Brussels Itinerary: Trip Recap
So, I did a thing! I went to Brussels for the weekend. I love being based in Europe because it’s so easy and inexpensive to explore various countries on a long weekend or if you’re on a longer holiday. I spent about two days exploring the city. You can follow this to inspire your Brussels itinerary!
I arrived late on a Thursday evening and there wasn’t much open, especially to eat, which was my priority. Also, I spent the morning traveling to London and exploring the British museum, so I was tired. So, a relaxed evening was perfect.
For dinner, I went to The Sisters Café, just in time before they closed and had an amazing gluten-free focaccia bread sandwich. I think this was my first time having gluten-free focaccia bread and I was impressed! I don’t have anything to compare it to, but it served its purpose in my book.
To get to The Sisters, I had to walk through the Grand Place and I’m so glad I did. I was surrounded by beautiful architecture and history, and I was in complete awe. I knew I would be back here the following day during daylight, but I couldn’t resist taking a few nighttime photos.
Brussels Itinerary: Accommodations
After dinner, I called it a night and retired to my hotel, The Augustin, which is a nice hotel about a 10–15-minute walk from Grand Place. Everyone at the hotel that I encountered was nice and helpful with recommendations on food and things to do in the city. I got the standard double room which was plenty for just me. I could easily push the two “standard” (twin sized beds) beds to make one large bed to get comfy for the night.
I didn’t really spend too much time here because I was out exploring! But I was usually within a 20-minute walk radius of the hotel. I would recommend staying at The Augustin if you ever come to Brussels!
Brussels Itinerary: Friday
Friday was my only full day in Brussels, and I had to make the most of it! I booked a free walking tour through GuruWalk, my guru was Ambassadors Tours. Our guide took us to the tourist hot spots in the city and imparted us with cool facts and history about Brussels.
Grand Place/Gote Market
We began our tour at the Grand Place where we learned about the importance of each building. I marveled at the beautiful architecture in full daylight, the guild houses, the City Hall, and the Maison du Roi. It was truly a spectacle to behold.
Place de la Bourse
Our next stop was the Place de la Bourse, meaning “Stock Exchange Square”. In the 19th century, Brussel’s mayor covered the river Senne to stop the cholera outbreaks. Shortly after, architects built the Stock Exchange Square.
Galerie du Roi
Next, we headed to Galerie du Roi to learn more about Belgian chocolate and to gawk at the glass covered market. Here’s a special write-up about Belgian chocolates.
Manneken Pis
Then, we walked over to the Manneken Pis to see the official mascot of Brussels, or at least the replica. According to our tour guide, no one knows why the Manneken Pis was sculpted, but it may date back to the early 15th century. The sculpture is regularly dressed up in different costumes and got to see the little guy get dressed.
Cathedral of St. Michael & St. Gudula
Our next stop was the Cathedral of St. Michael & St. Gudula, which is a Roman Catholic church located in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. Its construction began in the early 11th century on the site of an older Romanesque church. The cathedral’s architecture is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, reflecting the various stages of construction that took place over the centuries.
Royal Palace of Brussels
We walked uphill to get to the Royal Palace of Brussels. In the 18th century, Emperor Charles of Austria ordered the palace to be built as a part of an urban renewal project. The palace serves as the official residence of the King of the Belgians. However, no king or president resides there today. The Palace was under renovation during my visit, so I didn’t get any great photos. However, enjoy this beautiful stock image!
Mont des Arts
Our last stop on the tour was Mont des Arts, a stunning urban complex that offers breathtaking views of the city.
The name, which translates to “hill/mount of the arts”, is fitting for this beautiful site which is home to a collection of cultural institutions, including the Royal Library of Belgium, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and the Belgian National Archives. The area also boasts numerous gardens, fountains, and sculptures, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to relax and enjoy the scenery.
The walking tour was two and one-half hours long, so I needed a breather before my next activity. I did a bit more walking around and took some amazing photos.
I had lunch at BrewDog, where I got my first taste of gluten-free Belgian beer in Brussels.
After resting, I walked over to my chocolate making workshop! I had so much fun making chocolate candies and learning about Belgian chocolates. Click here to learn more.
I finished my evening at Chutney’s Brussels and had an amazing dinner. The whole experience was a vibe as I sat outside, and people watched while eating this delicious seafood risotto.
I did a bit more walking around and then decided to have a second dinner at a small Greek takeaway restaurant, which allowed for more people watching and great conversation with the owner.
Brussels Itinerary: Saturday
On Saturday, I planned for the entire day to be all about chocolate. However, it was extremely hot outside, and I was uncomfortable in my jeans. As I mentioned in my Oxford post, I didn’t plan for summer weather. Right before I left for Brussels, I went on the hunt for shorts and was only able to find one pair that fit and looked flattering. I wore that pair on Friday and didn’t want to repeat on Saturday. I started my day in jeans and couldn’t take it, so I went into a local store and found another pair of shorts and changed in the bathroom, ha! However, I still felt that it was too hot to buy chocolate and keep it on me as I continued my explorations in Brussels, so I decided not to do it.
After eating and buying souvenirs, I headed back to the train station to return to Oxford!
Thank you for reading! I hope reading about my trip will inspire your itinerary to Brussels, Belgium. There are a lot of things to see and do in the city and I recommend checking it out! Stay tuned for my next adventure!
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