Famous for its chocolates and beers, Brussels offers many historical and architectural monuments, around 90 museums, various parks and gardens, and a lively nightlife.
If you’re looking for where to stay in Brussels, my guide provides advice on the best areas to stay that suit your travel needs.
The city has changed a lot since my first visit in the 2010s, but it remains easy to explore, with several attractive and convenient areas for all preferences and budgets.
One thing I find particularly interesting is that on weekends, many hotels lower their rates. This happens because their main clientele is usually business travelers or those visiting for European Union-related meetings, which typically occur during the week.
Best Areas to Stay in Brussels
- Grand Place: The top area to stay in Brussels for first-time visitors
- European Quarter: An international neighborhood, excellent for a food-focused stay
- Sablon: A stylish, romantic neighborhood, ideal for art lovers
- Avenue Louise: Perfect for luxury shopping and gourmet dining
- Ixelles: A multicultural area, great for nightlife
- Place Rogier: A family-friendly area
- Gare du Midi: The best option for budget accommodation
1. Grand Place, best area to stay in Brussels for first time
The best area to stay in Brussels is undoubtedly around the Grand Place. It’s the heart of the city, with most of the major tourist attractions just a short walk away.
This central spot is buzzing with energy, packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and shopping centers. If you’re into nightlife, this is where you’ll find the action after dark.
The Grand Place itself, with its stunning Town Hall (L’Hotel de Ville), the 39 guild houses, and the King’s House (Maison du Roi), is arguably one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
In this area, you can explore iconic sights like the Manneken Pis, the Cathedral, the exclusive St. Hubert Galleries, the Royal Palace of Brussels, Brussels Park, and numerous museums such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts or the Museum of Musical Instruments.
The area is also famous for fine Belgian cuisine. Around the Grand Place, you’ll find traditional Belgian restaurants, mostly high-priced, along with several Turkish and Mediterranean eateries offering more affordable options in the smaller streets.
Here, you’ll also find the widest range of accommodations, catering to all tastes and budgets. Since this area is in high demand, make sure to book your stay early.
Best Hotels in Grand Place
- (€€€) Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo: a 5-star hotel with restaurant, 200m from Manneken Pis
- (€€) NH Collection Brussels Centre: a 4-star hotel, 5 minutes walk from Grand Place
- (€) EasyHotel Brussels City Centre: a budget-friendly hotel, 550m from Grand Place
- (Hostel) 2GO4 Quality Hostel Brussels Grand Place: a cozy hostel close to Grand Place
2. European Quarter, best area to stay in Brussels for business travellers and foodies
The European Quarter (Leopold Quarter) is an excellent choice for staying in Brussels. It’s not only incredibly safe but also just a 20-minute walk from the Grand Place. Plus, it’s well-connected to the city center by metro (Schuman, Maalbeek, and Trone stations) and bus.
During the day, the area is bustling with activity due to the many professionals working there. However, in the evenings and on weekends, it transforms into a peaceful retreat. Around Schuman and Place Jourdan, you’ll find plenty of spots to grab a bite or enjoy a beer.
While you’re here, be sure to check out the impressive glass buildings of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union.
Don’t miss the Parc du Cinquantenaire with its stunning Triumphal Arch, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, and Ambiorix Square, known for its Art Nouveau architecture.
This neighborhood offers a great selection of hotels, mostly in the 4- and 5-star range, and you’ll find more affordable rates on weekends when the business travelers head out.
Best Hotels in European Quarter (Leopold Quarter)
- (€€€) Stanhope Hotel by Thon Hotels: a 5-star hotel, 600m from Royal Palace of Brussels
(€€) Aparthotel Adagio Access Bruxelles Europe: studios with kitchen, 450m from European Parliament - (€) Hotel Derby MERODE: a 2-star hotel with breakfast, 250m from Parc du Cinquantenaire
3. Sablon, an elegant area to stay in Brussels
Sablon, or Zavel, is another fantastic area to stay in Brussels. This elegant neighborhood is one of the most charming spots in Belgium, known for its art galleries, antique shops, and irresistible chocolatiers.
The highlight of the area is the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon (Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon), a stunning Roman Catholic church dating back to the 15th century.
Staying here means you’ll be just a 15-minute walk from the Grand Place, the trendy Ixelles shopping district, or the Avenue Louise.
Centered around the picturesque Petit Sablon Square, this neighborhood offers a selection of notable hotels.
Best Hotels in Sablon
- (€€€) The Hotel Brussels: a 4-star hotel with spa and breakfast, 400m from Square of Petit Sablon
- (€€) NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon: a 4-star hotel with breakfast, close to Square of Petit Sablon
- (€) Hotel Chambord: a 3-star hotel with breakfast, 10 minutes walk from Royal Palace
4. Avenue Louise, best area to stay in Brussels for shopping
Avenue Louise (in French) or Louizalaan (in Dutch) is a prestigious avenue and one of the city’s most expensive areas. It offers a wide selection of exclusive designer boutiques and luxury restaurants, along with famous landmarks.
The avenue begins at the Palais de Justice and extends all the way to the Bois de la Cambre park, passing through much of the Ixelles neighborhood.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find many Art Nouveau buildings and attractive diplomatic residences. Nearby is Place du Châtelain, a charming square with cozy cafes, flower shops, and a delightful open-air market.
The area also features the Louise Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Brussels, Phénix 44, a bronze sculpture by Olivier Strebelle, and the picturesque King’s Garden.
Avenue Louise and Toison d’Or are especially known for luxury boutiques showcasing designer names like Chanel and Dior, as well as high-end dining options.
As expected, this area is among the most expensive in the city, with mostly high-end hotels. However, there are some more affordable accommodations in nearby areas.
Best Hotels in Avenue Louise
- (€€€) Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher’s: a 5-star hotel with 2 restaurants, 850m from Palais de Justice
- (€€) Hotel le Chatelain: a 5-star hotel with restaurant, 1.7km from Palais de Justice
- (€) Citybox Brussels: a budget-friendly hotel, 1.3km from Royal Palace
5. Ixelles, best area to stay in Brussels for nightlife
Ixelles is one of the largest neighborhoods in Brussels and, honestly, one of my favorite places to stay. It’s perfectly located and one of the most stylish areas, offering a vast array of restaurants and bars with a livelier nightlife than the city center.
Though generally considered an upscale neighborhood, Ixelles has a mix of distinct areas, each with its own unique vibe.
Here, you’ll find Matongue, the African quarter of Brussels, the bustling Place Flagey with its bars and restaurants, the University area, and the trendy Chatelain district.
Chatelain, in particular, is one of the city’s most fashionable spots, packed with bars and restaurants. It’s one of the most sought-after areas in the city, and I personally love spending evenings there.
Best Hotels in Ixelles
- (€€€) Sofitel Brussels Le Louise: a 5-star hotel, 1km from Royal Palace
- (€€) B&B Hotel Brussels Centre Louise: a 2-star hotel with breakfast, 1.2km from Louise metro station
- (€) Ibis Brussels Centre Chatelain: a 3-star hotel with breakfast, 750m from Louise Avenue
6. Place Rogier – Gare du Nord, best area to stay in Brussels for families and kids
Hotels around Place Rogier are particularly practical, putting you just steps away from the heart of the city and right next to Brussels main shopping street, Rue Neuve.
Place Rogier is also just a short walk from Gare du Nord, the train station where the airport train arrives and where trains to various parts of the country depart.
However, it’s important to be mindful of your direction when heading to the city center to avoid accidentally wandering toward the Gare du Nord area. This neighborhood includes Brussels red-light district, which isn’t the most desirable spot to explore.
Best Hotels in Place Rogier – Gare du Nord
- (€€€) Hotel Le Plaza Brussels: a 5-star hotel close to Rue Neuve
- €) Hotel Indigo Brussels – City, an IHG Hotel: a 4-star hotel, 250m from Rue Neuve
- (Hostel) Sleep Well Youth Hostel: a hostel with dormitories and private rooms, 1.5km from Grand Place
7. Gare du Midi, where to stay in Brussels on a budget
In the area around the “Gare du Midi” train station, you can find some budget-friendly hotels, but it’s a neighborhood where you should be cautious at night, as it can be a bit risky.
I’m not saying you’ll be robbed the moment you step foot there, but compared to other parts of Brussels, it’s not the safest place to wander around after dark.
While it’s not one of the top neighborhoods to stay in, it is undeniably practical. Besides the lower hotel prices, it offers excellent transport connections to both Brussels International Airport and Charleroi Airport. It’s also well-connected to the rest of the city and even to other towns in Belgium.
If you do choose to stay here, try to book a hotel as close to the station as possible. That way, you won’t have to walk far through the neighborhood when catching the metro at night.
Best Hotels in Gare du Midi
- (€€) Mercure Hotel Brussels Centre Midi: a 4-star hotel with breakfast, 300m from metro station
- (€) Aparthotel Résidence Bara Midi: apartments with kitchen, 150m from Gare du Midi station
- (€) ibis Hotel Brussels Centre Gare du Midi: a budget-friendly hotel with breakfast, 50m from Gare du Midi metro station
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