Everyone knows Belgium for its famous waffles and chocolate, but do you know more than that? To be honest, Belgium wasn’t on my list of countries I really wanted to explore in Europe. That’s why I decided to explore this country differently. Normally, I visit at least 4 or 5 cities in each country. However, I knew so little about Belgium that I decided to only explore 2 cities and focus all of my attention on them. That’s why this article is different from my others Where To Go In … I have chosen to visit a well-known city and one that is perhaps less talked about.

I am pretty sure that if I say Brussels, you know which city I’m talking about. Can you say the same for Bruges? If like me, you didn’t know that it existed, follow along as I tell you what I loved and disliked, what to do & what to expect from these two cities. 

I do not regret my choices. I’m happy I had the chance to experience these two places. However, I would have planned my time better if I had known what to expect. That is why I am telling you about it today. Here is a little more information about these two locations: 

• Brussels – the capital, a classic 
• Bruges – a lovely town that has so much to offer
• Temperature in Brussels and Bruges

Brussels

Brussels is Belgium’s capital and the largest city in the country. It’s known as the Capital of Europe because it’s the seat of the EU (European Union).

What to do: Here is a quick list of activities to do in Brussels. To know more, check out: 5 Of The Best Things To Do In Brussels.

What I loved:

• The food. I had such a delicious smash burger at Smash Burger. Brussels is also known to have one of the best street foods in Europe.
• Le Delirium is an awesome bar to spend your night at!
• The metro is very cheap. A student’s pass for one month is 17 euros (25$ CAD).
• They love football. I was in Brussels during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and watching the matches in pubs was amazing.

What I disliked:

• For such a big and important city, there’s not much to do. Every activity I said is close to another one. It doesn’t take a lot of time to see what Brussels has to offer. 
• As a 20-year-old girl, I found that there were not a lot of young people. I would say that most people are 40 years old and up.  
• The temperature. It’s like the sun never wants to come out. It’s always cloudy and gray. 
• There are a lot of homeless people on the streets and the metro. It’s one of the reasons why I didn’t feel safe walking outside at night.
• Honestly, Brussels is a sketchy and dangerous city. I was in Brussels during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and I didn’t want to go outside during the matches because people would set cars and garbage bins on fire.

What to expect:

• I was expecting, like most capitals in Europe, a city filled with life and a great atmosphere. However, I found that Brussels gives more of a work vibe (Ottawa’s ambiance if you know what I mean). I think that’s because it’s the seat of the European Union. If you want a city with great nightlife and parties until sunrise, you won’t find that in Brussels.

How many days I recommend for your stay:

• I stayed 10 days in Brussels. You don’t need this much time in this city. I recommend spending 3 full days to fully experience what Brussels has to offer.

Bruges

Bruges is known for its stunning architecture, cute streets and famous Christmas market.

What to do: Here is a quick list of activities to do in Bruges. To know more, check out: 5 Of the best things to do in Bruges.

What I loved:

• The boat on the canal made me think of Venice. I wasn’t expecting them, so it was a nice thing to see. 
• You can do everything on foot since every activity is close to the other. 
• If you don’t plan to stay overnight, you can take a train or a bus from Brussels to Bruges. The best app to book your ticket is Omio. The train takes around 55 minutes and costs 20 euros (30$ CAD). The bus takes around 1h30 minutes and costs between 7 and 10 euros (10 to 15$ CAD).

What I disliked:

• Honestly, I loved my time in Bruges. I have nothing bad to say about this city!

What to expect:

• I went in the winter and there were more tourists than I was expecting. Maybe it was because Christmas was around the corner. Anyway, if you get there early, and take the time to fully explore the city, you will also love it no matter how many tourists there are. 

How many days I recommend for your stay:

• I recommend 1 full day in Bruges. If you get there early, and you leave around 6-7 pm, you will have the time to explore everything there is to see in this town. 

Temperature in Brussels and Bruges

I went to Brussels and Bruges in December. You will need a good coat if you plan to visit by foot. It will snow, so be ready for cold temperatures. In the winter, there are fewer tourists than in the summer. The accommodation prices are lower because it’s the low season. As for the summer, there are a lot more tourists, so the prices for accommodation, food and some activities are higher.