24 hours in Brussels this summer
Corinthia Brussels, a revived grand city‑palace on Rue Royale in the Freedom Quarter, blends Belle‑Époque grandeur with contemporary comfort. Rooms and elegant suites are complemented by the 1,200‑square‑metre subterranean Corinthia Spa, the spectacular stained-glass Palm Court, refined dining and a boutique concept store.
The result is a refined and elegant base for exploring a 24-hour itinerary in Brussels that will reward the curiosity of those in search of a truly cosmopolitan experience.
8am - Breakfast at Palais Royal
Begin the morning at Palais Royal, where breakfast is served within one of Corinthia Brussels’ most elegant heritage spaces. Framed by soaring Belle Époque ceilings, crystal chandeliers and softly illuminated interiors, the restaurant balances historic grandeur with a calm, contemporary atmosphere that feels perfectly suited to an unhurried start to the day.
9am - A relaxed stroll
A slow walk through central Brussels offers a gentle introduction to the city’s layered character. Begin with antique browsing at Reliek before stopping at Barkboy for butter-rich pastries and a coconut cappuccino enjoyed out on the pavement as the city begins to wake.
For something sweeter, Mary Chocolatier remains a Brussels institution. Founded in 1919 and once favoured by Belgian royalty, the historic chocolate house still draws visitors with beautifully boxed pralines that feel almost too elegant to unwrap.
10am - Take in the view
Continue towards the Congress Column, where panoramic views stretch across the rooftops of central Brussels. From here, the city reveals its contrasts all at once: ornate façades beside modern boulevards, church spires rising beyond government buildings and pockets of greenery softening the urban landscape below. In the summer light, Brussels feels expansive yet intimate - grand in scale but wonderfully walkable.
11am - Browse the Marolles Flea Market
In the Marolles district, Brussels takes on a more nostalgic rhythm. Around Place du Jeu de Balle, the daily flea market spills across the square with antiques, second-hand books, vintage clothing and wonderfully peculiar objects whose stories are left entirely to the imagination.
Nearby cafés invite lingering over strong coffee and warm Brussels waffles topped with pearl sugar and strawberries - best enjoyed slowly while watching the neighbourhood move around you.
12pm - Indulge yourself
As the afternoon approaches, pause for something sweet at Coudboul, known for inventive flavours such as waffle-inspired ice cream and blood orange sorbet, or stop by Pinpin for delicate croissants and beautifully seasonal pastry creations that feel distinctly Brussels.
1pm - Head for Galerie Bortier
Galerie Bortier brings together Brussels’ literary and culinary worlds beneath a beautifully restored neo-Renaissance arcade. Once known for antique booksellers, the space now combines independent food concepts, wine bars and bookshops in a way that feels unmistakably European. Pause for a light lunch of artisanal cheeses and fresh bread before wandering slowly between shelves and marble counters beneath the historic glass roof.
2pm - Dansaert District and a contemporary beat
In the Dansaert district, Brussels reveals a more contemporary energy. Independent fashion boutiques, design studios and concept stores sit alongside natural wine bars and cafés, creating a neighbourhood that feels creative, international and quietly confident.
Fashion-forward visitors may find themselves lingering inside Dries Van Noten or Stijl, while nearby Ixelles-Flagey offers a softer, more residential rhythm with coffee at Wide Awake, natural wines at Rebel and refined interiors at Ozer and Maison.
For a slower pause, Bois de la Cambre offers shaded pathways and sunlit terraces at Woodpecker or Flora, where a chilled Belgian beer feels particularly well earned in the afternoon warmth.
3pm - Time in the Corinthia Spa
As the afternoon slows, retreat into the Corinthia Spa Brussels - a 1,200-square-metre subterranean sanctuary designed for restoration and stillness. Thermal areas, steam rooms, saunas and softly lit treatment spaces create a welcome contrast to the rhythm of the city above. Signature Sisley treatments, including the restorative Black Rose Facial, offer a deeply calming reset before the evening begins.
5pm - Coffee, tea and a sweet treat at Palm Court
As early evening light filters through Palm Court’s spectacular stained-glass ceiling, the space settles into a softer rhythm. Restored to reflect the grandeur of the original Belle Époque interiors, the setting feels both theatrical and serene - a natural place to pause between the day and the evening ahead.
Coffee, tea and beautifully crafted pastries arrive against the quiet soundtrack of conversation and soft piano music, inviting guests to linger a little longer than intended.
7pm - Dinner at Palais Royal
Dinner at Palais Royal unfolds beneath soaring interiors that feel grand yet unexpectedly intimate. Led by Michelin-starred Belgian chef, David Martin, the restaurant brings together French technique and delicate Japanese influence through menus that feel precise, seasonal and inventive.
From the elegance of the Presse à Canard experience to the seasonal expression of Le Jardin du Palais Royal, dining here feels expressive yet harmonious - and unmistakably of the season. Elegant seafood, refined sauces and beautifully balanced flavours take centre stage, while the atmosphere remains calm, conversational and effortlessly elegant.
9pm - Cocktails at Under The Stairs
For those not quite ready to end the evening, Under The Stairs invites guests into a more playful after-hours world hidden beneath the hotel. Created by acclaimed mixologist Hannah Van Ongevalle, the bar blends art deco elegance with the spirited energy of disco, where low lighting, music and conversation create an atmosphere that feels intimate, theatrical and just a little mischievous.
The cocktail experience itself is rooted in storytelling. The current menu, Love Letters, transforms confessions, afterthoughts and unforgettable characters into inventive drinks designed to surprise as much as delight. From bold martinis sharpened with coffee oil and black olive-infused vodka to softer whiskey serves layered with pecan and pear, each cocktail arrives with its own personality and sense of occasion.
11pm - Return to the comfort of your suite
Return to your suite at Corinthia Brussels, where soaring ceilings, carefully restored Belle Époque details and contemporary design create a setting that feels both grand and deeply calming. Spacious marble bathrooms, elegant living spaces and softly layered interiors offer a luxurious retreat from the rhythm of the city, inviting a slower, more unhurried close to the evening after a day spent exploring Brussels.
The next morning - a quite finale
The following morning begins slowly with coffee and breakfast served either in-room or within Palais Royal, extending the sense of ease a little longer before departure. Before leaving Brussels, a final stop at Coutume, the hotel’s boutique concept store, offers beautifully packaged Belgian pralines and artisanal chocolates to take home - a subtle reminder of a stay shaped by Belgian craftsmanship, creativity and quiet discovery.