Waffling Around Brussels: A Budget-Friendly Guide

Discover Beer, Chocolate and History in Brussels without Spending a Fortune!

22 June 2023

Brussels, Belgium is a great destination for budget travelers who want to experience European culture without breaking the bank. By staying in affordable hotels and hostels and taking advantage of cheap public transportation, visitors can explore the city's iconic landmarks like the Grand Place and the Atomium, as well as enjoy the famous Belgian cuisine and beer. With a little planning and resourcefulness, a trip to Brussels is within reach for any budget-conscious traveler.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Brussels Basics

  • Start your day with a croissant and coffee at Pain Quotidien
  • Visit the Grand Place, a beautiful square that is the heart of the city
  • Try some Belgian chocolates at Neuhaus or Godiva
  • Visit the Manneken Pis statue, a quirky symbol of Brussels
  • Have a meal at Tonton Garby, a delicious sandwich shop with unique flavor combinations
  • End your day with a drink at Delirium Café, which holds the Guinness World Record for the most beer types available (over 2,000!)
  • Stay at: Hotel Saint Nicolas, a budget hotel with friendly staff, located near the Grand Place.
Day 2

Art and Waffles

  • Start your day at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, which houses a wide range of art from Flemish primitives to surrealist works
  • Take a stroll through the Sablon area, known for its antique shops and art galleries
  • Grab a warm, delicious Liege waffle from Maison Dandoy
  • Visit the Atomium, a giant steel structure that was built for the 1958 World Expo
  • Have a meal at Chez Léon, a traditional Belgian restaurant that serves great moules frites (mussels and fries)
  • End your day at the Cinquantenaire Park, a beautiful park with a triumphal arch and a diversity of trees
  • Stay at: Hotel ibis Brussels off Grand Place, a budget hotel with modern rooms and a central location.
  • Note: Don't forget to try some Belgian beer and frites while in Brussels! And if you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Bruges or Ghent.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Brussels, Belgium by plane is to fly into Brussels Airport (BRU) which is located approximately 11km northeast of the city center. Many airlines offer flights to Brussels from major cities across the world.

Car

Driving to Brussels is easily achievable as the city is well-connected by road. The E40 and E19 are major highways running close to Brussels, making it easy to approach the city from Antwerp or Ghent, and from France, respectively.

Train

Taking the train to Brussels is a convenient option as Brussels is well-connected to many major European cities. Brussels Midi station is the main station in the city, with high-speed trains arriving from London, Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne amongst others.

Boat

Unfortunately, Brussels is not accessible by boat as it is not located near any major waterways. The closest water connection is the Port of Antwerp which is approximately 50km north of Brussels.

Bus

There are many bus companies offering connections to Brussels, making it an affordable option. Eurolines, Flixbus and Ouibus all offer affordable connections to Brussels from various European cities.

Destination

Brussels

If you love waffles, chocolate, and beer, then Brussels is the place for you! Just don't try to combine all three at once, unless you're feeling adventurous.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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