Bruxelles ma belle 

When people think of Brussels, they imagine chocolate, waffles, and the Grand Palace. However, suppose you are spending several months as an Au Pair here or in some neighbouring cities. In that case, you’ll quickly realise that the country has many hidden gems to offer that definitely go beyond the typical tourist attractions. 

I am Rebecca, and I have been living in Brussels for almost two years. In this time, I’ve collected a long list of really sweet memories, in really beautiful places.
This guide highlights fun, local, and non-touristy activities to do in Belgium as an Au Pair, perfect for making the most of your free time and discovering the country like a local!

Day trips in Belgium

After the big classics like Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, it’s time to discover some lesser-known destinations that are equally fascinating. These day trips offer authentic Belgian experiences and are easy to reach by train.

Important: in Belgium, there are discount offers for public transport for all under 26, and if you use the regional trains to visit a place in Belgium on the weekend, you only pay a single ticket instead of a return ticket!

1. Liège: the vibrant Walloon city

Liège is one of the most vibrant and young cities in Wallonia, only 1 hour by train from Brussels. The city is known for its energetic urban scene that mixes colourful street art streets and trendy cafés, and a super dynamic atmosphere, perfect for the students (and so for Au Pairs). Once there, you can climb up the Montagne de Bueren, a 400-step staircase that offers an incredible and breathtaking point of view all over the city. For the food lovers, Liège is the place to taste the boulettes à la Liègioise and pèkèt, the traditional Wallon gin. But just arriving at the central station of Liège is an experience in itself: the futuristic station is one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. 

2. Ostend: an escape to the North Sea

Belgium may be rainy most of the year, but once the summer arrives, Ostend is a must-visit destination. Reachable in less than 2 hours from Brussels, you will be able to swim in the North Sea and enjoy a seaside day far away from the crowds of Brussels. This could be the perfect sunny trip to do with friends, and also a good occasion to taste the delicious oysters (typical food from Belgium after fries). If you are an Au Pair in a nearby country, this could be a nice weekend activity to propose to your Host Family!

3. Pepinstair: hiking in the Belgian nature

For nature lovers, hiking in Pepinstair is a perfect Sunday activity! A really nice idea for seeing the blooming landscapes in spring or the foliage in autumn. Once you have reached Pepinstair by train, there are different trail options: the longest is 22km, and it is feasible in 6 hours. You can also decide to do it by bike, but in this case, do not forget that the Belgian countryside is uphill!

Fun and peculiar activities in the city of Brussels 

Brussels is a really dynamic city, full of fun and exciting activities to do after having visited all the main squares and the principal museums. 

1. Maniak Padoue: A Climbing Gym in an Abandoned Church 

If you love sports or you feel ready to try something new, then this place is perfect for you. Maniak Padoue is a spectacularly colourful climbing gym built inside a deconsecrated Saint-Anthony of Padua church (from here the name Padoue). It is in the quarter of Forest (Vorst), and the particularity is that the gym maintains a lot of architectural features from the church. So, when you climb, you are literally scaling walls under vaulted ceilings and through a piece of Brussels’s heritage. The prices are very reasonable, so you could also consider doing this activity with your host kids!

2. Art Deco et Art Nouveau Townhouses

Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek, and Ixelles are just a few of the quarters in Brussels that can be considered “open-air museums”. In these areas, you can admire the famous and peculiar architecture from Brussels, including a visit to the Horta Museum, one of the highlights of Art Nouveau in Europe.

3. Trois meilleures friteries de Bruxelles

Belgian fries are a cultural experience. Different from any other type of fries for their double-frying, they spread their tasty flavour in the streets of the city. Instead of wasting time trying to find the best friterie in the town, just give a try to these places. Locals say that these are the 3 best friteries of Brussels: Maison Antoine, Frit’ Flagey, and Maison Tabora.

4. Forêt des Soignes

Right next to the Free University of Brussels, this huge park is one of the biggest green spots in the city, and it also has a small lake. This place is perfect if you want to hang out with young people and students, and the list of activities you can do there is pretty long: jogging, picnicking, barbecuing, skating, or grabbing a local beer at one of the many kiosks and bars in the park. It could be a perfect spot for having a break with your host kids after school or on the weekend.