About Brussels
The City of Brussels is the largest municipality and historical centre of the Brussels-Capital Region, as well as the capital of Belgium. It is additionally the capital of the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Community, and the Flemish Region. The City of Brussels is also the administrative centre of the European Union, as it hosts a number of principal EU institutions in its European Quarter.
Cheap flights to Brussels
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $507 from Toronto, travelling 16 Nov – 19 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- NYC New York to Brussels22 Mar – 28 Mar · BRU from$879
- YTO Toronto to Brussels16 Nov – 19 Nov · BRU from$507
- ATL Atlanta to Brussels27 Jan – 7 Feb · BRU from$1,161
- LAX Los Angeles to Brussels9 Nov – 25 Nov · BRU from$841
- CHI Chicago to Brussels2 Nov – 10 Nov · BRU from$1,034
- BOS Boston to Brussels8 Dec – 15 Dec · BRU from$761
- WAS Washington to Brussels1 Dec – 7 Dec · BRU from$945
- SFO San Francisco to Brussels1 Dec – 8 Dec · BRU from$856
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Air Canada, KLM.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to BrusselsPlaces to visit in Brussels
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Grand-Place
LandmarkBrussels' central square is surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the Gothic town hall with its tall spire, and it is especially striking when illuminated at night or during the flower carpet event.
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Manneken Pis
LandmarkThe small bronze statue of a boy urinating into a fountain is a beloved city mascot, frequently dressed in one of hundreds of costumes, and it sits a few minutes from the Grand-Place.
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Atomium
Landmark · 3 mi from centreA giant model of an iron crystal built for a world's fair, with exhibits inside its spheres and a panoramic viewing level at the top.
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Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
MuseumA group of museums on the Mont des Arts showing Flemish masters including Bruegel and Rubens, along with modern Belgian art and the dedicated Magritte Museum in the same complex.
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Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
HistoricElegant nineteenth-century glass-roofed shopping arcades near the Grand-Place filled with chocolate shops, cafes, bookstores, a theater and boutiques, ideal for a sheltered stroll on a rainy day.
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Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
ReligiousA Gothic cathedral with twin towers and beautiful Renaissance stained glass windows, sitting on a hillside between the upper and lower parts of the city and free to enter.
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Parc du Cinquantenaire
Park · 2 mi from centreA large park dominated by a monumental triumphal arch, flanked by museums covering art and history, military history and classic cars, with lawns that are popular for picnics.
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Musical Instruments Museum
MuseumHoused in an Art Nouveau former department store, this museum displays a vast collection of instruments with audio guides that let you hear them, plus a rooftop cafe with city views.
Things to do in Brussels by type
39 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 17 experiences Antwerp, Best of Brussels with a photo stop at the Iconic Atomium -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 12 experiences Brussels Card + Hop On Hop Off -
Day Trips & Excursions 6 experiences Antwerp, Best of Brussels with a photo stop at the Iconic Atomium -
Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Beer Tasting Tour -
Art & culture 3 experiences Antwerp, Best of Brussels with a photo stop at the Iconic Atomium
- 1-3 hours 7
- Over 6 hours 2
- Flexible 2
- 3-6 hours 1
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Families 7
- Youth 6
- Senior 6
- Couples 6
- Small group 5
- Private 3
- Wheelchair accessible 3
Top experiences in Brussels
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 39 available.
Tootbus Brussels Hop-on Hop-off Tour
From $29 per adult
Ghent and Bruges from Brussels
From $55 per adult
Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Mini Europe Ticket
From $46 per adult
Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Ferris Wheel Ticket
From $35 per adult
Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Belgian Beer World Museum Ticket
From $52 per adult
Choco-Story Brussels: Chocolate Museum and Tasting Tour
From $16 per adult
Frietmuseum Brussels Entance Ticket
From $16 per adult
Bruges Day Trip: Damme, Windmills and Canal Boat
From $37 per adult
Guided tour to Bruges and Ghent
From $53 per adult
The Belgian Beer World Experience - Ticket
From $23 per adult
Guided Tour of Amsterdam
From $68 per adult
Choco-Story Brussels: Belgian Chocolate Workshop and Chocolate Museum Visit
From $49 per adult
Where to stay in Brussels
Popular hotels in Brussels, out of 294 properties you can book.
NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg
From $147 per night
NH Collection Brussels Centre
From $148 per night
Best Western City Centre
From $110 per night
NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon
From $204 per night
nhow Brussels Bloom
From $133 per night
NH Brussels Carrefour De l'Europe
From $286 per night
iStay by NH Brussels Stéphanie
From $131 per night
NH Brussels Airport
From $121 per night
Sofitel Brussels Europe
From $282 per night
NH Brussels EU Berlaymont
From $203 per night
Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre
From $175 per night
Ibis Brussels City Centre
From $162 per night
Best time to visit Brussels
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Brussels is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 71–76°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Brussels weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 55° 47° 51%
- Thu 22 Oct 55° 46° 49%
- Fri 23 Oct 56° 46° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 52° 46° 82%
- Sun 25 Oct 56° 47° 88%
- Mon 26 Oct 52° 46° 32%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Languages
- Dutch, French, German
- Calling code
- +32
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/BrusselsUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Belgium
- All Saints' DayAllerheiligen
- Armistice DayWapenstilstand
- Christmas DayKerstdag
- New Year's DayNieuwjaar
- Easter SundayPasen
- Easter MondayPaasmaandag
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Brussels
These are the airports closest to central Brussels. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ZYR Brussels-South railway station1 mi (2 km) from the city centre
- BRU Brussels Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- CRL Brussels South Charleroi Airport27 mi (44 km) from the city centre
Getting around Brussels
In short: try to use your car as little as possible. As with most European capitals, Brussels has taken great strides in eliminating cars, and with mostly good measures. Until the mid-2000s, Brussels had some of the worst (if not the worst) traffic jams in the western world, even rivalling cities like Los Angeles and New York City.
On foot
Most sights in Brussels are fairly close together, within reasonable walking distance of each other. The oldest part of town can have uneven cobblestone roads, but the rest of the city is fairly easy to walk. A zone of 50 hectares (120 acres) in the city centre is reserved for pedestrians, the second largest in Europe after Venice. Brussels has many wet days, and in winter small amounts of snow can make the ground slushy, so water-resistant footwear is a must if you will be out walking all day.
By bicycle
Bicycles are an excellent way to get from the city center to attractions outside the 'pentagone'. Although the Brussels weather isn't always equally favorable for cycling, bikes are often faster than public transport, particularly for short distances. The cycling infrastructure is fairly poorly developed in comparison to cities of similar size like Amsterdam and Bristol, and the elevation of Brussels might be challenging to inexperienced cyclists.
Villo
Villo (a portmanteau of the French words ville - city - and vélo - bike) is Brussels' public bicycle sharing system. It consists of 5000 bicycles in the Brussels-Capital Region, making it one of the largest in the world, with an infrastructure of 360 stations.
Brussels travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Brussels?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Brussels is June and August, when average daytime highs are around 71–76°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in Brussels?
August is usually the warmest month in Brussels, with average highs of 76°F (24°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically January, with about 107 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Brussels?
Brussels-South railway station (ZYR) is the closest airport, about 1 miles (2 km) from the centre of Brussels. Other nearby airports include Brussels Airport (BRU, 7 mi) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL, 27 mi).
How much are flights to Brussels?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Brussels in the last 30 days was $507 from Toronto, travelling 16 Nov – 19 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $507.
What currency is used in Brussels?
Brussels uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Brussels in?
Brussels uses the Europe/Brussels time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Brussels?
In short: try to use your car as little as possible. As with most European capitals, Brussels has taken great strides in eliminating cars, and with mostly good measures.
What are the best places to visit in Brussels?
Top sights in Brussels include Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, Atomium and Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Brussels' central square is surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the Gothic town hall with its tall spire, and it is especially striking when illuminated at night or during the flower carpet event.
What are the top things to do in Brussels?
Popular experiences you can book in Brussels include Tootbus Brussels Hop-on Hop-off Tour, Ghent and Bruges from Brussels and Tootbus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Mini Europe Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 39 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Brussels?
The most popular types of experiences in Brussels are city tours (17), tickets & attraction passes (12), day trips & excursions (6) and gastronomy & nightlife (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Brussels?
Popular areas for hotels in Brussels include Brussels and Brussels airport. Well-reviewed options include NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg and NH Collection Brussels Centre.
How many hotels can I book in Brussels?
Destina Holidays currently lists 294 properties in and around Brussels, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
