What are the most common first-day activities when starting a tour in Brussels?

Most Brussels tours begin in the afternoon with a walk through the historic center where visitors explore the UNESCO-listed Grand Place the diminutive Manneken Pis statue and the stately Royal Palace. The day typically ends with a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town. Hotels like NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon or Hotel Amigo Brussels serve as central starting points with check-in available from 3 PM. A TourRadar traveler noted "Starting with the walking tour of Brussels' magnificent Grand Place was the perfect introduction to Belgian culture and architecture."

What kind of accommodations are typically offered in Brussels?

Brussels tour accommodations center around 4-5 star hotels near major attractions. The NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon and Hotel Amigo Brussels stand out as popular choices close to the Grand Place and Royal Palace. River cruise passengers stay on their docked vessels at the Port of Brussels. Recent guests praise the locations with one noting "The Hotel NH Collection's location was perfect - just steps from Grand Place and surrounded by chocolate shops and cafes." Standard amenities include breakfast and WiFi.

What's the best time of year to start a tour from Brussels?

Brussels welcomes visitors throughout the year with April through September marking the main tourist season. Spring tours in April and May coincide with Dutch tulip blooms while summer provides reliable weather for outdoor exploration. December transforms the city with Christmas markets and winter festivities. A TourRadar traveler shared "Visiting in December was magical with the Brussels Winter Wonders festival and Christmas markets creating a fairytale atmosphere around Grand Place."

What are the most popular optional activities offered in Brussels?

Brussels offers hands-on cultural experiences through chocolate truffle-making sessions with local chocolatiers Belgian beer tastings at traditional breweries and tours of the Comic Strip Center. The Atomium and Mini-Europe provide additional sightseeing options. Visitors often highlight the interactive elements with one TourRadar traveler noting "The optional chocolate workshop was a highlight - learning to make pralines from a Belgian chocolatier while hearing about the history of Belgian chocolate was fascinating."

Which nearby destinations are commonly visited after Brussels?

Tours from Brussels often continue to Belgian cities like Antwerp Ghent and Bruges before crossing into the Netherlands to visit Amsterdam and Rotterdam. River cruises follow waterways from Brussels to Antwerp via the Willebroek Canal then proceed to Ghent and Bruges. A CroisiEurope cruise passenger observed "The journey from Brussels to Antwerp was especially scenic cruising past beautiful Flemish countryside before reaching the impressive Antwerp port."

What are the typical transportation options from Brussels Airport to the tour start points?

Tour operators provide group transfers from Brussels Airport (BRU) to hotels and cruise ships running between 9 AM and 5 PM on arrival day. Common pickup locations include Brussels Midi Station NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon and the Port of Brussels cruise terminals. Travelers report smooth transitions with one noting "The included transfer from Brussels Airport to the ship was seamless with Emerald Cruises representatives clearly visible in the arrival hall."

Europe Tours from Brussels

Brussels with a local guide who knows the city shows you the best of the area. Try Belgian treats in Antwerp, with chocolates and beer both excellent here, walk through Maastricht's historic sites, bike the scenic Meuse River paths, and tour Cologne for Kölsch beer tastings in breweries. You can also cruise from Brussels to Basel, giving you incredible variety throughout. Cities, rivers, beer, and chocolate covered.

10 best Europe tour packages from Brussels

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City & Culture
Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery (2026) (Brussels to Basel, 2026)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland+1 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
From
US$11,199per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
11% Off
From $7,560
US$6,691per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe & Prague
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Sun Emerald Star+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
11% Off
From $8,225
US$7,356per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Bruges 2027 - 18 Days (from Brussels to Freiburg im Breisgau)
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+2 ships
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
12% Off
From $12,110
US$10,656per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine Christmas Markets with Bruges & Switzerland 2027 - 15 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Jewel Scenic Ruby+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
3% Off
From $10,270
US$9,994per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands (Classic) (21 destinations)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Belgium Luxembourg Germany Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
3% Off
From
US$4,475per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
5 Days Brussels and Amsterdam: Explore the Heart of Europe
3.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The entire experience was absolutely outstanding. It turned out to be the best trip of my life so far."
Judit, traveled in April
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Brussels, Amsterdam
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
25% Off
From $800
US$600per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Treasures of Belgium & Holland 2027
5.0 (8 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, Middelburg, Veere,Kinderdijk,Rotterdam,Zaandam,Keukenhof,Haarlem,Amsterdam+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine The ScheldtMeuse+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
25% Off
From
US$4,699per person
+$252 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine Christmas Markets with Bruges 2027 - 11 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Jewel Scenic Ruby+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
4% Off
From $7,610
US$7,334per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Iconic Switzerland & Enchanting Belgium 2027 - 30 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
30 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine MoselleThe Scheldt+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
9% Off
From $23,215
US$21,204per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands (Small Groups)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Belgium Luxembourg Germany Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
9% Off
From
US$5,350per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
6 Day Belgium including Brussels, Luxemburg, and Amsterdam
4.4 (21 traveler reviews)
"Great tours, thank you for your assistance & knowledge."
Catherine, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Belgium Luxembourg Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
25% Off
From $1,462
US$1,097per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Best of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg (End Amsterdam)
3.9 (10 traveler reviews)
"The stops and side excursions were enjoyed. The Cathedral to St. Rumbold is as beautiful as any in Florence Italy."
Lisa, traveled in April
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Belgium Luxembourg Germany Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $3,350
US$3,015per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Charming Europe Escape: Belgium, Luxembourg and Amsterdam – 6 Days
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Belgium Luxembourg Netherlands
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marunova travel
10% Off
From
US$1,485per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Holiday Markets (2026) (Brussels to Brussels, 2026)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
10% Off
From
US$3,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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