10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Brussels

Time-pressed travellers might be wise to make their base in Central Brussels, where nightlife, dining and sightseeing opportunities abound. The neighbourhood’s focal point is the architecturally impressive Grande-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the late-Gothic Town Hall and eye-catching historic buildings housing museums, galleries and restaurants.

One of the best ways to explore this lively part of town is to grab a plate of fries from one of the street vendors and peek around the square and into the alleyways that span out from here. Be sure to take a photo of the famous Manneken Pis before finding a welcoming bar to relax with a fruit beer and watch the crowds pass by.

An island in the middle of the river Senne until the river was covered in the late 19th-century, Saint-Géry today is a residential area a short stroll from the busy streets of the city centre. The main attraction for many visitors is Halles Saint-Géry, a former marketplace that has been attractively reinvented as an exhibition space, concert hall and social hub.

Elsewhere, you’ll find relaxed taverns and restaurants serving everything from traditional mussels and fries to vegan burgers. Wandering between watering holes in this neighbourhood is a wonderful way to sample the many varieties of Belgian beer while getting to know the area.

One of the liveliest neighbourhoods in Brussels, Ixelles is also one of the chicest. Art Nouveau buildings abound and upscale boutiques line the leafy streets of Avenue Louise. Leafy green spaces like the expansive Bois de la Cambre Park offer a chance to relax among lawns and lakes just a quick bus or tram ride from downtown Brussels.

The Art Deco Flagey Cultural Centre is a major venue for performing arts and Ixelles is a huge draw for food and drink lovers thanks to its multicultural mix. Visitors can head to Matongé – known as the African district of Ixelles – for Congolese cuisine, while the influence of Indian and Pakistani communities is also evident on the local dining scene.

The hilltop neighbourhood of Sablon is a fine example of Brussels at its most charming. Drinking, dining and shopping opportunities abound in this chic neighbourhood. Here in Brussels’ historic upper town, life revolves around the twin plazas of Grand Sablon and Petit Sablon.

Antiques markets, upscale chocolate shops and formal dining restaurants lend a dash of panache to this area, and key sightseeing attractions include the grand Gothic architecture of Notre-Dame du Sablon Church and the impressive Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Arrival here is quick and easy by tram, and it’s just a 15-minute walk from the Grand Place in the city centre.

Sharply dressed students and party-loving visitors flock to the downtown Brussels neighbourhood of Marolles. There’s a laid back, bohemian feel to daily life here, with an abundance of independent bars and cafes competing for the attention of the hipster hordes. DJs and collectors flip through stacks of vinyl at the neighbourhood’s record shops and explore thrift stores for vintage finds to showcase at busy techno clubs and late-opening lounges.

At the centre of the neighbourhood is Place du Jeu de Balle, with its famous daily flea market. A handful of art galleries in the area highlight emerging talent from local and international artists. If you don’t fancy spending time indoors, simply admire the abundance of street art.

The laid-back neighbourhood of Saint-Gilles is a half-hour stroll south of downtown Brussels but feels almost like a small village in itself. Colourful fruit and vegetable markets sit alongside small-scale stores selling organic goods, and there’s a bohemian feel to the independent cafes and pubs that line the streets and town squares.

Head here for a day’s browsing and bar-hopping but be sure to admire the architecture too. The Town Hall is an imposing French Renaissance building and other eye-catching constructions include the Medieval tower at Halle Gate Park.

Less than 10 minutes’ walk from the Grand Place and its tourist-packed streets, pretty Place Sainte-Catherine is a popular spot to sit and relax with a fruit beer and a plate of moules-frites. Terrace bars and restaurants framing the square are always busy on sunny days, but visitors will always find space to take a seat at nearby promenades overlooking water features and cobbled streets.

Harbouring one end of the handsome square itself is the 19th Century Saint Catherine’s church, whose Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque details make it a favourite spot for photographers. Mussels aside, this former port zone is still a favourite spot for locals to enjoy fish and seafood.

Just steps away from the famous Grand Place, the affluent Brussels neighbourhood of Îlot Sacré entices locals and visitors looking to indulge in some retail therapy at the glass-covered Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert arcade. The 19th-Century gallery is worth a visit for its striking sculptures and arched shopfronts, as well as the opportunity to buy goodies like hand-crafted chocolates and bespoke jewellery.

Outside, restaurants line a network of paved alleyways and cobblestone streets offering everything from pizza and sushi to traditional Belgian cuisine. Late-opening cocktail bars ensure lively vibes after dark.

Roughly 30 minutes’ drive or train ride south of downtown Brussels, Uccle remains under the radar among tourists but more than merits a visit. The scenic, sedate neighbourhood is home to numerous green spaces that make great picnic spots on sunny days, and it’s fun to admire the imposing 19th Century mansions of this affluent neighbourhood.

At the heart of Uccle is the 18th-Century Saint Peter’s Church, one of several impressive religious buildings in this part of town. And be sure to fuel your sightseeing with a visit to Au Vieux Spijtigen Duivel, which has been serving beer and hearty food for over 500 years.

A hip neighbour to the tourist-filled Place Sainte-Catherine, Dansaert is one of the top places in Brussels to shop for vintage threads, one-off fashions and artsy trinkets. Strolling the cobbled streets is a fun way to explore a district that’s known for its creative spirit and flair for fashion.

Start at Rue Dansaert, where thrift stores sit side by side with high-end boutiques, and prepare to emerge looking as slick as the cool kids who hang out here. It’s hungry and thirsty work, but this is one place where you’re never too far away from a cocktail bar or cosy pub.