A Weekend in Brussels
Beautiful architecture, city charm, indulgent waffles and decadent Belgium chocolate - what's not to love? Our Brussels Trip Report shares how we spent 2 days in Brussels — what we loved, what surprised us, and the places that shaped our weekend. If you’re planning a short break and want a relaxed Brussels itinerary that blends sightseeing with wandering, eating, and lingering longer than planned, here’s how our trip unfolded.
Day 1 – Arrival, rain, and Grand-Place magic
We arrived at London St Pancras International bright and early for our 6:50am Eurostar train.
Security and passport control were effortless, and before we knew it, we were on our way. Just over two hours later, we arrived in a very rainy Brussels around 10am local time.
The station is huge, but signage is clear. We bought 24-hour metro passes (€11 each), covering metro, tram, and buses. From there, it was straight into the city to drop our bags and start exploring!
Grand-Place and exploring Brussels' streets
I’d read countless times that Brussels is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval squares - and it did not disappoint! The intricate detailing and subtle gold plating is dazzling to see in real life. We visited on a particularly rainy day, but that didn't reduce the beauty of this square in anyway. A visit to Grand-Place should be at the top of any Brussels itinerary!
From Grand-Place, we wandered aimlessly through the narrow streets branching off the square. It's a lovely place to while away a few hours. Chocolate shops, tiny bars, cafés, and cute waffle stands. We easily spent a couple of hours just exploring without a plan.
We stopped for a late lunch at Aksum Coffee House, a tiny, cosy spot perfect for people-watching. It was also the perfect spot to warm up from the drizzly weather. Oli ordered a latte and I went for a hot chocolate, which was thick, rich, and made with real chocolate! Would you expect anything less in Belgium?
As the weather started to ease up, we headed towards Place du Grand Sablon, and uphill to Coudenberg Palace where we explored the historic underground palace remains and tunnels. This is worth adding to any itinerary during 2 days in Brussels. The history is super interesting and the bonus is a viewpoint overlooking the city. Seeing the rooftops of Grand-Place rising above everything else was a genuine highlight!
Belgian bar-hopping
By mid-afternoon we were ready to rest our aching feet and began the hunt for some decent Belgian bars. We only had 2 days in Brussels, so it would be rude not to? I’m not a beer drinker, but I enjoy hunting down a good bar and Oli made up for it with a Belgian tasting tray. His favourite? Charles Quint Rouge (apparently a solid choice).
After hearing great thins about La Fleur en Papier Doré, we headed here for a pre-dinner drink, but sadly we found it disappointing. The modern extension completely broke the atmosphere for us and was the not the Belgian atmosphere we were looking for. Instead, we went to Poechenellekelder, which felt far more authentic. It was warm, busy, and full of character - perfect!
For dinner that evening, we ended up at Pasta Divina, which fed the carb overload we were craving! We finished the night at Delirium Café which was great fun! This bar consists of three floors - with the loft specialising in spirits. We spent the rest of our evening in the basement, drinking in the atmosphere, before heading back to the hotel for some much needed sleep after a busy day!
Delirium bar
Day 2 – Sunshine and the Atomium
Day two greeted us with sunshine and blue skies! A real treat after our dreary first day, so we headed out early in search of more treats in the form of waffles!
We heard great things about Maison Dandoy, but this was mysteriously closed. Instead we grabbed €1 fresh waffles from a tiny stand instead. They were simple, but did not disappoint! Sometimes the simplest is the best.
With full stomachs, we bought another 24-hour metro pass and headed to the Atomium. We arrived early, about 1 hour after opening, which meant we had short queues, clear views, and plenty of time to explore. The views from the top were incredible, and the exhibitions inside the spheres were super interesting! A mix of history, design, and slightly surreal, space-age installations.
By early afternoon, we sadly needed to start thinking about our travel plans. We decided to head back towards Grand-Place for lunch and souvenir shopping. I stocked up on chocolates from Leonidas and Elisabeth for friends and family. Oli picked up some Charles Quint beers and branded glasses from a nearby beer shop.
We then ended the trip exactly how we started the night before — drinks at Delirium — before heading back to Brussels Midi Station for our Eurostar home.
Get in Touch
Brussels surprised us! It offers a real mix of history and grand architecture - exactly what you'd expect from Belgium. But with modern twists and attractions you wouldn't get elsewhere. It’s compact, characterful, and perfect for a short break.
If you’re planning 2 days in Brussels, then hopefully our Brussels itinerary gave you a few ideas and some inspiration! If you have any questions please leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you! If you found our blog helpful, check out our Insta @welovetravel.in – if you give us a follow feel free to drop us a message and say hello 👋
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