Hello dear travelers. Brussels in December is known for its Christmas markets, which impress primarily with lights, its addictive waffles and weather conditions that test your endurance. It seemed like a great idea to go to Brussels to experience the Christmas magic. We planned our mini-test in September, booked the tickets and arranged our hotel. We flew with Vueling Airlines and didn’t pay extra for seats, as we were lucky to be seated together. I ended up by the window, which made the 2-hour flight even more interesting.
After settling into the hotel, we dropped off our bags and went straight outside. The weather was perfect, the streets were decorated with colorful lights, creating a true Christmas atmosphere. It was really beautiful. We dressed warmly, with hats, scarves and gloves.
Grand-Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Brussels and in December, it transforms into one of the Christmas locations that envelop the city. There are no traditional Christmas stalls here, but there is a giant Christmas tree and a nativity scene set up beside it.
In the evenings you can watch a unique 5-minute music show that repeats every 25 minutes. However, since a lot of people want to see the show, the square gets really crowded and it becomes quite difficult to move before and after the performance.
After the show we went for dinner at a restaurant called Mozart. They were offering unlimited ribs for 25 euros, which we couldn’t pass up. We didn’t particularly like the steak, but the ribs went perfectly with Belgian beer. Before going to sleep, we decided to continue tasting foamy beers and went to a bar. It was impressive to see how skillfully they poured the beer, turning a simple process into a small show by cutting the foam with a special spatula. It was a real pleasure to watch. Among the types of beer I tried on this trip, my favorite was the green Floris Cactus from the bar on the first evening. 🍺
Belgian beer is a world that would take time to describe. Each beer has its own special glass, designed to highlight its taste and aroma in the best way. The presentation of the beer has also become a special ritual. In the evenings the bars become as crowded as the Grand-Place and the fun continues late into the night.
The next morning we went out to see the famous Manneken Pis statue and other sculptures in Brussels. As usual the little boy was surrounded by tourists and on the weekend, he changed outfits three times. However, the Jeanneke Pis statue was still without a wardrobe and the Het Zinneke statue remained in its place, naked. There weren’t as many tourists around this statue, unlike the others. The urinating child statues in Brussels are not just sculptures but also serve as outdoor urinals placed all around the city. Yes, they are everywhere, even next to the temple, where there’s a urinal built into the wall. This doesn’t surprise anyone here.
Then it was time for the main event, the Christmas market. Although this year the event was officially called Winter Delight, it was essentially the same Christmas market. This market, which immerses the city in the Christmas anticipation atmosphere, creates the same mood as other Christmas markets, with sparkling decorations, the scent of mulled wine, Christmas gifts and a cheerful vibe. Christmas will be here soon. Now we can enjoy the atmosphere filled with its magic and preparations.
At the Christmas market, we especially loved the smell of these cheese sandwiches. They were so impressive that words couldn’t describe them. The first thing we bought was rosé wine, followed by everything else. Those hot, flavorful cheese sandwiches were a real discovery and definitely a must-try for anyone visiting the market. 🧀
The Christmas market has many stalls filled with food and drinks. For example, a small glass of wine costs 4 euros and food starts at 7 euros. You can find pasta, potatoes, sausages, sandwiches and much more. However, despite the gastronomic variety, there are almost no Christmas decorations for sale. There are many souvenir stalls, but it’s hard to find a distinctly Christmas-themed product.
In addition to mulled wine and beer, various other drinks are often offered at the Christmas markets. Shots start at 3 euros and are quite popular. Most stalls offer a deal where if you buy 10 shots, you get 4 for free, which is an attractive option for large groups.
The weather in Brussels was quite changeable and we were ready for it. I had bought raincoats in Barcelona, so we made good use of them during the heavy rain that started the next day. And we were ready for the Christmas market.
Despite the rain the market was crowded. We had some mulled wine, a few shots and after having a sandwich, we started looking for chocolate shops. Chocolate shops are at every corner and when you go inside, you’re usually offered the chance to taste different kinds of chocolates, truffles and candies. We didn’t miss these opportunities and tasted everything. It was all delicious. We even bought some chocolate to take with us.
In chocolate shops you can prepare a box with your selected sweets. The prices are usually around 6 euros per 100 grams. This is a great way to try different varieties and pick your favorite flavors.
Next were Belgium’s famous waffles, which I could honestly sing a praise song for. But I must immediately mention that not every waffle won my heart. If you look closely, you’ll see that there are two shapes of waffles. One is round and irregular, while the other is distinctly rectangular. It’s not just about design. There are two different types of waffles and their tastes differ as well as their appearances. Liège waffles are sweeter, round and have a denser texture. Brussels waffles are rectangular, light, airy, less sweet and have a crispy shell. Both are served with various sauces and fillings, but my heart definitely belongs to Brussels waffles. Also, Liège waffles are usually sold on the streets of Brussels.
Another Belgian pride is frittes, or fried potatoes. Long lines form at these kiosks because it’s a national dish. However, I wasn’t surprised by the fries, so we chose not to try them.
We had a wonderful weekend at the Christmas markets in Brussels, exploring the stalls, tasting different beers, enjoying Belgian waffles and walking through the city’s charming streets. The rain didn’t stop us. We were prepared for everything. Sending you all hugs. 🤗
