How many days are enough for Brussels?+
2 days cover the Grand-Place, Sablon, Magritte, the Atomium and the European quarter without rushing — the centre is small and walkable. 3 days let you add a day trip by train to Bruges or Ghent, the best thing to do nearby. Brussels also makes a great base: both Amsterdam and Paris are just over an hour away by train.
Is it true that Manneken Pis is a letdown?+
The statue is 51 centimetres tall and stands behind railings on a street corner, so yes, most people leave surprised. Treat it as a 2-minute stop on the way from the Grand-Place, not a destination in itself. His wardrobe of more than a thousand costumes, displayed in the Garderobe museum 50 metres away, and the dressing schedule posted right on the railings, are more interesting.
Where should I eat in Brussels to avoid tourist traps?+
Avoid Rue des Bouchers right by the Grand-Place, where waiters hustle for custom on the pavement and tourist prices buy average food — it's the city's best-known trap. You'll eat well in traditional estaminet pubs and in the Saint-Gilles and Ixelles districts, and at the markets. Restaurants only cook from noon to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm — the kitchen is closed in between.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?+
From Zaventem, take the train from the underground station right beneath the terminal — it runs 4 times an hour, reaches Bruxelles-Central in 17 minutes and costs around €11.50 including the airport surcharge. From Charleroi, which is marketed on flight tickets as Brussels South, the Flibco bus takes an hour to Bruxelles-Midi and costs €17 — factor that into your timing.
Do I need to speak French in Brussels?+
No, you'll get by in English almost everywhere. Brussels is officially bilingual, French and Dutch, and language is a sensitive subject: in Flanders (Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp), it's best not to address people in French. The safest approach is to start in English, or greet people with "bonjour" in Brussels and "goedendag" in Flanders. Belgians also take offence at their country, or their chips, being credited to France.
Why is Brussels cheaper at weekends?+
Because hotels rely on business travel to the European institutions and on conferences, both of which happen on weekdays. From Friday to Sunday, and in July and August when the institutions are on holiday, prices routinely drop by a third. It's the opposite of what you'd expect elsewhere in Europe, and it's the easiest way to save money here.
Is Brussels safe?+
Yes — violent crime against visitors is rare, but pickpocketing is more common here than in northern Europe, especially on the metro, at the Grand-Place, around Manneken Pis and at Bruxelles-Midi station, which has the worst reputation in the country and isn't a place worth lingering at night longer than necessary. Wear your bag on your front. The emergency number is 112.
How much do Belgian pralines cost and where should I buy them?+
By weight, from €5 per 100 grams at a small chocolate shop, double that at a shop right on the Grand-Place. The best selection is on the Sablon — Wittamer, Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus — where you can also buy them individually to try. In summer, expect them to melt in your bag; airport shops have comparable prices and keep them chilled.
