Flights to Brussels

Arriving in the city

Trains from the station under Brussels Airport run to Brussels North, Central and Midi, and the fare includes an airport supplement. Bus routes to the European Quarter are cheaper. From Charleroi, shuttle buses run to Brussels-Midi in about an hour, or you can take a bus and train combination. Inside the city, the metro, trams and buses accept contactless cards.

Grand-Place and the old centre

The Grand-Place, a UNESCO-listed square, is surrounded by baroque guildhalls and the Gothic Town Hall, and every other August it is covered by a carpet of flowers. Nearby, the tiny Manneken Pis statue draws crowds, while the glass-roofed Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert house chocolatiers and cafés. Up the hill, the Sablon has antique shops and the Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts include the Magritte Museum and works by Bruegel.

Beyond the centre

The Atomium, built for the 1958 World's Fair, has viewing spheres high above the Heysel park. Over 50 comic-strip murals are painted on walls across the city, celebrating characters such as Tintin. The European Quarter has the Parlamentarium visitor centre, and the Cinquantenaire park is lined with museums. Try waffles, frites with mayonnaise and moules, and sample beer in traditional cafés.

Seasons in Brussels

Spring and summer bring outdoor terraces and festivals, while autumn is mild and quieter. December's Winter Wonders market fills the centre with stalls, an ice rink and a light show on the Grand-Place. Weekday hotel prices can be higher than weekends because of business travel around the EU institutions, so a Friday to Sunday break often offers better value. Many museums close on Mondays, so plan your sightseeing for the rest of the week.

Planning to see Bruges or Ghent too? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll time your flights around it.