There is plenty to do in Brussels, so the city may seem overwhelming if you are visiting on a shorter weekend trip. Brussels is one of those cities which is perfect for a long weekend break, allowing for historic sites exploring and enjoying wonderful local dishes washed down with the best beer in the world.

Same as with any other city, making a 48-hour plan for sightseeing can be tiring. This is why we have created a list of 11 things you can do while visiting Brussels over the weekend.

You may throw in a Saturday night out at one of the top fine dining restaurants in Brussels if you feel like splurging too. So grab that Brussels airport taxi service once you land and let the adventure begin.

Grand Place

If you are a first-timer in Brussels, it is best to start with the Grand Place. This wonderful area dates almost 300 years back, and it’s gorgeous. At different times of the year, you might find a few various events, markets or art installations. You’ll see the Brussels City Museum and the Town Hall here, both perched on the square, so don’t forget to visit them as well. After a little wander around Grand Place, head over the gorgeous Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert.

Eat all the waffles you’ll find

Opt for having about 2-3 waffles a day and feel no regrets about it! You will see waffle shops and carts all over the city, however for a waffle of top quality, served with whipped cream, chocolate, ice-cream or fruit toppings, head to Maison Dandoy (who make the creamiest ice cream), the Waffle Factory (with mind-blowing toppings) and Mokafe (for the best banana and chocolate Waffles). This is a tasty adventure you’ll never forget.

Palais de Justice

Brussels has the largest and probably the grandest courthouse in all of Europe. Sometimes there might be some restoration work happening, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting this really gorgeous building. From here, you’ll get some lovely views of the city, too.

Manneken Pis

This small, tinkling, cute little guy is a must-see on your first trip to Brussels. However you won’t spend much time here, a good stare of 5 minutes is really enough when you are passing through the Grand Place area. The funniest thing is that the Manneken Pis gets dressed up in many different costumes, meaning that a second visit will always be interesting.

Atomium

Siting a little outside the city center and built in the 1950’s, the Atomium is a great spot to see something a little different. Over 100 meters (or 330ft) tall, you can get some remarkable views of the city from here. If you wish to fancy things up, go into the Atomium Restaurant that’s situated in one of the spheres. Prices are a bit higher than in other restaurants, but it’s absolutely worth it, since it’s one of the unique things to do in Brussels.

Eat at the best restaurants

Brussels has a lot of dishes and local specialties, which are mouthwateringly delicious. Head to Le Chou de Bruxelles for some tasty mussels and fries or to Fin de Siecle for proper and tasty comfort food. And for a tipple, or few, pop-in into Delirium Monasterium. This is a perfect spot after a long day of exploring Brussels.
 

Royal Palace of Brussels

Even though this site is no longer used as a Royal Palace, it’s still a gorgeous Brussels hotspot for official engagements. Sitting right next to the Brussels Park, it’s a place you don’t want to miss. If you want to pop inside, it’s best to do so during the summer months. Just don’t visit on a Monday, since the palace is closed to the public then.
 

Cinquantenaire & Triumphal Arch

Take a little stroll outside the cobbled streets of central Brussels, and pop over to Cinquantenaire and the Triumphal Arch. Wander around the Belliard Tunnel a bit, enter into the Art and History Museums and walk to the Great Mosque of Brussels. This stroll should occupy a full afternoon.
 

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

For all of you history-suckers, the Natural Sciences Museum is a great place to go. Head inside and see The North and South Pole tunnels, check the Shell Gallery with its own aquarium and the grand Dinosaur Hall (especially if you’re a geek for dinosaurs). This place is indoors and is perfect if the weather turns bad.
 

A little quest for Tintin

As you walk through central Brussels, you’ll come across plenty big and smaller references to Tintin, so heading out for a comic strip through the city is a fun activity. One of the most famous ones is located at Rue de l_Etuve, where you’ll easily spot Tintin. You’ll also spot many Tintin goodies from places like La Boutique Tintin. This is good to do while passing through some of the top sites in the center of the city.
 

Gorge on Belgian chocolate

Same situation as with the waffles here! You just can’t visit Brussels without stuffing your belly with chocolate. For some of the best chocolates in Brussels, head over to Maison Pierre Marcolini, Wittamer or Côte d’Or. You’ll love them all, and you will pack small chocolate boxes for your home trip too.

Visiting Brussels over the weekend is the best thing you can do. There’s a lot to see in Brussels in 2 days, so make the most of this list and see the top landmarks in Brussels. So before hopping on the airport shuttle pick up, cross as many activities as possible from this list.