After two long years of daydreaming and dodging travel restrictions, Hema and I finally made our long-awaited summer pilgrimage to Belgium. Curiosity is our second language—and Brussels was about to become our new dictionary. Armed with maps, a borderline obsessive itinerary, and an insatiable appetite for fries, we embarked on a 5-day, 4-night adventure that left few stones—and even fewer museums—unturned. From the dazzling Grand Place to the futuristic Atomium, we crisscrossed Brussels with the enthusiasm of two over-caffeinated archaeologists.
Takeoff, Touchdown & Tasty Waffles
Our trip began on August 22, 2020, with us sprinting out of our apartment in Modena like contestants on The Amazing Race. We were heading for a 15:50 flight from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport. I, being a card-carrying member of the “what if we miss the flight” club, dragged Hema to the airport with ample time to spare.
Naturally, our flight was delayed by 40 minutes. But we made the most of the wait—chatting, laughing, and perfecting the art of airport people-watching. After a short 90-minute hop, we landed at Brussels Charleroi International Airport and hopped on a shuttle to the city center.
A brisk 15-minute walk later, we arrived at our Airbnb: a charming attic room featuring a snug bed, a study desk, and a swivel window offering views of suburban Brussels. No time was wasted. We freshened up and made a pilgrimage to the Grand Place. Our reward? Heavenly Belgian waffles and perfectly golden fries, devoured under the glow of ornate buildings glinting with gold. The calorie count? Let’s not talk about that.
The first thing we try was the famous Belgian waffles and along with fries, enjoying a beautiful view from the center of Grote Markt (Grand Place). The historic buildings with their golden highlights and bright focus lights were a delight to watch while we munch away our waffles and fries.
Day 2: Spheres, Miniature Cities, and a Giant Wheel
Equipped with an 8-euro day pass that unlocked the city’s entire public transit, we boarded the metro and rode 20 minutes out to Heysel Park. There it was—the Atomium. Imagine a science nerd’s fantasy turned into 102 meters of shimmering aluminum and steel. Originally built for the 1958 World Expo, this giant iron crystal replica (yes, it’s modeled after a ferrite molecule!) became a permanent icon because, honestly, how do you tear down something that cool?
We zoomed to the top sphere for panoramic views of Brussels and snagged a drink at the small café tucked up there. Then, like electrons on a tour, we jumped from sphere to sphere—each containing exhibits, except one psychedelic light show that left us a bit speechless and slightly dizzy (in a good way).
Refueled with yet more fries at the base of the Atomium, we strolled over to Mini-Europe, a theme park that might just be the greatest cheat code for lazy travelers. Roughly 350 famous European monuments, each painstakingly built at 1:25 scale, were laid out across manicured lawns. From the leaning tower of Pisa to the Eiffel Tower to the Acropolis of Athens, it was a whirlwind Eurotrip without needing another metro ticket.
Back in the city, we sought out Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Belgium’s oldest shopping mall. Maps led us astray and when it declared “You’ve arrived,” we found ourselves staring at a very non-mall-looking structure. Turns out, the place is so classy and quiet, it doesn’t even feel like a mall. Inside were chocolatiers, boutique stores, and all the opulence one might miss while hunting for a nameboard.
We wrapped up the day with a visit to Place Poelaert, where we rode ‘The View’ — a giant Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the glittering Brussels skyline. As the sun dipped, we headed home via a city still buzzing with nightlife.
After spending some time around the wheel, it headed towards our airbnb room. It was too late and only couple of buses left for the day, and yet while returning through the city center we could feel the city alive and people still enjoying the night life.
Day 3: Parliament, Poke Bowls & Beer Heaven
Time to engage the brain cells. Our morning was booked at the Parlamentarium, the visitors’ center of the European Parliament. It’s free, but you do need a reservation. Thankfully, a kind German visitor helped us through the sign-up process after we cluelessly strolled in. (Danke, mystery man.)
Armed with audio guides and disposable earphones, we explored the EU’s legislative HQ. The main chamber—known as the Hemicycle—is arranged not by country, but by political leanings, a visual reminder that Europe loves a bit of ideological nuance. Interactive exhibits on the EU’s formation, the world wars, and democracy building made us feel smarter by the minute.
Post-politics, we found solace in food. A short walk brought us to Hawaiian Poke Bowl, where Hema assembled a veggie tofu creation and I devoured a chicken bowl topped with nachos and onions. She wasn’t a fan (the seaweed was a chewy villain in her story), but I was in food heaven.
Next stop: the comic art museum—well, that was the plan. Instead, we ended up at the Marc Sleen Museum, dedicated to a Belgian cartoonist we’d never heard of. The art was quirky, and the museum quaint, but we didn’t linger. A quick visit to Notre Dame du Sablon followed—a Gothic cathedral that, while beautiful, didn’t quite dazzle me after experiencing Milan’s Duomo.
We ended the day at the legendary Delirium Café, proud holder of a Guinness World Record for offering 2004 types of beer. I tried the Bar-Meter: a flight of 10 beers served on a wooden plank fit for a Viking. Hema passed on the alcohol, but we had one of our signature deep-dives into random topics while I got mildly tipsy. Classic evening.
Day 4: Dinosaurs, Evolution & Dosa
Originally, Day 4 was earmarked for Antwerp and a trip to the zoo. But three days of nonstop adventuring had caught up to us. So we pivoted and opted for something closer: the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Expectations were low—the exterior was anything but inspiring—but the inside? Absolute mind-blower.
This wasn’t just a museum; it was a journey. Ten permanent galleries took us through human evolution, biodiversity, the rise of mammals, and a mesmerizing dinosaur exhibit. We got hands-on with fossils, roamed through immersive media experiences, and admired over 850 animal specimens from aphids to giraffes. The “Gallery of Evolution” in particular was stunning—a time machine in exhibit form. We spent five full hours and still left wanting more.
After all that intellectual calorie burn, we sought comfort food. Enter Ganesh Restaurant, a South Indian eatery run by a Tamil proprietor (whom we didn’t meet, sadly). The dosa was crispy perfection, the chutneys hit all the right notes, and the chicken tikka? Chef’s kiss. Sated and sleepy, we packed up for our final morning and crashed hard.
Day 5: Farewell Fries & Rainy Goodbyes
Our flight wasn’t until the afternoon, but Airbnb rules meant we had to check out by 10 AM. So, with our bags in tow and clouds above, we made our way to the airport. One last serving of Belgian fries (from a bustling cart) felt like the right goodbye.
At the terminal, we sat and chatted about everything and nothing, reliving our favorite moments. By 7:30 PM, we were back in Bologna, and an hour later, finally home in Modena. We limped back to our apartment, collapsed into bed, and smiled.
Five days. One city. A thousand memories. Brussels, you were worth the wait.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3