Practical information and advice on how to organise your stay in Belgium
🚋 Transportation (city and airport)
- STIB Tap-to-pay : get on the metro/tram/bus and validate directly with your credit card/phone. The journey costs €2.30 (cheaper than a paper ticket) and there is a daily limit of €8.40 : beyond the 4th journey on the same day, it is free. Remember to revalidate each time you connect (60 min).
- STIB Ages : Under 6 years old : Free without a ticket if accompanied by an adult with a ticket. 6–11 years old : free -12 season ticket to be loaded onto a nominative MOBIB card.
- STIB app : it sells tickets, gives information in real time and displays the status of lifts/stairs in the stations – useful with a stroller.
- Airport train (Brussels Airport-Zaventem): accompanied children under 12 travel for free ; they pass through the gates with you.
- Car : Brussels is in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Foreign vehicles must check the compatibility of their plate (and register if necessary) before entering the Region.
- Scooters : from 16 years old minimum, 1 person per machine, forbidden on the sidewalks. Maximum speed 20 km/h in the Region, and 8 km/h in pedestrian zones (centre & Chaussée d’Ixelles).
🏛️ Museums, opening hours and free admission
- Parlamentarium (EU): free, immersive tour + family audio guides (perfect in rainy weather).
- Comic Art Museum : masterpieces of Belgian comics, closed on Mondays ; Think of the workshops/weekend activities.
- Train World (Schaerbeek): great with young and old, Tue–Sun 10am-5pm, last admission 3.30pm ; Accessible by tram 7/92 + bus.
- Museum of Natural Sciences : giant dinosaurs (top 4–12 years old); Look at hours/closures on Mondays like many museums.
- Magritte Museum : free every 1st Wednesday from 1pm (except temporary) — good deal for teenagers.
- Atomium : unmissable + 360° view, children under 115 cm: free, stroller and toilet locker €0.50 at the ticketing pavilion.
- Mini-Europe : interactive models, children <115 cm: free (do not book a ticket for them).
- Many free museums on the 1st Sunday (Musée de la Ville/Grand-Place, Sewers, Fashion & Lace, etc.). Some are free on the 1st Wednesday afternoon (Magritte, Fin-de-Siècle, BELvue).
💶 Money, taxes and payment methods
- Euro & contactless accepted everywhere (STIB included via tap-to-pay, see above). Toilets at some venues (e.g. Atomium) require €0.50 in cash.
- Tourist tax : in Brussels, a tourist fee per room/night is added to the price of accommodation (amount varies depending on the municipality and the type of establishment). It is included on the invoice.
- Brussels Card : official pass giving access to the museums (24/48/72 h), with transport/Atomium options depending on the formula. Useful if you have several visits.
🚨 Health and emergencies
- Emergencies : call 112 (ambulance/fire/police) anywhere in Europe; 101 for the police in Belgium.
- On-call pharmacies : find the pharmacy open at night/weekend via the official pharmacie.be tool (or dial 0903 99 000, 24/7 service for a fee).
- Tap water : the water is drinkable in Brussels (controlled by VIVAQUA). Water points exist in several parks/sites
🌐 Local languages, signage and labels
- The Brussels-Capital Region is officially bilingual (French/Dutch): you will see both languages on signs, at ticket offices and in museums; English is widely understood in the tourist areas.
- In queues and transport, you let them get off before getting on and you systematically validate (even with a MOBIB subscription). Checks are regular.
♿ Accessibility and strollers
- Metro & train stations : check elevators/escalators in real time in the STIB app before leaving with a stroller; Many platforms are at the same level on tram 7/9/19, convenient for boarding.
- Major sites : Atomium (stroller depot, paid toilets); Parlamentarium accessible and free of charge (good deal in rainy weather).
🌳 Parks, green spaces and playgrounds
- Bois de la Cambre : large lawns, games, boats at the Chalet Robinson in season (ideal picnic/strollers).
- Parc du Cinquantenaire : playground, museums nearby (Autoworld, MIM about 15 minutes away).
- Osseghem Park (at the Atomium): hilly, playgrounds, photo spot after Mini-Europe.
- Tenbosch (Ixelles): enclosed garden with trees, great for toddlers; Quiet benches and walkways.
- Sonian Forest and Promenade Verte : long walks in the forest/urban-nature (strollers possible on sections).
🍽️ Eating with the family (food courts and easy addresses)
- WOLF Food Market (Centre): large gourmet hall, high chairs, options for all, practical with stroller.
- Gare Maritime Food Market (Tour & Taxis): XXL covered market, communal tables, perfect in rainy weather; Easy access by tram.
- FOODMET (Abattoir – Anderlecht, Fri–Sun): covered popular market plus street-food stalls at low prices.
- Dessert tip : waffles and chocolates around the Grand-Place (and Choco-Story for children’s workshops, 7+).
