BRUSSELS on a BUDGET 🇧🇪 (20 free & cheap things to do in Belgium's capital)

Рет қаралды 31,764

Күн бұрын

We made a short trip to Brussels, Belgium! :) Our accommodations used up pretty much our entire budget, so on our DIY city tour of Brussels we tried some cheap Belgian food, explored the top (free!) things to do, saw a cool graduation, and relaxed in a couple of the parks - all for just a few euro!
We're Brandi & Alan, full-time travelers and creators since 2018. We post fun vlogs and informative guides to both document our travels and help you on your own journey.
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Planning your own trip to Brussels? Add these to your itinerary!
1. visit the Congress Column & take in the views! (free)
2. visit the St. Michael & St. Gudula cathedral (free)
3. walk through the Galeries Royales St. Hubert (free)
4. visit the Grand Place (free)
5. try a variety of Belgian chocolates (cheap!)
6. try Belgian fries! (cheap!)
7. visit the Manneken Pis statue (free)
8. Join in on an awesome graduation party! (free)
9. find the Brussels Stock Exchange (free)
10. find even more churches (sorry there are so many... couldn't find the names lol) (free)
11. visit the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon (free)
12. visit the Square of Petit Sablon (free)
13. (kind of) visit the Royal Palace of Brussels (free - can only visit on specific dates in summer)
14. see the European Parliament (free)
15. revisit the Museum of Natural Sciences (not dirt cheap, but not too pricey... worth it)
16. relax in the beautiful Leopold park (free)
17. explore the massive Cinquantenaire Park (free)
18. find an amazing day market! (free)
19. try the local coffee (cheap)
20. eat the best pizza at Basils!! (free if you get bugs in your food lol)
• • • • • • • • • • •
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:27 Quick Brussels Airbnb Tour
1:08 Our plans, Congress Column, & the National Church
3:05 Belgian Chocolates & Grand Place
7:18 Belgian Fries & a cool graduation
9:08 Manneken Pis & street party!
11:18 Why is everything closed?
13:55 European Parliament & the best museum!
14:48 Must see parks! (Leopold & Cinquantenaire)
16:58 a huge market & coffee
18:26 the best pizza! (for free?)
20:58 Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more adventures! :D

Пікірлер: 84

@thierryroberfroid9400 Жыл бұрын

As a Belgian, I'm really sorry to see how some people treat tourists and serve them fries from the freezer, for me it's obvious at first glance but for newcomers to Belgium how could they know, SO I can't say this enough, please ask people, it will be a pleasure to help you by showing you a real frying with fresh fries "hello, are you from Brussels? yes? well, can you you tell us where we can find a good traditional fried food where they are still making fresh fries, not from the freezer..." I would have this kind of question, I would spend the rest of the day showing you all that tourist miss

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh no worries, we never expect much in terms of food in very touristic spots hahah. We have had some amazing Belgian fries so luckily we know what how amazing they can be!! Next time we will definitely ask around for the best spots! Would have been awesome to run into a local like yourself!! 😃

@jackf1841 Жыл бұрын

11:40 The (former) Stock Exchange building is being completely renovated and transformed into 'Belgian Beer World' a huge experience center about... Belgian beer :) It will also have a public passage and a rooftop bar. Opens in 2023 :)

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh that will be really cool when it is competed!! Will have to visit again to see it!!

@kdebaerdemaeker Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for visiting and promoting my hometown! I really enjoyed watching this video.

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!! So happy you enjoyed it!

@AydenKIT Жыл бұрын

Nice and chill vlog 👍🏻 I’m also heading o Belgium late November and hopefully enjoy some good food as well. Thanks for the introduction

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! So happy you enjoyed it! Hope you have an amazing trip!!

@axsun1918 Жыл бұрын

I’ve always wanted to see Brussels! Great work guys!

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

You should go! Its a great city!

@louisecallanta5968 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! You love chocolate. I could hear the anticipatory excitement. 😂

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Idk why he even asked! lol

@louisecallanta5968 Жыл бұрын

Anyone who knows you, knows that you’d get into a van with blacked out windows if free chocolate was offered. 😂🤣😂🤣

@papamod9528 Жыл бұрын

again wonderfully vlog ❤❤😍😍

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! :)

@papamod9528 Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo ☺☺

@ChrisandKen Жыл бұрын

Great video guys, you are doing an awesome job! Let us know if you ever plan to visit Copenhagen, Denmark ;)

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Yes we definitely will!!! Do you both have instagram too??

@MathewLauren Жыл бұрын

You won our hearts with the pizza.

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Pizza is definitely a heart stealer huh 😆

@Dutchbelg3 Жыл бұрын

Every time an American tastes something spiced (cinnamon, cloves, ginger etc.) they say it tastes like "Christmas".. Speculoos and the Dutch Speculaas have nothing to do with Christmas as we like these cookies all year round! The difference between Speculaas and Speculoos is that Speculoos is just flavored with caramel (roasted sugar) and cinnamon and Speculaas has on top also cloves, white pepper, ginger, cardamon and nutmeg. (Why? Because the Dutch had a connection with Indonesia and imported it.)

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Haha I think it’s a commonly used combination for Christmas in the USA! It’s also a pretty in fall combination too. (Though I think a different mix!) I must have misunderstood when I read about it, I thought it was a Christmas/special occasion cookie. So thank you for your comment to clarify! :) we’ll have to buy both versions to try it. I didn’t know they were different but that totally makes sense!

@Dutchbelg3 Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo OK you are forgiven 😜 Speculaas is popular to eat at St. Nicolas ( you know the guy that Americans think is a racist slave owner 😜) 5/6 of December.

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

@@Dutchbelg3 Haha gotta say we are GRATEFUL for people like you who can correct our errors without tearing us to shreds. lol! You know us Americans... we're very sensitive people. lol.

@mikestagramming2989 Жыл бұрын

Just enjoy the flavours

@TravelWithSetareh Жыл бұрын

Hey dear Friend Wonderful to see such breathtaking work from you again, I like it very much You have my full support, promised!

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! ❤️

@mikestagramming2989 Жыл бұрын

If you think Brussels is bad for being under construction, then you have to go to Munich, Germany, everything has a crane or a scaffolding rack in front of it

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

I felt like so much of Europe has had huge restoration projects lately!

@Amhix Жыл бұрын

Could you share the airbnb location. Thank you! Safe trips, happy travels 🌟

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Yes of course!! Here’s the link!! abnb.me/EYFJ3PKYzsb

@riccardoattilia8219 Жыл бұрын

There are always doing construction in brussels! ahahah. However, the royal palace wasn't closed for restauration, the issue is that it is used by the monarchy so it's only open in august, when they don't use it !

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Last time we visited everything was open!! (minus the palace! lol) Good to know when they actually open it.. think its worth making an August trip one of these days?? lol

@riccardoattilia8219 Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo from the 12th to the 15th of august at the grand place there's the flower carpet. It is a huge flower carpet that is done every 2 years, but it has now been 4 years due to covid. It's usually a huge event+ the palace is also open (you need to book). If you like parks, i hugely recommend the "Bois de la cambre" , it is a forest in the city, a bit like central park for brussels!

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah! I remember reading about the flower carpet too. Looks very neat to see. Hopefully one of these days we’ll make it out for that!! Also thank you so much for the recommendation!! We haven’t seen that one. Would love to check it out. Green spaces are our fav! Thanks again!! 🤗

@flitsertheo Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo If the Belgian flag is flying from the top of the palace the King is "in the house". The palace is not used as a residence (they have a palace not far away in Laken/Laeken for that), only for royal events, receptions, etc ...

@user-iy4lq4uw1z 4 ай бұрын

9:08 It's actually an activity from a student association or in dutch 'studenten vereniging' who are celebrating their hazing, you can recognize it by their flag, with a shell on it that symobolises the union

@IfWeGoTo 4 ай бұрын

Ahh got it!!! Thank you for sharing!

@aufstiegundfall Жыл бұрын

02:04 are housing units being built in 60m towers 11:44 indeed a beer museum is in construction with panoramic view from the rooftop of the old Stock Exchange 14:03 the EU parliament building will also be undertaking a lifting I really appreciate you didn't fall into the ludicrous mistake of comparing Brussels with Bruges / Ghent which other videos sponsored by Flanders tourism offices do Nice review

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Ahh thank you! There was a lot Of construction but I’m sure it’ll turn out to be really neat when it’s done!! We love all of them, but they definitely are very different from each other! Worth a visit to all three!! Lol

@carolewestlake4603 Жыл бұрын

Going to Brussels 1st time and looking for inexpensive accommodations. What is the BnB you stayed at and is it close to train station? Couldn’t open link you posted. Do you any other hotels you’d recommend?Thx!!

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Awesome!! I hope you have an amazing trip!! This is the link to the listing, not sure what the price is nowadays! abnb.me/dJM5oGmvUwb Hope you have a great trip!

@carolewestlake4603 Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo thanks, again couldn’t open it. Can you recommend place, walking distance to train station & sites?

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh no! Not sure why it’s not working! Maybe they removed the listing! Luckily Brussels is very well serviced by trains!! So you should have no problem finding a station, near the central station is a good location that may be more affordable. For a first visit you may want to look into staying near Grand Place, which also has a major train station nearby! When you look at a map of the city you’ll see a sort of ring shape around grand place, I would try to stay within or close to that if you can!

@carolewestlake4603 Жыл бұрын

Great advice thank you! Read video!!

@stefanocuccoli178 Жыл бұрын

Of course you can go inside the EU parliament. It's also free, just need to book, but they often let you in even without a reservation if it's not packed. Also on the front is the parlamentarium: a sort of visitor centre of the EU institutions. Free as well.

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Ahh that makes sense!! We mustve gotten confused by it on our first visit because they had a large event... hopefully fellow viewers see your comment so they can plan a visit though!

@Lepewhi Жыл бұрын

It's nice visiting Brussels. I live here, but never really visit. Work to home, home to work. Everything here is always being repaired, it's a Belgian thing. We are not the most efficient country. Nor do we take ourselves very seriously.

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Don't worry! I think a lot of Europe requires heavy restoration that is difficult to complete, we've seen it in many places! Either way, we really love Brussels! It's a great city!

@_ancient_nomad Жыл бұрын

💓

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🤗

@_ancient_nomad Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoToalways welcome ☺️

@santaclaus179 Жыл бұрын

manneken pis is a local hero, since pissing on a bomb he avoided the destruction of the city

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh we didn’t know the story!! That’s awesome hahaha

@mylinhnguyen9015 Жыл бұрын

Can I have the name of your stay BnB in Brussels please?

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Of course!! Here is the listing :) abnb.me/h68Syybahwb

@FORKSSPOONSBYPALLAVIKARHADKAR Жыл бұрын

Please suggest a stay option for family . Me my husband and son

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

I highly recommend checking out your options on Airbnb for a family! They tend to have. bigger spaces available! Definitely look for above a 4.7 rating there though!

@flitsertheo 8 ай бұрын

3:25 tourist chocolat. 8:12 tourist fries. Without sauce ??? 9:22 tourist waffles.

@IfWeGoTo 8 ай бұрын

That chocolate was amazing though! 👍😄

@robsteries Жыл бұрын

Hey Brandi and/or Alan. Can you tell me where you ate those delicious pizza's please? They looked amazing. Lot's of love from Bruges

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Yes!! The restaurant is called Basils! It's very close to the column of congress!

@robsteries Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo Thank you so much! Sometimes it takes 'a tourist' to get to know places in your own country ;) Have a great day! (but I don't see you as tourists, I see you as travellers) check

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Haha absolutely!! I find at home it’s easy to get into routines when you find places you like, so it never hurts to be introduced to something new! 😃 You do the same!!

@robsteries Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo One word : exactly!

@ageoflove1980 Жыл бұрын

And the award for ironically smiling into the camera goes to.... :D

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Which part was ironic? 😅

@santaclaus179 Жыл бұрын

yr husband has only one shirt ?

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

We normally travel full time and pack light! carry on only. We each only have ~7 shirts, some of which are the same!!

@santaclaus179 Жыл бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo yes I am only joking haha regards robert

@IfWeGoTo Жыл бұрын

Oh, hahaha sorry!! 😂😂 We really should up our wardrobe game.

@ahmedakrout5249 6 күн бұрын

Please your Airbnb adress in Brussels so WE Can Book it

@IfWeGoTo 6 күн бұрын

Hi!! Here is the listing www.airbnb.com/slink/0CW8bYbG Happy travels!

@ahmedakrout5249 5 күн бұрын

Thé link IS not working

@IfWeGoTo 5 күн бұрын

Does this one work?? www.airbnb.com/rooms/811769?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=1950e654-d4c6-43ba-9742-5ea282926d48

@IfWeGoTo 5 күн бұрын

Oh you know what, I just checked the availability and it seems like the host has turned the property off. So it may not be available anymore.

@FocusedonChange 4 ай бұрын

This is the third video where you comment on prices of some stuff being expensive. I suggest you to stop doing it. Your channel is quite nice and I enjoy watching it. If someone made all the way to that place they will judge for them selfs what is expensive and what is not, do not create that bias. 3-4 euro for a coffee is ok. 3-5 for fries is ok. 15-25 for museums is ok.

@IfWeGoTo 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your feedback, it’s appreciated and very helpful. I’m very sorry, we don’t mean to have it come off way or make people feel bad for spending - it’s absolutely ok to spend that amount, and you should if you want to or especially when you’re on trips! We’re from the most expensive city in the USA and it has made us very financially anxious people and warped our relationship with money. We feel like be able to continue going to these places, we need to carefully watch our budget - especially after the inflation that happened post Covid. It has been hard comparing not only more affordable destinations, but the price differences to when we started traveling. Anyways, sorry again. Hope you understand our intentions. ❤️

@pinkhairblackman8141 13 күн бұрын

gross flies in my pizza i'd sue them

@IfWeGoTo 13 күн бұрын

It was not pleasant but unfortunately it happens with plants/fungi sometimes, so we tried to be understanding! They did comp the bill even though we didn’t ask them to! 😅

@pinkhairblackman8141 13 күн бұрын

@@IfWeGoTo i would throw up if i ate flies, did u?

@IfWeGoTo 13 күн бұрын

@@pinkhairblackman8141 we were a bit grossed out, but no hahaha… we’ve eaten insects by mistake on multiple occasions! I think traveling has helped us with our grossed out reaction a lotttt. We’ve had our fair share of dodgy meals now lol. 😅 in one of our videos we willingly ate scorpion and live shrimp… couldn’t handle the juicy bugs yet though 🤣

@matthewveteto8379 10 ай бұрын

Will never understand why people want to make a travel video and don’t even do minimal research before hand to see what is open and closed online.

@IfWeGoTo 10 ай бұрын

We were just kind of bouncing around Belgium with no real itinerary - it isn’t a big deal because we can always come back. Why leave a comment like this?