Sometimes it’s the spontaneous decisions that create the best memories. So on the first free day of our Christmas holidays, we decided to go to Brussels. The Belgian capital is easy to reach from Düsseldorf and the idea of spending the day in another festively decorated city sounded perfect.
Arriving in Brussels was promising. We drove through the modern European district and immediately spotted the impressive Parc du Cinquantenaire with its majestic Arc de Triomphe. Our spontaneous excursion took us right into the heart of the city: we parked under the Grand Place and were greeted by the festively decorated Old Town as we left the car park.
Our first stop was the magnificent Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. The historic arcades were not only architecturally impressive, but also a chocolate lover’s paradise. Shop windows everywhere beckoned with the finest Belgian chocolates and artistically arranged pralines.
After a leisurely stroll around the city, we treated ourselves to a typical Belgian waffle. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and incredibly tasty – a real treat! But then we were surprised by a sudden downpour. However, this little stopover gave us the idea to try the famous Belgian fries. Fresh, golden brown and perfectly crispy – even the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits.
When the rain stopped after a few minutes, we made our way to the Grand Place, the city’s historic market square. The magnificent facades of the guild houses, the Gothic town hall and the Christmas decorations created a magical atmosphere. And as if that wasn’t enough, Santa Claus suddenly waved at us from one of the windows!
Our walk continued to St Michael and St Gudula’s Cathedral, which was another highlight of the day with its impressive architecture and small Christmas stalls nearby. Of course, we couldn’t miss the famous statue of Manneken Pis before heading to the Mont des Arts to enjoy the view over the city.
In the evening we returned to the Grand Place to watch the light show that took place every half hour. The combination of music and projections was impressive and atmospheric. To round off the day, we treated ourselves to another Belgian waffle – this time with hot strawberries and liquid chocolate, an absolute dream. After some shopping, including Belgian chocolate of course, we finally made our way home.
Our spontaneous trip to Brussels was the perfect decision. The combination of Christmas flair, culinary highlights and impressive architecture made this day a highlight of the pre-Christmas period.
If you are looking for a destination for a day trip during the Christmas period, we can highly recommend Brussels. A city that welcomes you with open arms – especially during the most beautiful time of the year.
