The best time to visit Brussels is May, June and September, when average highs sit in a comfortable 18.6–22.3 °C range with around 11 rain days and long, bright days — June alone averages 22.3 °C and 11.4 hours of sunshine. July and August are the warmest months but fall in peak season, crowded and pricier thanks to summer school holidays. Winter (December–February) is the quiet low season, cold and grey with highs near 6–8 °C and only about 3 hours of sunshine a day.
Best months MayJuneSeptember
Brussels month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2 °C | 1.5 °C | 14 | 3.5 h |
| February | 8.5 °C | 2.5 °C | 12 | 5.3 h |
| March | 11.1 °C | 3.5 °C | 13 | 7.2 h |
| April | 14.4 °C | 5.4 °C | 11 | 9.7 h |
| May | 18.6 °C | 9.2 °C | 11 | 11 h |
| June | 22.3 °C | 13.3 °C | 11 | 11.4 h |
| July | 23.1 °C | 14.4 °C | 11 | 11.7 h |
| August | 23.5 °C | 14.8 °C | 11 | 10.8 h |
| September | 20.4 °C | 12.2 °C | 11 | 9 h |
| October | 15.7 °C | 9.6 °C | 13 | 6 h |
| November | 10.1 °C | 5.1 °C | 14 | 4.5 h |
| December | 7.5 °C | 3.1 °C | 14 | 3.1 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Late spring is ideal — mild, bright and fresh, perfect for the Grand Place and parks.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the sweet spot; July–August suit those who don't mind busier, pricier streets.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is a top pick; October and November turn grey and damp.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Worth it for festive markets; otherwise chilly and dark for sightseeing.
Notable events
- Late November to early January
- Winter Wonders Christmas Market
- August, biennial (even years)
- Brussels Flower Carpet (Grand Place)
- July
- Ommegang Pageant
- 21 July
- Belgian National Day
Frequently asked
Is Brussels too hot in August?
No. August averages a high of 23.5 °C with 10.8 hours of sunshine — warm but rarely uncomfortable. The bigger issue is summer-holiday crowds, which is why we favour June and September.
What is the rainiest month in Brussels?
Rain is spread fairly evenly. January, November and December each see about 14 rain days, the most of the year, alongside the least sunshine — around 3 hours a day.
Is winter worth visiting?
For the Christmas markets, yes. But expect highs of just 6.2–8.5 °C and only 3.1–5.3 hours of sunshine a day, so it's a short-daylight, bundle-up kind of trip.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Brussels area guide →
Areas of Brussels
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Brussels — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.