Discovering Adventure: 48 Hours in Brussels
- Blog
We might have Brexited, but that’s no reason not to visit Brussels – the home of European government. Everyone’s talking about Brussels so we decided to pin down an itinerary for 48 hours in this surprising city. It’s most famous for beer and chocolate. And the mussels! So delicious.
It’s a city of two halves – grey suits everywhere during the day, but once the ties come off after hours, the city’s nightlife wakes up with great food, drink and a buzzing atmosphere.
Here are seven suggestions for trip to this energetic, more-alternative-than-you-might-think city.
1. Atomium - Brussel’s Eiffel Tower, a bizarre building which was built for the 1958 Brussels World Expo and still divides opinion today. It’s not meant to still be standing. Ride the escalators through the tubes to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The nine spheres are lit up at night with 2,970 LEDs.
2. Chocolate - Meander around the historic and charming Place du Grand Sablon to lust over the displays at the most famous chocolatiers in town – Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus and Wittamer. A chocolate walking tour is a delicious way to learn about the art of chocolate making and local history.
3. Beer - Take a tour of the classy Duvel Moortgat Brewery. You can even be guided by a beer sommelier and sample the beers with pairings of cheeses. The guides are knowledgeable and fun. Take a free Duvel glass home! Avoid Saturday if possible as the brewery won’t be operating fully.
4. Delirium - If the tour of Duvel has whetted your appetite for beer, you can’t miss the subterranean Delirium Café with its choice of 2,000 beers and grungy atmosphere. Gets hotter the lower down you go underground! Watch out for the 10% beers which could knock you sideways.
5. Magritte - The Musée Magritte Museum is a treasure trove of bowler hats and absurdities. It’s an homage to this Belgian Surrealist and cleverly expands on his artworks to give you a real understanding of the man behind the paintings. Watch the excellent video on loop in the basement.
6. Revisit your childhood with a visit to the picturesque Musée Hergé. This is a fabulous collection of all Hergé’s work, including the Tintin books, loved all over the world by countless children.
7. Mannekin Pis - You can’t go to Brussels and miss seeing this cheeky chappie weeing into a fountain on the corner of Rue de l'Etuve and Rue des Grands Carmes. He signifies the rebellious spirit of Brussels. He has hundreds of costumes and is dressed according to a schedule which is published on the railings. If you’re lucky you might be there on a special occasion, when he’s hooked up to a keg of beer and free drinks are given out to passersby.
