Brussels With Kids: A 2-Day Itinerary
We spent a weekend in Brussels recently and I had a goal to create a 2 day Brussels itinerary that was entirely walkable and centered around the historic Grand Place. There are certainly things to see outside of that area, but as it was our first time to Brussels, I thought this would be the best way to get an introduction to the city. On top of that, when traveling with a kid, I find that we can do a lot more if we’re near our hotel and can stop in for a couple 30 minute downtimes throughout the day whenever needed. Traveling to new places can be exhilarating, but it can also be overstimulating.
Whether you have a kiddo or not though, this is an awesome 2-day itinerary for Brussels, Belgium with the great things to see around Grand Place.
Get ready to explore Brussels, Belgium the family-friendly way.
- Where to stay around Grand Place, Brussels
- 2-day Brussels itinerary
- What to buy when you visit Brussels
- What to eat in Brussels
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Where to stay around Grand Place, Brussels
Hotel Novotel Brussels Off Grand Place
Budget Friendly Option
Where we opted to stay, Novotel are easy, comfortable, and standard across the brand so you know what you’re getting. There was a bath tub and separate shower stall and a separated water closet. They also offer bicycle rental if you want to go further than this easily walkable itinerary. There’s a small fitness center and the staff are very helpful. This was easy to find just a few minutes from the train station which meant we could hop out, put our stuff down, and get to sightseeing within a half hour. Also made it easier to pack up and leave as well so we didn’t have to traipse across Grand Place with our bag. Great budget friendly option.
Book your stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Radisson Collection Grand Place Brussels
The Upscale Option
Similarly easy to get to from the train station, the interior is just beautiful. We walked through the lobby and it was so nice. Expect very friendly staff, clean rooms, and the most comfortable beds. I always love a Radisson sleep. There are 282 updated and upgraded rooms to choose from, a fitness center, and if you are taking along kids, they offer a Family Program as well you can ask about when you check-in. Children under 12 will even get a welcome bag so make sure you ask about it.
Book your stay on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Tips to use this itinerary
- Remember to check all websites listed to ensure there are no special events that mean hours have changed, etc.
- You’ll notice that dinner isn’t at the end of these itineraries. To be honest, that is about the point in the day when my fam wants to call it day. We are early risers. We tend to stock up on street food and head for the hotel/or enjoy the hotel and order room service when we can. It’s just how we do.
- There is a Brussels City Card that offers free entrance into different museums and discounts at sites. For this particular itinerary, it is not necessary and would cost more than the entrance prices. However, if you plan to add any more museums into your day, it would be worth it to get this. It also acts as a transportation card if you want to use it to get into Grand Place from the airport or on the train.
2-day Brussels itinerary
Day 1
Grand Place
The most popular tourist attraction in Brussels is easily Grand Place (Grote Markt) which means it is packed with people for most of the day. Throughout this itinerary, you can walk through Grand Place numerous times or take the side streets to get around it if you like. The heart of the Old Town of Brussels is bustling with people from about 10:00am onward. Start your day at the Grand Place, the central square of Brussels, and marvel at the stunning architecture, some of Europe’s best-preserved structures. If you head there before 9:00am, you’ll likely get to see the historical facades with very few people.
The history of the Grand Place dates back to the 11th century and quickly became a political and economic hub in the region. Burnt down and rebuilt, which you can learn about in the Brussels City Museum, there are some amazing facades to see including:
- The Townhall: This towering building erected between 1402 and 1455 is interestingly unsymmetrical having been planned by different architects. If you look closely, you’ll also notice that the windows on one side were created to be round while the other side has square windows. What were they thinking? haha
- Maison du Roi: Home to the Brussels City Museum, in the 13th century this building was where bread was sold and then in the 15th century the wood facade was replaced with stone and administrative services of the duke and then the king took place here.
- Guild Halls: Look around at the other buildings in the square and you’ll notice some gorgeous guild work. They just sparkle in the sunlight.
The Grand Place is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful guild houses, City Hall, and the Maison du Roi (Brussels City Museum). You’ll want to stare at the intricate carved stonework and gables for some time and go from building to building because they are just gorgeous to see. There are a couple cafes that are just getting going here in the morning, so get a cup of coffee and take a seat on some steps to see the area wake up.
- Address: Grote Markt, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Special events: Grand Place is home to some amazing annual events which you can plan your trip around. There is a light and sound show during the Christmas period, the Flower Carpet sees the entire square covered in flowers every other year and on alternating years, Flowertime transforms the city hall square. Finally, look out for the Ommegang, a historical re-enactment of the arrival of Emperor Charles V in Brussels in 1549.
Brussels City Museum
Located in the Grand Place, the Brussels City Museum (Maison du Roi) offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of Brussels. The museum features various exhibits showcasing the city’s heritage, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and artifacts. This was a great overall look into the history of the city and provided a lot of information that we never knew. On the top floor, you can look out the windows at Grand Place and inside learn about the bombardment of Brussels in 1695 which destroyed the Grand Place which had to be rebuilt.
For families, the museum offers interactive displays and multimedia presentations that engage both children and adults. Kids can enjoy interactive games, touch screens, and educational activities that make learning about Brussels’ history fun and engaging.
- Address: Grote Markt van, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: Adults: €10.00* (Minors under 18 are FREE)
- Free the first Sunday of the month
Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert
Walk down the beautiful Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, a covered shopping arcade known for its elegant architecture and upscale boutiques. The arcade features high glass ceilings, stunning shop facades, and a charming atmosphere. As you stroll through the gallery, take the opportunity to admire the beautiful displays, window shop, and perhaps indulge in some Belgian chocolate treats. There are some very nice looking cafes and restaurants as you stroll through the beautiful glass-roofed gallery. We opted to eat at L’Arcadi at the end.
- Address: Galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Lunch at L’Arcadi
Enjoy a delightful lunch at L’Arcadi, a family-friendly restaurant located at the end of the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. L’Arcadi specializes in Belgian cuisine, and it’s an excellent opportunity to try traditional dishes like moules-frites (mussels and fries) or carbonnade flamande (beef stew). The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff is friendly and accommodating to families. They often provide children’s menus, high chairs, and options for picky eaters. We all devoured our food.
- Address: Rue d’Arenberg 1B, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm
- Website: https://arcadi.be/
Parc de Bruxelles
After lunch, head to Parc de Bruxelles, a tranquil park located near the Royal Palace. The park offers a serene atmosphere with well-manicured gardens, fountains, and picturesque pathways. It’s an excellent place to relax, enjoy a leisurely walk, or find a cozy spot for a picnic. The park also features a playground area where younger children can have fun on swings, slides, and climbing frames. Let them get out some of the energy and urge to touch everything before you head to the art museum.
Musee Magritte / The Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts
The Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts consists of six different art museums and is absolutely massive. They have a collection of over 20,000 works of art dating from the 15th century to modern day. You can find masterpieces by Rodin, Gauguin, and of course Magritte. If your family loves art museums, spend some time here. If you want to spend more time outside today, at least plan to head to Musee Magritte.
The Musee Magritte Museum houses a vast collection of renowned Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte’s artworks, including his famous bowler-hatted men and thought-provoking compositions. For families, the museum offers audio guides tailored for children, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities that make the visit engaging and educational for young art enthusiasts.
- Address: Pl. Royale 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am ~ 6:00pm
- Admission: Musee Magritte online: Adults: €10.00, (Minors under 18 are FREE); Old Masters Collection + Musee Magritte Combination Ticket: Adults: €15.00, (Minors under 18 are FREE)
- Free admission on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 1:00pm
Mont des Arts
As the day winds down, head to Mont des Arts, a hill offering panoramic views of Brussels. The gardens of Mont des Arts were established between 1956 and 1958 on the elevated area between Place Royale and Place de L’Albertine between the Bibliothèque Albert I and Palais Congrès and Palais de la Dynastie.
Walk down the steps from the elevated garden area and make your way back to the Grand Place. Along the way, you’ll pass through beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoy breathtaking vistas of the city. It’s a perfect spot for family photos and to take in the beauty of Brussels from a different perspective.
Day 2
Comic Strip Route / The Cartoon Walls of Brussels
Embark on an adventure along the Comic Strip Route, which celebrates Brussels’ rich comic strip heritage. As you’re walking here and there along the cobblestoned alleyways, I behoove you to look up. You can find over 60 comic characters and scenes. Now, you can absolutely stumble upon these as you go, but when you’re in Grand Place on day 1, if you stop into the tourist office, you can also pick up a map or guide book to the scenes. It’s a good idea and the book provides some great information that you may not know about some of your favorite characters.
Discover the colorful murals depicting beloved comic book characters like Tintin, the Smurfs, and Asterix. The route is marked by street signs featuring comic characters, making it easy to follow. Engage the whole family in a scavenger hunt, trying to spot as many comic strip murals as possible. It’s a fun and interactive way to discover the city and its artistic side.
Manneken Pis
No visit to Brussels is complete without a stop at Manneken Pis, a famous Brussels landmark. Once my husband heard about this, he wanted to make sure it was on the list. So much fanfare for a tiny statue of a boy who is peeing?? Seems like something we needed to see in person apparently. While this is separated from the above “Comic Strip Route”, we actually just plotted the path to see this while looking out for murals so consider it an addition to that walking route.
The small bronze statue of a peeing boy has become an iconic symbol of the city and is know as “Brussels’ oldest citizen”. Kids and husbands, will find the statue amusing, and there’s often a crowd of people taking photos and enjoying the playful atmosphere. The statue at the fountain today was built in 1619 by Jerome Duquesnoy II. Stolen numerous times, it has always been recovered thankfully.
Each day he wears a different costume, and you can even find a museum nearby with all of the old costumes he has worn. If you visit the Brussels City Museum as outlined above, there’s an area that delves into the history and culture of the icon which makes it all the more interesting and dare I say educational.
PS, there is also a less popular statue called Jeanneke Pis, a little girl who is peeing, and Het Zinneke, a statue of a dog that is peeing. You could plan to see all three while you visit the area if that’s your jam.
Lunch at Wolf
For a delicious lunch, head to Wolf, a trendy food hall located in an old bank. The food hall offers a diverse range of cuisines with various food stalls, making it suitable for different tastes and dietary preferences within the family.
There’s everything from your favorite Vietnamese pho (that’s what we opted for because we live off of soup), Greek goodness, hamburgers, pizzas, vegan food, and more. It’s a great opportunity to let everyone choose their favorite dishes, whether it’s pizza, sushi, burgers, or salads. The casual and lively atmosphere of Wolf adds to the overall dining experience.
- Address: Rue du Fossé aux Loups 50, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Hours: Every day: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm
- Website: https://www.wolf.brussels/
Comics Art Museum / Belgian Comic Strip Center
Located in a beautiful Art Nouveau building, the Comics Art Museum is a must-visit for comic book enthusiasts of all ages. Even if you’re not an enthusiast, you will be when you leave. The museum showcases the history of comics and features exhibits dedicated to famous Belgian comic characters like Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and Spirou. Families can explore the museum’s collections, admire original comic artwork, and learn about the creative process behind comic book creation.
The museum is housed in a beautiful building that was designed by Victor Horta and built in 1906 so be sure to take in the building as much as the comic art around you. The museum often organizes workshops and activities specifically designed for children, allowing them to unleash their creativity and create their comic book characters. Look out for the various experiential opportunities for kids.
- Address: Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm (In July and August the museum is open on Mondays for regular hours.)
- Admission: Adults: €13.00; Ages 12-15: €10.00; Children 6-11: €6.00
- Family pack: There is a family pack of tickets available for 2 adults and 2 kids for €36.00
- Website: https://www.comicscenter.net/
Belgian Waffles or Brussels Waffles
By now you’ve walked to and fro through many an alley in the area and along the popular streets and hopefully you’ve had your eye out for the Belgian waffle shops. Now is the time to make your pick and try some. With plenty of options to choose from, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy an afternoon treat and a sugary pick-me-up.
Don’t know what the difference between Belgian Waffles and Brussels Waffles is? Check out the “What to eat” section below for the details.
What to buy when you visit Brussels
Chocolate
Belgium’s most famous export has to be chocolate and you’ll find chocolatiers’ shops all over the place near Grand Place. Don’t go home emptyhanded. As you walk through the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, check out the following chocolatiers you can find inside:
- Pierre Marcolini: One of the most famous Belgian chocolate makers, the chocolatier takes pride in that he sources the cocoa beans directly from the growers and roasts them himself.
- Neuhaus Belgian Chocolate: Neuhaus is the inventor of the original Belgian praline and the store here in the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert was their first. Special indeed.
- Mary Chocolaterie: An artisan chocolate shop established in 1919 by Mary Delluc, the first woman chocolatier in Belgian chocolates, it is one of the few chocolatiers awarded the Belgian Royal Warrant and you can see a sign telling you as much when you walk by.
- Leonidas Belgian Chocolate: Known for using 100% pure cocoa butter and natural ingredients, this is one of the more affordable options and makes for great gifts for friends and family back home.
Cuberdons
My daughter zeroed in on these in a chocolate shop so we had to check them out. These Belgian sweet treats are cone-shaped gummies basically that are made with gum arabic candy and filled with a sticky substance inside to add the flavor. There were a variety of flavors to choose from so we got one of each and they were delightful.
What to eat in Brussels
Belgian cuisine has been influenced by neighbors France, Germany, and the Netherlands so you’ll find a lot of chocolate, waffles, beer, and fries. Some popular dishes to look out for though are steak and fries, mussels with fries, and stews.
Belgian Waffles and Brussels Waffles
Of course no visit to Brussels will be complete with trying some famous Belgian waffles. But did you know Brussels has a unique kind of waffles a bit different from the standard “Belgian waffle”? Brussels waffles are made with a yeast-leavened batter so they’re lighter and fluffier while the standard Belgian waffles, or Liege waffles, have a thicker batter and has sugar mixed into the batter so they come out with a caramelized crust. You’ll have to try both to see if you can tell the difference.
As you walk along the streets around Grand Place, you’ll find waffle shops that are chic and inviting and simple windows to order from. You can get them loaded with chocolate, fruits, and creams or not. For a class Belgian waffle, look out for Maison Dandoy. If you want something more done up and fancy, find Vitalgaufre.
Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with fries
Get a big bowl of hot steamed mussels with a side of fries, because what else would you eat with mussels? The mussels are prepared in a white wine, cream, and parsley sauce.
Belgian Beer
Aside from all of the delicious foods, there is of course the Belgian beers which you’ll find just everywhere. Breweries here, tasters there, and everyone is sitting outside enjoying a brew at most hours of the day. Try a different brew at each meal and see what tickles your fancy.
Balletjes – Belgian meatballs
I couldn’t say no to meatballs. A combination of ground beef and pork so there is a depth of flavor with enough fat to make them delicious, they’re everywhere, easy to find, and perfect if you have a picky eater because who doesn’t like meatballs?
Frites – Belgian fries
Fries, fries, wherever you look, there are fries. You’ll find people lined up at some of the more popular fry joints in the area. The fries are thick and there are a ton of sauces to choose from. In the Netherlands, everyone gets fries with mayo. In Belgium, the stalls have upwards of 20 sauces to choose from. You can taste them first to see what you like. I tried “American” just to see what that was all about and did not approve and went for ketchup.
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