Advertisement feature
A perfect weekend in Brussels
We track down the best places to sleep, eat and drink in Belgium’s capital
Breath-taking architecture? Tick. Seriously good cuisine? Tick. Bustling markets and stylish shopping promenades? You get the idea.
Brussels truly has something for everyone. And with the Belgian capital less than two hours from London by high-speed Eurostar™, it's also the perfect low-carbon weekend break.
In this article
Getting there
Why not start your European getaway in style? Arrive early to enjoy a glass of champagne in London's revamped St Pancras station before hopping on the Eurostar. But don’t get too comfortable. In just 1hr 51 minutes, you’ll be pulling into Brussels-Midi station.
There are up to 10 daily services to Brussels and return fares start at £59. Remember that your Eurostar ticket covers same day onward travel to any station in Belgium, so you don’t have to stick to the capital city.
Brussels-Midi is the city’s main hub for international train travel. Keep your carbon emissions low by taking the 25-minute stroll to the city centre and the Grand Place. The same walk in the opposite direction towards the Avenue Louise will take you straight to Brussels’ stylish shopping strip.
The Brussels-Midi station is also well connected to the city’s public transport network. Catch lines 4, 55 or 56 of the pré-métro to get to the centre (stop at De Brouckère) or line 2 (direction Simonis) to get to the Avenue Louise (stop at Louise). When you get off your Eurostar train, you can queue up to get a taxi at the nearest exit to your left; choose the exit at the other end of the station to catch buses and trams.
Getting around
So now you’ve arrived. How do you get about? Thankfully, Brussels is easily navigable on foot, by bicycle or using public transport. The main tourist office (00 32 2 548 04 52) is in the old town hall, on the west side, open 9am-6pm daily.
The city is divided into the lower and upper towns; both sections are a delight to explore on foot, with most areas well signposted. The metro and tram services are also efficient and reliable, so use these for cross-city travel.
If you’re not keen to wander the city sights on foot, bicycles are good option. Last year saw the launch of an initiative by the Town Hall to provide bikes virtually free for all (there is a flat fee for a week of €1.50; see www.cyclocity.be for a map of hire centres).
Where can I eat?
Brussels is foodie heaven. Here are some of our favourite places:
Fresh fish: Bij Den Boer
On the Fish Market, located in the very heart of Brussels, you can find a lot of seafood restaurants, but one of the better ones is Bij Den Boer (60 quai aux Briques, Brussels 1000, Belgium), which is a specialist fish restaurant. It offers classic, great value fresh fish in an old-fashioned bistro setting of wood and mirrors. This is a great place to try seafood specialities such as bouillabaisse.
Traditional fare: The Spinnekopke
The Spinnekopke (Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1, spinnekopke.be) is one of the oldest restaurants in Brussels and serves traditional Belgian dishes, most of which are cooked with beer, such as rabbit cooked in Gueuze beer.
Culture and cuisine: Halles des Tanneurs
Situated in the heart of Brussels between the Sablon and the Place Jeu de Balle flea market, the Halles des Tanneurs (60 rue des Tanneurs) is a recently renovated leather-tanning factory, which has been transformed into a gourmet restaurant with a huge buffet brunch, bookshop and performance space.
Where can I sleep?
Brussels can be an expensive city to stay in, but you can usually find some excellent weekend deals. Bed and Brussels is an great website that lists B&Bs all over the city.
You can find many more attractive places to stay in Brussels at Eurostar.
Expensive: be Manos
be Manos is a luxurious five star boutique hotel with 60 generously sized rooms. Located in an up and coming area of the city close to the Eurostar terminal at Brussels Midi station, it boasts a vast courtyard for summer parties and an elegant black and white restaurant.
Location: Charleroise Steenweg 100, 1060 Sint-Gillis, Sint-Gillis, Belgium
Price: Rooms start at £194 for a single and £222 for a double, including breakfast.
For more information: www.bemanos.com
Moderate: Hotel Bloom!
Hotel Bloom! is a comfortable, contemporary place located next to Jardin Botanique, with cultural attractions and shops nearby. Aimed at trendy young things, it offers bright and fun rooms that are well designed.
Location: rue Royale 250, B – 1210 Brussels, Belgium
Price: Weekend rooms available from 90 euros; midweek rooms available from 160 euros.
For more information: www.hotelbloom.com
Budget: La Casa BXL and Downtown-BXL
La Casa BXL and Downtown-BXL are neighbouring B&Bs owned by the same people. They are about three-quarters of a mile from Brussels Midi station, just a few steps from Annensee tram stop and only a short walk to the Grand Place. The rooms are spacious and prices are reasonable.
Location: 116 and 118 rue du Marché au Charbon, Brussels
Cost: €65 for a double room; breakfast is included in the price
For more information: www.lacasabxl.com, www.downtownbxl.com
Hidden gems
- Brussels hosts some lively markets, including the flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle, offering early risers the chance to unearth second-hand treasures, antiques and collectibles. There are also many antiques dealers and second-hand shops in the surrounding streets of Rue Haute, Rue Blase and Place du Sablon. There are plenty of cafes in the wider Marolles area serving hearty breakfasts – a must after a bout of bargain hunting!
- Recyclart (Rue des Ursulines 25; 0032 2 502 5734) showcases gigs, film nights and art happenings in a converted railway station. The rooms have been converted into multifunctional areas that house a café-restaurant and host a wide range of events. The railway bridges function as an urban open-air gallery. The station square attracts loungers and skateboarders; there’s also a summer café terrace for outdoor events.
Share this
(What is this?)