🇧🇪 Brussels vs 🇪🇸 Madrid

Brussels sits in a broad valley carved by the Senne river, with the city climbing from the low-lying lower town (~15m elevation) to the upper town and surrounding plateaus (~100m). This topographic split creates distinct microclimates: the lower town is prone to fog, temperature inversions, and trapped humidity, while the higher southeastern districts enjoy better ventilation and slightly cooler summers. The city's extensive parks and forested edges — particularly the Sonian Forest to the southeast — provide significant cooling corridors, but the dense 19th-century urban core generates a pronounced heat island effect.

Hot semi-arid — very hot dry summers, cold winters, minimal rainfall

Madrid sits on the Castilian plateau at 2,100 feet (640m), giving it more extreme temperatures than coastal Spanish cities. Summers are scorching and dry (one of Europe's hottest capitals); winters are cold and crisp. Spring and fall are ideal.