Brussels

I took a day to explore Brussels — not enough to see everything, but enough to get a feel for the city’s contrasts. It’s a mix of ornate architecture, busy streets, quiet corners, and, of course, waffles everywhere.

I started at Grand Place, which is as impressive as everyone says. It’s one of those rare tourist-heavy spots that still lives up to the hype. Surrounded by gold-trimmed guildhalls and the towering town hall, it felt more theatrical than functional — like a stage set, but real. Even with the crowds, it’s worth standing still for a few minutes just to take it all in.

Not far from there is the city’s most overhyped but oddly charming landmark: Manneken Pis, the little statue of the peeing boy. It’s small, a bit ridiculous, and always surrounded by people taking photos. Still, it’s become a symbol of the city, and there’s something amusing about how unapologetically weird it is.

After that, I walked to Église Notre-Dame de la Chapelle, one of the oldest churches in Brussels. It was quiet, almost empty, and a good place to escape the crowds for a bit.

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts were a highlight. The building itself is impressive, but the collection inside was even better. I focused on the Old Masters wing — Bruegel, Rubens, van der Weyden — and could’ve spent a lot longer there. It’s a great museum for anyone who actually likes to spend time with paintings rather than rush through.

I stopped for waffles at some point, because you can’t really avoid them in Brussels — and to be fair, they live up to the reputation. Crisp outside, soft inside, and not overly sweet unless you start piling on toppings (which I didn’t).

I finished the day at the Jardin du Mont des Arts. It’s a nice elevated viewpoint, looking back toward the centre with neat garden beds and steps where people sit to talk or just take a break. It felt like a good way to wrap up the visit — slightly removed from the chaos but still in the middle of it all.

Brussels isn’t trying to be charming in the same way as other Belgian cities — it’s more layered, a bit messier, but interesting because of that. For a day trip, it gave me a solid mix: iconic sights, good art, better waffles, and just enough time to wander without a plan.