Brussels in 4 Days: everything you need to know

The Belgian capital is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. This place on the podium of European capitals is well deserved, as it is a city with a lot of history and an unmistakable personality. It is the birthplace and favourite place for lovers of two of the most delicious things on this planet: beer and chocolate.

I propose this 4-day plan so that you know what options you have when it comes to making your trip and not miss any of the many attractions you can see in Brussels. Leave nothing to chance and join me on this tour designed for you to enjoy the city, its gastronomy and its best exhibitions. You will also have time to visit the most interesting places in the surrounding area.

I recommend spending the first day getting acquainted with the city. It is very useful to get to know the historic centre and its most emblematic works, and adjust the rest of the days accordingly if you need to.

Guided tour of the city of Brussels

To start your tour of Brussels, one of the best options is to take a guided tour. It will help you get your bearings in the city and make the most of your time. Expert guides will take you in small groups through the most interesting sights throughout the city, so you don't have to worry about anything.

This type of experience is also an ideal option if you are travelling alone, as you will get to know the city with a group that is here with the same objective as you: to have fun and get to know the city.

The itinerary of the tour may vary depending on the company you choose, but I assure you that they will always touch the emblematic points of the historic centre such as the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis, Saint Hubert Galleries and St. Michael's Cathedral, among many others.

• Price: This fun tour is available from €29 per person.
• Duration: A guided tour of Brussels lasts approximately two and a half hours.
• Timetable: Tours take about half a day, so you can choose morning or afternoon. Tour groups are around 10 people, to keep it lively, but at the same time keep it very individual.

Take a sweet break with a waffle tour

After touring the city, you'll probably want to recharge your batteries and a sweet treat is always an appealing option. Belgium is the land of waffles and you can find them in almost every shop. There are many varieties everywhere, but the real thing is the Liège style, which only has sugar sprinkled on top.

I recommend you indulge in the aroma of a freshly made waffle from Maison Dandoy's shop, a famous little shop rated as one of the best.

• Price: This experience is available from €34 per person.
• Duration: It lasts approximately one and a half hours.

A chocolate tasting for those with a sweet tooth

But if waffles are not on your list of favourite sweets, you can take a tour of the best chocolate tastings in Brussels, another of the most popular plans in the Belgian capital. Prepare your taste buds for a moment to remember forever.

• Price: This type of experience is available from €39 per person.
• Duration: It lasts approximately one hour.

Visit the Parlamentarium and the Palais de Justice in the afternoon

These two sites are two of the must-see stops on your visit to Brussels.

The European Parliament is well worth a visit as you can learn all about the history of the European continent and the process of creating the European Union. Although you may not be a political buff, the exhibition is educational, interesting and modern and you can take the tour at your own pace.

The Palais de Justice is the seat of the Belgian judiciary, a building that has a rough and tumble history. Over the years it has suffered several fires and many restorations, but it is an architectural work of great value and recognition in the city.

The Palais de Justice building will also give you access to unrivalled views over the whole of Brussels.

On this day I propose you to visit the museum of choice of the whole city of Brussels and enjoy its exhibitions at your leisure. Then, our day continues with what we enjoy doing most: eating and drinking. Are you ready?

Atomium, everything you need to know

The Atomium is to Brussels what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Anyone who sees its image will know that we are talking about this city and no other. It has become Brussels' main tourist attraction with its modern and innovative design. It was originally created for the 1958 Brussels Universal Exhibition, but due to its success it remained part of the cityscape.

Visiting the exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, at the Atomium is a great way to start your second day of sightseeing in Brussels.

I recommend doing it in the morning as it is less crowded. But you can also get your tickets for the Atomium without queuing.

• Where: Atomiumsquare, 1020 Brussels.
• Hours: Every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Price: Adults from €20. Children under 6 years old get free admission.

The first option for this afternoon is a brewery tour. This city is very popular for the supply of this type of beverage, and you should not miss the opportunity to take a tasting tour of its breweries and its different bars, both local and international.

This city works with a variety of companies that offer this service. The visit consists of a tour of different points, telling interesting facts about the manufacturing process and interesting facts about the history. Of course, there is plenty of time to sample different types of beer, as there are plenty of options in Belgium.

• Price: This type of experience is available from €29 per person.
• Duration: Depending on the tour you book, you'll need to reserve an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half.

Taste Belgian delicacies on a gastronomic tour

And if, after the beer tasting, you've got the munchies, sign up for a private gastronomic tour in Brussels where you'll discover the delicacies and traditional flavours of Belgian cuisine. A total of 10 local culinary tastings: eight food tastings and two drink tastings, accompanied by a local food expert.

You will visit chocolate shops, breweries, legendary taverns and top restaurants in the city, serving typical dishes such as classic Belgian fries, truffles, fish sandwiches, falafel and a variety of cheeses. You'll also delve into the country's gastronomic history.

And if you need to customise your menu with vegan or vegetarian options, don't worry, you'll be offered several alternatives.

• Price: This type of experience is available from €143 per person.
• Duration: Depending on the tour you book, you'll need to reserve two to three hours for this experience.

Book an evening cruise on the Brussels canals

If you still have some time left on day 2, a good suggestion is to explore the city from the water. The perspective of your tour will be totally different and the city at night has a special charm when night falls.

These types of experiences usually include dinner and live music, so why not consider moving to a boat instead of going to the usual restaurant.

• Time: Meet at the meeting point for dinner time.
• Price: You can find this type of tour for around €60.
• Duration: You should set aside at least three hours of your evening for this type of tour.

If you are planning your holiday in Belgium, you have probably read about the popular and beloved Bruges. There isn't a tourist who has travelled in Europe who wouldn't recommend a stop here. And the best way to get to know it is by taking an excursion from Brussels.

While 24 hours may not seem like enough time to get to know the city, the guides have devised an itinerary with specially selected stops to help you get the essence of the city and have fun without worrying. You can also arrive on your own from Brussels Station by bus.

The day's routes in Bruges may vary depending on the company you choose to hire, but here's a list of the most interesting sites and a few highlights.

• Jan Van Eyck Square: one of the most beautiful squares in the city and the centre of the old town.
• Potato Chip Museum: a completely original stop on a travel itinerary.
• Grote Markt: the main square of the city, which has a great architectural value, surrounded by historical buildings with beautifully coloured facades. You should pay close attention to the Belfort Bell Tower and the statue in the centre. If you climb its 366 steps, you will undoubtedly have one of the best views of the medieval old town of Bruges.
• Basilica of the Holy Blood: inside you will find what are considered to be drops of the blood of Christ.
• Ter Steeghere: a very famous and picturesque alley.
• Groenerei: a wooded area that has a special charm thanks to the magnificent views of the Meebrug and Peerdenbrug bridges.
• Groeninge Museum: the most important museum in the city. It contains masterpieces of Belgian painting.
• Church of Our Lady: home to the sculpture of the Madonna of Bruges by the undisputed genius of Michelangelo.
• Bonifacio stone bridge: the famous postcard of Bruges.
• St Saviour's Cathedral: the oldest church in the city.
• Katelijnestraat: the main shopping street lined with beautiful shops and delicious chocolate shops.

Here are some interesting facts such as price and duration of the tour:

• Price: This tour can be booked from €44 per person.
• Duration: A nine-hour trip.

On the last day of our itinerary, I suggest you discover one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. The popularly called "jewel of Flanders" is Bruges' rival for the position of the most beautiful city in Belgium.

Although you can reach the city by train, I advise you to immerse yourself in the comfort of a tour to Ghent from Brussels. This way, you won't have to worry about train schedules and itinerary once you arrive in Ghent. The guides will create a route for you to see the main sights and enjoy the city as if you were a local.

But whichever way you choose, you should not miss out on the following places in Ghent, to fall in love with the city as much as I have fallen in love with it.

• St. Bavo's Cathedral: here you will find the famous work "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" and its great bell tower is considered a World Heritage Site, where you can climb up to be amazed by the incredible views.
• Meat Market: for a glimpse of local and typical life.
• Vrijdagmarkt: the most beautiful square in the city.
• Castle of the Counts of Flanders: an excellently preserved stone fortress.
• Werregarenstraatje: the main street of Ghent's alternative and street art world.
• Graslei and Korenlei: two of the streets in the city centre facing the canal of the river Lys that capture the magical atmosphere of Ghent at its best and where you will find houses with traditional architecture.
• St. Michael's Bridge: the quintessential idyllic image of Ghent.

As with the Bruges tour, here are some interesting facts about the price and duration of the tour:

• Price: This tour can be booked from approximately €48 per person.
• Duration: A ten-hour trip.

• If you're not a fan of walking, the city has a tourist bus system that connects the main points of interest throughout the city. Passes are very convenient and you can choose the one that best suits your Brussels sightseeing plan.
• If you are travelling with children, you can check out the best suggestions on what to do with children in Brussels. While the plans are generally for the whole family, it is interesting to see additional options for the little ones.