Is Brussels Safe in January 2026?

Grand Place (one of Europe's most visited squares), Manneken Pis, and Gare du Midi are Brussels' most active pickpocket zones. Teams work tourist clusters at the square and target arriving Eurostar and Thalys passengers at Midi.

How to avoid: Wear bags across your chest with the clasp facing inward. Never put a wallet in a back pocket. At Midi Station, keep luggage visible and your hand on your bag at all times.

Common around the Atomium, Manneken Pis, and Grand Place. Operators grab a wrist and tie a bracelet before consent is given, then demand payment aggressively, sometimes blocking the path of solo travelers or couples.

How to avoid: Do not allow anyone to touch you or put anything on your person. Walk away without engaging. Do not feel obligated to pay for anything placed on you without your permission.

Unlicensed drivers approach travellers exiting Gare du Midi — particularly Eurostar passengers — with offers of rides into the city. Fares are 3–5x the legitimate metered rate. Brussels licensed taxis are yellow and black.

How to avoid: Use only yellow-and-black licensed taxis from the official rank outside Midi, or use Uber. Never follow someone offering a ride inside the station building.

Restaurants on and around Rue des Bouchers — the narrow pedestrian alley just north of Grand-Place — display eye-catching menu boards advertising moules-frites from €17, then itemise the bill with separate charges for fries (€3), sauce (€3), bread (€2), and condiments on arrival. The final bill commonly runs 40–60% above the advertised dish price. Some establishments use laminated menus without prices at all, quoting only when the bill arrives. Staff have been reported becoming aggressive when diners question the total.

How to avoid: Check that the menu shows all-inclusive prices before sitting down. Ask directly: "Is this the total price, including sides?" If prices are not listed or the answer is vague, walk away. Reputable local restaurants are generally found one or two streets back from Rue des Bouchers — the street is widely acknowledged as a tourist trap by Brussels residents.

Groups targeting tourists around the Grand-Place and Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert thrust clipboards with petitions about children or the deaf while accomplices pick pockets. The tactic is common across Brussels tourist zones and particularly active during warm months when crowds gather in pedestrian areas.

How to avoid: Firmly say "non merci" and keep walking. Keep bags zipped and worn across your body. Never stop to engage with unsolicited clipboard approaches.