Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through links on our site, including Amazon. Your support helps sustain this site.
---
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a major city with a lot going on. With a population of over a million people, the city is bustling and busy and full of opportunity. But before you head out, there are a few things you should know about Brussels. Here are ten things I think it would be good to know before your trip to Brussels. These are all things that I learned on my recent trip there. I hope this helps!
Table of Contents
What are the main public transportation options in Brussels?
The Brussels public transportation network consists of train, tram, bus, and even a water bus. Sticking to the center of the city you will likely find that the tram is the most useful (though a lot of the city is also very walkable). The train is helpful to get to spots on the outskirts (like the Atomium) and the bus is a good backup should you need it.
The water bus runs only in the warmer months — from May 1 to October 31 — and it connects Brussels with the suburb of Vilvoorde to the north.
You can see a map of the public transportation network here.
A single ticket for public transportation costs €2.10 or a day pass costs €7.50. Do be mindful if you buy a day pass, these are for an actual calendar day — as in from midnight to midnight, they are not 24 hour passes. If you happen to be in Brussels for an event such as a concert as I was, keep an eye on your emails as you should get an event code from the venue which gives you access to a free one day transportation pass.
If you go on the metro you will need to use your ticket to get in and out of the gates. If you take the tram or the bus you will need to validate your ticket when you get on.
Is English widely spoken in Brussels?
Brussels is an incredibly international city and while English is not one of the official languages — French and Dutch (or Flemish) are — it is very widely spoken. You’ll find that there are immigrants from all over the world in Brussels so English quickly becomes the default language in many circumstances.
That being said, when you walk into a shop or a restaurant you will be greeted in French and whoever you’re interacting with will likely continue in French until you let them know you’d like to speak in English. You can do that with a quick smile and a “sorry do you speak English?”
How safe is Brussels?
While Brussels is certainly safe when compared with cities all around the globe, it is actually rated amongst the top 15 – 20 most dangerous cities in Europe (depending on which source you look at). This is not a reason to avoid the city. Walking around in central Brussels during the day you will very likely be just fine. However, pickpocketing and robbery is extremely common.
Unfortunately, a girl I met staying in my hostel had her phone robbed off of her in broad daylight. She explained to me that what happened was two men approached her speaking French and she said she didn’t understand and walked away, but quickly realized her phone was gone and by then, so were the men. She went to the police but there was little they could do. It’s certainly unfortunate and from my understanding these types of things are far too common. And I’ll repeat this was in broad dayight and it was around central Brussels.
Beyond that, there are also some neighborhoods of Brussels which are unsafe. It is unlikely you will find yourself in them to begin with, but it doesn’t hurt to know. For example, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Schaerbeek are two to avoid.
What are some must-try dishes in Belgian cuisine?
Belgium has a surprisingly high number of great dishes to try. First of all, french fries were actually invented in Belgium and they still serve them all over the place. And they’re good. Thick cut, double fried — belgian fries are not to be missed.
You should also make sure to have a Belgian waffle, which is very different to an American waffle. I wrote more here about the differences in the two dishes and where to try a Belgian waffle in Brussels.
Of course you can’t visit Brussels without trying at least a whole bunch of chocolate. My best recommendation is to graze. There are quite a few chocolatiers in the city and there is a lot of personal preference to say which one is the best. I really liked Neuhaus so I can definitely recommend that you start there.
Another not to be missed is the beer. I am not a beer drinker but I did have a few beers in Brussels and they were all quite nice. I’m not going to pretend that I have any idea about any beer, much less Belgian beer, so here is a quick guide to help you know the types you might see and how to choose. One thing I can tell you though is that the alcohol percentages are always dangerously high — so go slow!
One more dish you should try in Brussels is a plate of mussels, or moules frites. Once upon a time mussels were a very affordable seafood option and so they were generally enjoyed by the poor. Over the centuries since they have become a reliable Beglian staple. The classic way to serve them is in a white wine and butter sauce.
What are the top attractions and landmarks in Brussels?
There is alot to see in Brussels. One of the grandest spots in the city is the main square, or Grand Place. The spacious square is flanked on four sides by massive buildings coated in gold leaf and decorated throughout the eras.
Another spot to check out is the beautiful covered passages at the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. These are full of small shops — these days many of which are chains. But you can just ignore the shops as the spaces is also gorgeous architecturally with stunning light spilling in through the glass ceiling. It’s also worth noting that above the shops are private residences (in case you’re in the market).
One of the most famous landmarks in Brussels is actually quite small. That is the Mennekin Pis, or the pissing boy. He is only 58 cm, or around 22 inches, tall. But all day and night he stands on a street corner pissing into a fountain.
Another beautiful spot, open to the public (for a fee) is the Royal Palace of Brussels. So if you’re curious about the riches of an empire past, this is the place to see them.
What is the typical weather like in Brussels?
Brussels experiences four distinct seasons with a cold, gray winter and a hot, humid summer. Brussels also gets fairly consistent rain throughout the year with a maximum of about 12 days of rain in December and January and a minimum of around nine days of rain from July through October.
I visited in February and there was a good amount of damp weather but I was also able to sneak in enough time for plenty of walking around and sightseeing. The temperatures do drop though, so make sure to have warm clothes with you if you visit in winter.
Generally, spring and fall are the best times to plan your trip to Brussels. Spring brings blooming foliage and daytime temperatures in the high 50s to mid 60s F (around 15 – 16 C). In autumn you can enjoy changing foliage and temperatures hovering around the same numbers as spring.
What cultural norms should I be aware of when visiting Brussels?
The Belgians are generally not over the top in their friendliness, so while they will certainly be nice, don’t expect bubbly service in places like restaurants. And on that note, there is no expectation of tips in Brussels. A euro or two for truly exceptional service is more than enough. Read more here about tipping expectations around the world.
Also related to dining, it is generally pretty standard at restaurants that you should wait in the front for a member of staff to show you to a table rather than finding one and seating yourself.
If you meet someone for the first time in Belgium the best way to greet them is with a simple handshake. If you do get to the point with a Belgian where you are more friendly with them, then you can greet them with three kisses on the cheeks.
What currency is used in Brussels?
Brussels and all of Belgium use the Euro. ATMs are all around the city and you can easily get cash out if you need it. That being said, you can definitely rely on credit cards to get you through, cash is very rarely required. If you do use a credit card though be careful yours doesn’t have any international transaction fees — you can read my post here about the best credit cards to travel with. Also be sure when paying you choose the option to pay in Euro — not your local currency. You will get a better exchange rate if you allow your credit card company to do the conversion for you.
Are there any recommended day trips from Brussels?
There are some excellent, easy day trips from Brussels! You can explore the rest of Belgium by going to spots like the gorgeous city of Bruges which is about an hour away on the train. Or another fairytale like town in Belgium is Ghent which is just 40 minutes away on the train. Or you can explore Belgium’s other major city of Antwerp.
You could also head out to other countries. A day trip to Luxembourg is very doable and you can accomplish a lot in Luxembourg city in just a day as it’s very compact. The trip to Luxembourg on the train is about three hours.
While you could also get to cities in the Netherlands such as Rotterdam, you may want to consider spending more than just a day there.
Are there any big events in Brussels?
Absolutely! Brussels is a big, international city and therefore it always has something going on. If you visit in early summer you can enjoy the Brussels film festival which takes place over the course of nine days. This is an opportunity for small European films to gain exposure.
In late spring you can enjoy Brussels Jazz Weekend which usually takes place over the last weekend of May. The weekend offers indoor and outdoor shows spread all across the city.
In late March you can attend Listen Festival which is an electronic music festival in Brussels.
This is just a small sample of the events that happen all year every year in the city.
Hopefully these ten things to know before going to Brussels will help you plan for your trip. If you need any help putting together your trip to Brussels or the region, I can design a customized itinerary to meet all of your needs and check all of your boxes. Shot me an email and let’s chat!
