Ah, the city of Brussels. If you scour the internet enough, ask people who’ve just been, (or maybe you yourself have been there )– the general feeling about this city is either love or blah.
I fall in between. I find it to be a pleasant city, but perhaps due to me being there for only 2 days, it didn’t really give a lasting impression.
What stood out for me though, was the perfect balance of walking and pleasure in this city. I always love a good contrast, and in Brussels, by walking I mean that the city is made for walking. And by pleasure, I mean chocolates (and pastries).
The streets are very leveled and even. And even if there were many people walking, the streets didn’t feel crowded, rushed or hurried.
And even if there are steep flights of stairs to be taken, fear not because there is always ‘salvation’ ahead:
You are never too far away from a cafe or chocolatier in Brussels. Think of them as 7-11’s. One or two in every corner.
And there’s nothing quite like Belgian chocolate, with its trademark velvety smooth texture. Imagine that incorporated in every cake.
It’s heaven! Definitely makes all the walking worth it, and incentive enough for you to walk further more to try other shops.
I joined a walking tour while I was there. There are tons of walking tours in Brussels, the most famous of which are themed around Chocolates and Beer, two necessary products that the Belgians have touched on and left a lasting legacy.
Most of the tours come with a tasting platter from select shops, so if you are not really keen on getting a whole cake or slice for yourself, the platters are good to keep you going.
But of course, there’s no stopping you from getting a whole box for yourself. Which is really, the point of being in Brussels 🙂
It was inevitable to shop for chocolates and with every new shop that we stopped at, my bags were getting heavier and heavier.
The afternoon tour ended up in a pub, and even though I don’t drink (At all), the free jugs of beer came handy to wash down all the sweetness of the afternoon. (Well, I tried..)
—
Heck Yeah! Brussels looks amazing. Any tour that ends with beer has my name written allll over it! 🙂 I don’t particularly love chocolate, I mean I wouldn’t say no, but I don’t seek it out. The sprinkle of choccie powder on my coffee is about as adventurous as I get with seeking the sweet.
I really love your posts Jean. You inspire me to get my travel on and enjoy the world outside what I live. Thank you! 🙂 Hope your weekend is rocking.
Anna wow! I’m impressed, you are one of the few I now know who isn’t fond of chocolate 🙂 I wish I didn’t love chocolate that much , it’s my ultimate weakness! You could have all the beer in this tour, we should have gone together! Thank you, so happy to hear that, I know you are travelling soon and I can’t wait to hear all about it!
I’d love to go here one day! It’s not one of those places that I immediately think of unless I hear the words waffle or chocolate! 😛
Yes, Brussels isn’t normally on my ‘travel list’ but I’m glad the opportunity came up. And dang, I didn’t even get to try the waffles!– reason to return 🙂
I’ve never ever been to Brussels, but certainly would never say no. My very favourite chocolates are Godiva which I am sure was founded in Brussels and I really ought to check out the whole chocolatey scene one day… with plenty of walking. Love a walking city, Edinburgh is my home city (well, I was brought up in countryside nearby) and it’s a fab city for walking.
Oh Godiva! I didn’t get to taste that while there. Yes, isn’t it a lovely combination – walking and chocolates! Would love to see Edinburgh one day. I wonder what it’s food specialty is?
Lovely and tasty food photos and love the walkability angle as this is very true!! These photos definitely suit the appetizing nature of Brussels- such awesome desserts there!!
We totally know what you mean about people either loving and or thinking Brussels is blah. We both fall into the category of loving Brussels, but only after we both initially thought it was OK when we saw it when we were younger, backpacking just after college and didn’t have the same appreciation, and ability to eat some nicer meals.
I think some people who don’t like Brussels aren’t foodies or beer fans. If you’re not so fussed on these things, Brussels will definitely rate lower than Amsterdam and many other European cities.
As you don’t like beer, we can definitely see why you rate Brussels in the middle! But even for people who like beer- they may enjoy their time more in Brugge, Ghent, Antwerp or elsewhere. Everywhere in Belgium has great food and beer!
Really enjoyed this post, makes me miss just being in Brussels again. We’re just about to post on Belgium yet again soon! 🙂
I wish I can visit Brussels for a longer period of time so I can have more chocolates! haha 🙂 — Brussels really had me at the chocolates 🙂 And I haven’t even tried the waffles! You’re right, I think as I’m not much of a foodie (I mean I love food but am not so very adventurous with it) I see it as in between, but perhaps after spending a longer time there I’ll change my mind. I hear the markets during Christmas are great (so with other European countries I’m guessing). Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s great to see Brussels from another perspective and looking forward to reading the post 🙂
Great article! I love Brussels too, especially all the comics museums. I agree with a previous comment, you should taste Godiva chocolates!!
Hi Francois, I didn’t know about the comics museums! That sounds interesting. And yes, definitely need to try Godiva 🙂 I’ve only tried Neuhaus , Wittamer , Leonidas and Guylian definitely need to return, but I’m intrigued by the comic musuems thanks for letting me know 🙂
Oh my goodness I need to do that walking tour in Brussels as those cakes just look blooming amazing, my tummy is rumbling just looking at your photos x
Hi Kelly, I’m getting the tummy rumbling too! It’s so great to be able to take small cake bites every few yards or so 🙂