Definitely Not a Travel Guide to Brussels (But a Great Story Anyway)

One night in Brussels, a wild stopover with new friends

In 2019, I visited Belgium. After being in Bruges and participating in a training organised by SCI (Service Civil International) named ABCD: Art for Balanced and Cultural Diversity in Antwerp, I went to Brussels.

I visited Brussels for just one night, along with three other participants. It wasn’t a long stay; we were simply passing through on our way back to Budapest, but we still managed to soak in a bit of the city's energy. Even with limited time, Brussels made an impression with its mix of grandeur and quirkiness.

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union, is a city where historic charm meets modern creativity. Walking its streets, you’ll find ornate Gothic architecture sitting beside modern glass EU institutions, medieval alleyways giving way to sleek tram lines, and centuries-old cafés serving beer next to comic book murals of Tintin and friends.

Brussels is a diverse, multilingual city where French, Dutch, and English coexist daily. Its neighbourhoods vary wildly in vibe, from multicultural vibrancy to more bohemian and stately elegance.

On the day we arrived, we didn’t do much because it was raining cats and dogs; we just went to our accommodation and got to know Hynd, the girl who was hosting us. She is a Belgian-Moroccan girl we met through Couchsurfing. She welcomed the four of us into her parents’ home (they were out on that day) with incredible warmth, and what started as a quiet arrival quickly turned into a wild party at her place. Hynd was not only a great host but also a genuinely interesting and kind person, full of stories and good energy. Even though we were only in the city for one night, we had an amazing time with her, one of those spontaneous Couchsurfing experiences that remind you how fun and unexpected travel can be.

That night at Hynd’s place felt a bit like stepping into a scene from a movie. The house was full of people, friends arriving, others leaving, music playing nonstop, and tables overflowing with food and drinks. We got to meet many of Hynd’s friends, each one adding their own energy to the mix, and the whole evening had this chaotic, joyful vibe that made it feel unforgettable. It was the kind of night that captures the spirit of travel at its best: spontaneous, warm, and full of connection.

The day after, the weather was much better and we immediately visited the Atomium, near Hynd’s house, in the northern part of Brussels.

The Atomium is one of the city's most distinctive and beloved landmarks. Built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), this massive structure represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, symbolising scientific progress, modernity, and post-war optimism.

Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, the Atomium is made up of nine stainless steel spheres, each 18 meters in diameter, connected by long tubes that house escalators and stairs.

We didn’t visit it inside, but the top sphere is accessed by an elevator, which provides a panoramic view of Brussels and beyond. While it was only meant to stand for six months, the Atomium has endured, becoming a symbol of Brussels’ mix of ambition, design, and defiance of expectations.

After that, we went back to Hynd’s house, said goodbye to her, and then went to the city centre to make a quick visit to the old town before going to the airport.

The Old Town of Brussels is a maze of cobbled streets, medieval façades, and centuries-old stories tucked behind every crooked corner. The Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, dazzles with its ornate guildhalls, the Gothic Town Hall, and the Maison du Roi, now the City Museum. It’s a place that has witnessed coronations, protests, markets, and fireworks.

Just a few steps away, you can find yourself in a warren of narrow alleyways filled with waffle stands, beer bars, comic book shops, and small chocolatiers where pralines are treated like treasures.

Tucked away on a street corner just a few steps from the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis is a tiny statue that packs a surprising amount of charm, humour, and symbolism. Just 61 centimetres tall, this little bronze boy peeing into a fountain has become an unlikely but beloved symbol of Brussels, and a perfect example of the city’s irreverent, cheeky spirit.

It was created in 1619 by sculptor Hieronimus Duquesnoy the Elder, and what makes it truly unique is its wardrobe. Manneken Pis has over 1,000 costumes, many of which are on display in a dedicated museum nearby. From Santa Claus to astronauts, samurai to soccer jerseys, it’s dressed up several times a week to mark national holidays, cultural events, or visiting dignitaries.

Brussels isn't just a city of grand architecture and old-world charm, it's also an open-air gallery for bold, colourful, and often playful street art. As you wander through its neighbourhoods, from the historic centre to the outer districts, it’s impossible to miss the explosion of creativity splashed across walls, alleyways, and even rooftops.

The most iconic part of Brussels’ street art scene is the Comic Book Route, a series of over 60 large-scale murals paying tribute to Belgium’s rich comic tradition. Beloved characters like Tintin, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and Gaston Lagaffe leap from the bricks in full colour, transforming otherwise plain façades into scenes straight out of a graphic novel. But beyond comics, Brussels has a thriving urban art scene that reflects its multicultural identity and edgy energy. It’s a nice way to explore the city, turning corners into surprises and alleyways into storytelling spaces.

One night in Brussels wasn’t nearly enough to truly get to know the city, but even in that short time, I was positively impressed. The mix of elegance and edge, tradition and creativity, left me wanting more. I’ll have to plan another trip to dive deeper into everything Brussels has to offer. Still, what made this quick stop so special wasn’t just the place; it was the people. Travelling with such amazing friends made every moment fun, and meeting Hynd, our warm and unforgettable host, added something truly unique to the experience. Sometimes, it's not about how long you stay, it's about who you're with. And this time, I got lucky.

See you soon,

Flavio