24 Jan 2026 Whether you're in Brussels or just passing through, the Belgian capital is the perfect place to take a trip while you're a university student.
We'll tell you about the best stops within the city and the best destinations if you're departing from here.
Stay with us to discover what makes Brussels such a special city and what makes it so student-friendly.
To get to Brussels, you have two main routes, if you travel by plane: Zaventem Airport, about 15 kilometers away, and Charleroi Airport, 55 kilometers from the center of Brussels.
Both are perfectly connected, both by train and bus, and you just need to follow the signs that will take you to the center of Brussels. Depending on the mode of transport, and the airport of course, the journey can take from 15 minutes to an hour and a half.
Once you are in the center of Brussels, getting around is very easy, and although there is a metro, if you want to get around mainly within the historic center, then the undisputed king is the tram.
Trams and buses are the most commonly used means of transport to the center of Brussels, and we can add the metro if you want to get around the surrounding areas. This doesn't mean that it isn't well connected, far from it, but there are more tram and bus lines and stops than there are metro lines. However, all modes of transport are punctual, clean, cheap, and efficient.
Let's start with the obvious: its great atmosphere. Brussels is the quintessential multicultural city; remember, it's literally the capital of Europe.
That's why so many cultures coexist here, making it the perfect place to learn new languages and customs, and meet people from all over the world. It has a rich history and is a great attraction for students from all over the world.
Lots of faculties, lots of students, lots of dorms... that's right, lots of partying. And, despite being one of Europe's major cities, having a beer in a pub won't cost you an arm and a leg. Prices are more than reasonable, from drinks to accommodation.
If you're looking for more than just partying, pub culture, beer, and conversation, you'll find that here too. It has great museums and a great culture and love for the arts of all kinds. So, you should add a cultural aspect to your leisure agenda.
Remember that two languages are spoken here in Brussels: French and Dutch, but everyone also speaks English, and being so international, you'll find people from all over the world, both studying and working. So, making yourself understood here isn't a problem.
By the way, Brussels is the city of many things, not just the administration of the Eurozone. Here, beer is almost sacred, with hundreds of varieties and a great craft culture. Brussels is also home to some of the best chocolate in the world. Not to mention waffles and fries... Could there be a city more suited to university students than Brussels?
Another very important point to keep in mind is that it's a perfect city for those who love to travel. Brussels is strategically located close to other major Belgian cities, as well as having perfect connections to other European cities, as we'll explain later. So, there's another reason to come and fall under the spell of Brussels' charm.
Here, without beating around the bush and getting straight to the point, we'll tell you the best and most important places you should visit once you're in Brussels. There's so much to see and enjoy, but no matter how much time you have, you can't leave without visiting these places.
Let's start with the best-known, most popular, and what you've surely seen in photos: the Grand Place. An impressive square, which, by the way, hosts flower markets and is decorated like no other place in the world at Christmas, surrounded by historic buildings of great importance to the city.
For photo and posing lovers, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is the perfect place. This covered walkway, a period shopping center with a wealth of elegance and sophistication, will delight history buffs, shoppers, and chocolate lovers. It's home to some of the world's most famous chocolate shops. It also boasts luxury shops and restaurants, although if none of that interests you, just go for a stroll because it's well worth it.
Moving on to the more religious and architectural aspect, you can't miss the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. A true tribute to Gothic architecture, although even if you're clueless about architecture, you'll still be able to enjoy it just the same; in fact, you'll be left speechless. It's as beautiful inside as it is outside, and it also houses valuable religious art collections.
Of the many parks in Brussels, if there's one that stands out above the rest, it's the Cinquantenaire Park. Its triumphal arch welcomes you, and its gardens will bring you peace and beauty. You can also find several museums within the park, such as the Cinquantenaire Museum or Autoworld, which traces the entire history of automobiles.
Before leaving the historic city center, don't forget to look for the city's most iconic statue. It's practically a symbol of Brussels and is none other than Manneken Pis, also known as the peeing boy. By the way, we challenge you to find the girl and the dog, who do exactly the same thing.
Taking a step towards the outskirts, but without leaving the heart of Brussels, we recommend seeing the impressive Atomium. This figure, over a hundred meters tall, is shaped like an iron atom and boasts one of the most spectacular views from its viewing platform. It is undoubtedly another of Brussels' great symbols.
We'll be using Brussels as our base camp. Thanks to its fantastic transport links, we'll be able to explore the rest of the country very easily and at a great price.
And this aspect is very important, because thinking that Brussels represents Belgium would be a big mistake. As a country of culture, its rich history is based on differences, and you can discover them all by traveling to different cities in the country.
The famous Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North," is less than an hour away by train. Imagine, you can go there, spend the whole day there, and come back to relax in your room. But that's not all; it turns out that of the cities we recommend visiting, this is the furthest.
Ghent is half an hour away by train, and its historic center and medieval castle are a real discovery. Ideal for a day trip. We can't leave out Antwerp, the city of flowers and diamonds. Finally, a well-kept little secret brimming with beauty and charm: Leuven. This town, and its impressive forest, are just 25 minutes away.
So, in less than an hour, you'll be able to see and experience all the facets of diverse and cosmopolitan Belgium. And if the country is too small for you, don't worry. This network of transport connections extends beyond its borders, and Brussels is connected to other cities like Amsterdam and Paris.
es 
en 
fr 
