Belgium is small in size but big in stories: medieval guildhalls, Art Nouveau elegance, world-class surrealism, and a culinary scene that punches far above its weight. Base yourself in Brussels for three days and you’ll taste the country’s famous beer and chocolate, explore stellar museums, bike through parks and canals, and slip away to Bruges and Ghent for a fairytale day.

Brussels—home to the European Union—grew from a 10th‑century fortress town into a cosmopolitan capital, yet its heart is still the cobbled Grand Place. It’s also the city of Magritte, Horta, comics murals, and fritkots serving golden frites to loyal queues. Neighborhoods like Sablon, Dansaert, Ixelles, and Saint‑Gilles brim with vintage shops, indie designers, and relaxed bistros.

Practical notes: Cards are widely accepted; tipping is modest and optional (round up or add 5–10% for standout service). If you’re traveling light, biking is a joy on growing cycle lanes; otherwise, the metro, trams, and buses connect everything efficiently. Pack a rain layer year-round, and arrive hungry—there’s a waffle, a praline, and a saison with your name on it.

Brussels

Brussels blends grand monuments with local haunts. Start at the UNESCO‑listed Grand Place; wander the Galeries Royales Saint‑Hubert for heritage shopping; step into the Magritte Museum for playful mind-benders; and detour to the Atomium, a 1958 icon with panoramic views.

Food lovers can graze all day: a waffle from Maison Dandoy, seafood standing up at Noordzee/Mer du Nord, Flemish stew with frites at Nüetnigenough, and lambics at Cantillon. For shopping, try Sablon antiques (weekends), designer boutiques on Rue Dansaert, and markets at Place Flagey (Sat–Sun mornings).

• Stay (curated picks):
  • Splurge: Hotel Amigo (elegant, steps from Grand Place).
  • Mid-range: Novotel Brussels City Centre (modern, central, great value).
  • Budget-chic: MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center (canalside, creative vibe).
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Brussels | Hotels.com Brussels
• Getting to Brussels:
  • From outside Europe: compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com into BRU (Brussels Airport).
  • Within Europe: high-speed trains via Omio Trains. Typical times: Paris–Brussels 1h22–1h35 (from ~€35–€120), Amsterdam–Brussels ~2h (from ~€25–€80), London–Brussels ~2h (from ~£50–£150). Buses can be cheaper via Omio Buses.
  • Airport to city: trains run BRU to Brussels Central in ~17 minutes (about €10–€12).
• Local transport: A 24‑hour STIB pass costs around €8–9 and covers metro/tram/bus. Taxis and rideshares are easy; cycling is increasingly friendly with dedicated lanes.

Day 1: Arrival, Grand Place, and Brussels by Taste

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and stretch your legs with a coffee at Mok near Sainte-Catherine (light Nordic roasts) or Café Capitale by the Bourse. Brunch options: Peck 47 (eggs benedict, house juices) or Hinterland (healthy bowls, oat flat whites).

Afternoon: Start at the Grand Place—ornate guildhalls, the spired Town Hall, and florists perfuming the square. Duck into Galeries Royales Saint‑Hubert for artisan shops and chocolatiers, then follow the comic murals trail toward Sainte‑Catherine’s church. Snack at Noordzee/Mer du Nord: order shrimp croquettes, fish soup, and a crisp white at the standing bar. For sweets, sample a Brussels waffle at Maison Dandoy (airy, yeasted batter).

Evening: Ease into Belgium via a top-rated tasting walk.

Hungry Mary's Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels blends heritage stops with pralines and beer pairings—perfect for a foodie introduction.

Dinner afterwards near the Bourse or Saint‑Géry: Fin de Siècle (no-nonsense Belgian plates like carbonnade, chalkboard menu), Nüetnigenough (hearty classics with an exceptional beer list), or Ballekes (affordable meatballs with sauces and fries). Nightcap at Moeder Lambic Fontainas for Belgian sours and saisons; or chase live music at Ancienne Belgique (indie/rock) or Botanique (eclectic), where tickets often range €20–40.

Day 2: Full-Day Bruges & Ghent from Brussels (Fairytale Flanders)

Make the most of your short stay with a guided day trip that handles transport and storytelling. You’ll stroll Ghent’s cathedral and canals, then Bruges’ cobblestone lanes and photogenic squares—often with free time for lunch and a canal view.

Bruges and Ghent - Belgium's Fairytale Cities - from Brussels typically runs 10–11 hours with a guided walk in both cities.

For lunch in Bruges, consider Cambrinus (Flemish stew and an encyclopedic beer menu), Soup (budget-friendly large bowls with bread), or grab a warm waffle at Chez Albert to eat by the canals. If you prefer DIY travel, trains from Brussels Midi to Bruges take ~1h and to Ghent ~35m via Omio Trains; but the guided tour is efficient for a single day.

Back in Brussels, a casual late dinner at Frit Flagey (classic cones of frites with andalouse sauce) or a neighborhood bistro in Ixelles near Place Flagey keeps it easy. If you still have energy, check who’s playing at Flagey (jazz, classical) or slip into Sounds Jazz Club for live sets.

Day 3: Museums, Bikes, Sablon Shopping, and a Sweet Farewell

Morning: Fuel up at OR Coffee (specialty roaster) or Café Capitale, then choose your art fix. The Magritte Museum offers a witty deep dive into surrealism; the Royal Museums of Fine Arts span Old Masters to modern. Prefer architecture? Visit the Horta Museum for Art Nouveau (time slots can book out). For shopping: browse Sablon antiques and chocolatiers (weekend mornings are lively) or head to Rue Dansaert for Belgian designers.

Alternatively, join a compact guided food-and-sightseeing walk that covers multiple Belgian essentials:

Brussels All In Tour: Belgian food, chocolate, beer, sightseeing packs lunch, tastings, and landmarks into ~4 hours—great if you want a guided overview.

Afternoon: Get hands-on with pralines in a small workshop—fun, flavorful, and very Belgian.

Belgian Chocolate Making Class and Tasting in Brussels is led by artisan chocolatiers and you’ll take a golden box of your creations home.

Afterwards, pick up a shared bike and cruise an easy loop: Parc de Bruxelles to Parc du Cinquantenaire (triumphal arch and museums), via the EU quarter and Leopold Park. If you want a longer ride, continue to the canal path through Tour & Taxis and the covered Gare Maritime food hall for a snack. Quick lunch ideas: Ballekes (meatballs), Noordzee (if you didn’t go Day 1), or Tonton Garby (bespoke cheese and charcuterie sandwiches).

Evening: For a last dinner, consider Les Brigittines (heritage brasserie classics like rabbit in gueuze) or Toukoul (Ethiopian, warm setting). Beer lovers can swing by Cantillon (open earlier for tours/tastings) or toast at Brasserie de la Senne’s taproom. Cap your trip with a concert—check lineups at Botanique, Ancienne Belgique, or Flagey—or a relaxed stroll through the illuminated Mont des Arts for one last city view.

Optional/Alternate: Private Orientation Walk

If you love meeting locals for tailored tips, book a flexible private walk:

Brussels Highlights & Hidden Gems Private Tour with a Local Guide is a customizable way to learn neighborhoods, transit, and eateries you’ll genuinely use.

Budget tips (target ~50/100): favor lunch specials over dinner, choose beer bars with local drafts, share tastings, and use 24‑hour transit passes. Many museums are free the first Wednesday afternoon of the month; otherwise, a city museum card can be good value if you plan 2–3 visits in a day.

Departure: Trains from Brussels Central reach BRU Airport in ~17 minutes; for onward trips to Paris, Amsterdam, or London, compare times and fares on Omio Trains. For flights beyond Europe, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

In case you want one more sweet stop before the train: grab a praline assortment from a top chocolatier in Sablon to savor on the ride home.

Trip recap: Over three days you’ll taste, pedal, and museum-hop through Brussels’ historic core and creative neighborhoods, with a guided foray to Bruges and Ghent’s storybook canals. It’s a compact Belgium itinerary that balances headline sights with local life—and leaves just enough on the table to justify a return.