Top Things To Do In Brussels

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourists posing with a local guide on a busy street in Brussels during winter
Tourists posing with a local guide on a busy street in Brussels during winter

Wondering what to do in Brussels?

Home to opulent guildhalls, an astounding urban art scene, and the European Union, Brussels is an easy blend of trendy and traditional – a city where mind-bending street murals and quirky comic stores exist in harmony with the centuries-old architecture and powerful politics. Each famous attraction and the long list of amazing things to do in Brussels prove that everything here (although incredibly diverse) has a place. Whether you watch the world go by on the iconic Grand Place, grab a home-brewed beer at a local bar, soak up the historic cityscape, or sample some of the world’s best chocolate, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in Brussels.

Tourists exploring Grand Place with a local guide in Brussels

A balance between old and new

The best things to do in Brussels reflect both its classic and contemporary sides. In the historic heart of Brussels, you’ll be treated to attractions like the Grand Place (believed to be the most beautiful square in Europe), the Royal Palace of Brussels, gorgeous Art Nouveau architecture, and grand guildhalls. But away from the city center, the sights become less historic and more hip. In the European Quarter, shiny glass buildings and modern highrises house the EU institutions, while small neighborhoods packed with trendy bars are all but plastered over with super-cool street murals.

Tourists enjoying a quick meal in between exploring Brussels with a local

The best of Belgian food

Belgium’s most iconic culinary contributions are all found here in Brussels – in fact, some of the most memorable things to do in Brussels revolve around food. Local delights like twice-cooked potato frites and seafood croquettes are served at street food stalls throughout the city, while sleek delis are the perfect place to try the sharp, salty cheeses produced in Brussels. For a traditional Flemish taste, family-run restaurants are as authentic as it gets, but one of the most unmissable things to do in Brussels is feasting on a sweet, syrupy, waffle under a snowfall of icing sugar.

Tourists exploring Brussels on a busy night out with a local guide

Brussels by night

When night falls and techno beats start pulsing, the list of things to do in Brussels gets even longer. The city may be small, but it packs an entertainment punch. Whether you love a wild night out or you’re happier browsing late-night galleries, there are plenty of things to do in Brussels after dark. Many nights here are a celebration of beer culture (the city has over 1000 unique brews!), so perhaps you’ll choose to join hordes of locals bar-hopping their way through breweries and craft beer bars – but there’s certainly no lack of nightclubs that will keep you dancing ‘til dawn.

Latest reviews from our guests

    A private 4 hour tour with Fabio was money well spent. Informative and tailored to exactly what we were interested in. His knowledge of the history and city ran deep.

    23 February 2026

    Teresa O

    Our guide Sebastion was fantastic. His knowledge of the history, architecture,art , pop culture and food was astounding. His enthusiasm made the tour extra special.

    24 January 2026

    Stacey R

    My guide Patrick was amazing!! We walked all over the city and saw SO many beautiful, historic, and even funny, sites. His knowledge and love for Brussels is immense and it was such a pleasure of spend the 4 hours with him learning all along the way. I loved his "surprises" along the way taking me to places id of never known of. I had made a basic list of what I wanted to see before the tour and Patrick ensured I not only saw everything on the list but other gems. Just for example my love of stained glass had Patrick walk us into several churches with amazing windows. He was so kind and even helped me pick out beers for gifts and take me to the post office to buy stamps for my postcards. I cannot recommend the 1 on 1 tour with Patrick enough, his tour was the highlight of my time in Brussels!

    21 January 2026

    Tiffany W

    I did a day tour of Brussels with my two teenage sons. Patrick was a fantastic guide, whose knowledge of the history of the city and all it's hidden gems made for a really interesting tour. He tailored the itinerary to cater to the interests (and attention spans) of my sons, which made the experience easy and enjoyable.

    20 January 2026

    Melissa G

See more reviews

Experiences for all types of travelers

^
curious

Experiences
for all types
of travelers

Discovering hidden gems on a private tour of Dublin

Private Tour Guides In Brussels

Walking tours Brussels

Walking tours in Brussels

Brussels private tours

Brussels private tours

Brussels Food Tour

Brussels Food Tour

Brussels layover tours

Brussels Layover Tours

City Unscripted Destinations