Your ultimate guide to exploring Brussels • April 7-9, 2025
This guide has been created especially for your group of four teenagers visiting Brussels from April 7-9, 2025. You'll find everything you need to have an amazing trip, including a detailed itinerary, must-see attractions, food recommendations, transportation tips, budget advice, and useful phrases.
Brussels is a vibrant city with a perfect mix of historic landmarks, quirky attractions, delicious food, and fun activities. This guide will help you explore the city on foot, discover quirky neighborhoods, enjoy local food (especially waffles, fries, and chocolate!), and find cool things to do beyond the usual tourist spots.
Start at Grand Place (Grote Markt) - Take time to admire the stunning architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Then hunt for the three famous statues: Manneken Pis (the famous peeing boy statue), Jeanneke Pis (the girl counterpart), and Zinneke Pis (the dog statue).
Explore this beautiful covered shopping arcade with its luxury shops and chocolate boutiques.
Enjoy lunch at Friterie de la Barrière or another authentic friterie - Try traditional Belgian fries with various sauces.
Follow the Comic Strip Trail - Brussels is the comic capital of the world with over 80 comic murals throughout the city. Look for Tintin, Asterix, and other famous characters painted on buildings. Then visit the Comic Strip Museum to learn about Belgium's rich comic history. End the afternoon at Mont des Arts for panoramic views of the city and sunset photos.
Dinner at Noordzee/La Mer du Nord - Try Belgian seafood specialties like grey shrimp croquettes at this popular standing-only fish bar. After dinner, take an evening walk through the illuminated Grand Place and surrounding streets. Optional dessert stop for Belgian waffles at Maison Dandoy.
Take the metro to Heysel station. Visit the Atomium - Explore this iconic Brussels landmark with its futuristic design, exhibitions, and panoramic views from the top sphere. Then explore Mini-Europe - See miniature versions of Europe's most famous monuments.
Lunch at the Atomium Restaurant or one of the cafes in the area.
Participate in a chocolate-making workshop at Choco-Story Brussels - Create your own Belgian chocolates to take home as souvenirs.
Free time for shopping on Rue Neuve, Brussels' main shopping street.
Dinner at Chez Léon near Grand Place - Famous for its mussels and fries (moules-frites). After dinner, explore the Marolles district - Experience the local atmosphere in this authentic neighborhood with its mix of traditional cafés and trendy bars.
Visit the Royal Quarter - See the Royal Palace (exterior), Brussels Park, and the surrounding elegant buildings. Then visit the Magritte Museum - Explore the surrealist works of René Magritte, which appeal to teenagers with their dreamlike and thought-provoking imagery.
Lunch at Pistolet Original - Try traditional Belgian sandwiches with various fillings.
Choose between:
Attend part of the International Multi-Genre Festival "BEST FEST Brussels" - Experience the festive parade through Brussels' main streets and performances (festival starts today).
Farewell dinner at Fin de Siècle - Traditional Belgian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. After dinner, take an evening walk and try Belgian waffles at Vitalgaufre or La Gaufrerie. End with final night views of the illuminated Grand Place.
UNESCO World Heritage site and the central square of Brussels, surrounded by opulent guildhalls, the Town Hall, and the King's House (Maison du Roi). One of the most beautiful squares in Europe with stunning architecture. Best visited both during day and night (when illuminated).
Famous small bronze statue of a urinating boy from 1388. A beloved symbol of Brussels with a wardrobe museum nearby. Two other similar statues: Jeanneke Pis (a little girl) and Zinneke Pis (a dog). All three are relatively close to the Grand Place and make for a fun walking route.
One of the oldest covered shopping arcades in Europe. Beautiful glass-roofed arcade with luxury shops and cafes. Especially beautiful when lit up at night.
Place Royale with the Royal Palace (official palace of the Belgian King), Coudenberg Palace archaeological site, Parc de Bruxelles (Brussels Park), Palace of the Nation (seat of Belgian Parliament), and Church of St. James on Coudenberg.
Iconic Brussels landmark built for the 1958 World Fair. 102-meter tall structure representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Features exhibitions, light installations, and cool elevators. Located outside the city center but easily accessible by metro. Offers panoramic views of Brussels from the top sphere.
Miniature park with reproductions of European monuments at a scale of 1:25. Located next to the Atomium. Features 350+ miniature buildings from across Europe. Interactive elements and activities throughout the park.
Brussels is the comic strip capital with over 80 murals throughout the city. Features characters like Tintin, Cubitus, Blake and Mortimer, and Corto Maltese. Self-guided walking tour through the city streets. Perfect for teens who enjoy comics and street art.
Museum dedicated to the history and making of chocolate. Offers chocolate-making workshops where visitors can make their own chocolates. Includes tastings and demonstrations. Great hands-on activity for teenagers.
Cultural festival with performances from groups around the world (April 9-12, 2025). Features a festive parade through Brussels' main streets. Performances on the main squares and in concert halls. Overlaps with your visit on April 9.
"We call it Flamenco" - Spanish dance performance happening in early April. Immersive cultural experience.
Artisanal chocolatier known for high-quality, creative chocolates. His ice cream is also fantastic!
Known for combining chocolate with fruits, spices, and herbs for unique flavor combinations.
Luxury chocolate brand with elegant packaging and exceptional quality.
Famous for both chocolate and speculoos cookies. Their tea room is a great place to rest.
Traditional setting with some of the best Brussels waffles in the city.
Popular chain with consistently good Liège waffles.
Specializes in creative waffle toppings and combinations.
Located near Manneken Pis, offering fresh waffles with various toppings.
Popular friterie at Place Flagey with authentic Belgian fries and many sauce options.
Traditional fry stand with crispy fries and generous portions.
One of the most famous friteries in Brussels, often with lines but worth the wait.
High-quality burgers with Belgian touches, perfect for teens.
Quick, healthy food options with multiple locations throughout the city.
Specializes in giant meatballs with creative fillings - fun and filling.
Standing-only seafood bar with fresh fish and seafood dishes.
Brussels has an excellent public transportation system operated by STIB/MIVB, including metro, trams, and buses that cover the entire city.
Download the Floya app which brings together all transport services in Brussels (metro, bus, tram, scooter, taxis). You can track timetables in real-time and pay directly through the app.
Brussels is increasingly bike-friendly with dedicated bike lanes in many areas.
Brussels city center is compact and very walkable. Most attractions in the historic center can be reached on foot. The city is a "30 city" with a 30 km/h speed limit in most areas, making it safer for pedestrians.
Brussels is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), but most people in tourist areas speak English. However, locals always appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak the local language!
| English | French | Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | Hallo |
| Good morning | Bonjour | Goedemorgen |
| Good evening | Bonsoir | Goedenavond |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | Tot ziens |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | Alstublieft |
| Thank you | Merci | Dank u |
| You're welcome | De rien | Graag gedaan |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | Excuseer mij |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? | Spreekt u Engels? |
| English | French | Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| Menu, please | Le menu, s'il vous plaît | Het menu, alstublieft |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plaît | De rekening, alstublieft |
| Waffle | Gaufre | Wafel |
| Chocolate | Chocolat | Chocolade |
| Fries | Frites | Friet |
| Beer | Bière | Bier |
| Delicious | Délicieux | Lekker |
| English | French | Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| That's cool | C'est cool | Dat is cool |
| Awesome | Génial | Geweldig |
| Where's the Wi-Fi? | Où est le Wi-Fi? | Waar is de Wi-Fi? |
| What's the password? | Quel est le mot de passe? | Wat is het wachtwoord? |
| Can I take a photo? | Puis-je prendre une photo? | Mag ik een foto nemen? |
For interactive maps, we recommend using Google Maps or the Floya app. You can download offline maps of Brussels to save on data usage.
Download the STIB/MIVB network map from their official website or through the Floya app. The metro system is relatively simple with 4 lines, and most major attractions are near metro stations.