Travelling To Brussels: A Guide On Where To Stay For The Perfect Trip

Belgium’s cosmopolitan capital is one of those cities that seemingly has it all: world-class museums, dazzling architecture, a mouthwatering culinary scene, and peaceful green spaces. If you ask us, that's all the right ingredients for a memorable city break, and its various neighbourhoods each offer something different. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have rounded up our favourite areas to eat, play and sleep. Ready to book that trip? Take a look at our guide to where to stay in Brussels.

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If it’s your first time in Brussels, we recommend staying in the city centre so you can be within walking distance of all its popular attractions. There are exciting things to do for all ages and interests here, and the Grand Place is the best place to start your sightseeing adventure. Surrounded by ornate Baroque buildings, including the handsome town hall, this UNESCO-listed square is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Nearby, you’ll find attractions like the Manneken-Pis fountain and the Mont des Artes garden. The latter is surrounded by cultural institutes such as Bozar, Cinematek and the Royal Museum of the Fine Arts.

The city centre is also a great place for foodies, as you’ll find an endless choice of restaurants, cafes, bars and chocolatiers. Visit the Choco-Story Museum to learn about the origins of everyone's favourite sweet treat and watch the chocolatiers make the famous pralines that Belgium is known for. It wouldn’t be a trip to Brussels without trying the beer, so be sure to pop by A Mort Subite, a beautiful pub dating back to 1928.

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For those who like the finer things in life, the upscale area of Louise is known for its chic boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Avenue Louise extends from Place Louise to Bois de la Cambre. It’s one of the most expensive addresses in Brussels and is the place to go if you’re wanting to splash out on designer brands and browse art galleries. Other shopping streets include Boulevard de Waterloo, where you’ll find Belgian designer stores, and Avenue de la Toison d’Or for more affordable brands. Struggling to carry all your bags? You can always take the tram back down Avenue Louise.

Also in the neighbourhood is Egmont Park, a green oasis with mature trees and a collection of bronze statues. It’s a great spot to catch your breath before continuing with your shopping. When you get hungry, there’s no shortage of places to eat and grab a drink in Louise. One of our go-to's is Le Chou de Bruxelles, which serves mouthwatering Brussels specialities such as mussels.

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Just south of the city centre is the neighbourhood of Sablon. More laid-back but still offering plenty of things to do, Sablon is a great choice for those who like history, art, shopping and good food. The most famous landmark in the area is the Notre-Dame du Sablon Church, a magnificent Gothic building next to the Place du Grand Sablon. If you’re in town on the weekend, don’t miss the open-air antiques market here – if it’s raining, head to the indoor antique shops on Rue des Minimes instead.

Craving something sweet? You’re in the best place to browse the city’s chocolate shops, including Govida, Marcolini, Leonidas and Neuhaus. You’ll also find many waffle stands, bars, and restaurants here. If you’re celebrating, L’Ecailler du Palais Royal is perfect for special occasions and has been serving exquisite fish dishes since 1967. In between all that indulging, take a break at the Square du Petit Sablon, a Neo-renaissance garden with a splendid fountain and plenty of benches to rest on.

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If you’re wondering where to stay in Brussels for a more authentic experience, look no further than Les Marolles (also known as Marollen). This is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Brussels and dates back to medieval times. The lack of tourist attractions explains why it’s retained its authentic feel; however, it’s evolved into a cool, up-and-coming area with hip bars and trendy eateries in recent years. Stroll through the neighbourhood and follow the street murals, hunt for treasures in the vintage and antique shops, or purchase unique souvenirs at the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market. Open every day, the market is a fantastic place to soak up the atmosphere – when you’ve finished shopping, grab a seat at one of the alfresco cafes and listen to the street musicians play.

When it gets to sundown, head to Place Poelaert, the city’s largest square. Its elevated position makes it an excellent spot to watch the sun go down over the city. The summer months are particularly lively here, with DJs, street performers and even a pop-up bar.

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One of the most international neighbourhoods in Brussels, Ixelles is popular with the expatriate community, students, artists and writers. There’s something for everyone here, from trendy eateries at Châtelain to shopping at Chaussée d’Ixelles and Porte de Namur. You’re also just a stone’s throw from Avenue Louise for upscale boutiques, too. When you’re all shopped out, head to one of Ixelles’s many squares for a drink. Place Fernand Cocq is a small courtyard with several pubs and bars, such as Contrebande and Café Tulipant. And if you feel like a night out, there are plenty of bars and music venues in Matongé, the African quarter.

When you need some downtime, Tenbosch Park is the best place to be. Surrounded by mature trees, it’s a wonderful spot to walk or read in the shade. Kids will love it too, as there’s a playground and a sports field, as well as the nearby Ixelles ponds. You’ll also find the beautiful gardens of La Cambre Abbey close by.

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Wondering where to stay in Brussels for Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture? Look no further than Saint-Gilles. Home to some of the most spectacular buildings in the city, a few of the neighbourhood’s gems include the Aegidium, the Maison Pelgrims and the buildings on Place Louis Morichar. It’s no surprise that Saint-Gilles is also a hub for art, with plenty of showrooms such as the Damien & The Love Guru and the Forest Divonne galleries. Don’t miss the Horta Museum, the former home of Victor Horta, who was widely considered the father of Art Nouveau in Brussels.

Saint-Gilles is also a cultural hotspot, with a wide range of events all year round. Some of the most anticipated festivals include the Parcours d’Artistes, Foire des Vignerons and Festival Cultures Maison. Foodies will love the Gare du Midi Market, the largest in Brussels. You can pick up all kinds of tasty treats, from cheese and chocolate to flowers and household items.

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To stay in the European Quarter is to stay in the home of the European Union. But it’s not all work and no play here – as well as parliament buildings, the neighbourhood also boasts museums, bars, restaurants and green spaces. History buffs shouldn’t miss the House of European History. Showcasing permanent and temporary exhibits on the history of Europe, this is a fascinating place to spend a couple of hours. Meanwhile, the Parlamentarium is the best place to learn about the EU. For something a little more lighthearted, the Institute for Natural Sciences provides fun for all ages, while Autoworld is home to an impressive collection of automobiles.

While there’s plenty to keep you entertained, the European Quarter also has a few places to relax. Cinquantenaire Park has stunning landscaped gardens and the grand Triumphal Arch, while Leopold Park features a tranquil lake and walking trails. There are also many public squares, such as Place du Luxembourg with its international restaurants, and Place Jourdan with its Sunday market.

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The last neighbourhood on our list of where to stay in Brussels is the vibrant, multicultural area of Saint-Josse (also called Saint-Joost). This mainly residential area is the smallest yet most populated neighbourhood, and you’ll hear a variety of languages being spoken as you wander the streets. There are plenty of cultural offerings, from the Arab Cultural Centre to the Charlier Museum. Once a botanical garden, Le Botanique is now a cultural centre where you can catch concerts and art exhibitions.

Thanks to its international population, you’ll find all kinds of world cuisine here, from Turkish to Greek and Indian. However, no trip to Saint-Josse is complete without trying the iconic frites, a Belgian speciality. Make a beeline for the frites van on Place St Josse, known for serving some of the best fries in the city. Insider tip: order ravier de frites rather than a cornet de frites. You’ll get more fries for the same price, plus you’ll find it’s much easier to eat from a dish than a cone.

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