Hey, what’s up?

Congrats! You made it to the final part. If you’ve been following along since the beginning, you get an imaginary gold star—and maybe a complimentary waffle (terms and conditions apply). In this post, I’ll be sharing my whirlwind half-day in Brussels.

So, if you remember, I mentioned that I booked an apartment in Brussels for my entire stay in Belgium. It was called Smartflats Midi. Solid 8/10. The place was spacious, had a kitchen with a fridge, a TV (which I didn’t even turn on because, let’s be honest, it was probably all in Dutch or French), and, the crown jewel—a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom! Points deducted, however, for the non-functional WiFi (a modern tragedy) and the location, which was a little too far from central Brussels and had mildly sketchy vibes.

I checked out at the ungodly hour of 6 AM because my flight was at 2 PM, and I had barely any time to explore Brussels. Plus, Charleroi Airport is basically a road trip away—almost an hour from central Brussels by bus. Thankfully, the sunrise was around 6 AM at the time, so at least I had nice lighting for some morning cityscape photos. Priorities, right? Picture above not related to this paragraph but I like to highlight that going to Brussels will not complete without buying a chocolate from their chocolatier.

The first stop of the day was Manneken Pis, which literally means Little Pissing Man (though let’s be real, it’s more of a Boy Pissing instead). This tiny statue is one of Brussels’ most famous landmarks, and fun fact—he has a whole wardrobe of different outfits. Sadly, when I visited, he was in his au naturel state. Poor guy must’ve been freezing, which probably explains why he’s been urinating non-stop for centuries.

If you’re planning to visit, manage your expectations. This isn’t some grand, awe-inspiring sculpture—it’s just a statue of a peeing boy. Go in with low hopes, and you’ll leave with mild satisfaction instead of soul-crushing disappointment.

Next, I headed to La Grand-Place (or Grote Markt, if you prefer the Dutch name)—the iconic central square of Brussels, surrounded by stunning historic buildings. The architecture? Top-notch. And since I was there early in the morning, I actually managed to snap photos without random tourists ruining my shots. A rare victory!

Right next to Grote Markt, there was a mystery museum—or at least, I think it was a museum. I tried to find its name later, but Google gave me nothing. So, if you recognize this building from my photos, let me know. Otherwise, let’s just pretend it’s a secret, exclusive museum only a select few (me) have ever discovered.

Next, I made my way to Mont des Arts, home to a beautifully maintained garden that looked straight out of a postcard. On either side, you’ll find the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives of Belgium, and a square featuring a statue of… some guy. (I didn’t catch his name, but I’m sure he was important. Probably.) The whole area is conveniently located near Brussels Central Station, making it an easy stop if you’re wandering around the city.

Originally, I planned to visit Parc du Cinquantenaire, but on the way, I stumbled upon an absolutely gorgeous garden with a massive palace right in front of it. Turns out, I had unintentionally arrived at the Royal Palace of Brussels. Classic me—getting lost but somehow ending up somewhere fancy. The park was filled with joggers, and honestly, if I hadn’t been weighed down by my bag and dressed like a tourist, I totally would’ve joined them.

Speaking of Parc du Cinquantenaire, I did eventually make it there. This urban park is known for its massive U-shaped arcade, flanked by two large halls. Sounds majestic, right? Well, trying to take a decent photo of it was a battle—the sky was painfully clear, and the sun was basically out to sabotage me. “Not today, mate,” it seemed to say, as my camera struggled to balance the lighting. So, if my photos look questionable, blame the sun.

After that, I took a train back to Brussels Midi Station and hopped on a bus to Charleroi Airport, arriving just in time to check in. Smooth sailing all the way—who would’ve thought? BTW, I bought these two cards while I was back in Ghent. Let’s play if any of you reader happens to hang out with me anytime soon.

Looking back, this trip was fantastic. Everything went according to plan (which is rare), and for my first solo Europe trip, I’d say it was a success. At first, I was hesitant because, well, I’m a bit of a scaredy-cat. I used to rely on friends for travel—because, you know, if something went wrong, at least I wouldn’t be alone in my suffering. But now? I’m hooked on solo travel. (Also, let’s be real, everyone is busy, so it’s either I go alone or wait forever.)

Here’s to more future solo trips!

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this blog. Until next time! (Hopefully with something other than travel posts… but no promises.)