4 hours in Brussels
Brussels is a city of quiet opulence and we had the pleasure of passing through during a layover last month. In total, we had about four hours to explore the city. If you have a layover at Brussels Airport (BRU) for three or more hours, we highly encourage you to take the time to explore the city rather than sitting at the airport.
Getting into the city center from the airport could not be easier. If you’re heading out for a quick layover adventure, you can store your luggage in the luggage lockers found on floor 0 of the airport. From there, go to level -1 to take the train to the city center (or you can use a taxi or bus if that’s more fitting for your budget). The train costs $18 USD for a roundtrip ticket which takes you directly to the city center in about 15-30 minutes. The train was really exceptional and kind of blew our minds that it was public transport. It was quiet and clean and was the quality of an Amtrak ride here in the United States (though probably cleaner).
Once you get into the city center, here's everything you need to do:
Waffles at Vitalgaufre
I mean, you’re in Belgium, you have to treat yourself to a traditional Belgian waffle. What makes a Belgian waffle different than other waffles is the way the outside is glazed and then caramelized. It’s decadent and as delicious as you think it’s going to be. We recommend checking out Vitalgaufre (also known as Galet) to grab a waffle to-go. They follow a recipe for their dough that originates from the 18th century and use all natural ingredients. Trust us, you need to try the chocolate-filled one.
Coffee at Maison Dandoy
Maison Dandoy has a variety of different locations in Brussels (you can even grab some in the airport). We love the extravagant design of these cafes. They’re full of whimsy and delight. We recommend grabbing yourself an espresso to enjoy while exploring the city. You’ll even get a complimentary biscuit to have alongside it. Along with coffee, you can also pick up cookies, breads, cakes, and ice cream.
The pissing baby
Yes, you read that right. One of the most famous landmarks in all of Brussels is a tiny statue of a baby peeing---Manneken-Pis (aka “Little pissing man”). This statue originates back to the 1600s meant to symbolize the people of Brussels through their sense of humor and independence. While there is a statue where the original was kept throughout the years, the original now resides in Brussels City Museum. However, most tourists just go to see the replica that’s near the Grand Place. He’s usually decked out in some decorative garb depending on the season (apparently he has over 900 outfits). When we visited in July, he was dressed like the pope.
Grand Place Square
This was my absolute favorite spot in the whole city and I could have spent hours here if we didn’t have a plane to catch. From all the squares I’ve visited in Europe, this has to be one of the most beautiful. It’s certainly the most decadent and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. The buildings are a mixture of Baroque and Gothic styles, with gold platings, statues, and gargoyles decorating every inch of them. The two largest buildings in the square are the King’s House and the Town Hall which are joined in the square by other lavish homes.
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