Belgium’s capital is not just about beer, waffles and chocolate. But that’s not a bad start.
This Brussels self-guided walking tour takes you through the city’s UNESCO-listed architecture and cosmopolitan energy in a single day. Whether you’re on a day trip or staying overnight, this 1-day Brussels itinerary covers three miles of the city’s highlights, all easily walkable.
Brussels is known as Brussel in Flemish and Bruxelles in French.
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Brussels Self-Guided Walking Tour: Route & Free Map
This walking tour covers three miles through central Brussels. You’ll see:
- Mannekin Pis
- Grand Place
- Mont des Arts
- Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
- Royal Palace
- Coudenberg Palace
- Place du Petit Sablon
- Church of the Blessed Lady of Sablon
- Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert
I’ve created a custom map for this self-guided tour. For walking directions on your phone, click here or tap the image.
GETTING THERE: Brussels has excellent train connections from across Europe, including Eurostar from London. The city has three main stations, but Brussels Centrale is the most useful for this itinerary. If flying, trains run regularly from Brussels Airport to the city centre.
BREAKFAST AT CHARLI (8 AM)
Start your day in Brussels with a tasty breakfast at Charli, an excellent bakery with a few seats where you can enjoy brioche and coffee.
Address: Rue Sainte-Catherine 34
NEARBY: Place St. Catherine is worth a quick look. This fashionable district centres on the hulking Church of Ste-Catherine.
MANNEKIN PIS (9 AM)
Begin your sightseeing at the city’s famous mascot. Manage your expectations, though.
Protected by a wrought-iron fence, this tiny statue of a pissing urchin sits in a sort of shrine. The most popular legend says he was cast in the 17th century to embody the irreverent spirit of Brussels.
Address: Rue de l’Etuve 31
FUN FACT: Manneken has a sister, Jeanneke Pis, who lives on Imp. de la Fidélité.
THE GRAND PLACE (9.15 AM)
This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Europe’s most magnificent squares. From the 12th century, the Grand Place was the commercial heart of Brussels, becoming its political centre in the 15th century.
The 96m spire of the Hôtel de Ville rises above the square like an exclamation mark. The 19th-century Maison de Roi occupies much of the north side. Gable-roofed guildhouses line the western side, whilst the eastern guildhouses have been joined into a single facade.
BELGIAN WAFFLES AT AUX GAUFRES DE BRUXELLES (10 AM)
Time for the best waffle of your life. Grab a pavement table at Aux Gaufres De Bruxelles.
I recommend the Belgian waffle with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate.
Address: Rue Marché aux Herbes 113
MONT DES ARTS (11 AM)
Mont des Arts links Brussels’ Lower Town and Upper Town. The name means Hill of the Arts, named after a planned art museum that never happened.
An imposing equestrian statue of King Albert I sits at the lower end. A landscaped garden and stone staircase lead to a terrace in the Upper Town with good views.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GUDULA (11.30 AM)
Known as St. Gudula by locals, this magnificent Gothic cathedral, begun in 1215, took 300 years to complete.
It’s more striking outside than in, but worth stepping inside to see the stained glass windows and the elaborate carved oak pulpit. This depicts Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, whilst the Virgin Mary and cherubs stamp on a serpent dragon’s head.
Entrance is free.
SCENIC ROUTE: Rather than walking along the main road to the Royal Palace, cut through Parc de Bruxelles. The tree-shaded paths make for a pleasant walk, especially on hot days.
ROYAL PALACE OF BRUSSELS (12.30 PM)
The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Belgian royal family. At its core, it’s an 18th-century townhouse conversion that grew rather ungainly over time.
Between July and September, you can visit inside for free. By all accounts, you’re not missing much outside these months
COUDENBERG PALACE (1 PM)
Beneath the 18th-century Hôtel Bellevue lie the remains of Coudenberg Palace.
Starting as a medieval fortified castle, it watched over Brussels from Coudenberg Hill for 600 years, becoming one of Europe’s most beautiful palaces. After a devastating 1731 fire, it was forgotten underground. The charred ruins were pulled down, and the ground levelled for the new royal district.
Today, the excavated remains can be reached from the Musée BELvue.
You’ve earned lunch. The area around Sablon is excellent for this. Pop into one of the cafes on Place du Grand Sablon for moules-frites (mussels and chips) or a croque monsieur.
Alternatively, grab a sandwich from a local bakery and eat it in Place du Petit Sablon – your next stop.
PLACE DU PETIT SABLON (2.30 PM)
This small but perfectly formed square makes a delightful refuge from the busy city. Once a horse market, it became a public garden in 1890.
Look closely at the wrought-iron balustrade. It’s embellished with 48 bronze statuettes representing the medieval guilds.
At the rear, ten statues illustrate 16th-century Belgium through its scholars and humanists.
CHURCH OF THE BLESSED LADY OF SABLON (3 PM)
Also called Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon or Notre Dame du Sablon, this 15th-century church began as a chapel for the guild of archers in 1304. Its fortunes changed in 1348 when a statue of Mary with supposed healing powers arrived from Antwerp. The humble chapel became a pilgrimage centre and was transformed into a church.
Protestants chopped up that statue of Mary for firewood in 1565, but two carvings of a boat with passengers tell its story.
ROYAL GALLERY OF SAINT HUBERT (3.30 PM)
I’m no shopaholic, but I wouldn’t skip the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert.
Featuring magnificent glass-vaulted galleries – du Rio, de la Reine and des Princes – this has to be one of Europe’s finest indoor shopping arcades. Dating from 1847, it is certainly one of the first.
It’s a lovely place to stop for a coffee or a Belgian beer.
DINNER ON RUE DES BOUCHERS (7 PM)
Time for something more substantial.
Rues de Bouchers, which slices the Hubert Galleries in two, is Brussels’ best-known restaurant ghetto. The touristy restaurants are a little hit-and-miss but I had a very good meal at Aux Armes de Bruxelles, recommended by my hotel.
When to Visit Brussels
I’ve visited Brussels at different times of the year. March to May and September to October are best. Accommodation costs less and there’s less rain.
Summer brings warmer weather and more festivals, but also more crowds.
Winter can be grey, but the Christmas markets and mulled wine lift spirits.
Where to Stay in Brussels
Whilst you can visit on a day trip, I recommend staying overnight. This lets you enjoy the bars and restaurants in the evening after day-trippers leave.
Splurge: Hotel Le Dixseptième
I stayed at this elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the city centre. It was a remarkably peaceful refuge, considering its location, with stellar service.
Mid-range: B&B Villa 36
This small 3-star guesthouse close to Brussels City Hall has attracted fabulous reviews. Breakfast is included in the room rates.
Getting Around Brussels
You won’t need public transport for this walking tour. The main attractions sit in a compact area you can cover on foot.
The tram, bus and metro network is useful if you’re staying out of the centre or visiting attractions further afield.
If You Have More Time
CHOCO-STORY
Belgium is a chocoholic’s dream. Visit Choco-Story to learn about chocolate’s cultivation, production and marketing.
I visited Choco-Story as part of my mission to discover the best chocolate in Bruges and loved the interactive experience, not to mention the free samples.
Address: Rue de l’Etuve 41
Buy tickets | Chocolate workshop
COMIC STRIP WALK
Since the early 90s, Franco-Belgian comic characters have decorated walls in the city centre and Laeken district. Download your comic strip walk map here.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
- Fondation Brel – Small museum celebrating gravelly-voiced Belgian singer Jacques Brel. The Jacques Brel walking tour is excellent. Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés 11
- Victor Horta Museum – Former residence of Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta. Reservations required. Rue Américaine 27
- Musical Instruments Museum – One of the world’s largest collections. Rue Montagne de la Cour 2
- Comics Art Museum – Belgium’s finest comic art. Rue des Sables 20
- Old Masters Museum – Flemish artists. Rue de la Régence 3
- Magritte Museum – Surrealist extravaganza in Magritte’s former home. Pl. Royale 1
- The Atomium – 1958 World Fair landmark representing a molecule blown up 165 million times. Northern Brussels | Buy tickets
- Mini-Europe – Monument reproductions from 80 European cities. At the foot of the Atomium.
Is Brussels Safe for Solo Travellers?
Brussels’ tourist area felt relaxed with locals and visitors enjoying its attractions, bars and restaurants.
Petty crime, including pickpocketing, happens as in many cities. I found Brussels Centrale station unpleasant after dark. There’s also been the threat of terrorist attacks in recent years.
Keep belongings close and use your hotel safe. A little common sense goes a long way.
If you want to learn more, I’ve written this guide to solo travel in Belgium.
More Belgium Travel Guides
Planning more time in Belgium? Here are my other guides:
- Day in Hasselt
- 1-week Belgium Itinerary
- One Day in Ghent
- Best Chocolate Shops in Bruges
- Visit Mechelen
- Day in Leuven
- Oldest Botanical Garden in Belgium
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.