The Best Hotels in Brussels

There’s a lot more to Belgium’s capital than just chocolate and beer. The center of European politics, Brussels is a truly diverse multi-lingual melting pot. Among the cosmopolitan city’s bustle you’ll find all the makings of a top city break. Take a stroll about the grand historic center, visit one of the many museums, or enjoy the vast range of cuisine and shopping on offer. A center of European culture, there’s always something happening in ‘The European Village’ - and it doesn’t stop when the sun goes down either.

Things to see

One of the most attractive city squares in Europe, Grand Place is a must-visit. Framed with Baroque, Gothic and Louis XIV architecture, the square is home to the town hall. Nearby, you’ll find the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue of a boy cheekily reliving himself, which is the subject of many local legends, and often elaborately dressed up during the city’s festivities. For something a little more regal, visit the neo-classical styled Royal Palace. Free tours operate during August and September allowing visitors to step inside the palatial pad and feast their eyes upon the opulent gilt-laden interiors. For a little modernity, check out the 335ft high Atomium. The gleaming multi-sphered structure replicates a unit cell of iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. Inside the highest sphere you’ll find a restaurant with panoramic city views. Also worth checking out is the important and imposing European Union Parliament Building, which offers tours for the politically inquisitive.

Hotels in Brussels

Whatever your budget, there’s a fantastic choice of hotels in Brussels. For those with a taste for opulence, 5-star accommodation comes in many flavors. Whether you prefer the palatial luxury of a historic hotel or the contemporary appeal of a trendy boutique, it’s all here. Those with more modest budgets will find plenty of cheap hotels in Brussels too, as well as a handful of characterful B&Bs a little further out of the city action. Most accommodation comes equipped with all the basic amenities, such as WiFi and flat-screen televisions. For eco-friendly city breakers, Brussels offers an array of Green Key labeled hotels, too.

Where to stay

To be in among the city action many visitors opt for a hotel around the city center and Grand Place. Here you’ll find many of the city’s popular attractions, along with a barrage of upmarket shops, restaurants, and bars. Near to the Midi Station, the trendy Saint-Gilles borough takes on a much more bohemian vibe. Stroll along the Art Nouveau lined streets or sit around with arty types in a decadent café. The vibrant Ixelles offers something for everyone. With excellent shopping to be had around Porte de Namur, along with culture and nightlife in the upper district, it’s perfect for a livelier stay.

How to get to

For international visitors, the city’s nearest airport is Brussels Airport, known locally as Zaventem. Seven miles northeast of the city, the airport serves both European and transatlantic flights. City connections are convenient, with frequent trains from the airport to Brussels’s three main stations, including Central Station which is well-connected to the city’s metro. Journeys take between 15 and 25 minutes. For those travelling by train, Midi-Station south of the center sees arrivals from all over Europe via the Eurostar. For cheaper, but much slower travel, the Megabus service carries passengers from London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

When are the best times to travel to Brussels?

Brussels experiences all 4 seasons. If you travel to Brussels during summer, expect sunny skies and warm temperatures – perfect weather to experience the city’s outdoor café culture, idyllic public parks and winding, heritage-rich streets. For cheap hotels in Brussels, travel during March and May, when the city is quiet and relaxed but increasingly balmy. The autumn months also offer discount hotels. During December, Brussels turns into a winter wonderland, flush with snow-dusted festive street markets.

What are the top must-see attractions in Brussels?

Brussels bursts with architectural marvels. Stop by the Town Hall, an enormous 15th-century Gothic building boasting intricate, ornate facades and a dizzyingly-tall sharp-pointed Barbantine tower. After, see the nearby Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, a Roman Catholic church championing even more Gothic architecture – the sheer sand-coloured stone facade is inlaid with statuettes, punctured by a rose window and crescendos into several squared off towers. Finish your architectural tour at the Notre Dame du Sablon, a vast 15th-century Barbantine Gothic church with 2 Baroque interior chapels.

What are the best types of food and restaurants in Brussels?

Brussels’ indulgent cuisine scene is known for celebrating 4 main foods – chocolate, waffles, mussels and fries. There are many traditional chocolate shops spread across the city, but for utter extravagance, treat yourself at one of the luxury stores in Place du Grand Sablon. You’ll find classic Brussels fritkots across the city – budget takeaway and sit down fast food eateries serving fries with an array of sauces. For sumptuous seafood, including freshly steamed mussels, dine in one of the restaurants near the Grand Place, or the luxury hotels in Brussels.

What are the top things to do in Brussels?

Spend your relaxing Brussels morning ambling around Grand Place – the city’s expansive central square – and gaze at the surrounding gold adorned guildhalls and Baroque-meets-Gothic architecture. After, music enthusiasts can visit the Musical Instrument Museum, based in a late 19th-century Art Nouveau building. Inside, see dozens of exhibits rich with weird and wonderful antique instruments. Shoppers, meanwhile, can splurge in the elegant Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert – an indoor shopping arcade, covered by an arched glass roof and detailed with Italianate ironwork.

What are some fun facts about Brussels?

Brussels holds a significant place in European history – it’s the seat of the European Union, earning it the grand nickname “The Capital of Europe”. Brussels’ other nickname is less grandiose – “Comic City”. Brussels received this nickname because the city has long championed the comic strip, with internationally known comic books, like Tintin, having originated here. Brussels is unique in not having a singular language – it is a bilingual city of French and Flemish.

What kinds of public transport are there in Brussels?

Most of Brussels’ main sights are grouped in the charming cobbled streets of the old city area, and can be reached on foot. To visit other city areas, travel in Brussels is a breeze, thanks to the clean, efficient and expansive Metro network, which is composed of 4 metro subway lines and 3 tramway lines. Purchase a day pass, a MOBIB smartcard or a book of several tickets to save on fares. Brussels also offers many reliable bus routes.