Brussels best neighborhood to live or visit? Our advices
Updated on February 20, 2023 by Pierre
Brussels the best neighborhood to live or visit? Our advices
1. The best area to visit Brussels: the center
If you're visiting Brussels for a weekend, the city center will likely be where you stay. It's a large area: Grand-Place, Manneken-Pis , Sablon, Rue des Bouchers, Place Sainte-Catherine, Galeries Saint-Hubert, the Comic Strip Route, the Sunday flea market , brunch at the Musical Instruments Museum , the Magritte Museum , the Church of St. Gudulla, chocolatiers like Marcolini, and the famous Brussels waffles ... Plenty to keep you busy for the weekend in the city center. So, if you only have a short time, there's no need to look for accommodation outside the center. If you're looking for a place to stay for a bit longer, compare the advantages of each neighborhood; you might quickly tire of the center.
This article has been updated here with the 19 municipalities of Brussels where you can live.
2. Brussels, Best neighborhood for expats: Ixelles and Saint-Gilles
Ixelles is a district located south of the city center . It's an upscale area, equally pleasant for a weekend getaway or for living. This district will also appeal to shopping enthusiasts who will find plenty to enjoy on Avenue Louise or in the Bailly district. Once night falls, the atmosphere is festive and friendly in the local bars and their happy hours . The small restaurants in the area are a delight for many. In Ixelles, you can find everything from Japanese restaurants to wood-fired pizzas for just 4 euros on Tuesdays. If you enjoy cycling or walking, the Bois de la Cambre and the Parc de l'Abbaye will enchant you. If you're more into Art Nouveau and artistic styles, the Saint-Gilles district will captivate you.
3. Uccle, Brussels best district for the upper classes
Uccle is a district known for its main major axes: avenue de Fre, avenue Winston Churchill the famous Place Saint-Job or the forecourt St.Pierre. This is the first municipality often mentioned when addressing when addressing in neighborhoods very popular with French families who move to Brussels. The main reason for the attraction of this neighborhood is its, among other things, the school French, his nice houses Uccloises, its shopping streets which make life easy for the inhabitants of the district and mainly its side " half town, half countryside“. However, this district is less appealing to those who need public transport. Indeed, in Uccle there is no no Metro. Although there are buses or the tram, the time to reach the center or another place in Brussels is not always the shortest.
4. Etterbeek, the best European district in Brussels
Since 1965, the municipality of Etterbeek has had the honor of hosting the headquarters of the European Commission. Since then, many have referred to the area as the "European Quarter." It's a neighborhood highly sought after by expats and young professionals. The European Quarter is well-known for its Marie-Louise Square, Cinquantenaire Park , and Luxembourg Square, famous for its Thursday happy hours among expats . Jourdan Square is also a popular spot for chip lovers who come to try Friterie Jourdan or Schievelavabo . There are hundreds of grand townhouses. If you're looking to buy property in this area, you'll have to dig deep into your pockets to compete with those who work at the European Parliament and live in the neighborhood.
5. Even more tips for Brussels
Obviously, we have plenty of good plans if you want to live in Brussels. For example, we inform you about
Barely a foot in the Belgian capital, Pierre launched “InsideBrussels.be” more than 10 years ago, the idea is simple: “What to do? Where to go to eat or have a drink? “. Entrepreneur at heart, this is not his first project! Far from there. EatLocal.io; KingCard.be, Bricabrac.be … Like wine, with time the project improves!
Pierre does not hesitate to share his favorites and his best addresses of Brussels restaurants that he could recommend to you with his eyes closed.
