Where to Stay in Brussels: What You Need to Know
Brussels, the “capital of Europe” is a charming place that offers travellers excellent food, fascinating art collections and thriving alternative neighbourhoods where emerging designers and bohemian artists exhibit their creations.
This Belgian city has a wide range of things to do. It is not a big city, so finding the best area to stay in Brussels is easier than in other capitals such as Madrid or Berlin.
Being a world-class political and business capital, the cost of accommodation in Brussels can be very high, although you can find interesting offers in peripheral neighbourhoods.
The best area to stay in Brussels is around Grand Place square, in the old district of the city. However, hotels here are usually quite expensive. A night in a three-star hotel in this area can set you back €90 or more.
Fortunately, there are many charming neighbourhoods that are central and still cheap, for example, Molenbeek.
This is a small guide with the best areas to stay in Brussels, so your stay in the Belgian capital can be perfect.
The Best Areas to Stay in Brussels, Belgium
1. Best Area: Brussels Centrum
The Old Town of Brussels comprises the central area of the city and is, unsurprisingly, the most interesting area to stay in Brussels.
Full of people and things to do day and night; restaurants, bars, and meeting places.
The City Centre is home to most of the attractions that the Belgian capital has to offer.
Brussels icons such as the Grand Place, the Stock Exchange Palace, the Manneken Pis and the stunning Galeries St. Hubert are all located in the Brussels Centrum.
You can walk almost anywhere in this neighbourhood; museums, attractions and points of interest are close at hand.
What makes this the best area to stay in Brussels
- Grand Place
- Impressive museums
- Manneken Pis
- Close to all attractions
- Connected by metro
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our favoriteThe B&B BE IN BRUSSELS offers free WiFi, a shared lounge and air conditioning. The property features city views and is 1.4 km from Rue Neuve and 1.7 km from Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert.
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Economic option
The Theater Hotel in Brussels offers modern, well-priced rooms with free WiFi.
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Intermediate option
Inaugurated in April 2016, the Hotel Agora Brussels Center is located in Brussels, in a historic building dating back to 1696, 220 meters from the Maison du Roi and the Grand Place.
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Luxury option
Located on the corner of the Grand Place, the Hotel Amigo is a 5-star hotel offering elegant rooms with design elements, modern comforts, a gym and an award-winning restaurant with a historic and picturesque setting.
2. Ixelles
This colorful neighborhood, south of central Brussels, is considered one of the most affluent in the Belgian capital.
This is the birthplace of famous artists such as the Argentine writer Julio Cortázar or the famous international actress Audrey Hepburn.
Boulevard de Louise and Waterloo are full of shops and restaurants. The area near the Porte de Namour station is home to a large African community.
Ixelles is a very central district connected by metro.
The area near the Louise station is the closest to the centre and you can walk to the Grande Place in 15 minutes.
Its cobbled small streets and garden squares are full of charm and history.
What makes this the best area to stay in Brussels
- Excellent shopping area
- Connected by metro
- Charming little streets
- Shops and galleries
- Restaurants and nightlife
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our favorite
Located in one of the tallest buildings in Brussels, 15 minutes walk from the Grand Place, the Hotel Brussels offers panoramic city views, an on-site gourmet restaurant, and free access to a spa, wellness and fitness center with a view on Brussels.
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Economic option
Embellished with a garden, the Résidence18 is located in Brussels in the Brussels region, 600 meters from Avenue Louise and 1.1 km from Horta Museum. The property is around 1.3 miles from Palace of Justice, 1.4 miles from Place du Grand Sablon and 1.4 miles from European Parliament.
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Intermediate option
Located in Brussels, 600 m from the Horta Museum and 1.3 km from Avenue Louise, the Chambres de Franz by Smartflats offers accommodation with free WiFi and TV.
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Luxury option
The luxurious Sofitel Le Louise is located a stone’s throw from Avenue Louise, 100 meters from Louise Metro Station. It offers modern designed rooms, free WiFi and a large outdoor terrace.
3. Saint-Gilles
Saint Gilles is also located south of the centre of Brussels.
It has an artistic flair to it. St Gilles is very popular among the student population of Brussels and mixes an eclectic cultural background.
This neighborhood has some of the best cheap bars and restaurants in the city.
Saint Gilles has two different faces. The area around Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station is more working-class and multicultural, while the southern area, bordering Ixelles, is full of regal properties and Art Nouveau mansions, some designed by Horta and his disciples.
What makes this the best area to stay in Brussels
- Central and well connected
- Young atmosphere
- Great nightlife
- Cheap accommodation
- Connected by metro and train
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our favorite
Located in the Saint-Gilles district of Brussels, the Jam Hotel offers a relaxing seasonal heated outdoor pool, sun terrace, rooftop bar, lounge bar and restaurant, the Popular. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel and private parking is available on site at an additional cost.
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Economic option
This colorful boutique hotel offers quiet, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi in the modern Saint Gilles district of Brussels. The Pantone Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the popular shopping area of Avenue Louise.
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Intermediate option
Located opposite the Brussels-Midi station, the arrival and departure point of Thalys and Eurostar trains, the Hotel ibis Brussels Center Gare Du Midi offers modern accommodation, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception and free snack service throughout the day.
4. European Quarter
Brussels’ European Quarter is located east of the city centre.
It is the business area par excellence of the city and it hosts a large number of EU institutions, as well as the headquarters of major international companies such as Google. Among its attractions are the Cinquantenaire Park, the Brussels Park and the Royal Palace.
The European Quarter is one of the most elegant and coveted areas to stay in Brussels, so hotels in the area tend to be on the upscale side. However, there are more budget B&B and small hotel options as well.
The area is connected by the metro system.
What makes this the best area to stay in Brussels
- Beautiful parks
- EU institutions
- Royal Palace
- Luxury hotels
- Connected by metro
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our favorite
Located 5 minutes walk from the European Commission headquarters, the NH Brussels EU Berlaymont offers designer accommodation with spacious bathroom.
5. Molenbeek – Saint Jean
The district of Molenbeek – Saint Jean in Brussels is located to the west of the city.
It is a traditionally Muslim and working-class district that in recent years has gone through an important process of urban renewal and gentrification to become one of the most alternative and vibrant neighborhoods in the Belgian capital.
Molenbeek is not far from the centre and is connected by trams. Although it is not the most attractive or elegant district of Brussels, the prices of accommodation in this area are the lowest in the city.
Molenbeek is also full of backpackers hostels.
What makes this the best area to stay in Brussels
- Very central
- Connected by trams
- Ethnic food
- Cheap hotels
- Alternative atmosphere
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our favorite
Housed in an old factory along the banks of the Charleroi-Brussels canal and 1.5 km from the Grand Place, the design MEININGER Hotels Bruxelles City Center offers free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception of 24.
This post in other languages
|ES| Dónde alojarse en Bruselas
|IT| Dove allogiare a Bruxelles – Le migliori zone e hotel
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