I set my alarm for 3:30am for a 6am flight from Edinburgh that would get me to Brussels for 9am. I’ve always wanted to visit Brussels, and looking back, I don’t know why I didn’t go sooner. I had done a little research into the places I wanted to see, so I had a rough plan for the day ahead. My return bus from Charleroi Airport into Brussels cost me £36, which I booked the night before I arrived. I visited Brussels on Monday morning and left Tuesday evening.
Halle Gate
My first stop was Halle Gate, about a 15–20-minute walk from where the bus dropped me off. I got a little lost walking through the metro station, but somehow, I came out exactly where I needed to be.
Halle Gate is a former medieval city gate that now serves as a museum. The entry fee was €7, and I used a self-service machine to buy my ticket. I picked up an audio guide and entered some numbers to learn about the history—it was a great introduction to Belgium, especially since I honestly didn’t know much about the country’s history before this trip.
After walking through the exhibits, I took a seat to rest. Even though I had just arrived, I was already exhausted from the early morning travels. But the highlight of Halle Gate was definitely the panoramic rooftop views. The weather wasn’t great, but standing there allowed me to see where I was and plan ahead for the day.
Walking Through Brussels
I walked through Brussels city centre, admiring the architecture of the museums and churches. I wandered towards some of the locations I had marked on Google Maps—from the Church of Our Lady of Victories to The Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
By 1pm, my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t eaten all day. I found the local McDonald’s, grateful for the English option at the self-service machines. I ordered a CBO (Chicken & Bacon Burger), a McCheesy Cheese, and a drink. I originally thought the drink was an energy drink because of a 16+ icon, but it turned out to be beer. No complaints!
After lunch, I walked toward the European Parliament building and admired it from the outside. Inside, security was tight—I had to remove my jacket and bag to go through checks. Then, I joined another long queue, which made me lose interest. I decided to skip it and resume my city exploration.
As I crossed a bridge over the train tracks, an older woman saw me taking a photo and excitedly started speaking to me in French, offering advice on getting a good shot. I nodded, pretending I understood, before she laughed and switched to English. We both laughed at how ugly my first photo was, and with her help, I took a much better one. It was a small but wholesome interaction—one of those moments that reminds you how friendly people can be.
I continued walking, finding myself in a small park where I spotted chickens in a pen. Naturally, I crouched down and started talking to them. I snapped a few photos before heading towards Etangs d’Ixelles (Ixelles Ponds), the Abbey, and The King’s Gardens.
By 4pm, it was time to check into my hotel, so I called an Uber and headed to my bed for the night. No time for rest.
De Viron Castle, Dilbeek
It was only a 35-minute walk. How bad can it be?
I found myself walking on a tiny pavement next to a motorway. Not ideal. De Viron Castle was one of the locations I had researched before the trip, mainly because of its pond and scenic bridge—a hidden gem, apparently.
When I arrived, the castle was as photogenic as I had hoped. A group of geese stood on a small hill, watching over the pond. I walked around, admiring the castle from different angles, then wandered through a nearby forest. It was eerily silent—no people, no sounds from the city, just birds chirping in the trees.
When I left the forest, it was completely dark. I was starving, so I checked Google Maps for food, but everything seemed to be closed. I tried calling an Uber, but after 10 minutes, no one came.
With no other choice, I walked back through the darkness. Honestly, I was a little terrified, but hunger was my bigger problem. That 35-minute walk felt like forever, but eventually, I made it back and found a burger place near my hotel called “Monster Buns”. I accidentally ordered sweet potato fries because of my bad French, but I ate them anyway.
After getting back to the hotel at 6:30pm, I ate, showered, and passed out. My step count for the day was 28,000.
National Basilica of the Sacred Heart
I woke up at 9am, grateful for the much-needed rest—but I also had toothache. I had to arrange an emergency appointment for when I returned home.
The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart was another must-see, and I set off on a 45-minute walk to get there. On the way, I stopped at Aldi and visited Karrevald Castle, a small park with geese and dog walkers. I bought an energy drink and two Mars bars—so much for healthy eating!
I arrived at the basilica just after 10am. The sheer size and beauty of the place took my breath away. I spent over two hours inside, sitting in silence, taking in the stunning stained glass, I had read there was panoramic views and I wanted to get onto the roof. I paid €8 to get through the barrier and started walking up the stairs – I didn’t want to take the lift up. I got to the top of the stairs but the door was locked… I returned to the previous floor.
I walked through the museum part of the basilica, which was only open on a Wednesday but I was still able to read some of the signage and admire the views of the interior of the building and take some photographs. Somehow I ended up at a barrier that said “no entry”, but I was on the wrong side… was I trespassing? I carefully backtracked my steps but found a set of stairs leading up. I decided to take them.
I’m not sure if this part was closed to the public but there wasn’t any signage saying “no entry” so I decided to continue. There was a lot of locked doors and CCTV cameras but I continued climbing the stairs. Eventually I made it outside and onto the viewing platform on the roof. It was very cold and the rain was starting to get heavy. I ate my second Mars bar. In one of my photos you can see the “Atomium” in the distance, a giant stainless steel atom with escalators and viewpoints – a place that I was going to visit but decided not to as it was too far away from where I was.
I had a little bit of difficulty finding my way down from the rooftop but I eventually found a lift. The creaky ride took me back to the first floor where I bumped into a member of staff that pointed me towards the exit. Before I left I silently walked the ground floor and lit myself a candle and eventually lighting a candle with a small prayer before leaving.
Graffiti in Brussels
On my walk back into the city centre, I decided to take a different route, passing another cathedral, crossing the canal, and stopping by the train station. I wandered into the metro station, thinking about hopping on a train, but my anxiety got the better of me, so I just kept walking.
One thing I really loved about Brussels was the street art and graffiti. Some of it was bold and vibrant, covering entire walls under bridges, while others were subtle pieces tucked away in quiet corners. I found myself stopping every few minutes to snap photos, appreciating the creativity.
At this point, I started to feel a little homesick, but thankfully, I was chatting with some of my work colleagues on WhatsApp, which made me feel more connected to home. It reminded me that even when I’m travelling alone, I’m never really alone.
I wandered through areas that might be seen as rough by the locals, but I never felt unsafe. I reached the bus stop where I had arrived the previous day, and just as I got there, the airport bus pulled in—perfect timing. I had done a little over 25,000 steps today
Home
My flight home was at 9:20pm, and I arrived at the airport way too early—5pm. I passed the time eating airport snacks, though I was a little frustrated that there was no smoking area, so I couldn’t vape.
I gave in to one of those overpriced airport doughnuts—the kind that only tastes good when you’re desperate.
By 10:30pm, I was back in my own bed, exhausted but so glad I made this trip. The next morning, I was straight back to work, back to routine, and back to planning my next adventure.
Brussels left a great impression on me. It had stunning architecture, unexpected hidden gems, and a laid-back atmosphere that I really enjoyed. I know I’ll be back one day—maybe for longer next time.