Where to stay in Brussels?

Stay in the heart of Brussels: the historic center

The historic center of Brussels, also known as the Pentagon, is the ideal place to stay during your stay in the Belgian capital. This district is brimming with history and art, with places of interest not to be missed! It's a very touristy area, and a great place to stay.

The area's most emblematic landmark is the Grand Place, also known as the Grote Markt if you want to talk like the locals! Characterized by its rectangular shape, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for just over twenty years. It is also considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

As this part of the city is popular with tourists, it offers a wide choice of accommodation. So you're spoilt for choice! However, it's important to bear in mind that the prices of these accommodations are linked to their location. You'll need to set aside an appropriate budget to take advantage of the benefits they have to offer.

As well as staying in an exceptional place like the Grand Place, you can do all the activities on foot. You can stroll the streets of Brussels, shop at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert or even visit the famous Manneken Pis and its little sister Jeanneke Pis.

It's also easy to find a restaurant or brasserie to fill you up at lunchtime between two visits. A number of street food stalls have been set up around the area, where you can enjoy a Liège waffle, a Belgian specialty.

The Brussels-Central train station is conveniently located in the center of town, allowing you to reach Brussels' Grand Place in just five minutes on foot. So whether you're staying for one night or several, the center of Brussels is the ideal place to stay.

If you're planning to stay the weekend of August 15, you'll also have the opportunity to wake up and discover the Grand Place covered in a carpet of flowers!

Accommodation in Saint-Géry, a lively, central location

Located to the east of the heart of Brussels, the Saint-Géry district is the perfect place to stay for party lovers. Day or night, this is a lively corner of the capital. Around Place Saint-Géry, you'll find a bevy of restaurants and bars with lovely terraces, often packed to the rafters in the summer months.

If you like music, this is the cultural district for you! Les Halles de Saint-Géry, the area's flagship venue, is a former covered market that now hosts numerous exhibitions and musical festivities. The Café des Halles, located inside the market, can also be enlivened by concerts or DJ sets.

Although this area is part of the center, it is much less touristy. If you choose to stay here, you'll still be able to see the famous Zinneke Pis and easily get to the must-see places in Brussels.

Staying in this district of Brussels combines proximity to the center and all the tourist attractions, museums and so on, with the lively Brussels nightlife. The Brussels-Central train station is a dozen minutes' walk from Les Halles. What's more, public transport will take you around the city in less than twenty minutes from Place Saint-Géry.

As Saint-Géry is a small, central area of Brussels, there aren't many places to stay during your stay. So it's important to think about booking in advance to have more choice! Because of its proximity to the center, the budget for accommodation remains quite high, but it is possible to find some more affordable hotels.

Stay in Sablon, Brussels' upmarket district

Formerly the district of the Brussels nobility, Sablon is now a chic, slightly bourgeois area where to stay. It takes its name from the sand, because before it became the posh area it is today, it was a sand-covered plain.

Between luxury boutiques and antique shops, finding a place to stay here will allow you to enjoy the dynamic side of the day, with tourists and locals streaming through its streets, but also the calm side of its nights.

It remains a very popular tourist destination, thanks to its proximity to the center of town, its parks, the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Eglise Notre-Dame du Sablon. Place du Grand Sablon and Place du Petit Sablon are the two most emblematic places in the area. Their cultural and historical richness attracts a huge number of tourists.

Public transport - metro or bus - is also well served in this area, making your visit to Brussels even more enjoyable.

Staying in this district will be more affordable for wealthy travelers, as it is one of the most expensive in Brussels. In fact, while it's easy to find a rare gem at the Grand Sablon antiques market, finding quality accommodation at a good price is still complicated.

On the other hand, if you've fallen in love with Sablon, there are a few hotels available in the area. So don't forget to plan ahead!

Accommodation in Marolles: an authentic place to stay

Situated between Sablon and Saint-Gilles, Marolles was originally a working-class district that has become very trendy. If you're looking for a place to stay away from the tourist hustle and bustle, and closer to the locals, this is the place for you. Although Marolles and Sablon are neighbors, they are completely different.

Far from the luxury boutiques and small designer stores of the Sablon, Marolles retains an authentic, friendly feel. It is nonetheless a lively district, day and night.

With its trendy bars and restaurants, boutiques, markets and exhibitions, you'll never be bored if you decide to stay here. You'll also have easy access to the courthouse and the Jeu de Balles flea market, which takes place every day.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can take a twenty-minute stroll to the center of town, or take the bus for ten minutes or so.

Marolles is a residential area, so don't forget that there are no hotels. However, it is possible to find B&Bs or apartments for almost the same budget as a hotel room in another part of town.

There aren't many such accommodations, so we advise you to look carefully in advance. Marolles will be a more suitable place to stay for families wanting to keep their privacy.

Stay in the European Quarter, Brussels' political center

The Leopold district, also known as the European Quarter, is a residential business district where the political institutions of the European Union are headquartered. Indeed, as Brussels is one of the capitals of the EU, it is home to the European Parliament and the European Commission.

It's a very quiet place, far from the tourist hustle and bustle of other parts of Brussels. If you're looking for a quiet night's sleep, this is the place to stay.

If you like a walk in the fresh air, this part of the city boasts two large parks, Parc Léopold and Parc du Cinquantenaire. It's still a great place to visit, with its various museums.

There are also a number of restaurants and bars on the Place du Luxembourg, just a stone's throw from the European Parliament. For a livelier atmosphere in the evenings, it's best to stay in another area.

The Quartier Européen has two train stations within easy reach of each other: Bruxelles-Luxembourg and Bruxelles-Schuman. They are a three- and seven-minute walk respectively from the European Parliament.

Accommodation at the EU headquarters varies in number. The price range is as high as anywhere else in Brussels, but if you're looking for a quiet place to stay during your stay, this is the place to be.

Staying in the Royal district: Brussels' chic zone

Located high up in the capital, the Royal district is the ideal place to stay for those seeking accommodation in a majestic location. Artistically and historically rich, this district with its grandiose alleyways is located around the Palais Royal, a site not to be missed!

It's a quiet place where it's good to stay for a long or short stay. In fact, it's only a ten-minute walk from the heart of Brussels.

With museums such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, embassies and the Parc de Bruxelles, there's plenty to do in this area of power.

Staying here will allow you to discover its cosmopolitan side, with restaurants from the four corners of the globe to tantalize your taste buds. You can also find sandwich shops for a quick bite to eat between two visits.

The Royal district is well served, with several streetcar, metro and bus lines to take you to the area's main attractions. Brussels-Central station is also a five-minute walk away.

This part of Brussels is quite small, like Saint-Géry, so there are few places to stay. As for budget, this part of the city is more or less in the same price range as other central areas such as the Grand Place and Saint-Géry. If you're looking for a royal night's sleep, the Royal district is the place for you!

Staying in Ixelles and Saint-Gilles: two slightly outlying districts

Ixelles, also known as Elsene, is a commune of Brussels located south of the Pentagon. Its location, more or less close to the heart of Brussels, and its beauty, with its many parks, forests and lakes, make Ixelles very popular with people looking for accommodation in Brussels.

These assets make it the most expensive corner of the capital. The atmosphere is lively day and night, and if you're looking for a place to stay, there's no shortage of restaurants, cafés and stores.

Unlike its neighbor, Saint-Gilles is a residential community with little going on. It's the perfect place for people looking for a taste of the Brussels way of life. Away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade, it's also ideally situated for catching the train from Brussels-Midi station.

Staying in this part of the city is ideal for those wishing to visit Brussels by public transport, as well as other Belgian cities close to the capital. There are still plenty of things to do, such as visiting art galleries or the Saint-Gilles market, which takes place every Sunday in front of the station.

Generally speaking, as everywhere else in Brussels, both areas are very well served, despite their eccentricity. As these communes are less touristy, the choice of accommodation to stay is mainly apartments, although hotels are also available. So don't wait too long to book!