Five Ways to Discover Brussels

I want to keep this guide short and sweet, because those are the two words which I would use to describe my recent trip to the capital of Belgium. I spent just over 48 calorie-filled hours in the cultural melting pot of Brussels, but I enjoyed each moment so much that I would highly recommend it to all kinds of travellers.

Explore; We all love free stuff, so take advantage of one of the many free walking tours on offer to start discovering Brussels. It’s the best way to learn about the city from a local, who can provide a mix of history, anecdotes, recommendations and cultural information. I did a 3-hour tour, which included a short break to grab a drink, and we saw the most important sites, such as the cathedral and comic book street art. Our guide was funny and approachable, so we could ask questions and find out details which aren’t available at tourist information centres. At the end, you can pay however much money you thought the tour was worth, so it’s a win-win situation. For solo travellers, a walking tour is a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the world, too.

See; If you have a spare few hours in Brussels, then Grand Place, the main market square, is the place to go. The town hall and surrounding buildings are really impressive, covered in gold decorative details and look [particularly spectacular when illuminated at night. Take some time to simply sit here, maybe at one of the restaurants, and absorb the atmosphere. The Museum of the City of Brussels is also in the square if you want to learn more about a city, which is full of character, tenacity and European institutions.

Eat; After all the walking, you’re going to need to refuel your energy levels and luckily, Brussels is famous for many delicious (albeit very unhealthy!) foods. Make sure you try a range of sauce with some Belgian fries, which are cooked twice to make them crispy on the outside with a fluffy interior. For dessert, be sure to sample a warm waffle. Liege waffles are thick, oval-shaped and should be eaten plain, whereas a Brussels waffle is rectangular and ideal for enjoying with heaps of desired toppings. Alternatively, cinnamon Spekulatius biscuits are also popular with locals during the festive season. Of course, a trip to Belgium wouldn’t be complete without some chocolate, and there are plenty of boutiques with many tempting creations on offer.

Learn; The Atonium is one of the landmark pieces of architecture in the city, where visitors can learn lots of science and history information. The 100-meter structure is based on a magnified iron crystal and was built in 1958 for the World Expo but has never been taken down. You can go inside the metal spheres and get a great panoramic view of Brussels, whilst also looking at the fascinating exhibitions. The escalators inside each of the connecting tubes are some of the longest in Europe.

Drink; At the end of a busy and touristy day, you’re probably ready for a beverage or two. Belgians are known for their beer and when you visit one of the many bars you’ll see why. For example, at the record-holding Delirium Café, there are over 3,100 types of beer! There is so much choice of beer in the city, with each one requiring a different glass to drink it from. However, don’t forget that a Belgian hot chocolate remains a wonderful alternative! It’s made by pouring warm milk over a generous handful of chocolate chunks. I loved the sweet, rich taste of a “cuddle in a cup”! Marshmallows, cream and different kinds of chocolate can all be added to make the experience even more luxurious.