Your Ultimate Guide to Belgium: Brussels, Bruges, & Antwerp

When I hear about other people’s trips to Europe, it’s usually… well, the usual.

They’ve made their way to London, Paris, Barcelona… somewhere in the Swiss Alps, somewhere in Germany…

… but so many of them (actually, most of them!) pass over Belgium on their European adventures.

I have this little saying… that every time I go to Belgium, I go to buy the chocolate, and eat the fries, and smell the waffles.

Don’t judge me… trust me, you’ll understand once you taste it all, for yourself.

Anyways – I have this saying that I go for the chocolate, but stay for the architecture.

Outside Antwerpen Centraal Station at sunrise; June 2019

Classic Belgian Houses in Brussels; January 2018

Belgium has some of the most impressive, intricate construction I’ve ever seen; and it’s extremely underrated.

I’ve been to Bruges, Brussels, and most recently – Antwerp.

The three are all so different from one another… but despite their differences, they all still feel like Belgium.

I’ve only spent a few hours to a day in each of these cities, so here are the things that I think you should do when you’re only given a short time span in each place:

Bruges

Bruges is like a miniature Amsterdam in the sense of the bikes everywhere you turn. It feels very medieval, historic, and very Dutch in comparison to the other two Belgian cities I’ve been to.

Here are some things you should do and see:

1. Lake of Love

A charming bridge, and a wonderful photo opportunity.

The Lake of Love in Bruges is too photogenic. — The Lake of Love in Bruges is *too* photogenic.

2. Church of Our Lady Bruges

I didn’t snap a picture of this one (because I went to Bruges back in 2017, a time when I never thought I’d be back to Europe so many times so soon, let alone – would start a travel blog and need a copious supply of pictures!), but she sure to walk by it if you’re walking through all of the museums in that vicinity.

3. Old St. John’s Hospital

As always – didn’t go inside because we all know how I feel about museums, but it does make for a great picture.

Near Old St. John’s Hospital in Bruges; May 2017

4. Walk through Bruges Square

Once again, don’t have a photograph for you – but this is where all of the action is: chocolate shops, horse carriages, bikers, tourists… you’ll find it all, here.

5. Waffle Time

The only place in Belgium I’ve had a proper waffle in. My two friends and I went to the Carpe Diem tearoom and it was amazing.

Belgian Waffles from the Tearoom Carpe Diem in Bruges; May 2017

Not only are the waffles spot on, but the place itself is like being in an actual tearoom from the past, with dark wooden detailing and all.

Brussels

Brussels is without a doubt, the biggest and most “city” like city in Belgium. It has some astounding architecture, as well as some big, modernized shopping streets that will make you forget you’re in the midst of such intricate, architectural gold.

1. Grand-Place

This is probably still the most impressive and stunning square that I’ve seen all throughout Europe.

Panaromic view of Grand-Place in Brussels shortly after New Years; January 2018

It’s especially pretty during or shortly after Christmas time, when the trees and the lights are still up.

2. European Parliament

There’s not much there, but it’s cool to say you’ve been to where so many EU decisions are made!

Outside of the EU Parliament Building; January 2018

3. Leopold Park

I walked through it in a cold, wet, winter state of mind – but I saw how could’ve easily been a beautiful place to picnic in the spring.

Walking through Leopold Park in Brussels in the winter; January 2018

4. Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula

Brussels has some insane architecture everywhere you turn…

Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels; January 2018

5. Go Wandering

… and I do mean everywhere.

Brussels with the winter lights still up; January 2018

Brussels is the biggest of the Belgian cities, but it’s still small enough to get lost to the extent that you’ll never really get lost because you’ll never be too far away from Grand-Place (the city center).

P.S. – I ordered Belgian fries to my room that night and it was an excellent decision on my behalf.

When in doubt, and when in Belgium… always order fries. — When in doubt, and when in Belgium… *always* order fries.

Antwerp

Antwerp, in my opinion, was very much a mix of the two Belgian cities I had seen before. It has the architecture of Brussels, but the character of Bruges – as the horse riding, bike riding, and Dutch speaking occurs in this city as well (which makes sense – given you’re only a 45-minute train ride from Amsterdam, here).

1. Cathedral of our Lady Antwerp

Like I said, Antwerp reminded me of Brussles in terms of Architecture.

Cathedral of our Lady Antwerp; June 2019

2. EAT

Antwerp, from what I saw, had a lively food scene in comparison to the other cities.

Not only was Antwerp numerous in chocolate shops, but they had restaurants for just about every cuisine in reach.

While the chocolate is amazing everywhere in Belgium, don’t forget to try the fries and Belgian Croquettes…

Croquettes from Recollets in Antwerp; June 2019

… and don’t be that American asking for fries with your ketchup.

Okay, I mean, I’ve done it before – and my mom most certainly did it every place we went to in Italy, but just know that they’re going to be laughing in their heads, if you do!

No ketchup here; expect your french fries to be served with mayo when you’r’e in Belgium.

They’re very into eating their potatoes with mayo. I know, that as an American that seems weird, but look – we’re the ones over here frying freaking Twinkies and stuffing macaroni & cheese into hamburgers…

… trust me, one you eat them like that – you will low key start to crave mayo with your fries when you get back to the States.

3. Grote Markt

It may have been the time of year that I was there, but Antwerp had a lot of shopping.

Near Cathedral of our Lady Antwerp; June 2019

Anything you wanted to find, it was here.

Off of the main commercial street, exploring the shops and streets of Antwerp; June 2019

4. Hat Steen

This castle was under construction while I was there, but I could see that it would’ve been an impressive sight to be seen.

The area surrounding, however, Steenplein – is a funky little area with a Ferris wheel on the water, where you can catch boat tours of Antwerp on water.

See it in action in my vlog, below!

5. Explore Grand Central Station

Anywhere I watched a video or read an article about the Train Station in Antwerp, they always said it was beautiful…

… and it turns out, they weren’t wrong.

Inside is a fun place to get lost, too.

Exploring inside Antwerpen Centraal; June 2019

P.S. – they’ve got a bio markt inside, so if you’re into the hip and trendy chocolate bars that don’t exist in the U.S. like I am, prepare to blow the euros that you just pulled out of the ATM here.

I hope this helped you decide where to go and what to do in Belgium. If you’re looking for other things to do in Europe, click here.