10 Things to Do in Brussels in August

August in Brussels is the hottest month and the busiest month for tourists. International tourists take advantage of the good weather and the summer atmosphere to visit the city, but the same Belgian tourists also decide to make domestic trips, for example to visit two of the most famous and beautiful cities in the country, Bruges and Ghent, which you can book your tour here. Many of them are mobilised by the large number of events all over Belgium.

Brussels maintains a constant festive atmosphere throughout the month, with exhibitions, concerts, festivals and shows to suit all tastes. If you still don't know what to see and do in Brussels in August, here's a post with all the information.

The Flower Carpet is one of the biggest traditions in Brussels. The first time the event was held was in 1971 and, since then, every August this huge floral tapestry is created and it is a real spectacle. It is certainly one of the best things to see in the centre of Brussels during this month.

It may seem like a lot of work, but the carpet is assembled on the Grand Place in only 4 hours. The flower of choice is always the begonia, and they are brought especially from the city of Ghent. The design changes every year according to different inspirations and is a spectacle of light and colour.

This work of art lasts only 3 days on the square and access to the carpet is free of charge. If you want a more privileged view, tickets are sold for the balcony of the Brussels City Hall, where you can see this incredible creation from a wider perspective.

The beaches of Brussels are not those with crystal-clear water and fine white sand. But in the heat of August, many tourists take the opportunity to dive into the sea off the Belgian coast.

I recommend spending the afternoon by the sea, especially at sunset. You can watch the sunset while enjoying an authentic Belgian beer and a pot of fresh mussels.

If you want to go for a dip in the Belgian waters, you can get there easily from the city, as the tram connections are very convenient. Some cities are also very well connected by train, saving you even more time. Here is a list of the best options along its 68 kilometres of coastline.

Ostend Beach

One of the most famous and where you can find many bunkers, walls and fences from the World War. Its particular charm is due to the large sand dunes. It is one of the most popular beaches for surfers.

Knokke-Heist Beach

This beach is characterised by a higher standard as it is surrounded by luxury homes. It is located right next to the Zwin nature park, where you can find a wide variety of flora and fauna.

De Haan and Blankenberge Beaches

This is, without a doubt, my favourite. The water is the clearest and the sand is the softest, compared to the previous ones on the list. The food on offer is varied and reasonably priced.

August in Brussels lends itself to spending as much time as possible outdoors. Whether it's time for lunch or just a beer, we want to do it with a good view and in comfortable places.

If you're like me and you love to enjoy the summer, don't settle for closed places and take note of these places with the best terraces in the city. Another great option I suggest is to get to know the most famous bars in the city by hiring a pub crawl in Brussels, which will guide you through the best ones.

Terrace of the MIM

The Museum of Musical Instruments is one of the most famous museums in Brussels. In fact, its Art Nouveau style dazzles everyone who passes by its façade. But it is not only its architecture, the rooftop of this building is becoming very popular due to its terrace and the panoramic view of the rooftops of the city that we can enjoy from there.

• Where: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Café Merlo

Café Merlo is a great bar with several details that make it a must on your visit to Brussels. Its wooden façade and modern interior create a contrast that attracts all visitors to the area.

• Where: Quai aux Briques 80, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Café Le Fontainas

This delicate café is a special place to take advantage of those hot days. Café Le Fontainas has a large terrace with chairs and tables, and a quiet and pleasant atmosphere.

It owes its name to the drinking fountain in front of the café, which is called "La Fontaine Saint-Jacques", in reference to the Saint Jacques neighbourhood.

• Where: Rue du Marché au Charbon Kolenmarkt 91, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Le Plattesteen

This place is a popular beer garden for locals in the city of Brussels. Le Plattesteen has a terrace that is practically full all day long, but has an incomparable atmosphere if you are lucky enough to get a table.

• Where: Rue du Marché au Charbon 41.

Jardins Suspendus

This building is only open during the summer season, so August is the perfect time for a visit. This terrace is full of umbrellas and extremely comfortable chairs to make you feel like you're on holiday and enjoy the best tapas menu.

• Where: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 7, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

In the first days of August, the Klinkers Music Festival takes place in the city of Bruges, only 1 hour from Brussels.

The aim of this event is to bring artists from all over the world on stage, related to the traditional rhythms of different cultures, such as flamenco, fado, rumba, or Cuban salsa.

This massive event takes place in different special locations in the city of Bruges: in front of the facades of the City Hall on the epic Burg Square, at the Gruthuse Museum and in Astridpark.

In Belgium, beer is called the yellow gold, and is a major part of its general and gastronomic culture. A trip to the city without tasting the best beers is really an incomplete trip. But you should know where to go, depending on what you prefer and what you are looking for.

Whether they are internationally renowned or have retained their original charm, the different brewery options are varied.

Delirium Tremens

To talk about beer in Brussels is to talk about Delirium Tremens, as it is the brewery par excellence in the whole city. It opened in 2003 and a year later it was already in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most extensive beer menu in the world.

Don't hesitate to go at least once during your visit to the city. Although bear in mind that they offer 2,500 different varieties. The brewery characterised by the pink elephant is waiting for you to have your say on it too.

• Where: Impasse de la Fidélité 4, 1000 Brussels

Cantillon

The yellow doors that separate Cantillon from the world are the gates to an unknown but attractive world. It is the most famous brewery in Brussels and those who know about this drink dare to call it one of the best in the world.

In addition to tasting beer, you can also opt for a guided tour where you will visit different rooms related to different stages of the brewing process. The tour includes the boilers, the granary, the barrel store and the cellar.

• Where: Rue Gheude 56, 1070 Brussels

Moeder Lambic

Moeder Lambic is the world's cradle of craft beer. Not only can you opt for Belgian wonders, but you can also taste beers from every country you can think of.

In addition to enjoying the beer of your choice, this brewery organises activities, workshops and special tastings for specific groups, which is a further step in the culture of beer.

• Where: Fontainas Plein 8, 1000 Brussels

Brussels Summer Festival has become the music event of the summer par excellence. Also known as BSF, it's a big pop music festival that brings together a wide variety of talents from hip-hop, electronica, techno and more.

First organised in 2002, it stages Belgian and international artists in the heart of the city. There are vouchers for days or for the whole festival, but in both cases I recommend you book your tickets in advance as they sell out fast.

If you're visiting Brussels in August, you can attend this festival which has four stages spread around the museum area, a recognised cultural heritage site of the capital. While you dance and enjoy the music, you will have a view of the Royal Palace or the Royal Library. An event you won't forget during your visit to the city. If you are interested in music, you can also visit the Museum of Musical Instruments, for which you can book your tickets in advance.

The Boombal Festival is an event that offers the best of folk dance music in Europe and is the most popular folk dance festival in Belgium. During the 4 days of the festival, traditional music written by Belgium's best local singer-songwriters is presented.

This event is considered a benchmark for all those who are part of the folk music world. Besides the music, the setting becomes perfect with all the lights and bonfires that are erected at this time of the year. So don't hesitate to buy your ticket and share this celebration with whoever you want during your stay in Brussels.

Pukkelpop is an alternative music festival that lasts 4 full days. This event is known worldwide as the pioneer of the music festival craze and has grown so much every year that it is now one of the most popular in Belgium.

To attend the festival you should head to Hasselt-Kiewit, about 1 hour from the city of Brussels. I advise you to be part of these special dates on your visit to the city in August and enjoy the wide range of alternative music, renowned for its progressive and contemporary character.

On the first weekend in August, the village of Dranouter is considerably crowded, as the Dranouter Festival is attended by around 80,000 people every year. During the festival, great artists perform at the largest folk and electronic music festival of its kind in Europe.

Dranouter is a four-day folk festival that has been growing in popularity since the 1980s. The special feature of this experience is that you can camp in 3 perfectly set up sites within the festival grounds, so you can fully immerse yourself in this lively and fun festival.

Coming to the last place on this list, I recommend a boat trip on the canals of Brussels. This city is a great place to get on a boat and take a sightseeing tour from the river.

Don't miss out on a leisurely stroll between brick facades and beautiful bridges from the comfort of the boat. It's also a good way to cope with hot days, as the temperature we experience on the canals is much cooler.

The boat rides can be chosen on their own or as part of a tour that includes other attractions. I recommend you check the different options according to your preferences to choose the tour that suits you best.

August is the hottest month of the year in Brussels. The daily maximum temperatures are around 23°C and rarely drop below 17°C or exceed 29°C.

While you can wear your blouse with short sleeves on your visit to the city, you won't be too hot. The weather won't stop you from enjoying the summer but you'll still be able to stroll the streets or attend outdoor events.

Remember to always pack some warm clothes for the evenings as the temperature drops considerably, but don't forget your swimming costume for a nice day at the beach in the sun.