My Brussels trip was totally unplanned. After 6 great days in London and 1 day in Paris(that was a complete disaster), we were looking for a possibility of doing a day trip out of London to another city. This post is about my small Brussels discoveries and an awesome day we spent in Brussels. Hers is how to spend one relaxing day in Brussels, Belgium.
My friend, Google, had tons of information on why a day trip to Brussels is a bad idea and why one should plan on spending at least 2-3 nights there, but I was set on going to Brussels. So, we did.
One day in Brussels
HOW TO GET TO BRUSSELS
We took a 6 am train to Brussels from London Kings Train Station. When we arrived to Brussels around 8.30 am our little adventure started. We had a list of places to visit and a strong desire to make the most out our one day in Brussels.
Everything about this trip was funny and at the same time unique. It started on a train station when my husband had to use the restroom. The restrooms were coin-operated and cost .5 euros. Of course, we did not have any coins. I looked around in search of a change machine or an attendant but found none. We had to walk to the other side of the train station to the store to get coins and then go back to the toilet.
So, if you are planning to go to Brussels or any other European city, here are two lessons for you:
- Majority(not all) of toilets are not free and there might be no attendant.
- Carry coins just in case.
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Train Travel in Europe
As we were walking down the Stalingrad street in a direction of Grand-Place, we saw a man entering into a small metal round structure with no door. He spent some time there, got out and walked away. We got closer to this structure and quickly realized that it is a toilet. I assume men-only toilet as I can’t imagine myself using a toilet with no door in the middle of the street. So, that was a funny Brussels discovery, the only free toilet we found in Brussels. 
Toilet, Brussels
One day in Brussels- Best things to see and do in Brussels, Belgium
If you have about 8-10 hours in the city, hop-on-hop-off bus is a perfect option. We got on the bus and headed to Atomium. On the way to Atomuim, we stopped by The Royal Palace with the beautiful Green Houses
Atomium
Atomiun is a very impressive shiny metal structure that consist of several interconnected spheres. It’s possible to get inside of those spheres, but we didn’t have any desire to walk the stairs. So, we took couple of pictures and just admired the structure from outside. If you want to visit Atomium, you can buy tickets in the ticket office on the base floor. You don’t need to worry about buying tickets in advance.
Manneken Pis
On the way back to Grand Place our tour guide talked about Manneken Pis(Peeing Boy). Manneken Pis is well known fountain that is a symbol of the city of Brussels. I knew this part. It used to be the clean water city supply system in 17 century.
What I didn’t know is that nowadays he is getting dressed and undressed every day, sometimes even twice a day, he has about 900 costumes and cultural city council has to approve the costumes schedule and all new costumes additions. The city also has an official Manneken Pis dresser position. That was the highlight of the trip.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
We stopped by Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Finished in 1969, the church building process took more than half of a decade. I totally missed the entire Basilica part of the tour as my brain was accupied thinking about the whole process of dressing and undressing the Manneken Pis. I couldn’t believe it was real.
Lunch at St. Gerry’s Place.
We had a great lunch and Belgian beer somewhere around St. Gerry’s Place. My Belgian meatballs in white sauce were to die for and the beer.. Well, real Belgium beer, enough said.
Grand Place and Manekken Pis
After a short walk 5 mins walk from St. Gerry’s Place we were on to Grand Place, Brussels’ historical center. I was so ready to see the Manneken Pis. We were using google maps to get to the statue, we were almost there, but I didn’t see the statue. I expected to see a fairly big fountain and I knew we couldn’t miss it. There was a group of people standing near the metal fence. As we got closer, to my big surprise, they were all looking at Manekken Pis. We found Maneken Pis! The statue was TINY, about 25 inches high at most. And, yes, he was dressed.
So, If you are in Brussel looking for Manneken Pis, please know it is very small.
Jeannekene Pis
Shortly after Manneken Pis, we found Jeanneken (Peeing girl), who was not getting dresses and undressed every day. How unfair! There is also Zinneke Pis(peeing dog) statue, but I think two peeing statues is enough for a day.
Belgium Waffles and Chocolate ( and Beer!!!!!)
We shared a serving of traditional Belgian waffles. That partially satisfied my sweets cravings and I was ready for a traditional Belgium chocolate shopping. We walked a little bit more around St. Gerry’s Quarter, bought some chocolate and headed back to Grand Place area.
I had to buy a souvenir for my Mom, so I went shopping and my husband stayed in the bar by Manneken Pis to have some more of this real Belgian Ale that we do not have in the states.
Watch Manneken Pis dressing and undressing
I went through couple of stores, made couple of turns, went into couple more stores and made some more turns. Sure enough, I got lost and, of course, my phone was dead. 40 mins later with some help from locals, I found my way to Manneken Pis that was surrounded by a crowd of people. They had been watching the undressing ceremony that just ended by the time I got there. Here is my husband’s recording of undressing process.
Final Thoughts
So, despite getting lost, Brussels was a great day trip. We visited Atomium, Basilica of Sacred Heart, walked around St Gerry’s Quarter, had best Belgian food and beer, admired Grand-Place, saw Manneken Pis, Jenniken Pis, had traditional Belgian waffles, bought chocolate and watched Manneken Pis undressing ceremony.
If you are questioning whether one day is enough in Brussels. The answer is Yes, it is enough to see the highlights of the city. Most likely you won’t have time to visit museums, but you will definitely have great time in Brussels.
