Our month in Brussels was a fortunate coincidence. While in Amsterdam and unsure where to go next, we ended up Skyping with a young woman who was about to leave for the Camino de Santiago and wanted to rent her apartment for the month.
Renting from another traveler felt like the perfect match.
The apartment itself was excellent and well placed in a great neighborhood, which made the stay even better.
Below are some observations and highlights from our time in the city.
The Good
The beer
Belgium’s reputation for beer is well deserved. The sheer variety available is staggering — even small local bars offer numerous brews, each served in its own glass. I’m partial to fruity Lambics, and spending a month sampling flavors like peach — which are hard to find back home — was a particular joy.
The frites
I dedicated a whole post to my search for the best frites in Brussels and it was an enjoyable mission. I love fries and appreciate how Belgians have turned them into a whole meal with generous sauces. Friteries are common across the city, but if you want truly great fries, avoid the tourist-packed city center and seek out neighborhood spots — they’re far superior.
Easy accessibility
Brussels is easy and affordable to reach from many European cities. We took a Megabus from Amsterdam in about four hours; the same routes often continue to Paris and London. For budget travelers or people who prefer not to fly, Brussels is an excellent option — even for a day trip.
The love of comics
Brussels’ fascination with comics goes beyond the famous comic-strip murals. There’s a dedicated comic museum, large statues of comic characters and plenty of comic book shops. This enthusiasm gives the city a playful, nostalgic atmosphere that’s hard not to enjoy.
The Bad
Sticker prices
One downside was the cost of everyday items. Grocery shopping felt noticeably pricier than in Amsterdam, which we’d just left. Cinema tickets and restaurant meals can add up quickly — a trip to the cinema runs about €10 per person, and a mussels dinner might be around €20 — so living like a local still requires a reasonable budget.
Lack of cheeriness
This isn’t about language so much as local demeanor. In shops, bars and supermarkets, service wasn’t always warm or enthusiastic. People generally won’t react negatively if you use French or another language, but genuine friendliness was less common than we expected. Despite living in a vibrant city, smiles could be hard to come by.
The Ugly
Manneken Pis merchandising
Manneken Pis is an iconic and curious little statue that visitors love to photograph. The problem is the endless array of Manneken Pis-themed items everywhere: life-size chocolate molds, brass figurines, home ornaments and other replicas fill shops and restaurants. The novelty quickly becomes overwhelming.
Pedestrian crossings
There are pedestrian crossings everywhere in Brussels, which can be both reassuring and frustrating. As a pedestrian it’s comforting to see so many crossings for safety, but the constant stops for drivers create a stop-and-go rhythm that can feel like a strange game of chance when deciding whether vehicles will actually yield.
Photo credit: manneken pis