While visiting Belgium in summer and enjoying the delights of boating and outdoor cafes along the canals of medieval towns might seem highly appealing, visiting Belgium in winter is another story.Īverage daily temperatures in the colder months of December, January, and February are around 3 degrees Celcius, so although not freezing, it makes for a rather chilly time to visit. Maybe with the exception of Bruges, thanks mostly to the film “In Bruges”, of course. Instead, it’s normally an add-on to a wider European adventure. So what are the best things to do in Brussels in winter? Eat all of those things and more, as you’ll see below!Ĭoming from outside of Europe, I’ve never really heard people speak about visiting Belgium as a bucket list destination. However, there are many things that Belgium is distinctly known for, particularly its comfort food of waffles, chocolate, beer, frites, and mussels. From the mixture of different languages spoken in a small country to the historic architecture and medieval towns that blend seamlessly with modern designs across the country. People seemed to have a love-or-hate relationship with the administrative home of the European Union, so I decided it was time to find out for myself!īelgium is known for being a melting pot of sorts. I’d heard mixed things about visiting the capital of Belgium, and even more about visiting Brussels during December / January. Even if I was making my first visit to Brussels during the winter!
I was excited at the prospect of finding out what to do in Brussels and what Belgium is like as a whole.
Please check for current circumstances before travelling.īrussels has been somewhere I’d been meaning to go for a long time. Please see my disclosure page for information. Thus, you can enjoy your favourite beer in a warmer place.ĭon’t miss to visit Leffe Pavillon at Marché aux Poissons.This post may contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission from at no cost to you. There are special beer halls that offer a wide variety of beers. BeerĪlthough it’s cold, beer is still the preferred drink of the Belgians. It is usually served cold in small glasses. This is Dutch gin, a grain-based drink with a high alcohol percentage. The typical Christmas drink of the Belgians is jenever. Mulled wine is not so popular in Belgium. This confection is made from whipped egg white, honey and crunchy almonds. I prefer the last one, as it’s crunchier, because of the crystallized sugar baked into it. There are two variations – Brussels waffle (rectangular in shape, topped with chocolate, cream or fruits) and Liège waffle (rounded in shape, often served plain). It is usually cooked on a campfire and it’s very delicious! Wafflesīelgium is well known for its waffles. And while the oysters are not for every taste, don’t miss to try the salmon. So oysters, mussels, and salmon are something you can easily find at every market. Seafood is very popular in Belgium, due to the country’s closeness to the North Sea. Gingerbread, meringue, waffles, baked salmon, Flemish stew – there is something for every taste! Yet, don’t miss to try these 5 local foods that are typical for the markets in Belgium. You can find all kinds of treats and delicious foods at the Christmas markets stalls. Brussels Christmas markets dates 2022ĭecember 24 and December 31 – till 06:00 PM Also, if you’re planning to visit several markets in Europe, you can leave Brussels for last. This makes Brussels a perfect destination to visit on the days around Christmas. Unlike many markets across Europe, which close on the 24th of December, the Brussels Christmas market continues on into the new year. Is there any market open after Christmas? Yes, all of them are open on Sunday till 10 PM. On 24 December and 31 December, they close a little earlier – at 06:00 PM.Īre Brussels Christmas markets open on Sunday? The Christmas villages are open daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The Winter Wonders festival takes place from 25 November till 1 January. When does the Brussels Christmas market start?
This event also includes a fun Christmas parade and a sound and light show at the Grand Place.Īnd if this is not enough to light up your Christmas spirit, hop on a train to Ghent or Bruges for more fairytale markets. In fact, the Brussels Christmas market is a part of one bigger event called the Winter Wonders.
Brussels Christmas markets 2022įind a map with all festive locations at the end of the article. The most famous locations are the Grand-Place (where the Christmas tree is) and Marché aux Poissons. More than 250 wooden stalls are spread out over the entire capital, giving the city a gorgeous festive look. The Brussel Christmas market takes place in several different squares in the city.
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