Hi all,
Going for 5-6 days in October with wife and 16 yr old son. We want to hit a few places in Brussels like the art museums, cathedrals, and the Grand Place, but we also want to use it as a HQ for multiple day trips to Ghent, Brugges, and possibly a tour of WWI sites. What is a good area within Brussels to stay?
Thanks!
I have no recommendation for Brussels. I'm sure you'll get some good help.
Have you considered basing in Bruges? You could easily do day trips to Brussels and Ghent.
You could also take a day tour to the WWI sites from Bruges. This would save you a few hours of travel time compared to a tour out of Brussels.
We hadn't considered that actually but we're just in the planning stages. I think we though Brussels b/c there was a train from CDG to Brussels and we thought it looked better than Lille. We will look into trains to Brugges as well. Thank you.
There are typically about five trains an hour from Brussels or Antwerp to the other cities you named. They are unreserved, crowded, and cost the same all day long. The question is how far you want to walk to the station, versus how much you are willing to pay for the hotel room. I personally stay in Antwerp, because I like it much more than Brussels. There are indeed some important museums in Brussels, but I like to wake up in Antwerp.
It is reported here that the area around Brussels Midi/Zuid is not as safe as the area around Brussels Centraal Station, which is also walkable to Grand Place. All three downtown Brussels stations are in the SAME fare zone.
Many people consider Bruges a magical place to stay, and you won't be in high season, which is good. But there is a lot more to do in Antwerp. I am a native of New York City, so I have nothing against big cities, but I find Brussels underwhelming. That is not to say there are not plenty of things to do, especially the unified main art museum.
Check closing days in your planning. Many war sites are not convenient to public transportation.
I agree with Tim regarding Brussels. You can easily visit on a day trip by train from wherever you stay.
I suggested Bruges as an alternative since you mentioned both Ghent and WWI sites. Bruges can be overrun during the day (when you will probably be doing your day trips). But it's lovely in the mornings and evenings when the crowds are gone.
Here is a recent post regarding train CDG to Bruges.
Here is a link for train schedules, fares and booking Paris to Belgium.
Well reviewed small group day tour to Flanders Fields.
I stay here whenever HQ in Brussels :
https://all.accor.com/hotel/1046/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps
Or a hotel in the same area on Grand Place.
I've been researching a trip to Begium - I would also choose Ghent, or even Antwerp, over Brussels as a base. The trains between the cities sound amazing.
In Brussels if you want to be close to a station for day trips, then the area around Central Station has plenty of hotels and it is clean and safe, and close to the sightseeing areas also. I don't know your budget but the Ibis and Novotel are cheaper, the Hilton is more expensive and a little closer to the station, and then you have boutique hotels like the Dixseptième.
There are other areas where you could get a hotel in Brussels that are equally good, like Ste.-Catherine for bars and restaurants, or Place du Grand Sablon for elegant surroundings, but they are a little further from the station and the Grand' Place. However I wouldn't hesitate to try either one of those areas if you are prepared to walk a little. The NH Hotel in the Sablon is a little closer to the art museums.
Lavandula
I've stayed with friends in the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood when I've been in Brussels.
It is reported here that the area around Brussels Midi/Zuid is not as
safe as the area around Brussels Centraal Station, which is also
walkable to Grand Place. All three downtown Brussels stations are in
the SAME fare zone.
Surprised to read that. So i google for more information. Oh, there are shootings, stabbings. gasps in shock
Thanks for this important tip. I better choose Bruges for overnight stay if I want to visit there.
Many people consider Bruges a magical place to stay, and you won't be
in high season, which is good. But there is a lot more to do in
Antwerp. I am a native of New York City, so I have nothing against big
cities, but I find Brussels underwhelming. That is not to say there
are not plenty of things to do, especially the unified main art
museum.
Thanks for this valuable advice. I thought Brussels is more interesting than Bruges because RS' ratings of some interesting places in Bruges and Brussels with 2 and 3 stars. Just curious. What did you visit in Antwerp? I feel that it seems little sightseeing in Antwerp.
Surprised to read that. So i google for more information.
It's not really all that surprising in a major European city that the area immediately around the station is a bit grimy and sketchy. It's common. Brussels Midi is a really clear illustration of this as it's exceptionally minging. Don't let it put you off Brussels though. The people who don't enjoy Brussels just aren't trying hard enough :)
Did you not see that I said the area around Centraal Station is SAFE? Big cities are as dangerous as the Meth Lab areas of lovely rural townships ... where there are a lot of mass shootings, about one a week in the USA, not in Belgium.
You are using the wrong sources if you think there is little to see in Antwerp, quite a big city compared to Bruges
You are very unlikely to be stabbed or shot at Midi, but there is a problem with people stealing luggage if you are not vigilant. I don't think it's a reason to completely avoid Midi, or Brussels for that matter, as it's the terminus for many trains, you just need to keep your wits about you. I could say the same about many European train stations; many are quite gritty. Think of Frankfurt for instance, quite the drug problem and yet thousands of people continue to use it daily.
Or just get off your train at Central, easily avoided!
Lavandula
Well, even the area around the train station in Bern, Switzerland’s capital, can be sketchy so you just have to realize some train stations in Europe are similar to Greyhound bus stations in the U.S. The neighborhood outside Brussels-Midi train station is sketchy but the only reason to go there is to take a train and you can connect to Brussels Centraal train station from Midi by train when you arrive in just a few minutes without ever going out on the street. Brussels Centraal station and the area around it is fine—no worries.
I’ve stayed at the Hotel Metropole when it was open and the Dansaert neighborhood by the Bourse. Both were convenient to see the Grand Place, the art museum and the Sablon.
Most everything you’re interested in can be seen in a day. Antwerp is a much more interesting city ( a favorite weekend destination for Europeans) with an iconic train station, medieval center, cathedral, great museums, a castle and more. It would be tragic to miss Brugge/Bruges and Ghent. They are just 25 minutes from one another by train. So, I would recommend staying three nights in Ghent or Brugge/Bruges after one or two nights in Brussels. Ghent has an incredible castle called the “Castle of the Counts” or the Gravensteen.
Staying in Brugge during weekdays helps minimize the crowds that can jam the city on weekends.
With any more time, Antwerp would be next on my list.
Don’t miss the waffles, chocolate and Trappist ales while you’re in Belgium.
Have a great trip!
You are very unlikely to be stabbed or shot at Midi, but there is a
problem with people stealing luggage if you are not vigilant. I don't
think it's a reason to completely avoid Midi, or Brussels for that
matter
Thanks for your good tips. I appreciate it. I do not know that people can steal luggage easily. I thought luggages are heavy. Ok, i will be more vigilant with my luggage.
Is it safe to store luggages in luggage storage services such as LuggageHero in Brussels/Bruges?
Antwerp is a much more interesting city ( a favorite weekend
destination for Europeans) with an iconic train station, medieval
center, cathedral, great museums, a castle and more. It would be
tragic to miss Brugge/Bruges and Ghent. They are just 25 minutes from
one another by train. So, I would recommend staying three nights in
Ghent or Brugge/Bruges after one or two nights in Brussels. Ghent has
an incredible castle called the “Castle of the Counts” or the
Gravensteen.
Thanks for your wonderful tips. I appreciate it. I will find out what are interesting places in Antwerp. I'm surprised that there are more much interesting places in Antwerp. RS travel book recommends 2 days in brussels and 2 days in Bruges and one day in Antwerp and one day in Ghent. I'm surprised to read that Antwerp has lots of interesting places which might consume few days.
Yes, i will definitely visit the Castle of the Counts in Ghent. I'm easily tempted to visit more interesting places.
Hmm....interesting. I thought that Brussels is the most popular. I'm surprised to see that Brussels are the least favourite. RS states that Bruges is better. According to here, Antwerp is said to be the most interesting city. I will visit there. RS travel book states only one day is sufficient for Antwerp.
I’ll be counter culture. Neither Brussels or Bruges are worth more than a day or two. As a “base”…. NO! Get out and see Belgium. Go to Ypres for WW I, maybe Bastogne for more rural Belgium, a night in Bruges which is nice but (my opinion only) but not a base and increasingly crowded. Go up to the coast, if there’s an open Sunday go to the Antique Market such as Tongeren.
But however it turns out…..it’s what you consider as fun….not me!
