Ultimate Brussels Guide by Neighborhood

Brussels is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It has such a captivating beauty, lots of interesting history, and a lively energy worth getting into. Because of this, it's a shame that the Belgian capital isn't as famous as its European counterparts like Paris, Rome, London, Amsterdam, and more. Perhaps if people get to explore the many neighborhoods in Brussels, they'll realize just how magical the city is. Discover Ixelles and get lost in its hipster energy. Stroll along Avenue Louise and embrace the affluence and luxury. And of course, don't forget the grandeur of the Brussels City Center too!

 

 

Best Neighborhoods in Brussels for Tourists

The Brussels City Center and Avenue Louise are undoubtedly two of the most popular neighborhoods in Brussels, specifically for tourists. The former, the City Center, is where you'll find the iconic Grand Place. It's the Belgian capital's main public square lined with architectural marvels on every corner. The sights are worth getting through the hustle and bustle alone! The latter, Avenue Louise, on the other hand, is Brussels' answer to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It's a popular thoroughfare lined with high-end stores, designer boutiques, upscale restaurants, and more. 

Areas to Avoid in Brussels

What do Molenbeek, Rue d'Aerschot, Gare du Midi, and the Brussels-North Station all have in common? These are some of the areas to avoid in Brussels. Although the crime rates in Brussels are largely moderate, the rates in these specific parts of the city are notably high. They range from petty pickpocketing and common thievery to downright violent acts. Anyone—tourists and expats in particular!—ought to avoid these areas as much as possible. 

Best Neighborhoods in Brussels to Live

The best neighborhoods in Brussels to live in depend on your specific lifestyle, interests, place of work/school, etc. With that said, however, there is a general consensus that Ixelles, Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, and Etterbeek are the best for local life. For one thing, they're all safe and secure. At the same time, these places are largely residential too. Ixelles may be a trendy district with a lot of hotspots, but it's still a great place to rent a luxury apartment in Brussels. As for the others, they're notably peaceful in their ways. 

Avenue Louise, Brussels

As already mentioned, Avenue Louis is frankly similar to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It's the Belgian capital's main affluent avenue, lined with high-end department stores, designer brands, luxurious boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, charming cafes, and more. This is where you want to be when you want to immerse yourself in the luxury of Brussels. It will cost you a pretty penny, but every cent is worth it! Avenue Louise sells the best clothes, serves the most delicious food, and offers a first-class experience that you won't find anywhere else in the city. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Brussels City Center

No list of the most important neighborhoods of Brussels is complete without mentioning the City Center. This is where you'll find the iconic Grand Place, the city's main public square. Lined with majestic palaces, mansions, churches, and more, it's the symbol of Belgium's affluence and historic glory. As mentioned previously, it's also one of the best tourist-friendly areas in Brussels. There are lots to see, ranging from the Royal Palace and the Manneken Pis statue to Parc de Bruxelles nearby. It's not exactly suitable for residence but you can still score a nice apartment near the city center. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where is Brussels City Center?

True to its name, the Brussels City Center is right smack in the middle of the bustling Belgian capital. You can easily get there even when you take public transport. And though it's often filled with tourists, there's still a lot of local life that flourishes here too. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Etterbeek, Brussels

Located southeast of the City Center, Etterbeek is arguably the best neighborhood in Brussels for families. It's a quiet and peaceful residential area, dominated by pre-war homes and centuries-old buildings. Its proximity to the City Center and other popular districts, specifically Ixelles, makes it the ideal hometown in the city. You can relax in your everyday life here and easily find excitement in the nearby neighborhoods. Moreover, Etterbeek is also home to some of the best international schools in Brussels. They include the Brussels International Catholic School, European School of Brussels 3, and Montgomery Bilingual School.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Michel Huhardeaux

Ixelles, Brussels

Speaking of Ixelles, it's no doubt one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brussels. An upscale district where you'll find the affluent Avenue Louise, it has all the gloss and glamour of an archetypal European capital. It's beloved by locals and tourists alike, the former for its various cultural attractions and the latter for its must-see hotspots. Weirdly enough, though Ixelles is home to the richer residents of Brussels, it's also where many hipsters and bohemians have settled down. This clash of classes, ideologies, and sensibilities has helped make the neighborhood as popular as it is. 

What to Do in Ixelles, Brussels

If there's one place where you'll want to spend an entire day in Brussels, it's Ixelles! As mentioned previously, this popular area has a lot to offer, ranging from museums and monuments to restaurants and cafes. Chausée d’Ixelles is particularly beloved since it's a shopping district. Though not as high-end as Avenue Louise, there are still a lot of great finds here. The iconic Flagey building is a must-see too! It's an Art Deco structure that has retained its original architecture. Today, it's become a well-known events place where they hold concerts, do movie screenings, and more. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Les Marolles

With its classic grandeur on full display, it's almost hard to remember that Brussels still exists in today's period. Its modern locals certainly give it a contemporary edge, but as a whole, the Belgian capital looks and feels like it belongs in the past. One neighborhood, however, challenges that—Les Marolles. Home to techno clubs, indie designer boutiques, cool cafes, bustling bars, and more, the area is the hipster haven of Brussels. The bohemian spirit is alive and well here, propped up by the district's happenin' nightlife scene and trendy hotspots. You can feel the city's urban energy seeping through every corner, enthused with today's more diverse population and liberated ideas. 

Ironically, many of the most popular attractions in Les Marolles are centuries-old landmarks. There's the Palais de Justice in the eastern part of the district, a behemoth of a building preserved in its full 19th-century neoclassical glory. Église Notre-Dame de la Chapelle, on the other hand, is the less famous but equally stunning Belgian version of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. In contrast to these historic giants, the hip parts of Les Marolles include Rue Haute and its array of foodie hotspots, Place Poelart and its bicycle-friendly space, and Place Jeu de Balle and its collection of pubs and bars. 

Is Les Marolles, Brussels Safe?

Overall, Les Marolles is a safe district. It's not as safe as some of the other, more peaceful parts of the city, but it's far from the most dangerous too. This is the kind of place where you can freely go out and about during the day. While at night, you're safer if you have some company with you. 

Source: Flickr.com/ Stephanie Mignon

Sablon, Brussels

Zavel, more commonly known as “Sablon,” is an upscale neighborhood in Brussels full of history and heritage. It's not 100% accurate to call it the most historic district in the city, but with the antique shops located here, it's not all that false of a claim. In truth, Sablon stands out for a myriad of reasons. There's the old-world appeal, sure, but there's also Belgian chocolate, of which this neighborhood has plenty. Sablon is home to some of the best chocolatiers in Brussels, including beloved brands like Godiva, Wittamer, Leonidas, Marcolini, and more. In a way, it's the sweetest part of town too!

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Saint Gilles, Brussels

Located in the southern part of the Belgian capital, Saint Gilles has all the lively urban energy of Ixelles mixed with the residential vibe and serenity of Etterbeek. In a nutshell, it's the best of both worlds. The museums and art galleries draw in the cosmopolitans and the tourists, while the Art Nouveau buildings house tight-knit communities and friendly neighbors. Saint Gilles has even gained the moniker, "the village within the city" which further emphasizes its suburban-like appeal. 

What to Do in Saint Gilles, Brussels

Saint Gilles is where you want to immerse yourself in culture. Musée Victor Horta on Rue Américaine is a popular highlight. This Belgian architect's works defined the city's Art Nouveau movement. If you head on over to Saint-Gillois Market on Place Maurice Van Meenen, you can take a gander at the district's fascinating culinary scene. And of course, you can't miss out on the vintage stores in Brussels. They're the best alternatives to Avenue Louise's high-end shops. 

Is Saint Gilles, Brussels Safe

Many locals will advise you not to venture off into Saint Gilles. Despite how chic and peaceful it is today, it's only the result of gentrification. The district was and still is among the poorer parts of Brussels, thus also one of the more dangerous. Specifically, this is where you'll find Gare du Midi, a central public transport station that has a fairly high crime rate.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Saint Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels

It's pretty hard to define Saint Josse-ten-Noode as a neighborhood in Brussels. On one hand, it's an urban area populated by a multicultural community. Even the establishments here feel like a trip around the world. On the other hand, the area has a lot of historic hotspots too. L’église Saint-Josse is one, which was built in 1867 and stands as the city's best Baroque revivalist project. It's located on a public square of the same name lined with diners, cafes, boutiques, and more founded by the neighborhood's diverse residents. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Brussels

If you ever move to Brussels, you should seriously consider settling down in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. This residential district is one of the best for new residents to get a good start on their new lives in the Belgian capital. There are schools nearby and the area is safe overall, yet it has its fair share of urban attractions. It's far from the cosmopolitan edge of Ixelles, sure, but that's not to say that Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is a boring place. Its culinary scene alone is worth checking out. The neighborhood boasts a nice balance between international fast-food franchises and local eateries that serve authentic Belgian flavors. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

To get to know the Belgian capital is to learn more about the different neighborhoods in Brussels. The city is far more complex than its historic appeal and old-world charms. You might even find it more fascinating than you initially thought!