The Standard, Brussels

The best time to visit Brussels is from late spring to early autumn, especially June through September. These months are the most pleasant, with warm highs around 23°C and the fewest rain days in June. May and September are also lovely, with mild weather. The rainiest and dampest stretch is November, which sees the most rain days and high humidity. Winters are cold and wet, so plan for indoor activities if you visit then.

Stay around the Grand Place and the City Center for easy access to sights, dining, and the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert; it suits first-timers. The Louise and Ixelles area offers a quieter, more residential feel with shops and parks, good for a relaxed stay. Near the European Quarter, around Place Jourdan, is convenient for visiting institutions or the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Hotels like the Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo, Le Louise Hotel Brussels, and Sofitel Brussels Europe are in these areas.

Start at the Grand Place, the ornate central square that is Brussels most iconic sight. The Atomium offers striking views and unique architecture from the 1958 World Fair. Manneken Pis is a small, quirky fountain statue that is a city symbol. The Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert is a beautiful covered shopping arcade worth a look. Parc du Cinquantenaire is a large park with museums and a triumphal arch, and the nearby Brussels Royal Palace is the official palace, open for visits in summer.

From Brussels you can take day trips to Bruges with its canals and medieval square, and Ghent with its castle and riverside architecture. Luxembourg offers a dramatic valley setting with fortifications, while Dinant is a smaller town with a cliff-top citadel and the Meuse river. Amsterdam provides canals and museums, and the Flanders Fields tour covers WWI memorials and cemeteries around Ypres. Each fits comfortably in a full day from the city.

Plan 3 days in Brussels. Two days cover the central sights: Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, Parc de Bruxelles and the Royal Palace. A third day is for the Atomium and Mini-Europe, which sit outside the center. If you add a day trip to Bruges, Ghent, Luxembourg or Amsterdam, plan a fourth day.