Hangry Backpacker

Updated: 2020 – Brussels, Belgium is a top travel destination for visitors to Europe, from backpackers and tourists to businessman and politicians. Most of the guides and lists for the city are redundant, but that doesn’t mean there are plenty of good things to do during your visit.

I’m not shy when it comes to my feelings towards Brussels. Belgium is one of my favorite travel destinations in the world, but Brussels is not and I rarely felt comfortable in my two visits to the city. Nevertheless, the capital of the European Union is still worth a visit (even I would return!) and many people love their time spent here. Here are my recommendations for your visit:

Delirium Cafe – Beervana

When I think of Belgium, I think of great beer. When I think of great beer, I think of Belgium. The small country is home to more breweries per capita than any other country in the world, and while I’ve only tried a few (hundred) Belgian varieties, I don’t think I’ve come across a single brew that was anything less than heavenly.

The Delirium Cafe in the center of Brussels is tucked down a little street and is completely unassuming at first glance. The day before I first visited, I was looking for the Jeanneke Pis statue and walked right past the entrance and did not notice.

When I was made aware of this legendary bar, it became priority #1 on the agenda. This one institution offers thousands of beers from all over the world, and hundreds of Belgian options that you’ll never see outside the country.

There is a menu, a beer list, for what they offer, and it has over one hundred pages of nothing but beer! The bar has multiple floors, each with a different vibe going on. At times it can be very busy, but I was lucky to always find a seat.

All of the other patrons were very friendly and happy to share a table with you. I first visited the Delirium Cafe three years ago, and I have friends I still keep up with today from that first visit. If you love beer and are planning to travel to Belgium, this bar in Brussels should be at the top of your list. Despite my feelings toward the city, I would travel to Brussels again for this reason alone – to visit the Delirium Cafe.

Grand Place – Historic City Center

The Grand Place is the center of history and tourism in Brussels. I try to avoid discussing the most popular tourist sites in any destination, the reason being that these places have already been covered thousands of times by thousands of people. However, the Grand Place in the center of Brussels, is too spectacular to skip. The architecture is unique to this part of the world and truly as a “wow” factor.

The buildings are hundreds of years old and will have you staring in awe, speechless, wondering how they lasted so long as you try to understand them. There are expensive places to eat and tour around here, but personally, I would suggest taking some pictures and finding a spot to sit, take it all in and people-watch. Except for the occasional waffle stand, the dining options in the area are extremely expensive.

While the Grand Place is overrun with tourists during the day, it is a different story after dusk. Come back at night, the later the better, for a different view of this beautiful square. The buildings are glowing and the facades highlighted in a now-quiet place. There’s a good chance you’ll even have the whole square to yourself.

Brasserie Cantillon Brewery

I stumbled upon Cantillon Brewery in Brussels as I was wandering around with a friend. Thinking it might be nice to visit a brewery, we went inside and came to find they have a tour and pseudo-museum where you can see their process, wander through lofts of dusty old barrels aging (for years) the delicious nectar and, best of all, taste the final product.

Much to my surprise, the place is famous for its lambic beers, unique to Belgium. The tour was interesting, seeing a small family operation still creating their masterpiece in essentially the same manner they used over a hundred years ago. Most Belgian beer is brewed the right way, unlike mega brewers who take shortcuts to maximize profits, forsaking quality of product. Zero shortcuts are taken at Cantillon Brewery, and I sampled some of the finest sour beers in the world.

Even today, as I write from the craft beer capital of the world (Portland, Oregon, USA), I dream of sipping one of these sour treats again, straight from the source. Belgian beer, in my not-so-humble opinion, is the absolute best.

The Best Museum in Brussels – Musical Instruments Museum

There are plenty of museums in Brussels, wonderful museums, and several are more popular than the Musical Instruments Museum. While others deserve a visit as well, my first choice is the Musical Instruments Museum.

If there is another collection of instruments this vast or unique, I am not aware of it. The self-guided tour is incredibly informative with audio samples for many of the instruments, which is  very helpful. Half of the time it is difficult to determine what the strange instrument sounds like or what it even does.

The instruments range from familiar ones we see and hear often to ancient pieces from far-away, remote places. Works of art fit for the Louvre, cultural icons, historical pieces with a story and fancy instruments for a palace, this museum has it all. If you are a music lover, history buff, art fanatic or (especially) a musician, the Musical Instruments Museum is a MUST for any trip to Brussels.

Best View in Brussels – National Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Also known as Koekelberg Basilica, this is the largest church in Belgium and one of the largest in the world – larger than the Hagia Sophia (Istanbul), St. Paul’s (London) and Notre Dame (Paris), to name a few.

While it’s not very old, and the interior is not as dramatic as other, more famous churches, Koekelberg Basilica is still worthy of a visit. The interior is massive and dark, like being inside a mountain. I visited on a weekday and saw only one or two other people, giving me a feeling of being tiny and alone, lending to this sanctuary also being a great place for quiet reflection.

I suggest walking to the area. As most visitors do not stray far from the Grand Place, the long walk to the Basilica is not only good exercise, you see a totally different side of Brussels in these neighborhoods. By far, the BEST part about a visit to this Basilica is the panoramic view from the top. The structure is visible from many places across the city, but once you reach the top, you are treated to a brilliant view across the city. If for no other reason, visit Koekelberg Basilica for the view.

The Best of Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is more than the capital of the European Union. It’s more than the capital of Belgium. Brussels is one of the world’s best cities.

Stunning architecture draws thousands of visitors each day. Museums and history educate and entertain tourists. The best beer in the world keeps visitors coming back to Brussels. The city is great for wanderers and is even backpacker friendly.

There are hundreds of reasons to travel to Belgium, and Brussels may not be so pretty away from the tourist sprawl; but no trip to the country is complete without visiting the best parts of the Belgian capital.