10 Mistakes To Avoid On Your Trip To Brussels

Brussels often gets a bad rap, and I’ve heard it called everything from boring to ugly (usually using much more colourful language). But I firmly believe that’s because it’s a destination that’s easy to get wrong. Dig a little deeper, beyond the obvious monuments and identikit chocolate shops, and you will find a fascinating city with a rich history and a unique culture.

As someone who no longer travels by plane, I’ve made many a stop off in Brussels on my way over to England, and have picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. Here are 10 mistakes to avoid on your trip to Brussels.

Not Using Your Eurostar Ticket For The Train

The first mistake is more of a logistical one, and one that I made the first time I visited Brussels by train. If you get the Eurostar to Brussels you will arrive at Brussels-Midi/Zuid, around a half an hour walk from the city centre or an extra train or taxi fare. It may not be particularly well advertised, but you can actually use your Eurostar ticket to get the overground train for no extra cost!

That means that you can simply hop on the train from Brussels-Midi/Zuid to Brussel-Centraal, just around the corner from the Grand Place. If you happen to be staying elsewhere, you can also get the train to a list of other stations, which you can find here (note, you can’t use the ticket for the metro, tram or to get to the airport). This will not only save you the money of an extra fare, but will also make getting to your accommodation much easier.

Only Exploring Around The Grand Place

The Grand Place is one of the most instantly recognisable squares in Europe, with some truly awe-inspiring architecture at every turn. While you will no doubt spend a significant amount of your trip walking around the Grand Place, there is plenty to see beyond this square which is often overlooked. There is Petit Sablon Square, with its rows of antique shops and bronze statuettes, there is the vast Parc Royal with its scenic paths and grand fountain. There is the Royal Palace, the 16th century cathedral and a long list of intriguing museums. The Grand Place may be beautiful, but spend all your time there and you will be missing out on many things that Brussels has to offer.

Not Booking The Walking Tour

If you’re a regular on this blog, you will be familiar with my deep appreciation for walking tours! Of all the ones I’ve taken, I found the tour in Brussels to be one of the most interesting, because there was simply so much of the city I had no idea about. I opted for one of the SANDEMANs free tours as I always find them to be of excellent quality, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

The tour lasts for 2.5 hours and covers everything from chocolate and beer to the buildings around the Grand Place to the dark history of King Leopold and the Congo. You will pass many of the city’s landmarks and monuments while learning lots along the way, and because the tour is ‘free’ the guides always do their best to be informative and engaging. At the end, you simply pay your guide what you believe it was worth.

Not only do I highly recommend the walking tour thanks to the wealth of information the tour guides offer, but also because it’s a great way to get to grips with the layout of the city. The day after I took the tour I simply retraced my steps to spend more time exploring other parts of Brussels. In all honesty, if I hadn’t booked onto it there are many parts of the city I wouldn’t even know existed. Plus, the guides are always happy to give you their personal tips on everything from where to buy souvenirs to which restaurants to try.

Not Trying Any Beer

I couldn’t believe it when an old colleague of mine reported after her (underwhelming) trip to Brussels that neither she or her husband had a sip of beer. Beer is a huge part of Belgian culture (it’s even recognised by UNESCO!) with over 800 varieties brewed in the country. Certain kinds have been around for centuries, with ingredients and methods passed down through generations, while other kinds are brewed exclusively by Trappist monks. Up until the 1960s, schoolchildren even got the option of tea, coffee or (low alcohol) beer for their lunches. So, as you can see, beer has long been an important facet of everyday life in Belgium.

Even if you don’t normally like beer, I promise you that you will find one you like in Brussels. There is such a huge selection available, with many that taste nothing like the beers you may have tried at home. There is cherry beer, peach beer and even beers flavoured like cactus or chocolate. If you aren’t usually a beer fan, give one of the fruity ones a try and you might be pleasantly surprised. You could even book yourself onto a beer tour, which will really open your eyes to the history behind Belgian beer and the many different kinds available. I took a similar tour on my trip to Wroclaw and it was definitely one of my highlights!

Only Drinking At Delirium Café

With more than 2,000 beers available to try, Delirium Café is the place to be to sample some of the greatest beers that Belgium has to offer. So don’t get me wrong, I love Delirium Café (I even have the t-shirt to prove it!) and it should definitely be on your list of places to see during your trip to Brussels. But there are many other fabulous bars and cafes to be explored across the city. They may not have quite as many beers on the menu, but they offer lots of different takes on Belgian beer culture in some really cool little joints that are often packed full of history.

One of my absolute favourite places in the city is À La Mort Subite, a brasserie that opened back in 1928. A visit here is a bit like stepping back in time, with its original 20s interior, waistcoat-clad serving staff and simple, traditional Belgian food. I’d highly recommend trying the omelette, which comes smothered in butter and with a generous helping of bread!

If that doesn’t float your boat, there really is somewhere to suit every taste, from Le Cercueil cocktail bar with its Halloween theme to Le Corbeau’s live music and dancing on tables.

Eating Along Rue Des Bouchers

While I have never eaten at one of these restaurants myself, this tip was given to me by a neighbour who is originally from Brussels. Rue Des Bouchers is located near Delirium Café, and you will know you are there once you find staff outside the restaurants trying to beckon you in. I’m sure that some of them do serve delicious food, but the quality is known to be very hit and miss. There are some fabulous restaurants across the city, and if you only have a limited time in Brussels I’d highly recommend trying elsewhere. For the best of Belgian food, try Fin de Siècle, Skievelat Sablon or ‘T Kelderke (where they even serve horse, for the very adventurous….)

Not Booking Your Evening Meal

Speaking of food, restaurants in Brussels can get incredibly busy in the evenings, so to avoid disappointment it’s advised to book ahead of time. I’ve made this mistake a couple of times and missed out on restaurants I really wanted to try. If you don’t feel confident popping in or calling yourself, you can always ask the hotel to make the booking for you. I like to scope out where I might eat dinner in the daytime, and as long as you do it the morning of, chances are you will still get a table.

Expecting Too Much From Mannekin Pis

The cheeky little mascot of a naked boy weeing into a fountain is often touted as one of Brussel’s most well-known landmarks, but try not to get your hopes up too much. In real life it must be said that it’s pretty underwhelming (though it still draws in huge crowds, which I’ve never quite wrapped my head around). In fact, if it weren’t for the crowds you could easily walk straight past it.

Standing at just 61cm high, Mannekin Pis is on a side street just off the Grand Place, amidst the city’s beer and chocolate shops. You may even see the little bronze boy wearing one of his many costumes, of which he has over 1000! If you happen to be walking past, but all means take a look, but you needn’t set aside any time to seek out this rather peculiar statue.

Not Seeking Out A Freshly Made Waffle

Walking around the city, you can’t miss the windows full of waffles piled high with fluffy cream and glistening fruit, smothered in sticky sauce. After all, Belgium is known for its waffles, served as far back as the Middle Ages by vendors outside the country’s many churches. But do yourself a favour and skip the pre-made variety, instead seeking out some freshly made waffles that will give you an authentic taste of this Belgian treat.

I’d recommend paying a visit to Maison Dandoy, with three locations across the city. There you will get the choice of two kinds of waffle, the light and fluffy Brussels or the crunchy Liege, which is filled with bits of sugar. Both kinds are made to order and served with toppings of your choice (my personal favourite is a Brussels topped with cream and sprinkled with speculoos crumb!)

When I visited I had to queue around the corner, but in my opinion it was well worth the wait and incomparable to the pre-made options that can be found along every street. Maison Dandoy also makes some delicious looking confectionary in case you want to buy a souvenir to take home (or to eat later in your hotel room, I won’t judge).

Eating Belgian Fries If You Are Vegetarian Or Vegan

Another mistake that I have made on my travels! It wasn’t until I took the Sandeman’s walking tour that I discovered those delicious, crispy fries were actually made with beef fat. I wasn’t too upset about it as it was a genuine mistake, but hopefully I can prevent some other people from doing the same. If you’re a meat-eater however, by all means tuck in and enjoy! Between you and me, they really are delicious….

Ready to book your trip to Brussels? Read on to find out my top recommendation.

Where To Stay In Brussels

I always book the Atlas Hotel and don’t see myself staying elsewhere any time soon. It’s super close to the Grand Place, but tucked away on a quiet street away from all the hustle and bustle. The rooms are clean and modern, and the staff are always very helpful.

The mid-range price point includes a breakfast buffet every morning which is served down on the lower floor, and it even comes complete with its own parking garage if you happen to be driving. In my opinion, it’s got the whole package, and is an easy, fuss-free choice when it comes to finding accommodation in the city.

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