city in Belgium.

If you’re looking purely for beautiful architecture and postcard-perfect streets, I’d choose Bruges or Ghent over Brussels any day. Smaller places such as Durbuy can also be much more traditionally charming.

Not sure which Belgian cities are actually worth adding to your trip? My Belgium Cities Compared: Which Belgian City Should You Visit? breaks down what each city is best for and which ones I’d prioritise.

Brussels is different.

What I love most about Brussels is its multicultural atmosphere, constant energy and international character.

It’s busy. It’s diverse. There are people from everywhere, different languages being spoken around you, international restaurants, bars, cafés, events and completely different neighbourhoods that all have their own atmosphere.

And personally, I love that.

If you want a quiet, tiny Belgian town where everything feels picturesque and peaceful, Brussels might not be your favourite.

But if you like big-city energy, multicultural neighbourhoods, good food and constantly having something to do, I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Wine on a terrace in Brussels, Belgium

Why Do Some People Not Like Brussels?

I genuinely think a lot of the negative opinions about Brussels come from people spending almost all their time in the most touristy part of the city.

Don’t get me wrong: Grand Place is beautiful.

You should absolutely see it.

But the area immediately surrounding it can feel very touristy, and it’s probably one of my least favourite parts of Brussels.

If your entire Brussels experience is:

Grand Place → chocolate shop → fries → Manneken Pis → souvenir shop → leave

…then I can understand why you might think:

“Was that it?”

But that isn’t really Brussels.

It’s like visiting a city and only seeing the most touristy few streets around its biggest landmark.

Brussels is much bigger than Grand Place

Some of my favourite experiences in Brussels are actually outside that central tourist area.

Explore the Marolles and you’ll find vintage shops, flea markets and independent businesses.

Walk around Sablon for beautiful architecture, cafés and chocolate shops.

Spend some time in Egmont Park or Warandepark when you want some greenery.

Head towards Sainte-Catherine for restaurants, bars and a completely different atmosphere.

Explore Saint-Gilles or Ixelles for more neighbourhood cafés, restaurants and local life.

And then there are places such as Laeken, where you can see another side of Brussels entirely.

That’s the Brussels I like.

If you want a complete overview of what to see, eat and do in the city, check out my Brussels Travel Guide: Things to Do, Eat & Local Tips.

Want to know where to stay?

Want more neighbourhood recommendations and hotel options? Check out my guide to Where to Stay in Brussels: Best Areas & Hotels before booking your stay.

Short on time?

Here are my 4 favourite hotels in Brussels:

Grand Place & Historic Centre: Hilton Brussels Grand Place
Sainte-Catherine & Saint-Géry: Citadines Sainte-Catherine Brussels
Sablon & Royal Quarter: 9HOTEL SABLON
Ixelles / Flagey: Maison Flagey

My Favourite Thing About Brussels: The Multiculturalism

If I had to choose one thing that makes Brussels special to me, it would be its multiculturalism.

Brussels is incredibly international.

You can walk through one neighbourhood and feel like you’ve completely changed countries.

There are restaurants serving food from all over the world, people speaking different languages and communities from so many different backgrounds.

And I love that.

It’s one of the reasons Brussels feels so alive.

It’s not always polished or perfect, and that’s part of the charm.

Sometimes it’s chaotic.

Sometimes it’s loud.

Sometimes it’s busy.

But that’s Brussels.

And personally, I would much rather have that energy than a city that feels completely dead after 8 PM.

Brussels Is Busy, And That’s Either a Good or Bad Thing

This is probably something worth knowing before you visit.

Brussels is busy.

There are always people around, traffic, public transport, tourists, locals, students, commuters and events happening somewhere.

Personally, I love that.

But if you’re someone who prefers peaceful streets and slow mornings, you might find Brussels a little overwhelming.

So I wouldn’t say Brussels is for everyone.

But if you like cities that feel alive and energetic, I think you’ll enjoy it.

The Tourist Attractions Are Still Worth Seeing

Now, I’m not saying you should completely avoid the famous sights.

Quite the opposite.

There are some genuinely beautiful places in central Brussels.

Grand Place

Grand Place is famous for a reason.

The historic buildings surrounding the square are genuinely impressive, and I especially recommend seeing it both during the day and after dark.

Warandepark

Warandepark is one of my favourite green spaces in central Brussels.

It’s right in the middle of the city but gives you a chance to escape the busy streets for a while.

Warandepark in Brussels Belgium

Sablon

Sablon is another area I really recommend.

The architecture is beautiful, and there are plenty of cafés, chocolate shops, restaurants and little streets to explore.

The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are also worth seeing.

It’s a beautiful historic shopping arcade and an easy stop to combine with Grand Place.

So yes, the famous sights are worth seeing.

You just shouldn’t stop there.

Don’t Judge Brussels After One Afternoon

If you’ve visited Brussels before and didn’t like it, I honestly wouldn’t write the city off yet.

I’d give it another chance.

Instead of just walking around the centre, spend some time exploring different neighbourhoods.

Go vintage shopping in the Marolles.

Have brunch near Egmont Park.

Looking for somewhere good to start your day? Check out my guide to the Best Coffee & Brunch Spots in Brussels for my favourite cafés and brunch spots.

Get drinks around Sainte-Catherine.

Explore Sablon.

Visit a museum.

Try restaurants from different cultures.

And if you also want to try some classic Belgian food while you’re here, check out my Belgian Food Guide: 15 Foods You Need to Try for the dishes and specialities I’d recommend.

Walk around neighbourhoods that aren’t on every tourist itinerary.

That’s when I think Brussels starts becoming much more interesting.

How Long Should You Spend in Brussels?

For me, 1–2 days is perfect for Brussels if you’re visiting as part of a larger Belgium trip.

You can see the main sights, explore a few neighbourhoods, eat well and get a feel for the city without needing to spend a full week here.

If you’re interested in museums, nightlife, food or exploring more neighbourhoods, you could easily stay 2–3 nights.

But I wouldn’t necessarily recommend spending a whole week in Brussels if your main goal is to explore Belgium.

And that’s an important distinction.

Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels Belgium

Planning your Brussels trip?

I created a Brussels Google Map with my favourite places and local recommendations, including things to do, coffee & brunch spots, restaurants, bars, shopping and more.
OR
Want to explore more of Belgium?
Get the Complete Belgium Google Map with 540+ saved places across the country.

Brussels Google Map: €2
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Don’t Come to Belgium Just for Brussels

This is probably my biggest piece of advice.

Yes, Brussels is worth visiting.

But don’t come to Belgium and only visit Brussels.

Belgium is small, which makes it incredibly easy to visit several cities during one trip.

You could combine Brussels with places such as:

  • Ghent
  • Bruges
  • Antwerp
  • Leuven
  • Mechelen
  • Durbuy
  • Dinant

And they all offer something completely different.

If you’re planning a bigger Belgium trip, definitely check out my Ultimate Belgium Itinerary for inspiration on how to combine different cities and regions.

Where Should You Stay If You Want to Explore Belgium?

If you’re planning to see a lot of Belgium, I actually recommend considering Ghent as a base rather than staying in Brussels for your entire trip.

Ghent is centrally located and makes a great starting point for exploring other Belgian cities, while also being a beautiful city to explore in its own right.

If you’re mainly coming to Brussels to experience Brussels, however, staying here for 2–3 nights makes perfect sense.

How I’d Recommend Spending a Day in Brussels

If you’re worried about ending up in the same tourist-trap situation I mentioned earlier, I’ve actually put together a 1-Day Brussels Itinerary that shows exactly how I’d recommend spending your day.

Instead of just going from one famous landmark to another, it combines:

  • Local neighbourhoods
  • Vintage shops
  • The Marolles flea market
  • Brussels’ best viewpoints
  • Belgian waffles
  • Brunch
  • Museums
  • Grand Place
  • Sablon
  • Warandepark
  • The Atomium
  • Great food
  • Drinks

Basically: the Brussels I actually enjoy.

→ Read my 1-Day Brussels Itinerary if you want to experience the city beyond the typical tourist route.

So… Is Brussels Worth Visiting?

YES.

I will forever fight the people who tell me they didn’t like Brussels.

Is it the prettiest city in Belgium?

No. Definitely not.

I’d choose Bruges, Ghent or Durbuy if you’re looking purely for that beautiful, picturesque Belgian feeling.

But is Brussels worth visiting?

Absolutely.

It’s multicultural, international, busy, diverse and full of things to do.

And while the area around Grand Place can feel touristy and underwhelming, there’s so much more to the city once you start exploring beyond it.

So please don’t come to Brussels, take a photo of Manneken Pis, eat an overpriced waffle and leave thinking you’ve seen the city.

You haven’t.

Give Brussels a proper chance, explore beyond the obvious sights, and I honestly think you’ll have a much better time.

And if you’re planning a trip around Belgium, don’t stop at Brussels. There are so many other amazing places to discover.

→ Check out my Ultimate Belgium Itinerary for inspiration on how to see more of the country.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels

Is Brussels worth visiting?

Yes, Brussels is absolutely worth visiting. The city has beautiful architecture, museums, great food, lively neighbourhoods and a very multicultural atmosphere. While the area around the Grand Place can feel touristy, Brussels has much more to offer beyond the historic centre.

How many days do you need in Brussels?

I recommend spending 2–3 nights in Brussels. This gives you enough time to see the main sights while also exploring neighbourhoods such as Sablon, Marolles, Sainte-Catherine and Ixelles.

What is the best area to stay in Brussels?

The best area to stay in Brussels depends on what you are looking for. Sablon is great for a quieter and elegant stay, Sainte-Catherine is ideal for restaurants and nightlife, while Flagey and Ixelles offer a more local and student-friendly atmosphere.

→ Read my full Where to Stay in Brussels: Best Areas & Hotels guide for a detailed breakdown of each neighbourhood.

Is Brussels easy to explore on foot?

Yes. Many of Brussels’ main attractions and central neighbourhoods are within walking distance of each other. Walking is also a great way to discover smaller streets, cafés and local spots that you might otherwise miss.

What are the best things to do in Brussels?

Some of the most popular things to do in Brussels include visiting the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Royal Quarter, Sablon, the Marolles, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and the Atomium. However, I recommend exploring the city’s neighbourhoods rather than only visiting the major tourist attractions.

What is Brussels known for?

Brussels is known for its historic architecture, the Grand Place, Belgian chocolate, waffles, beer, Art Nouveau architecture and institutions of the European Union. The city is also particularly known for its multicultural and international atmosphere.

Is Brussels safe for tourists?

Brussels is generally straightforward to visit as a tourist, but it is still a large city and normal precautions are recommended. Be particularly aware of your belongings around busy transport stations and crowded tourist areas, especially at night.

What is the best way to get around Brussels?

For central Brussels, walking is often the easiest option. For longer distances, the city has an extensive network of metro, tram and buses. Public transport is particularly useful when travelling between neighbourhoods that are further apart.

Can you visit Brussels in one day?

Yes, you can see a lot of Brussels in one day, although you won’t be able to experience everything. With a good itinerary, you can combine iconic sights with neighbourhoods, food and some local spots.

→ Check out my One Day Brussels Itinerary for my recommended route.

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