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What to do in Brussels in 3 days?
By spending 3 days in Brussels, you'll be able really enjoy Brussels. You'll get to discover local places and engage in original things to do. This 3 days in Brussels itinerary elaborates on the two days in Brussels itinerary by adding some off-the-beaten path places. Whereas you'll use the first two days to explore the main attractions in Brussels, you can use the third one to explore the red pins on the map below, which are the area around Parc du Cinquantenaire, Botanique park and maybe throw in a few museums as well. If you’re not that keen on doing museums, look for inspiration and alternative sights in our overview of places to visit in Brussels.
Area around Parc du Cinquantenaire
You could start your day with a walk through the European district and a free visit to the Parlamentarium to learn about the European institutions. Whenever you need a break, Parc du Cinquantenaire is nearby for a picnic or a nap. Make sure you walk to the center of the park to see the monumental triumphal arch. Via the Army Museum, you can climb up the triple arch for an interesting view over Brussels. And while you’re there, you might just as well explore the large collection of armors, weapons, planes…
Before leaving the area, hop over to Leopold Park, which is a beautiful park with a pond, located on a hill and one of the best picnic spots in Brussels. It also features the former Solvay library, which is a fine example of art nouveau architecture.
Botanique
A quick 20-minute metro ride will take you to Botanique, a former botanical garden with gorgeous greenhouses. Today the greenhouses have been transformed into a unique culture and concert venue, whereas the botanical garden has become a beautiful public park. While strolling through the park surrounded by large skyscrapers, you’ll notice the similarities with New York’s Central Park. Except we have loads of small turtles instead of squirrels…
Museums
If you're staying 3 days in Brussels, you could dig into the culture and history of Brussels by visiting some of its museums. Personally, I would definitely recommend the Coudenberg Museum where you can take an underground tour of the remains of Charles V’s palace. Art lovers will appreciate the large collection of artworks at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, which covers the Old Masters, Fin-de-Siècle, Modern and Magritte museum. An unusual, yet surprising place to visit is the Sewer Museum where you can explore the underground sewer network and walk next to the (now underground) Senne river.
Other ideas
- Take a Beerwalk and explore some of Brussels’ authentic bars while tasting Belgian beer
- Go off the beaten path and explore the pretty streets of historical Anderlecht. You could also include a visit to the open-air graffiti gallery and the last active windmill of Brussels.
- Have a look at our list of free things to do in Brussels
- Take a cartoon walk through Brussels by drawing up an itinerary between the many cartoon walls scattered all over Brussels
Practical information
- If you plan on visiting several museums, consider buying a Brussels Card, which grants you free access to 41 Brussels museums during 24, 48 or 72 hours (depending on what you chose). There is also a formula of the Brussels Card that includes free public transportation.
Need help to plan your trip?
Thanks to our large network and profound knowledge of Brussels, we can organize a tailor-made trip in Brussels for you. Inform us about your preferences in and we’ll take care of the rest. Get in touch with us using this contact form.
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