12 Things to Do in Brussels in March

If you've made the decision to travel to Brussels in March, you've thought it through. In this month the temperatures are no longer so wintry and spring is beginning to appear in some parts of the city.

If you are wondering what to see and do in Brussels, I have compiled the different activities and celebrations that you can find only this month of the year. Here's a guide to combine the springtime nature of the city with its more cultural and traditional side.

Every 25th March, the waffle takes centre stage all over Brussels, as the great Belgian dish is celebrated all over the world. This is a good reason to eat more waffles than usual.

In Belgium there are two main types of waffles with differences beyond the shape and the number of holes in the design:

• The Brussels waffle: it is lighter, less sweet and has sugar sprinkled on top.
• The Liège waffle is made with a fluffier, sweeter batter. It has sugar nuggets scattered across its surface, which gives it an unmistakable crunchy texture.

Where to find the best waffles

Here's a list of the best places to go for a great waffle day:

• Debailleul is a chocolate and pastry shop on the Grand Place. They have 3 varieties of Brussels waffles, but I advise you to order the Dame Blanche with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate.
• Maison Dandoy became famous as a maker of handmade tea pastries but has since become increasingly popular for its waffles, which are no slouch in quality and taste. You can choose between two tea rooms: Rue Charles Buls 14 or Galerie du Roi 2.
• Café Wittamer was created by a family more than a century ago. You can enjoy the best sweets in Brussels in a perfectly decorated place. It is located at Place du Grand Sablon 13.
• Gaston is known for being very close to the port of Brussels, as you can enjoy your sweets while you enjoy its terrace in front of the pond. Come and taste their products at Quai aux Briques 86.

Learn how to make them

If you are a fan of this delicacy and just tasting them is not enough, I suggest you book a waffle workshop in Brussels to learn how to bake them and take home the recipe as a souvenir.

There are cooking workshops where you will be provided with the utensils and ingredients to make the best Belgian-style waffles.

With clear days in March, a good plan is to book tickets for the Atomium and climb to the top. The Atomium is a symbol of the country which, although you may have seen it in typical images of Brussels, will surprise you when you see it in person.

It's a 100-metre-high Art Nouveau structure originally created for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. But the inhabitants of the Belgian capital liked it so much that they decided to keep it. Today it houses a museum and through the spheres and metal tubes you can walk around and see its exhibits.

You can also climb to the top of this giant iron atom and get the best panoramic view of Brussels. If you're up for it, you can find out how to get tickets to the Atomium in advance and avoid the long queues at the ticket office.

I know that seeing Bruges is a must on a trip to Brussels no matter what time of the year you go, but seeing the medieval city and the charm of its streets with the colourful spring flowers is spectacular. The temperatures in this month are no longer so cold and you can stroll around at your leisure.

Bruges is very easy to reach from Brussels, as it is only an hour's drive from the capital and is well connected. But you can also book an excursion to Bruges from Brussels, which includes transport and a guide who will give you the details of everything there is to see in the medieval city.

You can also book an excursion to Bruges and Ghent from Brussels. This way you can see the highlights of both places in just one day.

Chocolate lovers have this week marked on their calendars. And no wonder. Chocolate Week is usually organised in the second week of March (although sometimes in February) and is a unique way to explore the city of Antwerp, just 40 minutes from Brussels.

During the event, you can enjoy the best chocolate route while strolling around the main monuments of the city, stopping at the best chocolate shops to taste their latest creations.

The entrance fee is around €10, and contains 10 vouchers that can be exchanged at participating shops for different sweet products. You can find out how to get from Brussels to Antwerp in this article, but you can also book an excursion to Antwerp from Brussels.

In Belgium, where chocolate is a central part of the culture, you can't miss a festival dedicated to this delicacy. At the end of the month, in the city of Mons, just one hour from Brussels, you can attend this festival that has been going on for ten years. You will be able to experience:

• An interactive session by different chocolate makers from all over Belgium.
• A stroll along the popular Chic & Chocolate Gourmet Walk, a 500-metre path full of sweets and chocolates of all kinds.
• The large flea market where you can buy all kinds of products made from cocoa, not only foodstuffs, but also a wide variety of cosmetics, for example.
• Tastings and gastronomic activities.

And of course, all over the city and at any time of the year, you can book a chocolate workshop in Brussels.

The Brussels International Animation Film Festival presents exclusively animated films and is the only festival of its kind in Belgium. In fact, Anima is one of the most important festivals in Europe, as different films are nominated for the Oscars for the best animated short film.

It has a very friendly and international atmosphere, as the films come from all over the world. It takes place annually and you can watch carefully selected animated films of the highest standard. The audience is very varied, ranging from children to film professionals.

If you are curious about contemporary art or if you just happen to be in the city in March, the Affordable Art Fair is the place to be. This show takes place in different cities around the world and is always a complete success. But beware, there are years when it is held in February.

You will enjoy exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and photographs in a pleasant and stimulating atmosphere. There are also interesting workshops if you feel like learning something new.

A special part of this fair is the sector dedicated to emerging artists, where they can exhibit their creations and sell them at a big auction. National and international artists gain recognition thanks to this event, where they can finally be seen by a large number of people.

With the arrival of March, the signs of the best time of the year - spring- are also beginning to show. The end of the month is a good time to visit the famous Blue Forest, just 30 minutes from Brussels.

For several weeks, the Halle Forest attracts tourists and locals from all over Belgium to enjoy a small miracle. This unique spectacle consists of a huge blue blanket of 250 hectares, full of wild hyacinths that cover absolutely everything.

I recommend you to make this visit in the morning or in the evening, when the flowers have the strongest scent.

• Where: Vlasmarkt Reef 4, 1500 Halle, 20 km from Brussels.

Enjoy the largest Japanese garden in Europe, and take a walk in the middle of nature. In 1920, construction began on two villages on the outskirts of Brussels, just 9 kilometres apart.

In this design process, it was decided to incorporate a large number of cherry trees, an emblematic sign of Japanese culture, along the streets.

Since then, this quiet district of Brussels, called Watermael Boitsfort, has welcomed thousands of tourists who are attracted by the unique beauty of these trees in their blossoming season.

• Where: Avenue Georges Benoidt 22, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort

The Carnival of Binche is the most famous carnival in Belgium and takes place at the beginning of March or in the second half of February. The celebration began in the 14th century, when Mary of Hungary organised a seven-day series of feasts, parties and fireworks to commemorate her brother Charles V's visit to the town.

The carnival is famous for the particular costumes and customs of all those who attend. Locals dress up in ostrich feather hats, and engage in a battle of oranges. In addition, confetti is spread through the streets and parades can be enjoyed along the roads.

The closing of this 3-day event is popular for the grand fireworks ceremony that lights up the whole sky.

For two days in March, the biggest drum, bass and dubstep party in the world takes place in Brussels. The Rampage festival unites thousands of drum fanatics in one luxurious party since 2009.

In the beginning, Rampage was just a party that lasted around 12 hours, but due to the huge success and turnout, it has changed its format and has become a full weekend festival.

Of course you can buy a ticket for just one night, but I assure you that the whole experience is worth it as well. Remember to book your ticket in advance so you don't miss out on this great event. But beware, it also tends to be moved to February some years.

This museum is actually a typical Art Deco house. It is famous for having been built for the wealthy businessman David Van Buuren, who took it upon himself to fill his house with the finest works of art, bizarre furniture, carpet and stained glass.

In addition, the Van Buuren Museum is renowned for the immense garden that covers almost two hectares, divided into three very different parts.

The first is the Picturesque Garden, which represents the geometric ideas of Art Deco. The second is the Labyrinth, whose main attraction is the seven sculptures by the Belgian sculptor André Willequet, dating from 1968. The third**, the Garden of Hearts**, is the part of the park that adds a touch of romanticism.

• Where: 41 Avenue Léo Errera, 1180 Brussels.
• Open all year round, but March is a special time to spend your time in the open air and stroll through dreamy gardens.

In Brussels, temperatures in March are around 10°C during the day. It is a little warmer than February and the rainfall is considerably lower. Spring is beginning to show and daylight can be enjoyed for longer.

The nights are still cold, but this makes it a perfect time to take advantage of the city and its daytime activities. Remember to pack a warm coat and be keen to explore this amazing European city.