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

Brussels is a city of lively culture and a lively atmosphere. Known as the birthplace of beer and chocolate, the most beautiful capital in all of Europe is always winning accolades. Walking around Brussels will give you a sense of the contrasts in its streets, and who knows, you might fall in love with it too.

If you're thinking about what to see and do in Brussels, but you're just passing through with a stopover or only have 24 hours on your itinerary, a full day might be enough to get a general idea of the city and explore its historic centre. It may seem like a bit of an ambitious plan, but it won't be complicated once you read this guide.

The first stop on this day in Brussels is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. And why do we start here? Because this way you can enjoy it with few people and admire all the buildings that surround it as they deserve. They are historic architectural works and government buildings that are very famous for their façades. In fact, they are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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 is now home to 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 all the important events that took place there. For example: the first Belgian Protestants who were burned to death during the Inquisition and the great bombardments 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.

This building corresponds to the Cathedral of Brussels, 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 the whole of Belgium. In the past it was known as St. Michael's Church, but in 1047 it housed the remains of St. Gudula and took on its current identity.

If you want to make the most of your time, you cannot miss a visit to the inside, as the interior is as impressive as the exterior. And not because it has objects of great value, as it has been looted on several occasions. It is simply that the details and colours of its stained glass windows are impressive.

You can also visit the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, protected by a large wrought iron gate, which dates from the 18th 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!

Welcome to the most Parisian place in Brussels, the Galeries Saint Hubert... They were designed in 1847, which makes them the first shopping arcades in Europe. Although the prices are steep, you can take a stroll through this famous shopping centre to get a taste of its glamorous atmosphere.

The shops along the 200 metres are of the best and most renowned brands, but the architecture itself is what appeals to all tourists. You don't need to buy anything, but don't forget to take some unique photographs 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.

What would a trip to Brussels be without tasting its beer? I recommend that you don't miss the chance to enjoy the most appreciated drink of the Belgians during your visit to the city.

My favourite bar is Delirium, which is famous and renowned in the world of beer, as it holds the Guinness record for the largest variety on offer in the world. It's not a cheap place, of course, but a visit is an experience. It has many rooms to explore and of course, high quality beer.

Other great drinking options include A la Mort Subite, Le Cercueil and Au Bon Vieux Temps. If you can't decide which one to go for, you might as well try a glass at each of them, right? A tour of the best breweries in Brussels is always a very good plan.

Waffles are a typical Belgian sweet dish. And if you want to know why, you have to see for yourself. There are many varieties everywhere, but the real thing is the Liège style, which only has sugar sprinkled on top.

If you're in the Manneken Pis area, you'll be particularly attracted by the aroma coming out of Maison Dandoy's shop, a famous little shop rated as one of the best.

But if waffles aren't your thing, you can read this article about the best chocolate tasting in Brussels. One thing you can be sure of, though, is that you can't leave without trying something sweet on your visit to Brussels.

The Manneken Pis is one of the things to see and do in Brussels. It is a symbol of the city of Brussels and consists of a tiny 66-centimetre 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 everyone who passes through the city has their photograph taken with it.

Its history is quite interesting, as this figure was created in 1619, but was later stolen and replaced by the reproduction you can find today. But this was not the only unfortunate event that has happened. The city was later bombed, but the piss boy was not even scratched. At that point, he became a much-loved character among the city's inhabitants.

The peculiarity of this little 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.

If you enjoyed your visit to the Brussels Cathedral, you should also visit 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 centre and is one of the must-see attractions in the centre of Brussels.

I can assure you that you will be left open-mouthed by the eleven gigantic 15-metre-high works of art 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 Mary was donated by a man to whom the Virgin Mary appeared and told him to take her image to this chapel. The gentleman of course obeyed and today it is equally enjoyed by all visitors.

This square retains a more traditional style compared to the others in the city. After a long walk, I find it a good place to take a break.

You'll find plenty of dining options, art galleries and good quality chocolatiers. The streets around the square are also very pretty and picturesque. If you're lucky enough to stop by on a weekend, you'll also find an antiques market, especially for 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 one of them pays homage to an ancient trade. An interesting curiosity of the corners of Brussels.

The seat of the Belgian judiciary 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 on your visit to the city of Brussels.

The Palais de Justice building measures more than 26,000 square metres in area and is 104 metres high. A real giant which, being located in the upper part of the city, will give you access to unbeatable views of the whole of Brussels.

A visit to the European Parliament is well worth it if you still have time in this intense 24 hours in the city. Especially if you are a political buff, as this exhibition will tell you about the history of Europe and how the European Union was devised.

The exhibition is educational, 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 you can visit the site at your own pace - no excuses!

If you have a day and you want to visit a few places further away from the centre, Brussels has the best tourist buses to save you time and make it easier to get around the city. But if you prefer to use public transport, I advise you to buy a day pass which will save you money and give you more freedom.

I also recommend that you check out the best museums in Brussels. The exhibitions are very varied and for all audiences, but it is always a good idea to coordinate your visit in advance. The Atomium is of particular interest to you, so this post will give you some information on how to buy tickets and what the prices are for this unique museum in Europe. In addition, you can also see the Museum of the City of Brussels.

If you need information on more extended itineraries, you can also consult my guide on a 2-day itinerary in Brussels, a 3-day itinerary in Brussels or a 4-day itinerary in Brussels through the city of Brussels.