A weekend in Belgium

A weekend in Belgium

A weekend in Belgium

In January 2024, after our days in London, we spent three days in Belgium for a weekend before continuing our journey. We based ourselves in Brussels and, from there, traveled by train to nearby cities.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the country's largest city, with nearly 2 million inhabitants. It is the headquarters of NATO and the capital of the European Union.

In this guide, we share some of what we did and some extra tips from our research. Belgium is beautiful and idyllic in winter; however, many establishments close, reducing the number of options for what to do. I recommend visiting the country in spring or fall if you have the chance.

My impression of Belgium is still vague, but with the possibility of traveling for more days, it's possible to discover its relaxed atmosphere, similar to that of Scandinavia, mixed with a touch of French elegance. Life there is slower, and the city center is completely walkable.

Summary

Brussels - 2 days

Bruges - half day

Ghent - noon

Brussels

The arrival

We went from London to Brussels by train. The journey takes approximately two hours. We departed from St Pancras station and arrived in Brussels Midi. There's also the option to fly this route, but we opted for the train because it's easier and the shorter journey.

The hotel

We stayed at Le Louise Hotel Brussels MGallery, located on Avenue de La Toison D'Or. The hotel is super central, allowing us to do practically everything on foot, and there's a metro station just two minutes away.

We found the 4-star hotel to be excellent value. It's well-located, new (it opened in 2022, where the former Sofitel was located), has helpful staff, is clean, and offers spacious rooms and bathrooms (there are 159 rooms in total). We didn't have breakfast at the hotel, and the room service was disappointing, which was a downside, but nothing that would detract from our stay.

Other hotel options:

• Friendly Hotel
• NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon
• The Dominican, Brussels, a Member of Design Hotels
• JAM Hotel
• Harmon House
• Juliana Hotel
• Hotel des Galeries

To Do

Tourist Attractions

• Grand Place (Grote Markt): Brussels' main square, famous for its stunning architecture and historic buildings such as the City Hall and the King's House.
• Atomium: A futuristic structure built for Expo 58, offering a panoramic view of the city.
• Manneken Pis: A small statue of a boy peeing, one of the most famous symbols of Brussels.
• Royal Palace of Brussels: Official residence of the Belgian monarchs, open to the public during the summer.

Museums

• Magritte Museum: Dedicated to the famous Belgian surrealist René Magritte, with a vast collection of his works.
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium: An extensive collection of art spanning the Middle Ages to modern times.
• Belgian Comics Center: Celebrates Belgium's rich comics tradition, including characters like Tintin and the Smurfs. Note: Interesting if you like comics and have time in the city; I personally didn't like it.
• Horta Museum
• Van Buuren Museum
• KANAL - Centre Pompidou

Galleries:

• Damien & The Love Guru
• Red Balloon

Cultural Experiences

• Quartier du Sablon: A charming area known for its antique shops, art galleries, and chocolate shops.
• Delirium Café: Famous for its wide selection of beers, including many Belgian craft beers.

Neighborhoods to explore:

• Marolles
• Sablon
• Saint-Gilles
• Ixelles
• Dancer

To Eat and Drink

• Anju: Modern Korean restaurant, traditional dishes with a contemporary twist.
• Aster: Contemporary restaurant, focused on seasonal dishes and local ingredients.
• Au Daringman: Cozy bar and restaurant with a friendly atmosphere and traditional Belgian dishes.
• Au Vieux Saint Martin: Traditional Belgian restaurant, famous for its cozy atmosphere and classic dishes.
• Belgian: Casual restaurant focusing on traditional Belgian dishes and local beers.
• Bozar: Elegant Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Bozar cultural center, offering haute cuisine.
• Café des Minimes: Charming café with a menu that mixes Belgian and international cuisine.
• Calmos: Relaxed restaurant with a diverse menu and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Right: Modern Italian restaurant, focusing on authentic dishes and fresh ingredients.
• Chez Richard: Classic Belgian bistro, known for its traditional dishes and welcoming atmosphere.
• Comme Chez Soi: Historic restaurant with two Michelin stars, famous for its refined Belgian cuisine.
• Flamme: Elegant restaurant specializing in grilled and seasonal dishes.
• Humus X Hortense: Sustainable restaurant specializing in creative vegetarian dishes and craft cocktails.
• Kline: Cozy restaurant with a varied menu featuring international flavors.
• Klok: A laid-back restaurant known for its brunch options and welcoming atmosphere.
• La Paix: Michelin-starred restaurant in Anderlecht, known for its innovative cuisine and high-quality ingredients.
• Le 203: Contemporary restaurant, focused on fresh ingredients and innovative dishes.
• Le Marseillais Bar: French bar and restaurant, offering traditional Marseille dishes and a selection of wines.
• Le Tournant: Modern bistro known for its creative approach to Belgian cuisine.
• Lil Boy: Cool restaurant with a diverse menu and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Mok: Specialty cafe, offering a selection of artisanal coffees and a light menu.
• Night Shop: Modern restaurant offering an innovative gastronomic experience and a sophisticated atmosphere.
• Noordzee: Seafood restaurant, known for its freshness and delicious dishes.
• Nyyó: Modern restaurant specializing in fusion cuisine and creative dishes.
• Old Boy: Modern restaurant with a fusion of Asian and Western dishes.
• Otap: Contemporary restaurant, highlighting international flavors and creative dishes.
• Rubis: Refined gastronomic experience with modern dishes.
• Volt Supper Club: Restaurant and nightclub.

To Buy

• Haute Antiques 207: An antique shop with 2500m² and a great selection of modern design.
• Hunting and Collecting: Concept store with a selection of contemporary fashion and Belgian designers.
• Passa Porta: Literary center and bookstore, offering a wide range of books in various languages and cultural events.
• Place du Jeu de Balle Flea Market: Flea market in a historic square.
• Rile Books: Independent bookstore with a curated selection of fiction and non-fiction titles.
• Saint-Martin Bookshop: Charming bookstore specializing in rare and second-hand books.
• Stijl: Iconic fashion store in Brussels, famous for its Belgian brands and independent designers.
• Via Antica: Antique shop with a wide variety of furniture, art and vintage objects.

Bruges

Bruges is a city that looks like something out of a fairy tale, with its cobblestone streets, canals, and medieval architecture. As I mentioned earlier, many businesses close in winter; the advantage is that the city is emptier and more bucolic. We spent a morning strolling around Bruges, and given the cold and rainy weather, it was ideal.

Where to Stay

If you're planning on staying in Bruges, our tip is the super beautiful and charming The Notary . My friend Isadora Gontijo recently stayed there and loved the experience!

To Do

Tourist Attractions

• Grote Markt: Bruges' main square, surrounded by medieval buildings, including the iconic Belfry of Bruges.
• Belfry of Bruges (Belfort): Climb the 366 steps for a panoramic view of the city and see the famous bells.
• Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek): A beautiful church that houses a holy relic.
• Begijnhof: A historic convent with white houses and a garden in the middle.
• Stadhuis (Town Hall): An impressive Gothic building with a rich history and beautiful interiors.
• Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk): Home to Michelangelo's famous sculpture, "Madonna and Child".

Museums

• Groeningemuseum: An art museum displaying masterpieces by Flemish artists, including Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch.
• Gruuthuse Museum: A historical museum housed in a former mansion, offering an insight into life in the Middle Ages.
• Chocolate Museum (Choco-Story): A museum dedicated to the history and production of chocolate, with tastings included.

Cultural Experiences

• Boat Tour through the Canals
• Fairs and Markets: Visit the weekly market at Grote Markt to buy local produce and crafts.

To Eat

Chocolates and Pralines: Try artisanal Belgian chocolates at shops like Dumon and The Chocolate Line.

Belgian Beers: Enjoy a variety of Belgian beers in traditional bars like 't Brugs Beertje.

Belgian Waffles: at one of the many local bakeries.

Mussels with fries.

Ghent

Ghent is a city that combines historical richness with a modern and vibrant area. Since we only had half a day in the city—we left Bruges and took the train to Ghent, spent the afternoon there, and returned to Brussels in the evening—we spent the entire day wandering around the historic center (Patershol District). Here are the rest of the tips on what to do, such as museums, that we didn't have time to visit.

To do

Tourist Attractions

• Patershol District: A historic neighborhood with narrow streets, restaurants and craft shops.
• Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen): A well-preserved medieval castle, it offers insight into the history of the region and panoramic views of the city.
• St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal): Home to the famous painting "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers.
• Belfort van Gent (Belfry of Ghent): A symbol of freedom and independence, with a panoramic view of the city.
• St. Nicholas Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk): One of the oldest and most impressive churches in Ghent, with beautiful Gothic architecture.
• Korenlei and Graslei: On the banks of the River Leie, famous for their well-preserved medieval houses and enchanting views.
• Sint-Veerleplein Square: A historic central square, great for exploring local architecture and relaxing in outdoor cafes.
• Ghent University: A tour of the campus can be interesting, especially to see the mix of ancient and modern architecture.

Cultural Experiences

• Boat Tour through the Canals
• Friday Market (Vrijdagmarkt): One of the oldest markets in the city, to buy local products and handicrafts.

Museums

• Museum of Fine Arts (MSK): An art museum with a collection spanning the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
• STAM - Ghent City Museum: A modern museum offering a comprehensive overview of the history and development of Ghent.
• Ghent Design Museum: Displays a wide range of industrial and graphic design, with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries.