Where to Stay in Brussels: 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

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What’s the Best Area to Stay in 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

• Best five-star hotel: Juliana Hotel Brussels
• Best four-star hotel: Hotel Le Dixseptième
• Best three-star hotel: 9Hotel Central
• Best budget hotel: Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels
• Best B&B/guest house: Les Chambres de Martin
• Best hostel: Hostel Bruegel
• Best tourist apartments: Aparthotel Adagio Brussels Grand Place

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Where to Stay in Brussels for Sightseeing

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:

• When talking about accommodation in Brussels, nothing can beat the gorgeous Grand Place. Known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world, this gothic masterpiece is home to the famous guild houses and Brussels City Hall. Our favourite hotels in the area include Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels, Aris Grand Place and Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo.
• Centred around the neoclassical Place Royale and the Royal Museums, the Royal Quarter is the place to go in Brussels for art lovers. Our recommended hotel in this lovely area is the 9Hotels Sablon.
• Not far, on a hill in Brussels’ upper town, The Sablon is an upscale historic area home to the gothic Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon and several antique shops and small boutiques. One of the top-rated properties in this area is the NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon.
• Occupying the northern end of the Pentagone, Sainte-Catherine is known for its busy food market, eclectic church and as one of Brussels’ nightlife hotspots. Some great properties here include the 4-star Novotel Brussels City Centre and budget Ibis Brussels City Centre.
• The trendy Ixelles district, located south of the Old Town, offers a quieter alternative to central Brussels, several tourist sights and a fine collection of boutique and design properties, including Hotel Made In Louise and Moxy Brussels City Center.
• Last but not least, the European Quarter is home to some of the main institutions of the EU’s executive and legislative branches. This business-oriented area is home to several well-known hotel brands, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels EU and Renaissance Brussels Hotel.

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The Best Areas for Tourists in Brussels: District by District

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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