Hotels in Brussels

Brussels: Capital, Comics, and Grand-Place Gold

Brussels anchors the heart of Belgium, 27 km south of Ghent and roughly 190 km from Paris by Thalys high-speed rail. The city earned its reputation on two registers: as the administrative seat of the EU and NATO, and as a street-level culture where Art Nouveau facades by Victor Horta (1893–1906) line residential boulevards in Ixelles and Saint-Gilles. The Grand-Place, a 17th-century gilded square, draws millions annually and sets the geographic and emotional centre of the lower city.

Where to Stay in Brussels

Most hotels cluster in three zones. The Pentagon (medieval centre) puts guests within walking distance of the Manneken Pis and the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert. Ixelles, south-east of the ring, attracts longer-stay visitors who want neighbourhood cafés and the Matongé African quarter nearby. Laeken, north of the canal, suits travellers prioritising the Atomium (built 1958) and the royal greenhouses. Properties range from budget hostels near Gare du Midi to 5-star addresses on Rue Royale.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The Stib metro, tram, and bus network covers the 19 communes; a 10-trip card costs less than single-journey tickets.
• Rail connections: Eurostar to London St Pancras takes approximately 2 hours from Bruxelles-Midi.
• Language: French and Dutch are both official; most central staff speak English.
• Weather: Pack a rain layer year-round — average July highs reach 22 °C but showers arrive without warning.