Brussels wasn’t a city I knew much about and that made arriving from Paris by train feel like a blank slate. I planned to stay only a couple of quick nights on my way to Amsterdam, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much Brussels had to offer: striking architecture, great food, and excellent beer everywhere.

My hostel was on the edge of the city center, but Brussels was easy to navigate and walkable. I took full advantage of the *etro, and even more advantage of the waffles and beer. One night, a group from the hostel went out to Delirium, where we sampled far too many Belgian brews from their famously massive menu.

Some of the most beautiful parts of the city were places I hadn’t heard of before visiting. The ornate glass-roofed Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert was a stunning arcade to stroll through, even if I didn’t buy anything. And Grand Place — with its gilded architectural details and imposing facades completely blew me away. I wasn’t prepared for how incredible the churches and civic buildings would look.

And yes… one of the city’s most iconic landmarks is a tiny statue of a boy peeing: Manneken Pis. That one caught me off guard, but I have to say I was a fan of the outfits.

Before leaving, I rode the Metro far outside the center to visit the futuristic Atomium. It’s undeniably odd, a giant stainless steel atom, built for the 1958 World’s Fair, but it was fun to explore inside. The light displays were great and the views of Belgium from up high were… ok even if the purpose of the structure remains a bit puzzling.

Brussels was a genuinely enjoyable stop. Delicious, entertaining, and far more beautiful than I expected.

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