A short but sweet 48 hours in Brussels

In summer 2022, we were back home for the first time in 3 years. Though we were tight on funds after our 30 hour flight, we didn't want to miss an opportunity to visit a little more of Europe. So we're here to show you how to make the most of 48 hours in Brussels, without breaking the bank! Join us on this adventure as we explore the Belgian capital's eclectic mix of culture, art, and of course, delicious food and drinks!

Day 1:

Our journey kicked off at the breathtaking Grand Place, the beating heart of Brussels. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an architectural wonderland. The Town Hall is one of the main attractions which stands at an impressive 96m tall, with a statue of Saint Michael slaying a demon. The Maison du Roi is another gothic building, which has housed the Brussels City Museum since 1887. Surrounding these impressive buildings are many little restaurants and cafes, where you can stop and get a coffee with a perfect view! We would recommend an early start here, so you can appreciate the grandeur without the crowds.

Just a stone's throw from the Grand Place, we encountered the famous Mannequin Du Pis. This cheeky little statue may be small, but its charm is undeniable, especially when dressed in one of its many costumes! It's quite comical how many people surround this little statue and just how famous it is! Not only this, but he has a sister too! She's a little more difficult to find and not quite as famous, but Jeanneke Pis is a little girl squatting and peeing. We found her just behind Delirium bar! Even more bizarre, they also have a pet, dog Pis... who is called Het Zinneke, who we happened to come across on our street art walk later on!

Next, we ventured into the Sainte-Catherine neighborhood. This area is a mecca for street art lovers, with colorful murals adorning the streets. We visited the Saint Catherine's church and the "Little Castle" (Klein Kasteeltje) and also the Anspach Fountain. We carried on wandering and just happened upon the Royal Palace. While you can't enter without a guided tour, the exterior is a marvel to behold! We stood for a while and watched the palace guards change hands, then took a stroll through Parc de Bruxelles. We took in the grandeur and learned a little about Belgian history along the way.

Day 2:

On day two, we set out to uncover Brussels' street art scene. The city is a canvas for talented artists, and we marveled at the ever-changing murals adorning the streets. We followed the Comic Strip Wall, which had so many little strips on sides of buildings! They are all hiding in the streets, you have to remember to look up! It's actually quite spread out so it's a little like doing a treasure hunt. To be honest, we found some of them a little difficult to locate and we're pretty sure we didn't see every one of them.

No trip to Brussels is complete without a visit to a chocolate shop. We chose Chocolaterie Marcolini, where we indulged in pralines and truffles that seemed too beautiful to eat. We also couldn't resist indulging in a Belgian waffle, though that was definitely more Cathal's treat as he had a few in our short 48 hour period! He did say its because they taste even better in the heart of Brussels!

One of our favourite stops of Brussels was Delirium Café, a world-renowned spot for beer enthusiasts. Guess how many beers you can try here? I bet you guessed wrong, because this place hosts a whopping 2000+ beers! It actually holds the Guinness World Record for number of beers available to taste, at 2004! Ah-may-zing. The highlight of our visit then? The HUGE 10-beer tasting paddle. From rich Trappist ales to fruity lambics, we sampled a range of Belgian brews and raised a glass to a fantastic day. We were even the attraction of the other tourists, as our paddle didn't quite fit on the table we chose! As I said, it was HUGE.

As the sun began to set, we wandered back to the Grand Place. Lit up at night, it was even more enchanting than in the previous morning. We savoured our last evening in Brussels at a local bar, sipping cherry beer and reflecting on the incredible experiences of the past two days, while planning our next morning. A quick train ride to our next country, Luxembourg!