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Grand Place / City Centre

sightseeing

UNESCO main square with ornate guild houses and Town Hall.

Marolles

local

Working-class neighborhood with flea market and antiques.

Ixelles

local

Trendy commune with African quarter and Art Nouveau.

Sablon

culture

Upscale antiques district with chocolate shops and cafes.

Saint-Gilles

culture

Artistic commune with Horta Museum and diverse cuisine.

Brussels

Brussels Travel Guide 2025: The Complete Guide to Europe's Capital

Brussels is a city of delightful contradictions — where medieval alleyways wind between EU headquarters' gleaming towers, where the aroma of fresh waffles mingles with craft beer hops, and where the cheeky Manneken Pis stands proudly near magnificent Gothic cathedrals. As Belgium's capital and the unofficial capital of Europe, Brussels captivates visitors with its unique atmosphere, world-class cuisine, and extraordinarily rich cultural heritage. This comprehensive 2025 guide reveals everything you need to know for an un...

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faq.subtitle Brussels

Brussels is officially bilingual: French and Dutch. All signs are in both languages. English is widely understood in tourist areas. About 80% speak French as first language.

Yes. Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem is main airport, 20 min by train to center. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is 1 hour away, used by budget airlines like Ryanair.

Avoid Mondays - many museums and restaurants are closed. Best to visit Tuesday-Sunday. Note that most shops and restaurants close early around 18:00.

Avoid tourist trap Rue des Bouchers. Try Sainte-Catherine for seafood, Marolles for local cuisine. Must-try: moules-frites, carbonade flamande, waffles, chocolate, and Belgian beer.

Public toilets cost €0.50-1.00, managed by 'Madame/Monsieur Pipi' attendants. Keep coins handy. Free toilets available in museums and shopping centers.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Brussels

Belgium has over 1500 beer varieties - UNESCO World Heritage! Visit Delirium Café with 2000+ beers or traditional 'brown bars' near Grand Place.

Watch for pickpockets in metro, train stations, and tourist areas. Thieves often work in teams using distraction techniques.

Use contactless payment on public transport - cheaper (€2.10 vs €2.60) with daily cap of €8.40. One ticket valid for 1 hour with transfers.

Best chocolate shops are in Sablon district, not tourist shops near Grand Place. Try Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, or Wittamer.

Visit shoulder season (Apr-May, Sep-Oct) for best weather and fewer crowds. January is cheapest but cold and rainy.

Weather

Average temperature by month

Now

9°

95%15 м/с

Today

10°8°

Tomorrow

9°7°

Thu

9°6°

Fri

10°7°

Sat

7°3°

Sun

5°0°

Mon

4°1°

6°

1°Jan

7°

1°Feb

10°

3°Mar

14°

5°Apr

18°

9°May

21°

12°Jun

23°

14°Jul

23°

14°Aug

19°

11°Sep

15°

8°Oct

10°

4°Nov

6°

2°Dec

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Prices

Cost of food, accommodation and services

Cafes & Restaurants

Budget meal

8 - 15 €

~11.5 $

Mid-range

18 - 30 €

~24.0 $

Fine dining

50 - 120 €

~85.0 $

Street Food

Local dish

4 - 9 €

~6.5 $

Drinks

Coffee

3 - 5 €

~4.0 $

Local beer

3 - 6 €

~4.5 $

Groceries

Water 1.5L

1 - 3 €

~2.0 $

Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.

Accommodation

Hotels and rental prices

Hostel dorm

25 - 45 € / night

~35.0 $

Guesthouse

65 - 95 € / night

~80.0 $

Hotel 3★

110 - 160 € / night

~135 $

Hotel 5★

200 - 400 € / night

~300 $

Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.

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VisaMastercardBancontactMaestro

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limited

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Cash plays vital role in Belgium for everyday low-value purchases - €30.4 billion in circulation. EU introducing €10,000 cash payment limit to businesses in 2027 (private person-to-person excluded). Cash use still growing per ECB 2025 report. Many stores, restaurants, hotels prefer other payment methods but cash remains widely trusted and accepted. ATMs reduced from 2300 (2021) to 700 (2025) but priority to maintain ATM within 5km radius for everyone.

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Belgium uses Euro - no exchange needed for Eurozone visitors. Banks: BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, ING, Belfius. Exchange offices at Gare du Midi/Brussel-Zuid. ATMs widespread. Avoid exchange at Grand Place (tourist rates). Airport exchange available but rates worse. Always pay in EUR.

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Service included. 5-10% appreciated for good service. Cash tip preferred if tipping.

Safety

Medium safety level

Follow standard precautions

Brussels is generally safe but watch for pickpockets in metro, train stations, and tourist areas. Avoid Gare du Midi and Brussels Nord at night. Some areas of Schaerbeek and Molenbeek require caution.