Belgium's grand capital rewards cruisers with a UNESCO World Heritage main square, Baroque guild halls dripping in gold, and streets thick with the smell of waffles and chocolate. River ships berth at the Brussels Cruise Terminal on the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal, a short ride from the historic centre.
River ships berth directly at the Brussels Cruise Terminal on the canal in the city's northwest — the historic centre is a short ride away.
💡 Pro move: This is a river-cruise berth in the city itself — ships dock at the Brussels Cruise Terminal on the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal, not at the ocean port of Zeebrugge.
River cruise ships berth at the Brussels Cruise Terminal on the canal in the city's northwest; the historic centre is a short taxi or tram ride away.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| River cruise lines | Brussels Cruise Terminal — Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal📍 | Docked |
A full day in Brussels lets you tick off the Grand Place, quirky statues, world-class museums, and a serious chocolate education.
Brussels' showpiece square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ringed by ornate 17th-century guild halls and the soaring Gothic Town Hall. A guided walk takes in the Manneken Pis, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, and the medieval street grid.
Find Brussels walking tours →Belgium produces some of the world's finest chocolate and hundreds of artisan beers. Guided tasting tours visit praline makers near the Grand Place, followed by a traditional brown-café beer stop with Trappist and lambic ales.
Find Brussels food tours →The Atomium — a 102-metre steel atom built for the 1958 World's Fair — remains Brussels' most striking landmark. Adjacent Mini-Europe has 1:25 scale models of Europe's most famous buildings. Both are on the northern edge of the city.
Find Atomium tickets →Brussels is the de-facto capital of the European Union. The Parlamentarium visitor centre (free admission) tells the story of European integration with immersive exhibits. The Berlaymont building and Place Luxembourg are a short walk away.
Find EU Brussels tours →Belgium's premier art collection spans Old Masters to modern Surrealism, including the world's largest Magritte Museum. The interconnected museum complex near Mont des Arts is easily reached on foot from the Grand Place.
Find Brussels museum tours →Brussels is the birthplace of Tintin, the Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. A self-guided or guided comic strip route links over 50 giant murals painted on building walls across the city centre, anchored by the Belgian Comic Strip Center.
Find Brussels comic strip tours →The Brussels historic centre is compact and walkable — most major sights sit within a 20-minute stroll of the Grand Place.
Start at the Grand Place for the guild halls, then detour to Manneken Pis a block south. Head north up Rue Neuve through the shopping district to Sainte-Catherine, then take the metro (Line 6) from Rogier to Atomium for the landmark building and Mini-Europe.
From the Grand Place walk up to Mont des Arts garden for panoramic views of the city skyline. Continue past the Royal Library to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. The uphill climb is moderate; cobblestones throughout.
Climate normals for Brussels, Belgium (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F / 7°C | 35°F / 2°C | 14 | 8:38 AM | 5:05 PM |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 12 | 7:54 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Mar | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 12 | 6:56 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Apr | 58°F / 14°C | 41°F / 5°C | 10 | 6:48 AM | 8:38 PM |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 48°F / 9°C | 11 | 5:53 AM | 9:25 PM |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 55°F / 13°C | 10 | 5:28 AM | 9:57 PM |
| Jul | 74°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 11 | 5:46 AM | 9:49 PM |
| Aug | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 12 | 6:30 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Sep | 68°F / 20°C | 54°F / 12°C | 11 | 7:18 AM | 7:56 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 | 8:06 AM | 6:49 PM |
| Nov | 51°F / 11°C | 42°F / 6°C | 14 | 7:58 AM | 4:54 PM |
| Dec | 46°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 14 | 8:39 AM | 4:36 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Tootbus Brussels runs a hop-on hop-off circuit covering Grand Place, Atomium, and key museums. Tickets also sold via GetYourGuide.
The Brussels Cruise Terminal on the canal is roughly 2–3 km from the Grand Place. Many attractions are reachable on foot through pleasant canal-side streets.
Brussels has an extensive metro and tram network operated by STIB. Nearest metro stops connect directly to the city center and major museums.
Both Uber and Bolt are active in Brussels. Bolt also offers e-scooters and shared bikes for short hops.
Licensed taxis are available near the terminal. The meter rate is €1.80/km within the Brussels Capital Region.
Upcoming cruises that call at Brussels, Belgium. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.