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Where to Stay in Brussels: Best Areas & Hotels

Looking for the best areas to stay in Brussels? From the charm of Grand Place to the elegant Ixelles or up-and-coming Molenbeek, these are the best districts and hotels in the city.

Where to Stay in Brussels, Belgium: Best Areas & Hotels
Where to Stay in Brussels, Belgium: Best Areas & Hotels

Nicknamed “the Capital of Europe” and “Comic City,” Brussels is one of the most significant cities in Europe, culturally, economically and politically. Set on an island in the river Senne on a busy trade route between Bruges, Ghent and Cologne, it was a major textile commercial and industrial powerhouse in the Middle Ages. Today, Brussels is a vibrant city known for its beautiful guild houses, gothic architecture and gorgeous squares. If you are looking for the best areas to stay in Brussels, you have come to the right place.

Located in the north-central part of Belgium, at the crossroads of Western Europe, Brussels is an art-filled city and a major business centre. As one of Benelux’s most populated and diverse metropolitan areas, Brussels offers visitors a wide range of attractions, from the beautiful Grand Place and Royal Museums to the striking Atomium and the Belgian Comic Strip Center. Its compact city centre neighbourhoods feature a mix of narrow streets, scenic stairways and wide boulevards flanked by striking architecture. Its position in the heart of the country and great railway connections also make Brussels an excellent base to explore the neighbouring regions of Flanders and Wallonia. Its status as the “Capital of Europe” means the city is home to a broad offer of four and five-star accommodation. In recent years, the city has also seen a surge in boutique accommodation, especially in the city centre.

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time in the Belgian capital or you’re a business traveller. Keep reading this article to learn about the best quarters to stay in Brussels.

Accommodation Options in Brussels
The Best Areas to Stay in Brussels: A Summary

If you don’t have time to read the whole article, this is a quick summary of our best areas for tourists in Brussels. Keep on reading to find out more about each of these areas.


What’s the Best Area to Stay in Brussels?

Comprising the area that used to be within the city walls, the city centre or Pentagon is the best area to stay in Brussels. Our favourite property in this area is the Juliana Hotel Brussels.
Comprising the area that used to be within the city walls, the city centre or Pentagon is the best area to stay in Brussels. Our favourite property in this area is the Juliana Hotel Brussels.

As is to be expected, the best area to stay in Brussels is the City Centre, especially if you’re a first-time visitor to the city. Brussels’ Centrum comprises the “Pentagon”, or heart-shaped area that falls inside the former city walls, which were built in the 16th century and later replaced by wide boulevards. Home to the historic quarters, the City Centre is home to some of the best-rated hotels in town.

Find available accommodation in Brussels City Centre.

Best Hotels in Brussels City Centre


Where to Stay in Brussels for Sightseeing

Home to the City Hall, the guild houses, Manneken Pis and several of the city's famous comic murals, the centremost area of Brussels, around La Grand Place is the best neighbourhood to stay in Brussels for sightseeing or a short visit. One of the best hotels in this district is the boutique Aris Grand Place Hotel (pictured).
Home to the City Hall, the guild houses, Manneken Pis and several of the city’s famous comic murals, the centremost area of Brussels, around La Grand Place is the best neighbourhood to stay in Brussels for sightseeing or a short visit. One of the best hotels in this district is the boutique Aris Grand Place Hotel (pictured).

As mentioned above, the City Centre is the best location for tourists in Brussels. That said, central Bruxelles comprises many different neighbourhoods, and several of its attractions can be found in its peripheral areas. These are some of the most interesting districts for travellers to BXL:


The Best Areas for Tourists in Brussels: District by District

Click to see all Brussels Hotels on a map
Click to see all Brussels Hotels on a map

1. Le Pentagone (Brussels Historic City Centre): Best Location in Brussels for Sightseeing & First-Time Visitors

The Royal Museum is one of the top-rated attractions in Brussels
The Royal Museum is one of the top-rated attractions in Brussels
The famous guild houses on the Grand Place
The famous guild houses on the Grand Place
The Saint-Jacques area is known as Brussels' LGBTQ quarter
The Saint-Jacques area is known as Brussels’ LGBTQ quarter

Bound by the grand boulevards built on the city’s former defensive walls, Brussels’ Pentagon contains some of the most famous attractions in the Belgian capital making it the best area to stay in BXL for tourists.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Heart of the city
  • Grand Place
  • Impressive architecture
  • Best-connected area in Brussels
  • Best area to stay in Brussels for nightlife
  • Best luxury hotels in Brussels
  • Great for shopping
  • Museums & culture
  • Brussels’ LGBTQ+ quarter

Brussels’ Pentagon, also known in Dutch as De Vijfhoek, is the heart of Brussels. It gets its name from its pentagonal (or heart) shape.

This ancient and central area is bound by the R20 road or “small belt,” a set of grand boulevards built on the site of the city’s sixteenth-century defensive walls. 

At its heart lies the splendid Grand Place, the most recognisable public square in Brussels. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world, La Grand Place is known for its beautiful gothic buildings and gold-leaf-covered guild houses which sparkle under the sun. It was added in 1998 to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As the Belgian capital’s main tourist attraction, the Grand Place has many things to see and do. Most buildings on the square now house cafes, shops and chocolatiers. The cellars of the guild house located at number 10 also house the Museum of Belgian Brewers, and it is also possible to visit the Town Hall and the nearby City Museum.

A few blocks away from Grand Place, you’ll find the famous Manneken Pis, a small fountain featuring the statue of a young boy urinating into a basin. The statue is regularly dressed up to commemorate historical or current events, and it has become one of the symbols of Brussels. Hence, it is one of those things you need to see in Brussels.

Brussels’ city centre also hosts the Royal Quarter. Home to the Royal Palace since the time of the Duchy of Brabant and later to the Parliament and Constitutional Court of Belgium, this district has long been a seat of power. Today, the area is also known for being a place of art and culture thanks to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, a cluster of six museums that includes the Oldmasters Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the Modern Museum, the Antoine Wiertz Museum and the Constantin Meunier Museum.

Not far, the Sablon is one of the most charming areas in Brussels. The site of the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon, this lovely area is also home to cute shops, art galleries, upscale restaurants and some of the best-rated boutique hotels in the European capital.

The Centre is the best place to stay in Brussels for sightseeing, and it’s also a great district to enjoy one of Belgium’s world-famous beers. While the Grand Place and Place de la Bourse offer a few decent cocktail bars and terraces, Sainte Catherine, located a 10-minute walk north, is the main nightlife area in Brussels. Furthermore, Quartier Saint Jacques, and particularly Rue du Marché au Charbon, is considered Brussels’ Gay Village, a vibrant and welcoming nightlife district with LGBT-oriented bars, drag cabarets, amazing restaurants and a great vibe.


Whether you’re looking for attractions, nightlife or shopping, the Centre is undoubtedly the best location for visitors to Brussels. Moreover, this district is also the best-connected area in the city. Besides being home to the Central Station, the whole Pentagon is crossed by tram, bus and metro lines.

Best Hotels in Brussels City Centre

Best 5-star hotel
Juliana Hotel Brussels

Set in Brussels, 100 m from Rue Neuve, Juliana Hotel Brussels offers accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness centre and a bar. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace.

Best 4-star hotel
Hotel Le Dixseptième

Historic features, luxurious décor and modern facilities are combined at Hotel le Dixseptieme, in the centre of Brussels. It is only 240 m from Grand Place in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area.

Best 3-star hotel
9Hotel Central

Set in a historic Belgian townhouse 170 m from Brussels Central Train Station, the boutique-style 9Hotel Central offers classic accommodation with free WiFi within a 10-minute walk from Brussels’ Royal Square and its many museums. 

Best budget hotel
Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels

At its unique location on Grand Place, this simple, elegant hotel provides romantic rooms with private bathrooms and relaxing baths. Benefit from the 24-hour reception. Mont des Arts, with all its museums, is 400 m away.

Best B&B
Les Chambres de Martin

Featuring city views and private rooms, Les Chambres de Martin is set in Brussels, 100 m from Notre-Dame du Sablon.

Best hostel
Hostel Bruegel

Situated in Brussels and with Mont des Arts reachable within 400 metres, Hostel Bruegel features a restaurant, allergy-free rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. 

Best tourist apartments
Aparthotel Adagio Brussels Grand Place

These modern studios and apartments are in the centre of Brussels, next to De Brouckere Metro Station. It is only 450 m from Grand Place. Adagio benefits from a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi in the public areas and a fitness centre.


2. Ixelles / Elsene: Best Location for Upscale Hotels & a Quiet Holiday in Brussels

The Flagey Center in Ixelles is the neighbourhood's icon
The Flagey Center in Ixelles is the neighbourhood’s icon
La Cambre Abbey
La Cambre Abbey
Ixelles Ponds, Brussels
Ixelles Ponds, Brussels

Located south of the city centre, Ixelles is one of the best districts for tourists in Brussels.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Fairly central
  • Connected by metro & tram
  • Art Nouveau & Art Deco architecture
  • Upscale area
  • Markets & shoppping
  • Design & boutique hotels
  • La Cambre Abbey

Located south of the city centre, Ixelles is one of the best areas to stay in Brussels.

Also known as Elsene in Dutch, this colourful neighbourhood is an upscale residential and commercial area centred around Avenue Louise, one of the most prestigious thoroughfares in Brussels.

Av. Louise connects Place Louise and the Bois de la Cambre and is lined with luxury boutiques, high-end restaurants, cafés and hotels, embassies, and office buildings.

Not far, the Abbaye de la Cambre is a former Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. Renovated and expanded through the centuries, the abbey is home to a community of Norbertine canons. It houses the headquarters of the Belgian National Geographic Institute and a visual arts school. Its 18th-century formal garden filled with ornamental trees and fountains completes the monastic complex.

Located on Place Eugène Flagey, the Flagey Center, formerly the headquarters of the national radio and television institution, is an important art and music venue. The building itself is a fine example of Art Deco architecture and has been featured in many films, TV shows and comic strips. The square is also home to a popular market.

The nearby Étangs d’Ixelles (Ixelles Ponds) are a scenic recreation area and the perfect place to relax.

Ixelles is also known for being the birthplace of Audrey Hepburn, who was born on Rue Keyenveld 48 in 1927. Other famous personalities born in Ixelles include Argentinian writer Julio Cortázar and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Best Hotels in Ixelles / Elsene

Best 5-star hotel
Hotel Le Châtelain

This luxurious 5-star hotel is 50 m from the Avenue Louise shopping area and features a peaceful garden courtyard and grapevine-shaded terrace. Hotel Le Châtelain offers a modern top-floor fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk.

Best 4-star hotel
Moxy Brussels City Center

Moxy Brussels City Center has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Brussels. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property.

Best 3-star hotel
Hotel Made In Louise

Just 300 m from Avenue Louise, Made in Louise offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi. Its lobby has a 24-hour front desk, a complementary tea and coffee corner, and an elevator.

Best budget hotel
Hotel Residence 18

Located 300 m from Avenue Louise in Brussels, Hotel Residence 18 offers a garden. Free WiFi access is available. The European District is 1.5 km away.

Best B&B
B&B Hôtel Brussels Centre Louise

B&B Hôtel Brussels Centre Louise features a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and garden in Brussels. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property.

Best tourist apartments
Marriott Executive Apartments Brussels

The self-catering Marriott Executive Apartments Brussels offers an à la carte restaurant and a bar, as well as free WiFi in public areas and free access to an indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre in the next-door Renaissance Brussels Hotel.


3. Midi & Saint-Gilles: Best-Connected Area to Explore Belgium

Located directly southeast of the City Centre, the Midi & Saint Gilles districts of Brussels are lively and well-connected areas to stay.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Very central
  • Brussels South Station
  • Easy train connections to Flanders & Wallonia
  • International high-speed train services
  • Connected via metro & tram
  • Midrange & budget hotels
  • Art Nouveau architecture
  • Horta Museum

The Midi area of Brussels is a vibrant district located just south of the old city centre, between Boulevard Midi and the Brussels Canal. It is home to the Gare du Midi, the busiest railway station in Belgium.

Gare du Midi, also known by its Dutch name of Brussel-Zuid, offers railway connections to all of Belgium and several cities and towns in the Netherlands, France and Germany. The station is also served by (and is the only stop in Brussels for) international high-speed rail services Thalys (Paris, Amsterdam), ICE (Aachen, Cologne and Frankfurt), and Eurostar (London).

Every Sunday, Midi Market attracts many vendors selling various products, from fresh produce to clothing and household goods.

South of Midi lies Saint-Gilles, a residential and commercial area with many shops and restaurants. The district is also home to the Horta Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of the Art Nouveau movement and the works of Victor Horta and Halle Gate, the last vestige of the second city wall of Brussels and now a history museum.

Other museums in the area include the Musée d’Art Fantastique and Musée Jef Lambeaux.

Best Hotels in Midi & Saint-Gilles

Best 4-star hotel
Hotel Manos Premier

This luxurious residence is a stone’s throw away from Avenue Louise and offers the character and charm of a private Brussels home. Hotel Manos Premier features a wellness centre including a sauna, steam bath, hot tub, and free fitness area.

Best 3-star hotel
Vintage Hotel Brussels

Offering free WiFi throughout the property, this hotel offers rooms with 70s-style décor and flat-screen cable TV. It includes a stylish boutique wine bar and a spacious courtyard terrace.

Best budget hotel
ibis Hotel Brussels Centre Gare du Midi

Hotel ibis Brussels Centre Gare Du Midi offers modern rooms opposite Brussels-South Railway Station, benefiting from Thalys and Eurostar connections. The hotel includes free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and snacks throughout the day.

Best B&B
Louise sur Cour

Louise sur Cour is situated in Brussels, 100 m from Place Stephanie and Avenue Louise. The neighbourhood offers many quality restaurants and designer boutiques.

Best tourist apartments
Savoie

Set in Brussels, less than 1 km from Horta Museum, Savoie offers a terrace and accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi.


4. European Quarter: Best Location for Visiting the EU Institutions

The Parc du Cinquantenaire is one of the top attractions in Brussels' European District
The Parc du Cinquantenaire is one of the top attractions in Brussels’ European District
Parliament of the European Union
Parliament of the European Union
Leopold Park, European Quarter, Brussels
Leopold Park, European Quarter, Brussels

Home to the main institutions of the EU, Brussels’ European District is packed with luxury business hotels.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Great for business travellers
  • Main EU institutions
  • Well-connected via public transport
  • Upscale area
  • Business hotels
  • Parc du Cinquantenaire

Set east of the city centre and home to some of the most beautiful parks in Brussels, the European Quarter, also known as Leopold Quarter, is one of the best locations for visitors to Brussels, especially business travellers.

The Quartier de l’Europe is centred around Rue de la Loi, between the Parc de Bruxelles and the Parc du Cinquantenaire. This is where you find the Robert-Schuman roundabout, a man known as one of the founding fathers of the European Project.

This area, one of the most modern in the Belgian capital, is home to some of the most important European institutions, including the European Parliament and the European Commission.

A stone’s throw from the Parliament, you can relax in Leopold Park. This 10-hectare green space used to be the Brussels Zoo until 1880. Today, it is a popular place for picnics by the pond and houses a museum of natural sciences host to the largest exhibition of dinosaurs in Europe. Leopold Park is also home to the House of European History, a museum focusing on the history of the continent.

But perhaps the best-known tourist attraction in the district is the Cinquantenaire Park.  You can visit the park and enjoy the view of the district from the Arcade du Cinquantenaire, accessible via the Military Museum. Opposite the park lies the Cauchie House, an Art Nouveau masterpiece and museum home to an impressive art collection.

As one of Brussels’ main business districts, the European Quarter is home to many high-end hotels, restaurants and boutiques. If you visit Brussels for sightseeing, you should know that the area outside the main tourist sights can be a bit sleepy during the weekends.

The whole area is easily accessible by public transport thanks to its many railway and metro stops.

Best Hotels in the European District

Best 5-star hotel
Sofitel Brussels Europe

Sofitel Brussels Europe is situated a 15-minutes from historic Grand Place by metro. It offers fine dining with views of Brussels, free Wi-Fi and elegant accommodation.

Best 4-star hotel
Aloft Brussels Schuman

Aloft Brussels offers modern chic guest rooms and free WiFi, 550 m from the European Parliament and 400 m from Schuman Metro Station, which provides a 15-minute connection to Brussels’ historical centre. Aloft Brussels is a mere 2 km from Grand Place.

Best budget hotel
Hotel Satellite

Hotel Satellite is located in the European District in Brussels, a 10-minute walk from Schuman Train, Bus and Metro Station, from where the city centre can be reached in 15 minutes. Free Wi-Fi access is available.

Best B&B
B&B Place Jourdan

Located right in the centre of Brussels, B&B Place Jourdan offers fully furnished apartments, as well as rooms with a flat-screen TV, 200 m from Jourdan Square and 900 m from the European Commission. Free WiFi is available throughout.

Best tourist apartments
Aparthotel Adagio Access Bruxelles Europe Aparthotel

Adagio Access offers studios in the centre of Brussels, only 350 m from the Committee of Regions and 290 m from Troon Metro Station. Each studio features a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and modern décor.


5. Northern Quarter: Best Area in Brussels for Business Travellers

The Nord Quartier is the best area to stay in Brussels for business travellers
The Nord Quartier is the best area to stay in Brussels for business travellers
Rogier Square, Brussels
Rogier Square, Brussels
Brussels North Station is one of the main railway hubs in the city
Brussels North Station is one of the main railway hubs in the city

Brussels’ Northern Quarter is the Central Business District of the Belgian capital.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Best area for business travellers
  • Rogier Square
  • Art Nouveau & Art Deco architecture
  • Business & boutique hotels
  • Brussels-North railway station
  • Botanical Garden

The Northern Quarter is Brussels’s second largest business district after the European District. It is home to many office towers and high-rise buildings hosting the headquarters of many local and multinational corporations.

As its name implies, it is located north of the city centre, around Brussels-North station. More commonly known as Gare du Nord, this railway hub is one of the most important stations in the Belgian capital, along with the Central and South stations.

At the heart of Brussels’ Central Business District, Rogier Square is an important transport hub with many hotels, offices and shops. Rue Neuve, the busiest shopping street in the country, ends there. Place Rogier is home to several Art Nouveau and Art Deco landmarks, including the 1909 Palace Hotel, the 1929 Hôtel Albert Ier and the 1932 Hotel Siru.


A few blocks away, the Botanical Garden is a public park located on the site of the former State Botanical Garden. Since 1984, the listed site of the greenhouses has hosted the Cultural Center “Le Botanique”, specialising in concerts, including the Les Nuits Botanique festival in the spring, as well as exhibitions of plastic arts and photography.

Best Hotels in Quartier Nord

Best 4-star hotel
nhow Brussels Bloom

nhow Brussels Bloom offers spacious, brightly coloured rooms with unique designer décor. This elegant hotel, which has a certificate in sustainability, includes a gym and is 160 metres from Botanique Metro Station. Free WiFi is available throughout.

Best 3-star hotel
Hotel Des Colonies

This boutique-style hotel is a 2-minute walk from the shops on Rue Neuve and the City2 Shopping Mall. It offers spacious, sound-proof rooms and a 24-hour reception.

Best budget hotel
Hotel City Center

Hotel City Center offers simply-furnished rooms with private bathroom facilities, 100 m from Place Rogier. This small hotel includes a 24-hour reception and is a 15-minute walk from Grand Place.

Best tourist apartments
Wellness Apart Hotel

Set in the centre of Brussels, these apartments and studios are provided with free WiFi and first-class hotel service.


6. Molenbeek-Saint-Jean: Cheapest Area to Stay in Central Brussels

Brussels' MIMA Museum is an underrated attraction in the city
Brussels’ MIMA Museum is an underrated attraction in the city
Chaussée de Gand is one of the main commercial streets in Molenbeek
Chaussée de Gand is one of the main commercial streets in Molenbeek
View of the Brussels Canal from the MIMA rooftop
View of the Brussels Canal from the MIMA rooftop

Located by the Brussels Canal & home to the MIMA Museum, the Saint-Jean Molenbeek district is a favourite among hipsters a young travellers.

    Why is this the best area to stay in Brussels, Belgium:
  • Best area for hipsters & alternative travellers
  • Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA)
  • Brussels Canal
  • Midrange & cheap accommodation in Brussels
  • Great food scene
  • Relatively central

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean district is located west of the city centre, across from the Brussels Canal.

This traditionally working-class district is home to the renowned MIMA museum. The Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art opened its doors in 2016 and is dedicated to contemporary art. It is located in a former brewery and is considered one of the city’s hidden gems.

Molenbeek is centred around Place Communale, a beautiful market square surrounded by old buildings offering a nice view of the Eglise de Saint-Jean-Baptiste. This aesthetically pleasing Art-Deco church opened in 1932 and is one of the symbols of the district.
Although the area is far from being the most attractive or elegant district of Brussels, the accommodation prices in this area are the lowest in the city centre.

Best Hotels in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean

Best 3-star hotel
MEININGER Hotels Bruxelles City Center

On the banks of the Charleroi-Brussels canal in an old factory, design hotel Meininger offers free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. The Grand Place is 1.5 km away.

Best budget hotel
Hôtel Belvue

Located in Brussels with views of the canal, Hôtel Belvue is housed in a passive building with a low ecological footprint. Engaging personnel from the local community, this hotel is committed to contributing to the neighbourhood’s sustainability. 

Best B&B
Brussels 1904

Featuring free bikes, a shared lounge, garden and free WiFi, Brussels 1904 is set in Brussels, less than 1 km from Tour & Taxis and a 19-minute walk from Place Sainte-Catherine.

Best hostel
Generation Europe Youth Hostel

Generation Europe Youth Hostel is located in Brussels, a 20-minute walk from the central Grand Place and Manneken Pis.


Where to Look for Accommodation in Brussels: Useful Info

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 exciting offers in peripheral neighbourhoods.

The best area to stay in Brussels is around Grand Place square, in the city’s old district. 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, many central neighbourhoods are central and still cheap, for example, Molenbeek.


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Where to Stay in Brussels - Best Areas & Hotels
Where to Stay in Brussels – Best Areas & Hotels

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