Memory Lane: Brussels In A Day

Brussels was our quick stop before the 2017 Euro trip properly kicked off, and honestly, it was a great way to warm up for what was coming next. We only had a day, but we managed to squeeze in the sights, the snacks, and the beer. A very Belgian checklist, really.

We started at the Atomium, because if you’re only in Brussels once, you may as well go straight for the big weird landmark that looks like something from a retro sci-fi film. We didn’t just admire it from the outside either, we went up inside. There was an exhibition on at the time too, featuring Magritte’s work, which felt like the perfect pairing with Brussels. Surreal art inside a surreal building.

Right next door, we also did Mini-Europe. It’s one of those places that sounds a bit cheesy until you’re actually walking around it, spotting all the tiny landmarks and realising you’re basically doing a miniature continent tour in about half an hour.

After that, we headed into the city centre for the proper Brussels atmosphere. The Old Town was everything I wanted it to be, with the Grand-Place looking ridiculously grand for somewhere you can just casually walk into. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes total sense the moment you see it in person. We wandered the surrounding streets, stopped for frites (because you have to), and then made our way to Maison Dandoy for waffles. It was busy, but it still felt like a proper Brussels moment, the kind you remember because it tastes like the place.

We ended the day with a beer in Delirium. It’s one of Brussels’ most famous bars, best known for its huge beer menu and its lively, slightly chaotic atmosphere. Yes, it’s touristy. But it’s also exactly the sort of stop that fits a one-day Brussels itinerary perfectly.

And then just like that, Brussels was done, and we were back on the move.