Brussels Layover Guide: What to See in 4 Hours

Mont des Arts

On the way home from Nairobi, I turned a four-hour layover in Brussels into a quick city adventure. After an easy train ride from the airport to Brussels Central Station, I was able to see several of the city’s most famous sights in the compact historic center, including Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Manneken Pis, and Mont des Arts. It was efficient, beautiful, and absolutely better than spending the whole layover in an airport lounge. For travelers with a few hours to spare, Brussels is one of those stopovers that feels surprisingly doable.

Brussels Central Train Station

St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral

Entrance to Galeries Royales St. Hubert

Inside the Galeries Royales St. Hubert

Grand-Place

Grand-Place detail

Manneken Pis

Waffles at La Maison des Gaufres

Royal Palace of Brussels

Places to stay if returning for longer

The Dominican, a Design Hotel

Cozy dining at The Dominican

Modern Hotel Amigo, near all the sites

Shops across from the Manneken Pis

KBR Royal Library of Belgium