3-day Brussels essentials

Day 1 – Grand Place and centre

Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Galeries Royales

Morning at Grand Place and surrounding streets. Manneken Pis and comic-strip mural walk. Afternoon Galeries Royales and chocolate shops. Evening beer and mussels.

Tips:

Grand Place is stunning at night. Try waffles from a street stand and a proper sit-down version.

Day 2 – EU quarter and museums

Parlamentarium, Atomium, or Magritte Museum

Morning at Parlamentarium or Magritte Museum. Afternoon Atomium (metro from centre) or more old town. Evening in Place Saint-Gery or Flagey.

Tips:

Atomium is 30 minutes by metro. Book Magritte Museum online to save time.

Day 3 – Day trip or last sights

Bruges or Ghent day trip, or last chocolate and beer

Option A: Train to Bruges or Ghent for the day. Option B: Last museums, chocolate, and Belgian beer. Departure.

Tips:

Bruges and Ghent are about 1 hour by train; both are worth a day.