We spent 2 days in Brussels, and it is incredible! Between the beautiful narrow streets and the buildings rich in history, it makes for a great stop on your next trip to Europe. Not only are their streets amazing, but Belgium has delicious waffles and Fritas.
It’s also home to the world-famous Manekin Pis, which is a must-see!
How we got there!
This trip was pretty incredible. We hopped on a $500 round trip flight to Paris out of Denver. It was more than we’d typically pay but Icelandair has an awesome stopover feature that allows for a couple of days in Iceland. Because of that, we figured the $500 tickets were worth it. Check out how we did it for free.
After landing in Paris we took the metro to the train station and took a train up to Brussels. It was a cool and unique experience. The trains go almost 200 mph and they’re a great way to see the countryside and to get from one city to another. They’re also inexpensive and far easier than dealing with airports. Next time you’re in Europe, consider a train to another country.
What we did!
We took the metro to our Airbnb, which was in a great spot, and really just walked around to all the popular sights.
Brussels is very pedestrian-friendly and a lot of the streets downtown are pedestrian streets. This makes it super easy to get around and to get a good feel for the city.
We spent a lot of time around the Grand Palace. It’s an old palace from the 14th century. It’s a great hotspot for tourists but also locals. In the evening you’ll find people relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. With lots of food around it’s a great place to base out of.
We couldn’t go to Brussels without seeing Mannekin Pis, the little boy peeing. I have no clue why it’s famous but replicas and pictures are everywhere. Don’t be too surprised though, it only sits at whopping 24 inches tall. There are three statues in total: a little boy, a little girl, and a dog. They’re well worth the hunt.
Another interesting sight to see is the Atomium. It was originally built for the 1958 world fair and even has a restaurant inside it. It’s definitely worth the visit if you’ve got time to head to the outskirts of Brussels.
There are lots of old buildings as you’d imagine so we made our rounds through the city and went to see as many as we could.
A lot of these buildings are old Cathedrals from the Gothics and they’re really remarkable. Each turn has some amazing building to go look at.
Where we Stayed!
Our Airbnb was actually really great. It was large and spacious and it had a great view right downtown. We were only about 5 minutes away from the Grand Palace and it couldn’t have been better for the price. Check it out here.
Transportation
The biggest form of transport was our feet. We did use the metro to get to and from our Airbnb to the train station, but really we just walked everywhere. Everything is close and easy to get to.
Where we ate!
We ate a lot of delicious food here! We ate tons of waffles and fritas (Belgium french fries.) These can really be picked up anywhere. Walk down the street and you’ll find multiple shops.
The one place we ate and absolutely loved was Ballekes! For a touristy spot, it had the best meatballs we’ve ever had in our lives. If you’re ever at the Grand Palace you’ve got to stop and give it a go!
Gluten-free in Brussels
The Sister Brussels Café. They have organic fresh food that caters to those who are vegan and have gluten allergies. For once, more than 90% of the menu was celiac friendly! They have delicious Belgium waffles. They’re so good that we had to go back before we left. If you drink alcohol they also have an assortment of gluten-free beverages.
Veganwaf’. They had, hands down, the most delicious Gluten-free waffle on this planet. VeganWaf is kind of hidden in an indoor market, but it’s right next to the Grand Palace and it serves only gluten waffles. They serve savory or sweet waffles, and they can be topped with super creamy ice cream. A definite must if you’re seeking the best waffle you’ll ever eat. You’ll be questioning if it’s even gluten-free, and your stomach will thank you later on!
Ballekes. Man alive, you have not had meatballs like the ones sold here! They are so mouth-watering good that you’ll spend the rest of your life continually searching for food this great. They serve authentic Belgium meatballs as well as Belgium fries. The chicken meatballs were clearly labeled as gluten-free, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. The workers were very knowledgeable as to which sauces were gluten-free and altogether it was a great eating experience.
Belgian Frites. Belgium is not only famous for its waffles but also its fries. They cover them in different sauces and serve them in small little containers. In the city, there’s basically a store on every corner. Throughout Europe and in this case Belgium, the fries are almost always fried in a gluten-friendly fryer meaning they aren’t fried with anything else!m. All through the city, the workers are very knowledgeable about gluten allergies, and if you ask they are always willing to help.
What we learned!
Murals. While in Brussels you have to keep an eye out for the comic book street murals. There are many paintings throughout the city and they add great beauty to the European streets.
The chocolate is amazing! If you’re in Belgium you have to try some Belgium chocolate. It’s hard to miss so make sure to poke your head into a shop to try some out! if you didn’t while you were there, the airport is a great place to get some as well. The airport is the largest chocolate sales outlet in the world!
Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium , but it’s also the headquarters of the European Union. At any time, there are tens of thousands of representatives from all over the continent staying there.
The three main languages spoken in Brussels are French, Dutch, and a little bit of German. French is the most widely spoken. Specifically in the city.
It’s a great city with great people and delicious food for everyone!