How to Spend Two Amazing Days in Brussels, Belgium

On our last buying trip to France, Annie decided to spend a few days with her dear friend Mary Ann (Classic Casual Home). So I decided to go solo and see what I could find in two days of exploring Brussels.

Brussels is also an easy day trip from Paris. The train departs from Gare du Nord many times throughout the day. And it only takes about an hour to get there. When the train arrived at Buxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid, I found myself wishing for another hour on the train, watching the countryside go by. Trains are magical and one of the things I love most about Europe. They are inexpensive, efficient, easy to navigate, get you almost anywhere you need/want to go, and are a great way to see parts of the country you’d never otherwise see. 

Getting around Brussels

Brussels is small enough to be a very walkable city. However, public transportation is a good option if you’re going places you don’t want to walk to. Brussels has a very safe and clean public transportation system that I used to get from the train station to the hotel where I stayed. There was a metro station just a few blocks from the hotel. 

There is also a tram or streetcar system that runs throughout the inner city. I can’t think of a better way to get around. So, if you’re tired at night and want to jump on, there are plenty of stops to get you to your destination. You can jump on, tap your phone and pay, and hop off at your stop. They make it really easy and convenient. There is also a bus system that runs throughout Brussels, although I didn’t use it. The metro or the tram got me everywhere I was going.

Day 1 in Brussels

I arrived in Brussels late in the morning of my first day and headed to the hotel. Prior to this trip, I had only passed through Belgium on many driving trips from my early days of working in the ski industry but had never spent any time in Belgium. Since I only had two days, there were a few things on my list I wanted to see. Once I had checked into the hotel and had gotten settled, I set out to see what I could find.

The Royal Palace of Brussels

My first stop was the Royal Palace of Brussels. Although the King and Queen of Belgium haven’t lived there since 1831 when they decided to move to the Royal Palace of Laeken, it is where their offices are and where they conduct all of their business. It also has rooms for visitors, such as heads of state, and plays host to other official meetings and functions. 

The gardens in front of the palace are worth a visit on their own. The best time to visit the palace is when it’s open to the public from July 21st until the beginning of September. Unfortunately, it had just closed when I arrived. But when it’s open, you can visit on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:30 to 5:00. Even though I couldn’t get in, it was still worth seeing. 

Parc de Bruxelles 

A short walk away and right across the street from the Royal Palace is Parc de Bruxelles. It’s the largest urban park in the city center of Brussels. Back in the day, the Dukes used it as hunting grounds. But today, you’ll find residents using the green space as a place to stroll, relax, and have a picnic or just get away from the hustle and bustle of a major city. Though it’s quite large, it doesn’t compare in size to either Hyde Park in London or Central Park in New York.

It was a great place to spend a few hours wandering and taking in all it had to offer. I also stopped at a charming little outdoor cafe for a cup of coffee. 

The Tondo

Since I was in the area, the next stop on my list was the Tondo. It’s a mirrored, circular walkway that connects the Palais de la Nation with the forum building and seems to just hover above the street. The Palais de la Nation is the seat of the Belgian and European parliament, whose members can now move easily to the new assembly rooms in the building that is on the other side of the street.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

After seeing the Tondo, I headed over to see the cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. St. Michael and St. Gudula are known as the patron saints of Brussels. But what really amazed me as I gazed around at the architecture was that the construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and wasn’t completed until the 16th century. It made me wonder how many generations of families worked on this cathedral. Today, it is considered to be one of the finest examples of Barbantine Gothic architecture.

A little tired from all the walking, and hungry, I headed back to the hotel before going out for dinner.

The Grand Place

My last stop for the evening was the Grand Place in the heart of the city and something to eat and a good place to walk around and explore.

The Grand Place is often referred to as one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. And I can see why. But amid all the shops and restaurants, it does still have an administrative function and serves as the town hall and the office of the mayor. It’s also a Unesco World Heritage site. 

It’s a venue that hosts a lot of events throughout the year like, light shows, concerts, performances, markets and fairs, and, of course, the Christmas tree and nativity scene.

As I entered the square that evening there was a concert in progress so I found an outside table at a small restaurant and enjoyed a Belgian beer and some Belgian fries. Legend has it, that the Belgians did invent French fries.

I went light on dinner because I wanted to sample a few other Belgian treats that night. So I strolled through the square and all the shops and found what looked like the best spot to sample some Belgian waffles. The waffle alone could have passed for dinner. But it was a fun way to end the evening. 

On my way back to the hotel, I couldn’t help but notice the Ferris wheel that seemed to light up the entire area. Every big city seems to need its Ferris wheel and Brussels had one too. Although, the only one I’ve ever been on is the London Eye.

Day 2 in Brussels

After a cup of coffee or two at a nearby cafe, and a leisurely walk, I headed out for day two of exploring Brussels. On my list were Mont de Arts garden, the chocolate shops, Galleries St. Hubert, and The Grand Place during daylight hours.

Mont de Arts garden

The Mont de Arts garden is located below the Palace Royale and just above the Grand Place. It separates the upper city from the lower city and is right next to the KBR, formerly called the Royal Library. The Mont des Arts complex is a vast urban space that, in addition to the gardens, includes a few shops and restaurants. Much like the French, there’s an entire culture around street cafes where eating is an experience, not just a meal. 

Mont de Arts garden is truly one of the best things I saw on my two-day visit.

The Carillon

Just a few blocks away is the famous Carillon du Mont de Arts. It’s a musical clock mounted on the facade of a building and is comprised of 24 bells that play melodies. Rather than numbers, the clock has Roman numerals and 12 figurines representing each hour of the day. I happened to catch the late afternoon sun reflecting off the clock which made it even more beautiful.

The Chocolate Museum

Strolling through the area and taking it all in, I stumbled onto the Chocolate Museum. It was a bit too touristy for me, but since Belgium is so famous for its chocolate, I had to make a quick stop and see what it was about. During my quick visit, I did learn a few things I didn’t know about chocolate.

There is also a chocolate tour you can take, but opted to explore it on my own. 

Le Galleries Royales Saint Hubert

Very close to the main square at the Grand Place is the year-round shopping arcade of Le Galleries Royales Saint Hubert with it’s beautiful glass ceiling. It’s a place to be seen and entertained for sure. Inside the galleries, you’ll find high-end restaurants and bars, jewelry stores, luxury watches, fashion apparel, beauty products, and delicious pastries. The Galleries also claim to have some of the best chocolate in the country. I couldn’t resist and sampled some myself just to see if their claim was valid. It was very delicious but I’m not sure how to define “best” when it comes to chocolate. 

The Grand Place (again)

After another day of great sightseeing, I found myself back at the Grand Place. It is one of the best places in Brussels. The entire area of the Grand Place is almost like a small city within a city. It was extremely busy both times I was there and I assume it’s that way all the time. Although overrun with tour groups and some tourist traps for sure, I can still see the charm this place has to offer – especially on a pleasant fall evening in September.

After another Belgian beer and fries for dinner (same outdoor cafe in the square), I wanted to sample a chocolate mousse bar and see if it lived up to the Instagram hype. I found what I thought to be the most authentic place and ordered a small cup. It was dense, rich, and incredibly delicious – just as chocolate mousse is supposed to be. And it was every bit as good as the chocolate mousse Annie and I sampled at the famous Chapone’s in Paris. Here’s a link to a copycat chocolate mousse recipe that Annie and I did recently.

I stopped into one more gourmet chocolate shop to buy a few pieces to take back to the hotel with me. And yes, high-end Belgian chocolate does live up to the hype.

Back to Paris from two amazing days in Brussels

I had a great time, and Belgium is the perfect place for a two-day solo trip. I felt like I saw a lot, and it was the perfect amount of time. If I’d had one more day, I would have visited the Belgian cities of Ghent and Bruges. Maybe next time.

That last morning I had coffee and excitedly boarded the train. I was back in Paris just in time for lunch! One of the things I love most about Europe is how accessible and easy it is to travel from country to country by train. You can experience so many different cultures and countries without even getting near an airport or on a plane.

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