10 Things to Do in Brussels in the summer

If you're planning to visit Brussels in the summer, you'll enjoy a very different side to the winter. If the city is already very lively and full of activities, in this season of the year you will also be able to enjoy its open-air spaces and mild days.

In addition to preparing your tour of the most important sights to see in Brussels, I recommend you take a look at the 10 ideas for things to do in the Belgian capital during the summer season.

Summer days are ideal for wandering around the city. Even more so if the city is Brussels, full of treasures and corners to discover. Comic murals are part of the city's urban landscape and there are around 60 frescoes hidden in the city centre. A great plan for your summer itinerary is to find each of them and take a picture.

You can find the maps with the locations of the frescoes on the website of the city of Brussels, download them to your phone and start your adventure. If you prefer, you can also buy the map at the tourist offices for about 2.5€. Are you ready to play?

If you're looking for an alternative way to explore Brussels, cycling around Brussels can be fun, and a great way to include exercise in your holiday. Brussels is a capital that is very well prepared for cyclists, so it is very convenient to get around by bike.

You can opt for a bike rental or simply use the city's bicycle system. Check out the different suggested routes throughout Brussels and choose the area of the city that interests you the most.

While you can visit the Atomium all year round, in the summer months you can enjoy the view from the top sphere. Climbing the Atomium is an activity not to be missed during your visit to Brussels.

TheAtomium is the city's most famous monument and the symbol of Belgium. It was inaugurated 60 years ago, and instead of going out of fashion, more and more people want to visit it.

Don't hesitate to buy your tickets for the Atomium in advance as many tourists visit it every day.

Summer is short but intense in Brussels, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the city's open-air rooftops. At another time of the year you would freeze, but you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy a cocktail or, if you prefer, book a beer tasting, while contemplating these amazing views from the highest terraces in Brussels. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Here is a list of the most recommended rooftops.

• Perché Rooftop Bar: this bar is located on the top floor of the Jam Hotel with amazing views. Perché Rooftop Bar is known for its modern decoration, good atmosphere, excellent music and varied menu. It is open daily from 3pm to 10pm and its location is: Chaussée de Charleroi 132, 1060 Brussels.

• Jardin Rooftop: here you will find a perfect place to end a day of sightseeing, very close to the historic centre. Jardin Rooftop is a huge rooftop with incredible views, where you can find a wide range of beers, cocktails and wines. And for lunch you can enjoy their cheese tables, cold meats, hamburgers... Open every day from 12hs to 22hs and its location is: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 7, 1000 Bruxelles.

• Boho Rooftop Bar: if you feel like enjoying cocktails, music and slow food, visit the terrace of the NH Collection Brussels. Here you will find the Boho Rooftop Bar with a fantastic panoramic view of the Brussels skyline. Open only in June, from 7pm to midnight.

and its location is Boulevard Adolphe Max 7, 1000 Brussels.

• Secret Rooftop by Warwick: if your day in Brussels ends near the Grand Palace, you will find yourself just a few metres from the Warwick Hotel. From the terrace of SecretRooftop you can watch the sunset while sipping the best cocktails. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 10pm and its location is Rue Duquesnoy 5, 1000 Brussels.

• Albert Summer Rooftop: Albert Summer Rooftop is located on the rooftop of the KBR Museum, with direct views of the Mont des Arts, a real privilege in the city of Brussels. It is open from 12hs to 19hs and its location is: Place du Musée 1, 1000 Brussels.

Brussels is one of the European cities with the most green spaces per inhabitant, and in summer they are the perfect place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Here is a selection of the most valuable parks in Brussels, whether for the beauty of their green spaces, their monuments or their recreational areas. Here they are!

• Cambre Abbey Garden: if you want to take a romantic stroll or just want a bit of peace, visiting these beautiful gardens can be a very good idea. With an amazing Cistercian abbey inside, they are the perfect place to relax, especially at sunset. Location: Rue du Monastère 1 1050 Ixelles.

• Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden of Brussels mixes design styles from different origins, creating an exemplary urban green space with a wide variety of trees and plants. Location: Rue Royale 2361210 Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode.

• Florist's Garden: in this garden, in addition to enjoying a very special green space, you will also have panoramic views of the city of Brussels. A stimulus for all the senses. Location: Rue Jean Sobieski- Avenue des Robiniers 1020 Laeken.

• Cinquantenaire Park: it was inaugurated in 1880, the anniversary of Belgium's independence and inside you will find different museums such as the Autoworld, for which you can book your tickets in advance, the Museum of Military History, the Museum of Art and History, for which you can also buy your tickets now, and the Pavilion of Human Passions. Location: Parc du Cinquantenaire 1000 Brussels.

• Leopold Park: you will find the Solvay Library, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the House of European History. Inside is the café, Grand Central, with a very convenient terrace to spend the afternoon. Location: Rue Belliard 1040 Etterbeek.

• Parc la Sauvagère: This park is not only renowned for the beauty of its green spaces, but also because you can find a small lake with swans, many swings, an enclosure with birds and other farm animals. It is very picturesque and children simply love to visit it. Location: Avenue de la Chênaie 83 1180 Uccle.

On summer days we don't feel like being cooped up and the markets of Brussels become a very attractive option to spend the morning or the afternoon, to see products of all categories and to take something as a souvenir or to eat on the go.

Not only will you find colourful fruit, fresh baked goods and produce straight from the farms, but you'll also enjoy the filmy atmosphere, as the bustle and dynamic between traders and shoppers is almost like a movie to watch at any time.

If you're thinking of taking my advice, here's a list of what I consider to be the best open-air markets in Brussels.

Stockel

This market specialises in fruit, vegetables, meat or fish. But what makes it special and very lively is the variety of flowers on offer, which will make you feel like you're in the middle of spring.

• Days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Location: Pl. Dumon, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium.

Gare du Midi

This market is considered one of the largest in Europe. And no wonder, as you can find absolutely everything on its stalls. And when I say everything, I mean spices from Africa, delicatessen products and clothes, among other things.

• Days: Sundays
• Location: Avenue Fonsny, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Chatelaine

This market is smaller and not as popular as the rest of the list, but its homemade and small producers' products are a real treat to try. I recommend the cheeses or their baked biscuits, very tasty, and what everyone who visits it goes for.

• Days: Wednesday afternoons
• Location: Avenue Fonsny, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Place du Jeu de Balle

If you want to find something more exotic at the markets, then here's a recommendation. The Belgian flea market is very famous and could be the place where you find that treasure that is waiting just for you.

It is known by everyone as the old market and its more than 300 stalls offer a wide range of objects, furniture, textiles and accessories. It has also become a tourist stop for lovers of vintage and second-hand goods.

• Days: Monday to Sunday
• Location: Place du Jeu de Balle, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

There is a public transport service that allows you to cruise along the canals of the Seine River and see the city from a different angle and perspective. The Waterbus allows you to choose between several routes depending on the area of the city you want to explore and the time you have available, of course.

I recommend taking your tour in the morning or at sunset. The tours last 2 hours and you will be able to enjoy the Brussels summer at its best.

Flow is the name of the temporary open-air swimming pool in the city of Brussels. In the summer season, everyone wants to brave the high temperatures and being able to visit a swimming pool is a very attractive option.

Don't hesitate to get your swimming costume ready and enjoy this beautiful 17-metre long pool, right next to the canal in Anderlecht, near the Pierre Marchant bridge.

The star hill of the city of Brussels, Mont des Arts, will give you a panoramic view of the entire city centre. It is a very popular spot at sunset, as everyone wants to see this unique postcard.

You will also find the renowned bar Coucou Brussels, where you can enjoy its deckchairs and a perfect menu for this time of the day with different signature cocktails. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The European Parliament organises these summer concerts every year. The event features all kinds of artists to encourage the use of outdoor public spaces and to spread the word about music. You can hear singers from the likes of Mischa Maisky to emerging talents such as Elen Shahinans. All are welcome with the same goal: to enjoy art.

From Monday to Friday at 13hs there will be concerts of classical music, opera and jazz. Remember that you can't reserve your place, but the number of attendees is limited, so arrive early.

Travelling to Brussels in summer is a very good option, as temperatures are mild and do not usually go above 20 degrees Celsius. In fact, daily maximum temperatures are around 21 °C and rarely fall below 14 °C or exceed 29 °C. Truly a pleasure for anyone wishing to holiday in the city.

But remember to always have an umbrella ready. In Brussels, virtually every month has its fair share of rain, and in summer it's even heavier.