Birthday gift trip - city chosen sounds dangerous!

Genuinely Brussels is very safe. I recommend getting the train to Bruge for the day. It is a beautiful city. We always fly into Brussels and spent a night there and go to bruge. It is very close to Brussels

Brussels is a perfectly pleasant city! Certainly no worse than any other northern European city. I felt much safer there than I did in Paris, and LOADS safer than anywhere I've been in Italy.

I went to Brissells on my own with my two kids. Loved it. Public transport is easy to navigate. It was fun.

I've never heard of Brussels being expensive. I did feel mugged by how astonishingly expensive Amsterdam was the last time I was there, however!

I never liked Brussels, it’s one of those places that gives you the ick as soon as you’re in it, and you start watching your back and belongings. There have been some issues there in certain areas. However you really aren’t far away from either Ghent or Bruges / Brugge!

I really would t worry about central Brussels or London for that matter. Sounds like the experience will do you good!

I went years ago and remember it smelling of urine and generally being grubby and dirty. Wouldn’t go again!

It's fine. Just the usual common sense with bags close on your body.

Definitely do a day trip to Ghent or Bruges though, preferably after you've seen Brussels.

How do you think all the people who live there cope if its so hellish?

Happy to give you some top tips of things to visit / places to eat etc. Where is your hotel?

@Lyrixs21 brussels is an amazing city and safe.
be aware of pickpockets but thats true everywhere including england you know

Brussels is fine. I’m not a huge fan as I find it a bit dull, but it does have some amazing restaurants. As others have suggested, you might enjoy a day trip or two to other places.

Brussels is great. I wiukd day trip from there if you have time. Personally wouldn't bother with going all the way to bruges though it is pretty. I have not been but plan to go one day to Antwerp mechelen and ghent.

Definitely go to the magritte museum. The atomium is in a nice park and good to see.

Eat at nordsee fish restaurant

Food and drink generally good in the city.

Nice to wander around.

I'd have thought Amsterdam was less safe (I've been to both) and can't believe you think taking 5yo to dope smoking prostitution capital better. Don't get me wrong I love Amsterdam but my dc were a bit older and I had to distract then with pokemon go to stop them looking at novelty condom shops and sex toy shops!!!

Antwerp hasa really nice park for your 5yo. I remember looking it up as a good kid friendly break.

I haven't read all the posts, but I LIVE in Brussels. It's perfectly fine! In the stations you just need to be a bit vigilant but in tourist areas it's probably safer than London.

Would you to Leeds? Birmingham? London? Because the UK terrorist threat is currently on "substantial", crime rates aren't great and there are areas of all of these cities that don't look too great.

Wind up I think

Oh OP is this a wind up? Brussels?! Granted it’s been a while since I last went but it’s the last place I expected when I opened the thread.

I’m quite fond of Brussels. Would love to go back for a few days of waffles and beers with far too much head.

I’d say it’s no different to London but seeing as there was a thread recently about someone’s husband wanting them to take pepper spray with them on a trip there, that might not actually be very helpful!

If you investigated just about any capital city in Europe to that extent you'd come up with the same sort of stuff. Amsterdam is no better.

The shootings and stabbings are mainly related to gang warfare and drugs. You are not a target of this.

With a three year old you aren't likely to be out late at night anyway when more trouble might occur.

If you're still bothered by it I'd do as several others have suggested and go to Ghent on the train instead and stay there.

it's the same as people refusing to set foot in London because of how dangerous it sounds.

The UK currently has a level 3 "substantial" terrorist warning anyway
People are terrified of knife/ machete attacks and so on.

It's true they do happen, but London is huge. I've never come across anything like that, just stick to zone 1 and tourist places, don't go to the hood. Londoners don't feel any more unsafe than anywhere else.

My ds went to Brussels then Ghent. He much preferred Ghent.

I haven't been to either but would choose Ghent.

I've never heard of anyone visiting Brussels and getting into any bother @Lyrixs21 .

I have visited and it felt safe. I think it would be better than Amsterdam with a 3 year old- I am sure there are lots of family friendly places in both but with Amsterdam you would have to avoid a lot of the main tourist areas due to all the stag/ hen does/ sex and weed tourism.
The chips and waffles are amazing in Brussels!

You will be alright, enjoy your trip!

My DSis did her Erasmus year there, and we are quite provincial. She never mentioned any safety concerns, and I thought it was nice when I visited.

Worth the danger for the chocolate, and beer.

I haven't RTFT but if you can change your hotel, go on to Ghent instead of staying in Brussels (though I'm sure Brussels would be lovely too). It's still an easy journey - we got off Eurostar and were on the Ghent-bound train from the same station within 10 mins - and it's a gorgeous city that's perfect for a birthday break.

Brussels is absolutely fine. Was there at Easter for a 3 day break as a family. didn't feel at all unsafe. Lots of families on holiday.

Lots to visit - Atomium, Grand Place, European Parliament, Magritte Museum (if you're into Art), there is a huge big wheel for the panoramic sights, Chocolate Museum, Mannequin Pis. We travelled on the trams with no problems and walked around a lot, again with no problems. The waffle shops are a kids dream, choc shop everywhere, good beer bars (Mannequin Pis Cafe, Delirium Bar), lots of restaurants for all budgets. Lots of shopping similar to any city.