How to Spend 1 Perfect Day in Brussels: The Best Walking Tour of Brussels

This post is about how to spend the perfect day in Brussels, the best walking tour.

Welcome from the beautiful city of Brussels, the chocolate capital of the world! Continuing my summer road trip series, after Amsterdam, Brussels was my next stop. Brussels is roughly a 2 hours drive from Amsterdam, easy-breezy and a quick drive! We did make a stop in The Hague but it was very short. My first impression of entering Brussels was wow! I instantly fell in love with the architecture and the character the city had to offer. Since it was still early in the morning when I reached Brussels, we quickly dropped off our baggage, parked our car and headed to explore the city. Brussels is definitely a very walkable city, or you can utilize the public transportation. Nevertheless, here is the best walking tour of Brussels and what to see.

My airbnb was conveniently located on Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier, The main attractions were probably 10 mins walking distance from this location, Uber ride was probably 4 mins?

Brussels surprised me in the best way. I didn’t expect to fall for it as hard as I did, but by the end of the day, I was already plotting my return. The mix of grand architecture, quirky corners, art nouveau facades, chocolate shops, and political powerhouses made for such a fun, well-rounded day.

If you only have one day in Brussels and want to explore it all on foot, this is your guide. This walking itinerary includes the most iconic stops, a few hidden gems, and, of course, lots of waffles, fries, and chocolate.

Let’s dive into the perfect Brussels day trip itinerary, whether you’re coming in from another city or just have 24 hours to explore Belgium’s capital.

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How to get around Brussels?

Brussels is super walkable, especially the city center. I did this entire day on foot (with comfy sneakers!), but if you want to give your legs a break, the metro is easy to navigate and well-connected.

For the best combo of value and convenience, I used the STIB-MIVB app to check tram and metro schedules. You can also grab a Brussels Card which includes public transport and access to many museums.

And don’t forget: Brussels is very bike-friendly. You can rent e-bikes through Villo!, the city’s bike-sharing program.

Where to eat in Brussels?

Let’s talk about food, because Brussels does not play around.

For breakfast or a snack: Maison Dandoy waffles are legendary. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and served fresh. Grab one and eat it while walking through Grand Place, trust me, it’s a vibe.

Lunch at Le Funambule near Manneken Pis was fast, casual, and delicious. They do great waffles too, but I went for a croque monsieur and it hit the spot.

If you want a fancy dinner: Comme Chez Soi is the place to go (Michelin-starred, reservation needed). But for something cozy and local, I loved Noordzee Mer du Nord,  fresh seafood served street-style at high-top tables. Order a fish soup and shrimp croquettes. Heaven.

And don’t miss the frites. Maison Antoine is a Brussels institution. Grab your cone of fries and take it to go.

STEAL MY ITINERARY: BEST WALKING TOUR OF BRUSSELS

Morning: Grand Place, Manneken Pis & Waffles

Start your day at Grand Place (Grote Markt), trust me, there’s no better way to kick things off. I arrived just as the city was waking up, and the square was bathed in golden light. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful city squares I’ve ever seen, the ornate guildhalls, the Town Hall with its towering spire, the symmetry. It’s pure magic.

Take some time to wander, snap photos, and maybe pop into Maison Dandoy for a classic Belgian waffle. I got mine with just powdered sugar, standing in the square and just soaking it all in. Simple and perfect.

From there, walk over to Manneken Pis, the tiny peeing statue that’s somehow become one of the city’s biggest icons. It’s a bit ridiculous, but that’s kind of the point. He’s cheeky, quirky, and very Brussels. Bonus: If you visit during a festival or national holiday, he might be dressed up.

Midday: Comic Art, Galeries Royales & Chocolate Sampling

Next, walk through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, one of the oldest covered shopping arcades in Europe. The glass ceiling, elegant storefronts, and scent of chocolate in the air make this one of the prettiest strolls in the city.

After you’ve admired the architecture (and maybe picked up a praline or two), head to the Brussels Comic Book Route. Throughout the city, there are over 60 comic murals, many of them huge and incredibly detailed. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk, you’ll see Tintin, Lucky Luke, the Smurfs, and more. It’s such a fun way to explore the city’s side streets.

While you’re in the area, take a break at Pierre Marcolini or Neuhaus for some chocolate tasting. Yes, it’s touristy. And yes, it’s worth it. I did a mini tasting, dark, milk, truffle, and left with a very full, very happy stomach.

If you’re more of a museum person, this is a great time to pop into the Comic Strip Center, which is inside a beautiful art nouveau building designed by Victor Horta.

Afternoon: Mont des Arts, Royal Palace & European Quarter

From there, make your way to Mont des Arts. This area has some of the best panoramic views in Brussels, gardens, fountains, and the city skyline in the background. I loved sitting on the steps here with a coffee and just watching the world go by.

Just a short walk away is the Royal Palace of Brussels (Palais Royal). You can’t go inside unless you’re visiting in the summer months when it opens to the public, but even from the outside, it’s impressive.

If you have time (and comfy shoes), walk over to the European Quarter, home of the European Parliament. It’s a totally different vibe from the old town,  sleek, modern, and buzzing with energy. You can visit the Parlamentarium museum for free and get a crash course in how the EU works.

Evening: Delirium, Frites & a View at Place Poelaert

Now it’s time to wind down with some classic Belgian indulgences.

Head to Delirium Café, home to thousands of beers from around the world,  including their signature pink elephant brew. I’m not even a big beer person, and I still found something I liked (a cherry kriek that tasted like soda in the best way).

Right nearby, grab some proper Belgian fries from Fritland or Maison Antoine. Order them with andalouse or samurai sauce, just trust me.

If you still have energy left, head up to Place Poelaert at sunset. It overlooks the city and is the perfect quiet way to end your day. You’ll get sweeping views, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Atomium in the distance.

Bonus Stops (if time permits)

• Atomium: A bit outside the city center but easy to reach via metro. Quirky, iconic, and surprisingly cool
• Royal Greenhouses of Laeken: Only open a few weeks each spring, but absolutely worth it if you’re around
• Magritte Museum: If you love surrealism, don’t skip it
• Pannenhuis Street Murals: A more local area featuring some of the city’s most colorful comic art walls in 2025

Tips for visiting Brussels

• Contactless cards work almost everywhere, including public transportation and small cafes
• Don’t skip breakfast, especially if it includes a waffle with speculoos spread
• Use Google translate or DeepL on restaurant menus, while many locals speak English, smaller places may only have Dutch or French options
• Stay central, neighborhoods like Saint-Gery or Sablon are charming, walkable, and close to most landmarks

Stop 1: Start off the walking tour from Manneken Pis which is a small bronze sculpture depicting a naked boy urinating (gotta love art!). The statue is located on Rue de l’Etuve 31 / Lievevrouwbroersstraat 31, if you are using the  metro,  you can get off at either one of these stops: Anneessens, Bourse, Central and follow signs for Manneken Pis. As you near the statue, you will see tons of souvenir shops selling replicas of the statue in all sizes and forms. The Manneken is dressed in different outfits all year around and has over 900 outfits!

PRO TIP: Get here early! When I say early, early before any of the stores open, right after sunrise, the Manneken is an extremely popular landmark and it becomes literally impossible to take a picture alone with him. Same goes for the Grand Place.

Stop 2: Is 4 mins walking distance, the beautiful Grand Place which is the central square of Brussels. Surrounded by stunning buildings, lots of restaurants ,cafes and best of all, chocolate, is a favorite hang out for the locals and tourists. One of the best times to visit the square is for the famous Flower Carpet, the square is covered with colorful flowers in August from 16th-19th. I unfortunately missed it by a couple of days! However, looking at the pictures, it is a must see!

Stop 3: If you are in the mood for some shopping and want to hangout with the fashionistas, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is your next stop then. Click here for a list of the stores or if you would even like to rent an apartment here!

Stop 4: Mont des Arts is an urban complex and historic site in the center of the city, roughly a 5 mins walk from the Grand Place. It is a great spot to get an amazing panoramic view of the city. There are over ten museums in the area such as the Bozar and the Magritte Museum.

Stop 5: While you are there, don’t forget to visit the Royal Palace of Brussels, the official palace of the King and the Queen. The entry is to the palace is free, it is open from July 22nd- September 3rd, from 10:30 AM- 3:45 PM, closed on Mondays. You will go through a security check at the entrance, and large bags such as backpacks are not allowed. The palace itself is a stunning piece of architecture inside and outside which was completed in 1934.

Stop 6: Whether you are a runner or just need a break from all the walking, stop at Parc du Cinquantenaire and enjoy it’s beauty or simply people watch. The park also houses the giant Triumphal Arch, as you can tell from the picture below, it is impressively taller than me.

I hope you have enjoyed your walking tour of the beautiful city of Brussels. If you still have some energy left, you can also check out the Atomium, however, be warned it is roughly 8 kms from the Arch, you might want to get on public transportation or rent a bike. I hope you enjoy your visit to Brussels, the city definitely exceeded my expectations, the amazing architecture, the chocolate of course, the culture, pretty much everything. Let me know your thoughts. Have you visited Brussels?

CONCLUSION- BEST WALKING TOUR OF BRUSSELS

A lot of people told me Brussels was “just okay,” but I found it charming, layered, and honestly really fun. It has elegance, grit, and humor all mixed together.

One day is enough to fall in love with the vibe, and it left me curious for more. If you’re considering a day trip to Brussels or just stopping through on your way to Bruges or Paris, give this city a proper walk. Let it surprise you.

And always say yes to another waffle.