Booked low cost flight to Brussels? Here's what to see in 24 hours, moving easily on foot and without forgetting the main attractions of the city.
Have you found a low cost flight but the time available is short? Do not worry: Brussels is a city that can be easily visited on foot and you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest without neglecting the main attractions.
Leave your bags at the hotel and head straight to the outskirts of the city to visit 3 attractions, all very close to each other. You can leave the center of Brussels for the day of your departure in order to better manage (and without queues) the tour and to stay close to the hotel in case of delays.
This itinerary to visit Brussels in 24 hours it's an idea, but it all depends on your flight schedules; so feel free to customize it as you see fit and don't be scared if on the second day you see many stages: they are all close to each other.
By the way, if you fly with Ryanair you will probably land in Charleroi, click to read how to reach the center.
After landing in Brussels
1. Atomium
Our 24 hours in Brussels start from one of the most visited and particular attractions of the city.
Inside the Heysel Park, the Atomium is an imposing steel construction which replicates the nine atoms of a unit cell of an iron crystal, created on the occasion of theExpo of 1958.
Climb to the upper sphere to watch Brussels from above and explore other spheres (not all accessible) for interactive science displays and exhibits.
Personally I consider it an attraction suitable for those with children, so you can also avoid entering and save yourself the cost of the ticket because the beauty is precisely the outside of the structure.
Open every day from the 10 18.
The ticket price is 12 € for adults and 6/8 € for children.
2. Europe in miniature
This attraction is also ideal especially if you are traveling with children, but it is still fun to take pictures and stroll between Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. There are 350 miniatures with visual and sound effects. In short, you can see all of Europe!
Open every day.
The ticket price is € 15,30 for adults and free / € 11,40 for children.
3. Parc De Laeken
Always close to the Atomium and Europa in Miniatura, there is a large park where you can rest after the hustle and bustle of travel. Enjoying the greenery you will also find a Japanese garden with a pagoda, the Royal Greenhouses (botanical gardens), e the Laeken Palace, residence of the King of Belgium.
Before take off
4. Grand Place
Unique and inevitable, the Grand Place places its visitors in the center and surrounds them with historic buildings: from the town hall, the Maison Du Roi and the guilds. In August, every two years, the floor is covered with flowers, precisely 500.000 begonias; while under the Christmas period a tree is raised and lights up all blue when evening comes. I was lucky enough to see this show in November (and I didn't know anything about it) and was particularly fascinated by it.
5. Manneken Pis
It is one of those attractions in front of which you ask yourself: why are there all these people? And that's what I wondered when I saw a bronze child, a few minutes from the Grand Place, who was peeing dressed in a white T-shirt and a blue hat. Every so often, in fact, the most disparate clothes are chosen to honor some professions and on my third visit he was dressed as in the photo.
Manneken Pis is the symbol of the independence of the inhabitants of Brussels and like it or not, it is an attraction not to be missed. Especially when they sell waffles next door.
6. Monts Des Art
The Mount of Arts is one of the corners I love most in Brussels. It is a small urban complex which includes some buildings such as the Royal Library of Belgium, which overlook a rectangular garden with attention to the smallest details.
It is a crossing point and is only a 5 minute walk from the next stop.
7. Magritte Museum
Opened in 2009, the Magritte Museum houses more than 200 paintings and sculptures by the artist. If you like surrealism, you can't miss it.
Tickets cost € 8 for adults and € 2 for ages 6 to 26.
8. Royal Palace
Immediately after the museum, take a look at one of the most important buildings in Brussels, the Royal Palace. And the seat of the Belgian monarchy, inside which there are some offices, ministries and rooms for visiting heads of state.
It is only the “work” residence of the royals, who in fact live in the Laeken Palace (stage on day 1).
The Royal Palace is open to the public from 21 July to September, from 10:30 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays.
9. Brussels park
Right in front of the Royal Palace is the Brussels Park, the largest park in the city. Immerse yourself in the greenery of monuments, ponds and sculptures.
The day is drawing to a close and the return flight awaits you. But first, don't forget to eat the last waffle.
