Private & personalized tours - just for you!

Experience the best of
Brussels with Withlocals

Whether you're a foodie, history lover, urban explorer or a traveling family. Enjoy Brussels to the max with the best things to do in Brussels with a local expert. The best thing? It's private & personalized - just for you!

Tours in Brussels

Private guided tours
No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
100% Customizable
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Responsible
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind

Top 5 things to do in Brussels

Make your stay in Brussels complete with these things to do

Choose your local
1Highlights & Hidden Gems of Brussels
3 hours • city highlight tours
Book now
From €40.13 per person
With Elodie
2Drinks & Bites in Brussels Tour
2 hours • food tours
Book now
From €56.03 per person
Choose your local
3The 10 Tastings of Brussels
3 hours • food tours
Book now
From €87.07 per person
Choose your local
4City Kickstart Tour: Brussels
1.5 hours • city highlight tours
Book now
From €26.50 per person
With Christophe
5Behind the scenes & Origins of Brussels with a born local
3 hours • off the beaten track
Book now
From €35.29 per person

Travelers love our locals

What other guests say about our tours and locals

5.0
Stimulating experience
"Tiago provided a fun and educational experience. He is very emotive and was able to bring the city to life. He had an ability to combine the history, culture and architecture in a personal way through his own experience in Brussels. We enjoyed his company and recommend him highly."
JeffreyAbout local TiagoBrussels, October 26, 2024

5.0
Awesome Guide
"We only had a few hours in Brussels and Christophe was a perfect guide. He met us at the train station and we had a wonderful 3 hours with him. He is knowledgeable and very personable. He showed us all of the sites and also guided us to his favorite Chocolate shop and recommended several places for us to have dinner. "
NancyAbout local ChristopheBrussels, October 21, 2024

5.0
To Brussels with Love
"My friend and I recently visited Brussels with no specific plans, so we decided to check out Withlocals and booked a city tour with Mariana. It turned out to be a fantastic choice! Mariana guided us through the city center, sharing fascinating historical insights and introducing us to some hidden gems along the way. We had an amazing time with her—within just ten minutes, it felt like we were exploring the city with a friend. She even introduced us to a delicious light beer with a cherry flavor that we thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend this experience!"
CassiAbout local MarianaBrussels, October 20, 2024

5.0
Great tour with Christophe
"Spent a very nice morning with Christophe, learnt so much about Brussels, Belgium & the EU. Saw all the sights as well as some off the tourist track like the secluded area where the River Seine still runs. Managed to also have time at the end to sample some choice Belgian beers. "
GajaenAbout local ChristopheBrussels, October 19, 2024

5.0
Our stroll aroiumd Brussels-Capital
"We had a very enjoyable and pleasant Morning with Mariana who is so knowledgeable and keen to help us see and understand the history of Brussels and also its culinary delights. Would definitely recommend her as a personal guide"
DenisAbout local MarianaBrussels, September 30, 2024

5.0
Knowledgeable, informative, and fun!
"Elodie was a fantastic guide for this tour! Her passion and knowledge for beer and the culture of Belgium/Brussels really kicked off our trip well. She not only gave us incredible recommendations for what to drink at every stop, but had tips and insight on the city that we could use for the rest of our trip. Elodie genuinely cared about making our experience exactly what we wanted and hand selected places to fit our specific desires. She took us to what she called “Holy Trinity” of local bars with unique Belgian beer options. We had a fantastic time and would recommend Elodie and the beer tour to anyone in Brussels!"
MorganAbout local ElodieBrussels, September 24, 2024

5.0
A nice taste of Brussels
"Elodie took us on a nice tasting tour of Brussels. She adjusted well to our slow pace and the variable weather. A fine afternoon in the city."
DavidAbout local ElodieBrussels, September 14, 2024

5.0
Highly Recommend
"On a recent day trip to Brussels, my husband and I met up with Tiago and had a great time. Entertaining and informative with lots of food and beer recommendations sprinkled in! We had a great time and highly recommend!"
HilaryAbout local TiagoBrussels, August 29, 2024

5.0
Highly recommend!
"Tiago was wonderful! He kept our tween boys engaged for 3 hrs and provided so much interesting history about Brussels that we would never had learned on our own. He truly loves this city and its people. Would highly recommend him! "
TedAbout local TiagoBrussels, August 11, 2024

5.0
What a fun tour!
"Tiago was a great guide! We were running late to our meeting spot and Tiago was easy to keep in contact with and very accommodating. He interacted with all our family members and made the tour unique and fun! Tiago showed us things we would not have seen on our own - highly recommend!"
TaraAbout local TiagoBrussels, August 8, 2024

Explore Brussels with our incredible locals

Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Brussels with locals

TiagoThe Beer NavigatorSee More
ChristopheRock & Roll HistorianSee More
ElodieThe Smiley DancerSee More
Esteph Visual artist See More
ElodieThe Beer YodaSee More
MarianaPhilosophy and Social Sciences TeacherSee More
ShanthuruThe Vegan Yogi See More

Things to do in Brussels

Our locals will give you the best experiences that Brussels has to offer

Choose your local
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Brussels
4.8
225 reviews
3 hours • city highlight tours
from €40.13 per person
With Elodie
Drinks & Bites in Brussels Tour
4.8
104 reviews
2 hours • food tours
from €56.03 per person
Choose your local
The 10 Tastings of Brussels
4.5
114 reviews
3 hours • food tours
from €87.07 per person
Choose your local
City Kickstart Tour: Brussels
4.8
127 reviews
1.5 hours • city highlight tours
from €26.50 per person
With Christophe
Behind the scenes & Origins of Brussels with a born local
5.0
232 reviews
3 hours • off the beaten track
from €35.29 per person
With Shanthuru
Local Market Visit & Vegan Home Cooking with a Vegan Cook!
5.0
79 reviews
3 hours • cooking classes
from €47.06 per person
With Christophe
Music & drinks in Brussels with a Local
5.0
232 reviews
2.5 hours • night tours
from €35.29 per person
With Christophe
The Urban Jungle of Historic Neighbourhood Molenbeek
5.0
232 reviews
2.5 hours • off the beaten track
from €41.18 per person

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Enjoy the Best of the Brussels
Like a Local

Things to do in Brussels

Planning a trip to Brussels? Great idea! Europe’s capital has a lot to offer for everyone. It has delicious food, amazing sights – and have we mentioned the beer yet? The following 10 things to do in Brussels are an absolute must!

Experience Brussels’ many cultures
We challenge you to find a city with more nationalities than Brussels. Pretty sure that will be hard to find, if not impossible. Brussels holds no less than 163 different nationalities! You can just feel the multicultural vibe while walking through its cozy streets. When you take the time to stand still and listen for a second, you won’t only hear French, Dutch and German, Belgium’s three official languages, but also English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and some other languages you probably won’t recognize!
Emerge yourself in Brussels’ many cultures. Enjoy a Moroccan tea in Molenbeek, pop into an African food shop in the Matongé neighborhood and have a noodle soup in Brussels’ Chinatown. Let one of our local guides show you the way!
Eat like a Brussels local
Naturally, our list of top things to do includes a food-item. Belgian food is just too good to pass up on! The best way to get to know the Belgian cuisine is through a home-cooked meal. Luckily for you, there are many local hosts who would love to cook up a delicious meal for you. You even have the choice between an authentic Belgian meal and dishes from different countries like India or Hungary. Told ya, Brussels is so multicultural!
Whatever food you decide to have, it will be made with lots of love and care. Brussels’ locals really love to make their guests feel at home!
Visit the many historic sites
You can’t hold your head up high after having visited the city, if you have not seen its many historic sites. It’s one of the top things to do in Brussels! Everyone knows about Manneken Pis, a silly statue of a boy taking a leak, and you probably have heard of the Grand Place as well, Brussels’ main square. But there’s much more to see, like the impressive Palais de Justice, the super cozy Marché au Poisson and the grand Bourse, among other things.
The best way to explore Brussels’ historical center is with a local guide at your side. He will passionately tell you about the rich history of each square, building and statue (however silly it may be).
Wander around in Ixelles
Ask any Bruxellois in which district he’d love to live. The great majority will tell you Ixelles. Ixelles is a great place to have fun, shop and go out. The historic center is where all typical sights are (and where all tourists go to), but Ixelles is where the real life happens. The alternating houses, shops, cafes, restaurants and parks will make you feel right at home!
Enjoy Tenbosch Park, a little Garden of Eden in the midst of the city hustle, let your inner shopaholic out on the Chausée d’Ixelles, and don’t forget to visit the Flagey square where you can stare up at the remarkable Flagey building.
Discover Brussels at night
Going out should definitely be on your things to do in Brussels list! Its nightlife is so much fun! If you just want to grab a beer, you can go to one of Brussels’ many cafes or beer cellars, like Delirium which offers over 100 beers. Perhaps you would rather go out to listen to live music. This is no problem, either!
The Jazz scene, in particular, is a true must in Belgium’s capital. Places like L’Archiduc, Jazz Station and Sounds Jazz Club make Chicago or New Orleans seem bleak in comparison! And if you want to go clubbing, there are many options as well. Whether you like house, electro, techno, pop, latin, hip hop or drum ‘n bass: you’ll be dancing the night away!
Have a stroll down Brussels’ most popular shopping street
Get your shopping on in Avenue Louise, by far the most prestigious shopping street in Brussels. Designer stores like Chanel, Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani are dispersed over the 2 miles-long lane. But there are also cheaper brands like Superdry and MaxMara.
Even if you don’t feel like shopping, walking on the Avenue Louise is one of the top things to do in Brussels. Next to clothing stores, it has several other sights, like the Horta Museum, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Marie-Louise square and the Serendip Spa. The best way to explore the neighborhood around Avenue Louise is with a local by your side! He will inform you about all the interesting things to do and help you talk to the personnel in the stores.
Visit the European quarter and act like you own the place
The European quarter, the part of Brussels where all the European institutions are based, is filled with men in suits: diplomats, lobbyists, politicians, and all other sorts of important people. But don’t be intimidated. They’re just people like us!
The European quarter is a place tourists don’t usually go to, but there’s much more to do and see than people imagine! Its clean streets are flooded with neat little bars and restaurants. Ask your guide to lead you the way past the impressive works of architecture to the nicest places to eat and drink.
Visit Brussels’ awesome museums
Brussels has a lot of unique museums! The popular Musical Instruments Museum, for instance, which locals frequent for the rooftop bar. Two other musts are the Horta Museum and the Clock museum, both of which will make you familiar with Art Deco and its predecessor, Art Nouveau. And if you’re into paintings, the recently renovated René Magritte Museum is among the top things to do in Brussels!
Seriously, the city is all about museums. Some of them are pretty random, but most of them are awesome! Tell your local guide about your interests and he will let you know which ones are perfect for you.
Go on a comic book tour
Belgium, Brussels in particular, is famous for its comics. Everyone knows Tintin, written by the late Hergé, but there are many, many more! For this reason, a comic book tour should definitely be on your things to do in Brussels list! Look at the many comic book murals spread over the city, and visit the Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art. If you’re a fan of Tintin, visiting the Hergé Museum and the Tintin shop is an absolute must!
Have a comics-crazy private local guide at your side to direct you to all the amazing murals in Brussels and babble away about the history of comics and graphic novels.
Explore the Brussels canal district
If you’re looking for a true authentic experience, exploring Brussels canal district is among the top things to do! The canal district used to be an industrial area with widespread poverty, few public spaces, and unemployment. Now, the ugly duckling has become a swan! The peculiar Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art based inside an old brewery, the urban beach where locals come to enjoy a game of beach volley in the summer, the yearly Brussels Canal Run, the small, environmentally conscious Belvue Hotel. These are just a few of the district’s many attractions. Come and check it out with your local host!

Top things to do in Brussels

The local way is the best way! From soaking up the art deco architecture to sipping craft beer in the summer sun, your local host will show you the most exciting things to do in Brussels. With so many unique sites to explore, you’ll find your bucket list growing longer and longer. Foodies will love visiting the local markets, cooking in the home of your local host, feasting on escargots or discovering what the fuss with Belgium chocolate is all about! History buffs will find a story around every corner. You’ll be strolling through ancient churches, hidden gardens and the famous “Manneken-pis,” the peeing statue! With your local host to show you where to go, you’ll discover the most amazing things to see and do in Brussels on your private tour! Traveling with a local who knows Brussels like the back of their hand is the easiest way to discover the top things to do in Brussels. Whether you walk through the old town, take a trip to the local markets or explore the alternative side to Brussels, your local host will be at hand to show you the best! You’ll know just where to go to find a refreshing after a full day of exciting activities in Brussels! Simply let your local host know what your hobbies and interests are, and they’ll be able to personalize your private tour of Brussels to suit you! When you’re looking for things to do in Brussels, a Withlocals private tour that is fully customizable will help you discover only the best activities. With so many things to see, simply let your local host know what you enjoy, and they will show you where to go in Brussels!

Private guided tours

100% Customizable

Responsible

Top 5 things to do in Brussels

1Highlights & Hidden Gems of Brussels

2Drinks & Bites in Brussels Tour

3The 10 Tastings of Brussels

4City Kickstart Tour: Brussels

5Behind the scenes & Origins of Brussels with a born local

Travelers love our locals

Stimulating experience

Awesome Guide

To Brussels with Love

Great tour with Christophe

Our stroll aroiumd Brussels-Capital

Knowledgeable, informative, and fun!

A nice taste of Brussels

Highly Recommend

Highly recommend!

What a fun tour!

Explore Brussels with our incredible locals

Things to do in Brussels

Find experiences by category

Enjoy the Best of the BrusselsLike a Local

Things to do in Brussels

Experience Brussels’ many cultures

Eat like a Brussels local

Visit the many historic sites

Wander around in Ixelles

Discover Brussels at night

Have a stroll down Brussels’ most popular shopping street

Visit the European quarter and act like you own the place

Visit Brussels’ awesome museums

Go on a comic book tour

Explore the Brussels canal district

Top things to do in Brussels

Related Brussels pages

Enjoy the Best of the Brussels
Like a Local