What is the best area to stay in Brussels? Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union has many faces. Choose how to visit Brussels: do you prefer to stay in a chic district, a friendly neighborhood with nightlife, or a quiet and peaceful area? Discover the best areas and hotels to stay in Brussels during a trip and areas to avoid.
- Which district to stay in Brussels? ?
- Best hotels for a couple’s stay ?
- Great places to visit Brussels with the family ?
- Youth hostels ?
Our favorites in Brussels
- Best location: Hotel Hubert Grand Place
- For couples: Pillows City Hotel Brussels Centre
- UNESCO-listed building: L’Epicentre
- Best apartment: Luxury Studio In the EU Area
- Hotel with parking: nhow Brussels Bloom
- Cheap, but further from the center: MEININGER Hotels Brussels City Center
1. Which district to stay in Brussels?
Let’s see the 5 best areas to stay in Brussels.
Areas of Brussels to avoid. The Anneessens, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek, Anderlecht, Marolles areas, or even Brussels-North during a weekend in Brussels. Below, we will not talk about these areas but rather the preferred locations for a stay in Brussels and the best accommodation to enjoy your trip.
Brussels Historic Center
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place is the central square of Brussels. It is also considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
Reference point. This square can be considered as the reference point for your accommodation search where to stay in Brussels. The heart of the historic center of Brussels is an excellent place to stay in Brussels during a first trip. However, it is in this district that prices are generally the highest.
Hotel Hubert Grand Place: a 2-minute walk from the Grand-Place, this hotel offers rooms for one or two people with king-size and queen-size beds. The location is ideal for visiting Brussels and having an excellent romantic weekend in the heart of downtown.
In the city center, a superb apartment: just six minutes on foot from the Grand-Place, this 55m2 hotel is a perfect place to stay in Brussels with family or friends. The apartment can accommodate 4 people.
Marriott Hotel Grand Place: a 5-minute walk from the Grand-Place and Menneken-Pis, this beautiful hotel offers double rooms and three people. The breakfast is a buffet of fresh and hot dishes.
Saint-Géry: the best area for nightlife in Brussels
In the heart of downtown. A stone’s throw from the Grand-Place, Saint-Géry is a friendly neighborhood for going out in Brussels. You can find many bars, restaurants, and places to have a great evening. Therefore, Saint-Géry is ideal for students and those who want to discover Brussels’ nightlife.
Noisy. The downside of this area is possibly the noise. So you have to choose your accommodation wisely to stay peacefully.
Sablon district: the best area to stay in Brussels?
Antique district. The Sablon district is located close to the heart of the historic center of Brussels. The Grand-Place can be reached on foot in just 10-15 minutes.
Central, but less touristy. This neighborhood has the advantage of being both central and less touristy. Here, the accommodation prices are lower. For all these reasons, in our opinion, the Sablon district is the best area to stay in Brussels.
9Hotel Sablon: 5 minutes walk from the Grand-Place, this hotel offers spacious rooms for two people and duplex suites for a family stay in Brussels.
NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon: a few minutes walk from the Magritte museum, this 4-star hotel is a charming place for a romantic stay in Brussels. The breakfast is excellent, which is a plus for a successful trip.
Bailli – Châtelain: the chic neighborhood where to stay in Brussels
Art Nouveau. The Bailli – Châtelain area is a neighborhood where you can see beautiful, colorful façades in the Art Nouveau style. Here, you will find small cafes, trendy bars, and the lovely Holy Trinity Church.
Like a local. This area is not only a shopping district but also a residential neighborhood. Anyway, one can truly feel like a real Brusseler here. The main downside of this neighborhood is its distance from the historic center of Brussels: expect at least a 30-minute walk to the Grand Place.
Hotel Made In Louise: rooms with modern and simple decoration in a pretty setting, especially in the Châtelain area of Brussels!
Hotel Le Châtelain: if you appreciate classic style, you will also enjoy your stay at this 5-star hotel in the chic Châtelain neighborhood of Brussels. The rooms are pretty spacious (20-22m2), as well as the suites (33-38-60m2).
European Quarter: the residential neighborhood where to stay in Brussels peacefully
It is where the European Parliament is located, as well as embassies. Not far from this neighborhood, between the historic center of Brussels and the European Parliament, is also the Royal Quarter. Here, the environment is very calm, away from the noise of downtown Brussels.
Aloft Brussels Schuman: located six minutes from the European Parliament and 20 minutes from the Grand Place, this hotel offers rooms for two people and family rooms for four. The value for money is correct.
If you visit Brussels soon, read our article: What to do in Brussels to ensure you see everything.
2. Best hotels for couples to stay in Brussels
Discover our selection of the best hotels for a couple to stay in Brussels.
La Calamande En Ville: our favorite! This guesthouse offers a spacious and quite charming room with a balcony. The setting is magnificent for a great weekend in Brussels.
NH Collection Brussels Centre: a nice place in the heart of Brussels for a superb weekend getaway for couples in Brussels. You can enjoy the hotel’s rooftop terrace to admire a lovely view of Brussels. The decoration of the rooms is warm and welcoming. The location is perfect: 8 minutes on foot from the Grand Place and Manneken Pis.
9Hotel Sablon: 5 minutes on foot from the Grand Place, this hotel offers spacious rooms and a good quality breakfast. Moreover, one of the significant pluses of the hotel is its wellness area, which has a hot tub and Finnish sauna. Therefore, it is a perfect place for couples to stay in Brussels!
Hotel Made In Louise: great value for money in the Châtelain area, the chic neighborhood of Brussels.
3. Great places to visit Brussels with family
Discover our selection of the best accommodations, hotels, and apartments to stay in Brussels with the family.
Aparthotel Adagio Brussels Grand Place: 45m2 apartments with one bedroom and a living room that can accommodate 3 or 4 people, just 5 minutes from the Grand Place of Brussels.
In downtown, a superb apartment: this 55m2 apartment offers good value for money for a family trip to Brussels, just a 6-minute walk from the Grand Place.
Aloft Brussels Schuman: located in the European Quarter and 20 minutes on foot from the Grand Place, the connecting family rooms of this hotel can accommodate 4 people. It is an address to remember if you are going to visit Brussels with family.
4. Youth Hostels Where to Stay in Brussels on a Budget
Here is our selection of the best youth hostels where to stay in Brussels for cheap.
Sleep Well Youth Hostel: A 13-minute walk from the Grand-Place and the Manneken Pis, this hostel is a perfect place to stay in Brussels. The setting is quite elegant, far from what one might imagine for a youth hostel. So, do not hesitate!
Hostel Bruegel: If you visit Brussels with your friends, you can choose this hostel, which offers simple rooms for 3 or 4 people.
In summary. Avoid these neighborhoods in Brussels: Anneessens, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek, Anderlecht, Marolles, and Brussels-North. These are not the best neighborhoods to stay in when visiting Brussels. The best areas are the heart of the city center, namely the Grand-Place, the Sablon district, and the Bailli-Châtelain neighborhood. The European Quarter is also a neighborhood to consider for a quiet stay in Brussels. The Saint-Géry district is, for its part, an excellent area for going out in Brussels.
