Districts · Brussels
Brussels by district
The historic centre — locals call it "the Pentagon" after the ring of boulevards that replaced the city walls — holds the Grand-Place, the arcades and most first-night sights within a 15-minute walk. The European Quarter and Cinquantenaire sit a short metro ride east; Sablon and the Marolles are an easy walk or short tram south of the centre; Saint-Gilles and Ixelles, with the Horta Museum, are a tram ride further south.
About these names
Brussels-Capital Region is officially bilingual French–Dutch; almost every place name in this guide has two forms (Grand-Place/Grote Markt, Sablon/Zavel). Street signs show both. This guide uses the French form first, as it is the language of daily use for most residents of the centre.
- The Pentagon: centre and Grand-PlaceDe VijfhoeksleepeatseeSuits: First visit, 2–4 nights, walkable sightsCobbled and largely flat; busy with tour groups from mid-morning to early evening, quieter at each end of the day.3 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Sablon and the MarollesZavel en de MarollenseeeatSuits: Museums, antiques, a flea marketA gentle hill from the lower town up to Sablon; the Marolles below the law courts is poorer and unpolished — that is its point.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- European Quarter and CinquantenaireEuropese Wijk en JubelparkseeSuits: A half-day away from the tourist centreOffice towers and roundabouts on weekdays, near-empty on weekends when the institutions close; the park is the reason to come regardless of the day.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Saint-Gilles and IxellesSint-Gillis en ElseneseesleepSuits: Art Nouveau, a slower afternoon, longer staysHillier and less crowded than the centre; the Horta Museum is the anchor, with cafés and shops on the Parvis.1 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Laeken (Atomium)seeSuits: A half-day out for the Atomium and Mini-EuropeNorth of the centre by metro; not in this guide's walking clusters, but a common half-day add-on.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Ixelles ponds and MatongéeatSuits: A local afternoon away from the sightsCafés around the Étangs d'Ixelles and the Congolese quarter of Matongé; a short tram or bus from Sablon.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Brussels Airport (BRU) (20–30 min by the usual route); Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) (60–85 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Laeken (Atomium), Ixelles ponds and Matongé. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- The Pentagon: centre and Grand-Place (De Vijfhoek): Cobbled and largely flat; busy with tour groups from mid-morning to early evening, quieter at each end of the day. Suits: First visit, 2–4 nights, walkable sights. Price band $$$.
- Sablon and the Marolles (Zavel en de Marollen): A gentle hill from the lower town up to Sablon; the Marolles below the law courts is poorer and unpolished — that is its point. Suits: Museums, antiques, a flea market.
- European Quarter and Cinquantenaire (Europese Wijk en Jubelpark): Office towers and roundabouts on weekdays, near-empty on weekends when the institutions close; the park is the reason to come regardless of the day. Suits: A half-day away from the tourist centre.
- Saint-Gilles and Ixelles (Sint-Gillis en Elsene): Hillier and less crowded than the centre; the Horta Museum is the anchor, with cafés and shops on the Parvis. Suits: Art Nouveau, a slower afternoon, longer stays. Price band $$.
- Laeken (Atomium): North of the centre by metro; not in this guide's walking clusters, but a common half-day add-on. Suits: A half-day out for the Atomium and Mini-Europe.
- Ixelles ponds and Matongé: Cafés around the Étangs d'Ixelles and the Congolese quarter of Matongé; a short tram or bus from Sablon. Suits: A local afternoon away from the sights.
- Sleep area Grand-Place and centre: suits First visit, 2–4 nights, walkable sights, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Saint-Gilles: suits Art Nouveau, a slower afternoon, longer stays, price band $$.
- Brussels Airport (BRU), 20–30 min by the usual route.
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), 60–85 min by the usual route.