🇧🇪 Belgium
Brussels travel guide
Brussels, the heart of Europe, blends EU headquarters with medieval grandeur, Art Nouveau treasures, and the world's best chocolate, waffles, and beer. This bilingual capital offers culinary excellence and architectural splendors.
Language
French, Dutch, English widely spoken
Currency
Euro (€)
Timezone
CET (UTC+1), CEST summer
Best time
April to June, September to October
Budget/day
€85-170/day
When to visit
Jan
2–8°C
Feb
3–10°C
Mar
6–14°C
Apr
10–18°C
May
14–22°C
Jun
18–27°C
Jul
20–30°C
Aug
19–29°C
Sep
14–22°C
Oct
9–16°C
Nov
4–11°C
Dec
1–7°C
Safety
safeBrussels is safe in tourist areas. Molenbeek and parts of Anderlecht warrant extra caution. Watch for pickpockets near Grand Place.
Women travellers
Brussels is generally safe for solo women in tourist areas. Ixelles (specifically the EU Quarter, Place Flagey, and Les Chatelain area), Sainte-Catherine, and the Grand Place are very safe. Molenbeek (a municipality directly adjacent to the city) has a mixed reputation — follow local advice and avoid isolated streets there particularly at night.
Culture & etiquette
- + Try multiple beers
- + Sample chocolates
- + Visit comic murals
- + Appreciate surrealism
- - Don't order fries with ketchup (mayo!)
- - Do not point at religious icons or sacred objects
Food to try
Belgian Waffles
Liège style with sugar
Moules-Frites
Mussels and fries
Stoofvlees
Beef stew in beer
Belgian Chocolate
Neuhaus, Godiva, artisanal
Belgian Beer
Trappists, lambics, gueuze
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.