Brussels

Brussels is safe enough that I would not hesitate to stay there for a few days. I lived there as a solo female during the late 90s, and return often (although I am not solo anymore). Of course there are unsafe or unpleasant areas (around Brussels North and Brussels Midi train stations for instance), but if you stay in the area around Grand' Place or near Brussels Central station you will be just fine.

I don't know what your budget is but the Ibis Off Grand' Place is good value in that area. There are also many things to see that are free or cheap (Grand' Place, the Galeries Royales de St.-Hubert, the Mannekin Pis are all free, although the most clichéd things to see also). I highly recommend the museums in Brussels, which although not free, are excellent. If you give us a few hints as to your interests and your budget, doubtless some tips will follow :).

Lavandula

Thank you so much for your response. The next time I go to the library I will look at a travel book on Brussels. When I visit other countries I like to learn about the history of the place I am visiting. I don't know much about Belgium but love Europe and the French language. I don't need a fancy hotel and as long as it is clean and safe I prefer to spend less and use my money for other things. I am comfortable using the metro to get around and also love to walk as much as I can. So as well as history, I am a big fan of nature so if there are landmarks worth seeing that would also interest me. Love churches and art but not a big museum fan unless it relates to history. World War 11 also interests me and I am enjoying learning more about Europe's experiences during the war. Thanks again for your help.

Perfectly safe. I’m a single woman and felt very comfortable there, although I agree with the advice not to stay around the Midi station.

It’s an interesting city, and also it’s very easy to do day trips by train to lovely Bruges and Ghent. Try to stay in the general area of Grand Place or nearby Central station - lots of hotels at all price points, from reliable chains to more individual lodging.

I stayed in the Motel One Rue Royale both times, which I liked very much - I am a big fan of Motel One as a chain, as they’re well-priced and nicely designed, and have nice lobbies if you want a drink. But I would probably stay marginally closer to Grand Place next time. Brussels appeared to be having a festival of roadworks when I was there, and the short uphill walk from the train station was… tricky in terms of avoiding barriers and holes!

I feel about Brussels that it doesn’t go out of its way to be charming. It is what it is - a busy city made up of all sorts of different neighbourhoods; a bit brusque and not in any way loveable, but really interesting and worthwhile for a couple of days.

Obviously Grand Place is the main attraction. But I also very much like the art museums up on Mont des Arts - not far from the Grand Place and Central station. The one everyone seems to love is the Magritte museum but my absolute favourite (I’ve been twice, and loved it both times) is the Musée de Fin de Siecle. Brussels is famed for its Art Nouveau and this is a great introduction.

If you like Art Nouveau, the Victor Horta house is a must.

Definitely do a day trip to Bruges. Really easy - just pop into the central station, buy a ticket from the machine and hop on a train.

I enjoyed the hop on hop off bus in Brussels - it’s a big unwieldy city so on my first visit there, it was useful to get a sense of it.

If you use the search box top left, you will find that this newsboard does not rate Brussels as highly as Bruges, Gent, and Antwerp.

I don't know much about Belgium but love Europe and the French language.

Are you aware that while you will hear a lot of Belgian French in Brussels, you are surrounded by Flanders where the language is a Flanders dialect of Dutch. Wallonie, the French speaking area of Belgium, is mostly south and east.