The hip, bohemian south — Saint-Gilles and Ixelles, with the city's best Art Nouveau architecture (including Horta's masterpieces), buzzing bars, restaurants and nightlife, leafy squares, the Flagey and Châtelain areas, and a young, arty, multicultural vibe. Trendy, walkable and full of life, a short metro or walk from the centre; the base for travellers who want the best nightlife, dining, architecture and local buzz. Brussels' coolest quarter. Vibrant and characterful.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€120–200
typical per night in Belgium
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Brussels — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Saint-Gilles & Ixelles and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- The Magritte Museum20 min walk1.7 km
- Manneken Pis26 min walk2.2 km
- Belgian waffles & chips27 min walk2.2 km
- The Grand-Place27 min walk2.3 km
- Belgian chocolate7 min taxi2.4 km
- Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert7 min taxi2.4 km
- Belgian beer8 min taxi2.5 km
- The Atomium23 min taxi7.7 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 10.Art Nouveau & the Horta houses — Brussels is one of the world capitals of Art Nouveau, and its architecture is a highlight — the flowing, organic, iron-and-glass masterpieces of Victor Horta (several UNESCO-listed, including his own house-museum), and countless beautiful facades across Saint-Gilles and Ixelles. Take a self-guided or organised Art Nouveau walk to admire the swirling ironwork, stained glass and elegant townhouses, and tour the Horta Museum for the full effect. A gorgeous, cultured way to explore the city's residential neighbourhoods; a treat for architecture lovers. A beautiful, essential highlight. Elegant and unique.
- 14.Moules-frites & Belgian food — Belgian cuisine is hearty and delicious, and Brussels is the place to try the classics — above all moules-frites (a steaming pot of mussels with chips), plus carbonnade flamande (beef stewed in beer), stoemp, waterzooi, and shrimp croquettes, all best washed down with a Belgian beer. Feast on a pot of mussels and chips in a classic brasserie, and try the beer-based stews; the food is rich, comforting and satisfying. Don't miss the moules-frites; it's a tasty, quintessential Belgian highlight. Delicious and hearty; come hungry.
- 15.Brussels nightlife — Brussels' nightlife is laid-back, varied and cheaper than you might expect — from historic brown cafés and specialist beer bars in the centre (the Delirium alley is legendary), to the buzzing bars and clubs of Saint-Gilles, Ixelles and the Flagey and Châtelain areas, plus a lively cosmopolitan, student and EU-crowd scene. Sip Trappist ales in an old café, bar-hop the trendy southern districts, or catch live jazz and DJs; the mood is friendly and unpretentious. A fun, relaxed way to end a day in the city. Enjoyable and great value; something for every mood.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Saint-Gilles & Ixelles; flights via Google Flights.