---
type: "Article"
title: "A city trip to Brussels in the heart of Europe"
description: "City day trip to Brussels: When you arrive by train in Brussels Central Station, expect to be greeted by the intense sweet/waffles variety!"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/belgium/brussels-city-trip"
author: "Letizia Lorenzetti"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
tags: ["City Trip", "Belgium"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/belgium"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/city-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/museum"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/shopping"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/booking-com"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/lorenzettil", at: 2026-07-04T13:54:55+00:00 }
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:54:55+00:00
---

# A city trip to Brussels in the heart of Europe

> Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a walkable European city known for its medieval Old Town, world-class chocolate, and elegant shopping boulevards. The city rewards spontaneous exploration with ornate architecture, hidden museums, and a pervasive aroma of waffles and deep-fry.

## Destination
Brussels, capital of Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe.

## Getting there
Brussels Central Station is a convenient arrival point; the recommended hotel is a short, easy walk from it.

## When to go
The article does not specify an ideal season, though the author visited during the annual Brussels marathon on a Sunday.

## Why visit
Brussels offers a compact, walkable Old Town with stunning architecture, exceptional Belgian chocolate and biscuit shops, a renowned lace museum, and an exclusive shopping boulevard rivalling Paris's Champs-Élysées.

## What to see
- **Grande Place** — Heart of the Old Town, surrounded by gabled houses with ornate facades, scrollwork, and gold-painted frontages.
- **Musée du Costume et de la Dentelle** — Museum covering fashion history and the craft of making delicate Brussels lace; Rue de la Violette 12.
- **Galerie Royale St. Hubert** — Elegant 19th-century shopping arcade topped by a glass cupola roof.
- **Place Poelaert** — Square offering a fabulous panoramic view over Brussels's rooftops.
- **Avenue Louise (Louisa)** — Exclusive shopping boulevard lined with major international luxury brands, compared to the Champs-Élysées.

## What to do
- **Buy chocolate at Mary** — Royal Court supplier selling classic, exceptional chocolate; Rue du Lombard 28 or Galeries St-Hubert.
- **Buy chocolate at Elisabeth Chocolatier** — Truly handmade chocolates with opulent window displays and beautiful packaging; Rue au Beurre 43.
- **Visit Maison Dandoy** — Famous biscuit maker known for sablé biscuits and spiced cookies; Rue au Beurre 31.
- **Use the Brussels Card** — Available in 24, 48, or 72-hour versions; covers metro, tram, and bus plus museum discounts — worthwhile for stays of more than two days.
- **Follow Visit Brussels themed city walks** — Handy folding maps with themed walking routes available from the Visit Brussels office at Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61.

## Good to know
The 9Hotel Central near Brussels Central Station offers large rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a lobby that doubles as an evening workspace. Brussels is also a practical base for day trips to Antwerp and Ghent.