Brussels in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Brussels is a city full of culture and atmosphere. Known for being the birthplace of beer and chocolate, the most beautiful capital of Europe always gets all the compliments. Walking around the capital of Belgium you will discover the contrasts of its streets, and, who knows, you may fall in love with it too.

If you are thinking about what to see and do in Brussels, but you are just passing through with a stopover or you only have 24 hours in your itinerary, a full day may be enough to get a general idea of the city and tour its historic center. It may seem a bit ambitious, but it won't be complicated once you read this guide. Are you up for it?

The first stop is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. And why do we start here? Because you can enjoy it with few people and admire all those buildings that surround it as they deserve. They are historical architectural works and governmental headquarters very famous for their facades. In fact, they are considered World Heritage Sites. If you do not want to miss any detail, book a tour of art and culture in Brussels. The buildings that stand out the most are:

• Hotel de Ville.
• Maison des Brasseurs.
• Maison des Ducs de Brabant.
• Le Renard.
• Le Cornet.
• Le Roi d'Espagne.

You will also find the Maison du Roi, which was once the residence of the royal family, but now houses the Museum of the City of Brussels and Le Pigeon, the building where the French novelist Victor Hugo lived during his exile in Belgium.

In addition to its beauty, Grand Central Square owes its fame to the important events that took place there. For example: the first Belgian Protestants who were burned to death during the Inquisition and the great bombings by the French. If you are interested in culture and want to learn more about the Belgian capital you should make a selection of the best museums in Brussels according to your day trip.

Next, head to the nearby Brussels Cathedral. Of an incomparable Gothic style and built in the 13th century. It is the main Catholic church not only in the city of Brussels, but in all of Belgium. In the past it was known as St. Michael's Church, but in 1047 it received the remains of St. Gudula and adopted its current identity.

If you want to make the most of your time, you can not miss visiting it inside, because its interior is as impressive as its exterior. And not because it has objects of great value, since it was looted on several occasions. Simply the details and colors of its stained glass windows are impressive.

You can also visit the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, protected by a large wrought iron gate, dating from the eighteenth century. But the most majestic object is a spectacular organ with 4,000 pipes, surrounded by statues of the apostles, a real luxury. A real luxury, and admission is free!

Afterwards, take a break from the culture at the Galeries Saint Hubert, the most Parisian place in all of Brussels. They were designed in 1847, making them the first commercial galleries in Europe, and you can get there comfortably if you book the Brussels sightseeing bus. Although the prices are excessively high, you can take a nice walk through this famous shopping mall to discover its glamorous atmosphere.

The stores you will find along these 200 meters are of the best and most recognized brands, but the architecture is what calls us all visitors. You don't need to buy anything, but don't forget to take some unique pictures at this iconic stop in the city.

But it's not just its beauty, it's also its history. In the 1800s, this was a meeting point, where the city's intellectuals and artists met in the evenings under the wonderful glass roof.

And the moment you've been waiting for has arrived: what would a trip to Brussels be without tasting its beer? Don't miss the chance to delight yourself with the most precious drink for the Belgians during your visit to the city. To do so, you have several options:

• Beer tasting in Brussels, from $30.
• Beer tasting with food and wine pairing in Brussels, from $57.
• Beer tour in Brussels, from $66.

In addition, my favorite bar is Delirium, of great fame and recognition in the world of beer, as it holds the Guinness record for the most varied offer in the world. It is not an inexpensive place, of course, but visiting it is quite an experience. It has many rooms to explore and, of course, a high quality beer.

Another very good option when it comes to drinking is A la Mort Subite, Le Cercueil and Au Bon Vieux Temps. If you can't decide which one to go with, you may as well try a glass at each of them. But as I have already told you, a tour of the best breweries in Brussels is always a very good plan.

After tasting the best beer, do not hesitate, continue with the sweetest plan and taste the waffles, the typical sweet dish of Belgium. If you want to know why, you have to see for yourself. There are many varieties everywhere, but the authentic one is the Liège style, which only has sugar sprinkled on top. If you book the waffle workshop at Bruselass you will discover all its secrets.

And if you find yourself in the Manneken Pis area, you will be attracted by the aroma coming out of the Maison Dandoy store, a small and famous store rated as one of the best.

One thing you can be sure of is that you can't leave without trying something sweet on this visit to Brussels. So if waffles are not your thing, you can read this article about the best chocolate tastings in Brussels:

• Chocolate workshop in Brussels, from $41.
• Chocolate making class in Brussels, from $73.
• Chocolate tour and workshop in Brussels, from $74.

Your next stop is the Manneken Pis, one of the plans what to see and do in Brussels and a key stop if you book the tour of the capital of Belgium. A symbol of the city, it consists of a tiny 66-centimeter bronze sculpture of a little boy doing his thing. Over the years it has become one of the most visited spots in the capital and whoever passes through the city takes his picture with him.

Its history is quite interesting, since this figure was created in 1619, but then it was stolen and replaced by the reproduction that you can find today. But this was not the only unfortunate event that has happened. The city, later on, was bombed, but the pissing boy did not suffer a scratch. At that point, he became a much-loved character.

The peculiarity of this boy is that he is always changing his attire, as he has a large collection of costumes depending on the occasion or the party in town. And he even has a museum: the Manneken Pis Costume Museum. But the Manneken Pis is not alone in Brussels, it has other friends scattered around. If you continue your walk, you will meet his female colleague Jeanneke Pis, and even a canine friend, Zinneke Pis.

After Manneken Pis and if you liked the visit to the Cathedral of Brussels, you should continue to Notre Dame Du Sablon, another architectural work of the same style that has nothing to envy to its cousin the Cathedral. It is located in the upper part of the historic center and is one of the must-see attractions in the center of Brussels.

I assure you that you will be left with your mouth open with the eleven gigantic works of art of 15 meters high that you will see inside, along with the columns that support this incredible church. And of course, you can also enter for free.

Inside, the central pulpit undoubtedly stands out. The image of the virgin that is there was donated by a man to whom the virgin appeared and told him to take her image to this chapel. The gentleman of course obeyed and today all visitors enjoy it equally.

Next, I would take a short break in this square that preserves a more traditional style compared to the others in the city. After walking without rest, it seems to me a good place to take a break.

You will have many dining options, art galleries and very good quality chocolate shops. The streets surrounding the square are also very nice and picturesque. If you are lucky enough to stop by on a weekend, you will also find an antiques market, especially silverware and second-hand books.

Place du Petit Sablon has the particularity of housing 48 bronze statues. If you pay attention, you will be able to identify that each of them pays tribute to an ancient craft.

Now with your batteries recharged, continue your itinerary at the seat of the Belgian judiciary, which has a rough and tumble history, having suffered several fires and many restorations over the years. But, even so, it has become another must-see site on your visit to the city of Brussels.

The Palace of Justice building measures more than 26,000 square meters in area and 104 meters in height. A real giant that, being located in the upper part of the city, will give you access to unparalleled views of the whole of Brussels.

Finally, don't miss a visit to the European Parliament. It is well worth it if you still have time in these intense 24 hours in the city. Especially if you are a fan of politics, as this exhibition will tell you the history of Europe and how the European Union was conceived.

The exhibition is didactic, interesting and modern, and is available in several languages, so that no one is left out of the explanations. You will be given a multimedia guide so that you can visit the site at your own pace - no excuses!

If you have a day and want to know some points further away from the center, keep in mind that Brussels has the best tourist buses to save time and move easily around the city. But if you prefer to move by public transport, I advise you to buy a day pass that will save you money and give you more freedom.

Also, I recommend you to check out the best museums in Brussels. The exhibitions are very varied and for all audiences, but you should always coordinate your visit in advance. The most interesting are:

• Brussels Atomium: in the following post I guide you on how to buy tickets and what are the prices of this unique museum in Europe.
• Autoworld Museum of Brussels.
• Museum of Musical Instruments of Brussels.
• Cinquantenaire Museum of Brussels.
• Banksy Museum in Brussels.

And if you need information about more extended itineraries, you can also consult my guide about 2-day itinerary in Brussels, 3-day itinerary in Brussels or 4-day itinerary in Brussels by the city of Brussels.