10 Things to Do in Brussels in the summer

If you are planning to visit Brussels in the summer season, you will enjoy a very different face than in winter. If the city is already very lively and full of activities, in this season of the year you can also enjoy its outdoor spaces and mild days.

In addition to preparing your tour of the most important attractions to see in Brussels, I recommend you take a look at the 10 ideas of things to do in the summer season in the Belgian capital.

Summer days are ideal for strolling around the city. Even more so if the city is Brussels, full of treasures and corners to discover. The comic murals are part of the urban landscape of the city and there are about 60 frescoes hidden throughout the center. A great plan in your summer itinerary is to find each of them and take a picture.

You can find the maps with the locations of the frescoes on the website of the city of Brussels, download them to your phone and start the adventure. If you prefer you can also buy the map at the tourist offices for a price of about 2.5€. Are you ready to play?

If you are looking for a different alternative when it comes to getting to know Brussels, touring it by bike can be fun, and a good opportunity to include exercise in your vacation. Brussels is a capital that is very well prepared for cyclists, so it is very convenient to get around in this way.

You can opt for a bike rental or simply use the city's bicycle system. Check out the different suggested tours throughout Brussels and choose the area of the city that interests you the most.

While you can visit the Atomium all year round, in the summer months you can enjoy the view from the top sphere. Climbing the Atomium is an activity you can't miss during your visit to the city of Brussels.

Atomium is the most famous monument of the city and the symbol of Belgium. It was inaugurated 60 years ago, and instead of going out of fashion, more and more people want to visit it.

Do not hesitate to buy your Atomium tickets in advance as many tourists visit it every day.

Summer is short but intense in Brussels, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the city's open-air rooftops. In another time of the year you would freeze, but you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy a cocktail or, if you prefer, book a beer tasting, while contemplating these amazing views from the highest terraces of Brussels. Don't miss this opportunity! Here is a list of the most recommended rooftops.

• Perché Rooftop Bar: this bar is located on the top floor of the Jam Hotel with incredible views. Perché Rooftop Bar is known for its modern decoration, good atmosphere, excellent music and varied menu. It is open every day from 15hs to 22hs and its location is: Chaussée de Charleroi 132, 1060 Brussels.

• Jardin Rooftop: here you will find a perfect place to end a day of sightseeing, very close to the historic center. Jardin Rooftop is a huge rooftop with incredible views, where you can find a wide range of beers, cocktails and wines. And to eat you can enjoy their cheese tables, cold meats, burgers .... Open every day from 12hs to 22hs and its location is: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 7, 1000 Bruxelles.

• Boho Rooftop Bar: if you feel like enjoying cocktails, music and slowfood, visit the terrace of the NH Collection Brussels. Here you will find the Boho Rooftop Bar with a fantastic panoramic view of the Brussels skyline. Open only in June, from 7pm to midnight.

and its location is Boulevard Adolphe Max 7, 1000 Brussels.

• Secret Rooftop by Warwick: if your day in Brussels ends near the Grand Palace, you will find yourself just a few meters from the Warwick hotel. From the terrace of SecretRooftop you can watch the sunset while sipping the best cocktails. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 16hs to 22hs and its location is Rue Duquesnoy 5, 1000 Brussels.

• Albert Summer Rooftop: Albert Summer Rooftop is located on the rooftop of the KBR Museum, with direct views of the Mont des Arts, a real privilege in the city of Brussels. It is open from 12hs to 19hs and its location is: Place du Musée 1, 1000 Brussels.

Brussels is one of the European cities with more green spaces per inhabitant and in summer they become the perfect place to relax from a busy day of sightseeing. In this list I leave you a selection of the most valuable parks in Brussels, either for the beauty of its green spaces, for its monuments or for its recreational areas. Here you have them!

• Cambre Abbey Garden: if you want to take a romantic walk or simply if you want some peace, visiting these beautiful gardens can be a very good idea. With an incredible Cistercian abbey inside, they are the perfect place to relax, especially at sunset time. Location: Rue du Monastère 1 1050 Ixelles.

• Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden of Brussels mixes design styles from different origins, creating an exemplary urban green space, with a great variety of trees and plants. Location: Rue Royale 2361210 Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode.

• Florist's Garden: in this garden, besides enjoying a very particular green space, you will also have panoramic views of the city of Brussels. A stimulus for all the senses. Location: Rue Jean Sobieski- Avenue des Robiniers 1020 Laeken.

• Cinquantenaire Park: it was inaugurated in 1880, anniversary of the independence of Belgium and inside you will find different museums such as the Autoworld, for which you can book your tickets in advance, the Museum of Military History, the Museum of Art and History, for which you can also buy your tickets now, and the Pavilion of Human Passions. Location: Parc du Cinquantenaire 1000 Brussels.

• Leopold Park: you will find the Solvay Library, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the House of European History. Inside is the café, Grand Central, with a very convenient terrace to spend the afternoon. Location: Rue Belliard 1040 Etterbeek.

• Parc la Sauvagère: This park is not only renowned for the beauty of its green spaces, but also because you can find a small lake with swans, many swings, an enclosure with birds and other farm animals. It is very picturesque and children simply love to visit it. Location: Avenue de la Chênaie 83 1180 Uccle.

On summer days we don't feel like being cooped up and the markets of Brussels become a very attractive option to spend the morning or afternoon, see products of all categories and take something as a souvenir or to eat on the go.

Not only will you find colorful fruits, fresh baked goods and products that come directly from the farms, but you will also enjoy their filmy atmosphere, as the bustle and dynamics between traders and shoppers are almost a movie to watch at all times.

If you are thinking of following my advice, here is a list of what I consider to be the best open-air markets in Brussels.

Stockel

This market specializes in fruits, vegetables, meat or fish. But what makes it special and very lively is all its offer in a variety of flowers, which will make you feel in the middle of spring.

• Days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Location: Pl. Dumon, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium.

Gare du Midi

This market is considered one of the largest in Europe. And no wonder, since you can find absolutely everything in its stalls. And when I say everything, I mean even spices from Africa, delicatessen products and clothing, among others.

• Days: Sundays
• Location: Avenue Fonsny, 1000 Brussel, Belgium.

Chatelaine

This market is smaller and not as popular as the rest of the list, but its homemade products and small producers are really a delight that you must try. I recommend the cheeses or their baked cookies, very tasty, and what everyone who visits it is looking for.

• Days: Wednesday afternoon
• Location: Avenue Fonsny, 1000 Brussel, Belgium.

Place du Jeu de Balle

If you want to find something more exotic in the markets, then I leave you with this recommendation. The Belgian flea market is very famous and could be the place where you find that treasure that is waiting just for you.

It is known to all as the old market and its more than 300 stalls offer a wide range of objects, furniture, textiles and accessories. It has also become a tourist stop for those who love vintage and second hand products.

• Days: Monday to Sunday
• Location: Place du Jeu de Balle, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

There is a public transport service that allows you to navigate the canals of the Seine River and see the city from another angle and perspective. The Waterbus will allow you to choose between several routes depending on the area of the city you want to explore and the time you have available, of course.

I recommend you to take your tour in the morning or at sunset. The tours last 2 hours and you will be able to enjoy the Brussels summer at its best.

Flow is the name of the pool that is temporarily set up outdoors in the city of Brussels. In the summer season everyone wants to cope with the high temperatures and being able to visit a swimming pool is a very attractive option.

Don't hesitate to get your swimsuit ready and enjoy this beautiful 17-meter long pool, right next to the canal in Anderlecht, near the Pierre Marchant bridge.

The star hill of the city of Brussels, Mont des Arts, will give you a panoramic view of the entire city center. It is a very popular spot at sunset, as everyone wants to contemplate this unique postcard.

You will also find the renowned bar Coucou Brussels, where you can enjoy its hammocks and a perfect menu for this time of the day with different signature cocktails. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The European Parliament organizes these summer concerts every year. This event features all kinds of artists to encourage the use of outdoor public spaces and also to spread the word about music. You can listen to singers from the likes of Mischa Maisky to emerging talents such as Elen Shahinans. All are welcome with the same goal: to enjoy the art.

From Monday to Friday at 1pm there will be classical, opera and jazz concerts. Remember that you cannot reserve your place, but the number of attendees is limited, so arrive early.

Traveling to Brussels in summer is a very good option, as temperatures are mild and do not usually go above 20 degrees. In fact, daily maximum temperatures are around 21 °C and rarely fall below 14 °C or exceed 29 °C. Truly a pleasure for anyone wishing to vacation in the city.

But remember to always have an umbrella ready. In Brussels, virtually every month has its fair share of rain, and in summer it's even a bit heavier.