I spent two days in Belgium on a free stopover while traveling to Ghana in March. A stopover is when you pause travel for one or more days to explore a new place on your way to your final destination. They are a great way to quickly and affordably see more of the world. Since my flight had a layover in Brussels anyway, I decided to make the most of it! Here’s a fun itinerary for a quick visit to this beautiful country.
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Day 1
Most flights from the U.S. will land in Brussels in the morning. Make the most of that day by resisting the urge to check into your hotel early and rest. Drop your luggage off at the hotel and head out to explore the city.
Breakfast
Start with a Belgium waffle at Mokafe Tavern in the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert. This gorgeous historic shopping arcade is filled with shops and cafes and is famous for its many chocolatiers. You will want to walk through it even if you don’t want to shop or eat – the building alone is worth seeing!
Walking Tour
Before your trip, book a free walking tour of the city. These tours are a great way to get an overview of the city you are visiting. They are also wonderful for an arrival day after an overnight flight – you simply have to follow someone around and listen! Schedule your tour at least four hours after you are scheduled to arrive. And make sure you have local currency to tip what you think the tip is worth at the end (the equivalent of about $20-30 per person is fair).
Most of these tours will start in Grand Place. Walking tours will take you to many of the must-see sites in Brussels, such as Mannekan Pis, Palace of Justice, Royal Palace, and Mont des Arts. During your tour, keep an eye out for the comic murals all over the city.
Afternoon
For the remainder of your day, you will choose the adventure that most appeals to you.
If You Love Opulence
If you are visiting during the summer, definitely tour the Royal Palace of Brussels. Other times of year, the Coudenberg Palace Archaeological Site is an interesting alternative. Touring Town Hall is also a nice option.
Make sure to stop in one of the churches in city center. Brussels Cathedral and Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon are both beautiful and free to enter.
If You Love Museums
There are a lot of interesting museums in the city:
- Brussels City Museum – history of Brussels
- BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts – exhibits, concerts, film screenings, dance/theater performances, etc.
- BELvue Museum – history of Belgium
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts – a series of museums featuring visual arts from the 15th-21st century
- Musical Instruments Museum – collection of over 8,000 instruments
- Comic Arts Museum – artwork, manuscripts and memorabilia of Belgium cartoon characters
- GardeRobe Manneken Pis – home of the Manneken Pis statue’s wardrobe
If You Love Politics
Then a visit to the European Parliament is in order! Try to visit during a time when the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) gather to debate and vote on issues so you can see them in action.
If You Love Quirky Attractions
Look no further than the Atomium! This uniquely shaped structure offers exhibits on science, design, and society as well as a panoramic view of the city. Even better, you can also visit Mini-Europe featuring meticulously crafted scale models of famous European landmarks. It doesn’t get much quirkier than that!
Dinner
If you like beer and are still standing after an overnight flight and a long day of touring, you should check out Delirium Café. Choose from 2,000+ varieties of beer, order some snacks, and relax while listening to some live music.
If beer isn’t your drink of choice, simply choose a restaurant in Grand Place or Galeries Royales Saint Hubert. Some local dishes to try are mussels, pommes frites, caricoles (escargot), meatballs, sausage, and shrimp croquettes.
Day 2
While you could certainly spend another day (or month) in Brussels seeing the sites you missed yesterday, today you should prioritize seeing something outside of the city to make the most of your two days in Belgium. Choose from one of the following day trips.
If You Love Fairy Tales
Look no further than Bruges and Ghent. These two medieval canal cities look like they were taken straight out of a book of fairy tales! Best of all, there are tons of tour options to these cities from Brussels. You can even visit both in one day on this tour.
If You Love to Shop
Antwerp is for you! The city is renowned for its fashion scene, and shoppers benefit from no shortage of trendy boutiques and designer stores. It’s also known as the diamond capital of the world. Opportunities to shop for jewelry abound.
If You Love the Outdoors
Dinant is a great place to visit. It’s known for stunning beauty and offers a ton of adventurous and not-so-adventurous outdoor pursuits. Active travelers can hike, boat, rock climb, zip-line, and more. People who appreciate nature but not as much exercise can take a cable car up a cliff, tour a cave, or enjoy a relaxing boat cruise.
If You Love Military History
Then Ypres is a must-do. Ypres was the site of multiple battles in WWI due to it’s strategic location. Today you can visit the battlefields, memorials, museums, and cemeteries associate with the war.
Refer to my related posts 5 Amazing Day Trips from Brussels for more information about each city and how to get there.
Accommodations & Transportation
I stayed in the Pillow City Hotel Brussels Centre. This hotel was very nice, affordable, and within walking distance of everything except the airport! I walked everywhere except to and from the airport, when I took an Uber. If you don’t mind using public transportation, you can save some money and stay in the highly rated Made in Louise hotel. It is located on quiet street about 1-2 miles away from the main attractions, but there’s a metro station about three blocks away.
How would you spend two days in Belgium?
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