Overnight Layover in Brussels
 

Stopping in Brussels overnight on our way to Africa. Our flight is scheduled to land in Brussels early in the day (around 8 am) and leave in the early afternoon the next day. So we would probably want to drop off our luggage at our hotel, do some sightseeing, and have an early dinner.

Any suggestions as to a hotel and suggestions on what to see during our short stay? Looks like we could stay near the airport and take public transportation into the city or stay closer to the city center and stretch our legs to see a bit of the city. We will be there in August.

Thank you.

It's easy to get from BRU airport into the city centre and you can stay at any number of hotels in the airport area. For instance, the Sheraton Brussels airport is just across from the terminal, but it is expensive. Or NH Brussels airport, Holiday Inn etc. There are hotel shuttles to take you/from the airport. They can all get full although August is probably ok. I'd stay closer to the airport as the road to/from the city centre can be very busy and you don't want to be stuck in traffic on the way back to the airport. Again, maybe August is ok, but I have been stuck in traffic many a time on business trips, even just from an airport hotel.

Obviously the typical thing to see is Grand Place & Galleries St Hubert and take a walk around that area, have a beer. Get a restaurant recommendation as many in the Grand Place area are not very good.

Extremely easy train into the center of the city, so you are not limited to airport hotels by any means.

The Musee des Beaux Arts is world class.