Exploring Belgium on a Day Trip:
OVERVIEW: BELGIUM
Nestled in Western Europe, Belgium boasts a rich tapestry of linguistic and regional diversity, shaping its unique organizational landscape. Despite its modest size, Belgium enchants visitors with a wealth of sights waiting to be discovered.
Day Trip To Belgium
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Hey there! If you’re considering a day trip to Belgium from locations such as London, Amsterdam, or anywhere in the U.K., this blog is tailor-made for you. It’s packed with insights to help you craft the perfect itinerary for your Belgian adventure.
WHAT IS BELGIUM FAMOUS FOR?
In Belgium, indulgence awaits at every turn, starting with their renowned chocolates, followed by their world-class beers, delectable waffles, creamy mayonnaise, and, of course, the iconic Belgian fries. While their name might suggest otherwise, it’s believed that these crispy delights actually trace their origins back to Belgium, although the precise birthplace remains a topic of debate.
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PLACES TO VISIT/ TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: BRUSSELS
La Grande Place, also recognized as De Grote Markt, stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a testament to its historical and architectural significance. This iconic square is adorned with meticulously preserved guildhalls and majestic buildings, showcasing Belgium’s finest vernacular architecture. Dominating one side of the square is the medieval town hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that serves as a timeless symbol of the city’s heritage.
Horta Museum and Town Houses
The museum is named after the most influential architect and designer of the early 20th century style which is known as Art Nouveau. Several of stunning building has been designed by him and survive in Brussels and now forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is located in his former home and studio- preserved as he has designed them, with original stained glass, wood works, mosaics, and decorations. The two joined buildings of his studio and house depicts Art Nouveau at its height.
Meuse Valley
It is situated in the south of Brussels. It is the place where you can feel Belgium’s rural heartland.it offers most scenic river trip with dense forest interspersed with a fairyland (ruined though) kinda view with hilltop craggy castle, forest ruins and waterfront towns backed by limestone cliffs.
You can head to Dinant or Namur (town) to enjoy your river trip. The valley is also a host to hiking and trekking and cycling trails for adventure lovers.
Mons Old Town
This is not less than a delight to explore the place. At its center there is Grand Place, with variety of buildings yet still retaining a sense of symmetry.
St. Peter’s Church, Leuven
Detailed with pointed arch windows and sheaf pillars, it is one of the best-preserved examples of Brabant Gothic Style where some of the finest Flemish illustrating biblical senses are exhibited. The church is nestled in right in the heart of Leuven on the town main sqaure or Grande Place. Art lovers, this is going to be an extra treat for you. Not only this but this whole trip.
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Manneken Pis
Although the best-known landmark of Brussels is Rue de I’Etuve but tourists are more attracted to this. Nothing much is known about the figure of little boy’s origin. It is popularly referred as “the oldest citizen of Brussels”. The present statue was made in early 17th century and has been stolen many times and always recovered.
Belgian Comic Strip Center
This gorgeous building was also designed by Victor Horta and completed in 1906. It is home to the wonderful Comic Strip Centre. It is devoted to the history of cartoons and comic strips that gave the world Tintin and Smurfs. 200 original comic strip drawings by Belgian and French comic artists are being exhibited here constantly rotating.
Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts
It combines four separate art museums, which together form the world’s one of the largest and best art galleries. Art lovers, another treat waiting for you.
Atomium
It is city’s most surreal sight. It is the bizarre 102-meter-high steel and aluminum structure representing a molecule of iron magnified by 165 million times designed by the architect Andre Waterkeyn for the 1958 Brussels World Exhibition. It is the place to explore sci-fi style interiors.
BEGIN THE DAY TRIP WITH ME
People come to Brussels for three main reasons, chocolate, waffle and Grande Place
(Grote Markt). You will not be disappointed, and fortunately, one day is just enough time to explore the highlights of the city and Belgium’s famous food and drink. The present article presents an itinerary/ guide for first-time visitors to Belgium/ Brussels.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: TRAVEL TIPS
Estimated one day trip to Brussels would likely to cost you around €50 per person.
The above budget is excluding hotel and airfare/ transportation medium cost.
Euro works here, but you need to keep more money in cash cause some places just don’t accept online payment.
You will be needing to keep cards with you too became some places just don’t accept cash. So yeah, read instructions before entering.
A little French to help you connect with locals and the locals interact better when you speak their native language.
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HOW MUCH DOES IT GONNA COST YOU FOR DINING OUT?
Well, for dining out here, would likely to cost you around €15-30 for a standard meal and a beverage. Yeah, I know Brussels can be a bit costly/ expensive when it comes to food. So here are some Cheap Eats in Brussels.
CHEAP EATS IN BRUSSELS
Brussels is much more affordable than other European cities but eating out can prove to be quite expensive. That is why here is a list of some eatery spots that are not only delicious but budget-friendly too. You can get here from Belgium’s national street food to more exotic taste without getting a hole in your pockets.
IL SAPORE DELLA DOLCE VITA
Here the best served is Italia Piadina which is more similar to Pitta Bread from Romagna region. With other Italian specialties it will cost you around €7.
L’EPICERIE
It is located in Avenue Louise and is a hidden gem for those who skip the crowd. They serve homemade sandwiches and Thai dishes. This is a calm place which is cheap and serves delicious lunch.
KEEP ON TOASTING
It is one of the first food trucks roaming the streets of the capital city. The best served are bio beverages and gourmet Croque monsieur made with organic spelt bread and high-quality ingredients. this happy tummy treat will not cost you more than €5.
PASTELARIA GARCIA
This is a little cute Portuguese café serving delicious pasteis de nata and light snacks with a local flare like pork steak sandwiches, deep fried codfish cakes and fish empanadas. This cheap yummy spot is perfect for brunch.
FRIT FLAGEY
Frit Kots is one of the cheapest and most typical Belgian spots in Brussels. Here you can get a cone of crispy fries for a few Euros.
Best Transport For Day Trip To Belgium
Yeah, of course, now we should discuss the transports as you are gonna travel the city for a full day. If you are going to Brussels via Air, you will land at Brussels Airport situated in the northeast of the center. From there you can catch IC train to Bruxelles-Midi central train station, for which the tickets are gonna cost you between €7 to €9 taking around 35 minutes. From there the city center is just 25 minutes’ walk away and you can skip public transit and start exploring the city right away.
The city is well connected by public transit, including metro lines, buses and trams. The fare system is also quite simple for it takes the same ticket. You can buy a one-hour ticket for €2.10 via machine. You can buy the ticket after boarding the bus or tram but at slightly a higher price.
WHERE TO STAY IN BRUSSELS?
if you are planning just a one-day trip to Brussels, it is best for you to stay near city’s center. The city has the options for every kind of budget ranging from affordable yet well-appointed hostels to the high luxurious palace.
Consider staying at “The Dominician”- it is a beautiful historic hotel which is just few minutes’ walk from Grande Place. The price is affordable considering the location. The rooms are spacious and super comfortable. There is an elegant lounge downstairs and dining area for your perfect evening meal and drinks.
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DAY TRIP TO BRUSSELS: GUIDE
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. It is the principal seat of the Belgium Royal
Family and also the capital of the European Union. Unlike beautiful Bruges and Ghent, Brussels is the country’s main economic and educational hub. It may not have the star attractions yet it has more than enough things to do with your day trip with a clutch of world-class museums and art galleries, Atomium and some wonderful remnants of old architectural town quarter.
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Porte de Halle (Halle Gate)-
After exiting Bruxelles-Midi you need to head to east on Rue Theodore Verhaegen. This road runs through the St. Gilles neighborhood. It is full of lovely residences and cafes
From here you can take a left on Chaussee de Waterloo and then north and ta da you will arrive at Porte de Halle, which is a 14th century city gate containing rich history of the place and also housing a museum. The opening hours of museum are 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 5:00 on weekends. The ticket costs around €7.
From there you can head to Mont des Arts it is one of Brussels’ most iconic places as mentioned above the list with a long floral garden and picturesque views of city including hall tower. There is a cube shaped glass building which adds the element of modernity in the traditional architecture. Once you are done with the sightseeing you can head to city center.
City Center, it is just west to the Montes de Arts. However, before you get absorbed into cafes and shops. Would advise you to enjoy the glimpses of Manneken Pis. Brussels has three of them but this is the most famous one.
Grand Place, it is just three blocks away from the famous child statue. The area includes a lot of other landmarks like House of dukes of Brabant and King’s House/ Breadhouse.
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Afternoon: Brunch/ Lunch
well, you can head for brunch now must be hungry no! Peck 47 and Mokafe can be best options for brunch or lunch here in the city center.
Peck 47 serves multiple savory waffle options with poached eggs. It also includes The Drunken Sailor.
Mokafe is a traditional Belgian restro with massive menu serving classics like fruit waffles and quiche. If you are on a day trip and have less time to enjoy I would prefer Mokafe.
Well, after that, you can plan your rest of the day according to the details mentioned above in top tourist attractions in Brussels, you are on your own after all. Just roam around the famous locations including the museums and art galleries mentioned above.
Dinner
As you have just one day in Brussels try the best here which is Fin de Siècle. It is one of the most famous and well-regarded restaurants here yet the ambiance feels far more casual and homier. It accepts cash only so come prepared. The menu is written on a chalkboard take a picture and take your time to order then while coming to the table. The best on the menu is Carbonade beef stew along with other seasonal European dishes.
Well,
This is your guide to a day trip in Brussels (Belgium). Enjoy your trip go for some shopping take gifts for your love ones. The options to go for shopping include Galeries Royale. You can also shop in city center. Hope this article helps. Enjoy your trip. Happy Traveling.