Sometimes it’s hard to find enough time and money to go on holidays for a whole week. So was it in this case with us and that’s why we organized another one day trip. That time the destination was Brussels – the politicial center of Europe:) Don’t miss our story how we explored Brussels on a budget in just 24 hours and didn’t spend a lot.
FIRST IMPRESSION
As we landed at Charleroi airport in the late evening what we could expect from that day was only a smooth transport to Brussels and then to our apartment. However it turned out to be not so easy. We took a shuttle bus to the capital and arrived at Midi. It’s the biggest station in the whole Belgium and the success is not to get lost there. The metro also stops there. Unfortunately some shameless pickpockets are used to fool around at this station and the security doesn’t seem to keep up with them. Another problem we faced was to buy tickets for metro rides. Ticket counters were closed, ticket machines accepted only coins (which we were run out of) and they refused our debit cards. Nobody had change. Happily the staff of the station allowed us to enter the platform without a ticket and we finally bought them from the driver.
After getting off the metro we had a short bus ride and reached our destination, after all. For the first time we decided to use a popular website – Airbnb to book a stay for a night in the house of private person. Of course we were afraid to sleep in some strangers’ apartment at first but as it turned out, it was needless to be concerned about anything. Actually, it’s even better because we had an opportunity to talk with locals and hear some advices about what to visit :P By the way, the standard of the flat could be compared with classy hotels and was placed in a nice and peaceful neighborhood of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
And the very, very early morning we started our great sightseeing! :) At first we headed to visit EU buildings i.a. European Commission building and took a walk there to made there lots of pictures!!!
Then we went inside the European Parliament (this time we didn’t have to book anything in advance :) The free-of-charge visiting with an audio guide always starts at fixed hours and we needed to be there 15 minutes earlier. There is a security check similar to this at the airports. The main point of the visit was to see the Plenary hall. We learnt about the history and work of the Parliament and had the possibility to take a few photos of the Hemicycle from one of the galleries. For us the tour was very valuable because we are interested in politics (Paweł) and the job of translators who work there (Agata).
ATOMIUM
Then we took the metro to Atomium. It’s far from the center, so takes much time to arrive there, even by fast subway. At first we weren’t planning to go up but we enjoyed that place so much that we had to. Ok, maybe it’s not so high but the view is nice and the price for entrance is quite low. And we actually spent lots of time there. From the top we could notice Mini-Europe and Heysel Palace. We know that Atomium isn’t such a popular attraction but definitely should be the one. There’s much greenery around and the area is convenient when you need to relax or go for a walk with your other half.
Then we took the metro to the city center to see the central square of the city –Grand Place with the incredible, historic Town Hall.
Also we took a look of nearby Manneken Pis. It’sa little sculpture presenting fountain of a peeing boy, which is the symbol of Brussels.
King’s House, which is located just opposite the Town Hall, is worth to see as well.
Because staying so long in Atomium area, we hadn’t much time left. That’s why we had to visit it in a rush :P We really enjoyed the city center, so it was a shame that we were run out of time and promptly had to come back to the airport :( During our way back we saw one more antique monument of Brussels – the Cathedralof St.Michaeland St. Gudula.
To sum up, the trip was very successful :) Although not many locals spoke English, we could always find someone who wanted to help us :) Plenty of various touristic sites make Brussels a city which any tourist shouldn’t skip.
Brussels historic centre is relatively small and very easy to discover on foot. 24 hours in Brussels is not very long, but it's certainly long enough to visit some of the highlights. So put on your walking shoes, indulge in a hearty breakfast and off we go!
Brussels is absolutely worth visiting for a day. Many top sights are located just a short walk from each other so you can easily get around a good chunk of the city in a few hours. With a full day, you could also make time to fit in a museum or two like the Parlamentarium.
Our day in Brussels was filled with food and drinks, a walking tour to learn about the city, and one museum, and we missed so many other amazing things. Here's a list of a few other Brussels attractions you can substitute in if our itinerary is not exactly right for you.
Brussels, the capital, is famous for being the seat of the EU and home to Tintin.Bruges on the other hand is famous for its canals, bridges and picturesque old town. Each city has a unique character and charm and has plenty of sights and attractions for tourists.
The city shares the top spot for being the most walkable city in the world, alongside Chicago, Milan, and Valencia. Its excellent connectivity to Brussels International Airport further enhances its appeal.
A set of replicas of many of Europe's most famous buildings. There is at least one for every country of the EU and they are done very wonderfully in many cases. Definitely worth a visit if you have an interest in such things. It is also very close to the Atomium.
The choice between Antwerp and Brussels depends on your personal preference. If you prefer a city with a rich heritage and historical and political importance, go to Brussels. If you prefer a city with a vibrant atmosphere and lively energy, Antwerp is your best bet.
Brussels is famous for Tintin, luxury chocolate, brilliant beer and the European Union.Amsterdam on the other hand is famous for its beautiful houses, coffee shops, canals and nightlife. Each city has a unique character and charm but give two different experiences.
Brussels Grand-Place, the city's central square, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Here, you can visit the Town Hall which features a striking façade with long columns.
It costs around €80-€100/day to visit Brussels for budget-minded travelers. These prices are based on what you'll need to visit the city comfortably on a budget. If you want nicer accommodation then you'll need to add an extra €60-€110/night depending on where you stay.
Amsterdam is a fantastic base for exploring not only the Netherlands but also neighboring Belgium, as both UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bruges and the capital, Brussels, are easy Amsterdam day trips.
Soft-drinks cost about 1,60 euro as well as coffee. And with the coffee, you will almost always get a chocolate, a piece of cake or sweet, whipped cream or a tiny glass of Bailey's! Special coffees (made with alcohal) cost about 3 to 5 euro. Thanks for the replies, they were very helpful.
Brussels, Belgium: The cost of living in Brussels is also considered to be high, but it is generally lower than Paris. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Brussels for a single person is around €1,800-€2,200 ($2,200-$2,700) per month, including rent, food, transportation, and other expenses.
Cost of living in Brussels (Belgium) is 20% cheaper than in Paris (France) How much money will you need in Brussels? Find out with your own Salary Calculation. This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data.
Seeing Brussels in 3 days is doable and will be an exciting experience. Here's my Brussels itinerary for first time visitors to make the most out of your stay. I invite you to follow along and explore this wonderful city with me. Brussels is often overlooked when planning a city break.
Having less than one day in Brussels is of course not enough time to do all the things you have to do when you are in Brussels. This magnificent city is better to be explored during an entire weekend, but I had to do Brussels in a day and that was awesome!
Spending 3 days there allow for enough time to see all of Brussels' most popular sights and visit the main attractions, as well as some downtime to relax or explore the city for yourself.
I'd recommend spending about two days in Belgium for each city you plan to visit, with one exception: Brussels. You can really see the best of Brussels in a full day, although spending a night there will allow you to enjoy the next morning and really round your trip out.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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