24 hours in Brussels in winter

Brussels in winter is a city made for curious wanderers. Antique dealers open their doors to treasure hunters, chocolatiers tempt passers-by with exquisite pralines and grand squares put on their finest festive displays. December brings the celebrated Winter Wonders Christmas market, but there are plenty of things to do in Brussels in winter beyond the festivities, from exploring the Marolles' wonderfully unpredictable flea market to discovering the craftsmanship behind Belgium's most prestigious leather goods. If you have just 24 hours in Brussels, you'll find the city has a remarkable talent for making every hour count. 

At Corinthia Brussels, the experience begins within the restored Grand Hotel Astoria, a Belle Époque landmark on Rue Royale that first opened in 1910. Designed by architect Henri van Dievoet, the building has welcomed generations of distinguished guests and now combines its architectural heritage with contemporary Belgian gastronomy, an exceptional wellness sanctuary and the magnificent stained-glass skylight of Palm Court. It's an address with a story of its own, and a rather splendid starting point for discovering the capital. 

8am: A leisurely morning at Corinthia Brussels

Begin with breakfast at the hotel, taking time to enjoy the morning before heading out into the city. Palm Court's extraordinary stained-glass skylight, rising high above the restored interiors, offers a beautiful introduction to the building's Belle Époque character. 

There's an intriguing history behind these surroundings. The original Grand Hotel Astoria was commissioned for the 1910 Brussels International Exposition, when the Belgian capital was eager to impress the world with its architectural ambition and cosmopolitan spirit. More than a century later, the hotel's restoration has brought that sense of occasion into a new era. 

For guests who prefer a more energetic beginning, a private coaching session on the wellness floor offers an optional way to start the day. Otherwise, enjoy another coffee. Brussels has plenty of opportunities to exercise your curiosity, not to mention your legs. 

10am: The Sablon, where chocolate meets craftmanship

The Sablon, a neighbourhood where elegant townhouses, art galleries and antique dealers share the streets with some of Belgium's most celebrated chocolatiers. 

At Place du Grand Sablon, the temptation to stop for chocolate is almost impossible to resist. Pierre Marcolini brings an inventive, contemporary approach to pralines, while Wittamer has been part of the neighbourhood's patisserie tradition for generations. In Brussels, chocolate isn't simply a souvenir. It's a craft that inspires extraordinary dedication. 

Between tastings, admire the Gothic Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon, with its soaring windows and richly detailed stonework, before browsing the surrounding galleries and specialist shops. 

Continue towards Mont des Arts, where formal gardens frame one of the city's most recognisable views. From here, a stroll through the Royal Park leads back towards the hotel, with grand civic buildings and leafy avenues providing a reminder of Brussels' royal heritage. 

1pm: A taste of Belgium at Le Petit bon bon 

Return to Corinthia Brussels for lunch at Le Petit bon bon, the contemporary Belgian brasserie from celebrated chef Christophe Hardiquest. 

Hardiquest has spent much of his career exploring the possibilities of Belgian cuisine, earning acclaim at his former two-Michelin-starred restaurant Bon Bon before developing new culinary concepts. At Le Petit bon bon, he turns his attention to the dishes Belgians grew up loving, giving familiar brasserie favourites a confident contemporary touch. 

Expect a menu rooted in Belgian comfort food, with seasonal ingredients and a sense of generosity that suits the setting. Ask about the day's recommendations, particularly the dishes inspired by traditional Belgian cooking. 

For guests who prefer to remain in the city, the Sablon and Marolles also offer plenty of appealing lunch addresses, from neighbourhood bistros to more contemporary dining rooms. There's no shortage of opportunities to explore Brussels through its food. 

A festive detour through Brussels

If you're visiting between late November and early January, make time for Winter Wonders, Brussels' celebrated Christmas festival. 

Begin at Grand-Place, where the magnificent guild houses and Gothic Town Hall provide the backdrop for the illuminated Christmas tree and seasonal sound-and-light show. It's one of Europe's most extraordinary urban settings, and the festive decorations make it even more theatrical. 

Continue through the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert, the elegant 19th-century shopping arcade whose glass roof shelters historic boutiques, chocolatiers and beautifully dressed Christmas windows. 

From here, follow the festivities towards Place Sainte-Catherine, where Winter Wonders fills the surrounding streets with wooden chalets, seasonal treats and fairground attractions. A glass of vin chaud makes an excellent companion to the browsing, particularly when the winter air begins to bite. 

The 2026–27 edition runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Outside those dates, Grand-Place and the Royal Galleries remain worthwhile discoveries in their own right. 

3pm: A sweet winter moment at Palm Court

Back at the hotel, Palm Court provides one of the most beautiful settings in Brussels for an afternoon pause. 

Beneath its magnificent stained-glass skylight, the pastry team's seasonal creations bring a little indulgence to the afternoon. Choose from the festive à la carte selection, accompanied by a warming drink, and enjoy the pleasure of being somewhere that makes an ordinary coffee break feel like an occasion. 

During December, the selection takes on a distinctly festive character, with seasonal flavours and creations designed for the Christmas period. It's a delicious opportunity to experience the hotel's pastry craftsmanship before venturing out for another taste of the city. 

4pm: A restorative afternoon at Corinthia Spa

After several hours exploring Brussels, return to the tranquillity of Corinthia Spa. Spanning 1,200 square metres, the wellness floor draws inspiration from Belgium's lace-making heritage, bringing together thoughtful design, specialist treatments and contemporary wellbeing facilities. 

For a winter afternoon, the spa recommends a 90-minute aromatherapy hot stone massage. Heated stones and aromatic oils work together to ease muscular tension, while the treatment's enveloping warmth offers a welcome contrast to the city outside. 

Complete the experience with a private infrared sauna session, available as a standalone ritual or as an addition to a treatment. With time to unwind before the evening begins, it's an opportunity to experience another side of the hotel's hospitality. 

6pm: A festive aperitif on the winter terrace

As evening falls, head to Corinthia Brussels' winter terrace, opening for the festive season from 3 December, subject to final confirmation. 

The hotel's courtyard takes on a celebratory character, with intimate seating, seasonal decorations and a convivial atmosphere that brings a little festive magic into the heart of the property. 

Order a glass of Champagne and settle in before dinner. The seasonal food offering, including oysters and indulgent truffle croque-monsieurs, makes a persuasive case for arriving with an appetite, although it's worth saving room for what comes next. 

7pm: An extraordinary evening at La Paix by David Martin

Dinner at La Paix by David Martin offers an encounter with one of Brussels' most compelling culinary stories. 

Founded in 1892, La Paix began as a traditional brasserie before evolving into one of Belgium's most celebrated gastronomic addresses. Under chef David Martin, its cooking developed a distinctive identity, bringing together French culinary foundations, Japanese influences and an almost obsessive attention to ingredients and technique. 

Now within Corinthia Brussels, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant enters a new chapter, combining its celebrated culinary philosophy with the restored elegance of the former Grand Hotel Astoria. 

Martin's cooking is shaped by curiosity and precision. Japanese techniques inform his approach to flavour and texture, while Belgian ingredients and French culinary traditions remain central to the experience. 

Choose the chef's tasting menu and allow the evening to unfold through a succession of carefully composed dishes. Each course offers an opportunity to discover how familiar ingredients can be transformed through unexpected combinations and meticulous preparation. 

For guests seeking a more intimate experience, enquire about the chef's table, where the connection between kitchen and dining room becomes part of the evening's appeal.

9pm: Cocktails with a soundtrack at Under The Stairs

After dinner, continue to Under The Stairs, where acclaimed Belgian mixologist Hannah Van Ongevalle has created a cocktail bar with a decidedly playful personality. 

Her Disco Royalty menu takes inspiration from the glamour, music and exuberance of the disco era, transforming familiar cocktail ingredients into imaginative tributes to legendary artists and dance floors. 

Try C'est Chic, a nod to the band Chic, combining cognac, pineapple, thyme, salted butter and ginger. For something softer and more unexpected, I Feel Love pays tribute to Donna Summer with vodka, mint liqueur, white chocolate, pear and oat milk. 

Or choose 54 Closing, inspired by the legendary Studio 54, where gin, Elixir d'Anvers, grapefruit sherry and Champagne come together in a suitably celebratory finale. 

It's a cocktail menu with genuine personality, and a reminder that a great hotel bar should offer more than a comfortable chair and a well-made drink. A little imagination goes a long way. 

11pm: Return to the comfort of your suite

Upstairs, the evening gives way to the quiet comfort of Corinthia Brussels. Within your suite, the hotel's historic character meets contemporary design, with thoughtful details and generous spaces creating a private retreat from the city. 

After a day of antiques, chocolate, festive discoveries, Michelin-starred dining and inventive cocktails, there's something especially satisfying about returning to the comfort of your own room, with the stories of Brussels still fresh in your mind.

The next morning: One last Discovery 

Before leaving Brussels, take time for one final encounter with Belgian craftsmanship. 

If your morning allows, return to the Sablon for a visit to one of its celebrated chocolatiers. At Pierre Marcolini, beautifully presented pralines and seasonal creations offer a delicious reminder of Belgium's chocolate-making traditions, while Wittamer's patisserie selection makes a persuasive case for taking a little something home. 

Alternatively, explore Brussels’ most prestigious shopping destinations along Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo, where iconic maisons such as Chanel and Dior sit alongside Belgian heritage house Delvaux and luxury department store Mayfair, offering a refined edit of the world’s most coveted designers.

It’s a fitting conclusion to a visit that moves from the antique stalls of the Marolles to the artistry of Belgian craftsmanship and the imagination of Brussels’ culinary talents. In this city, creativity isn’t confined to galleries. It’s woven into everyday life.