Although the surge of professionals can make hotel rates skyrocket (especially during the work week), don’t let that scare you from stopping in Brussels to stay for a while.

More tips for Brussels
• 10 Tips for exploring Brussels on a budget
• 5 Free things to do in Brussels

Five top budget hotels in Brussels

Whether you like someplace modern or simple, near the hustle and bustle of the city or tucked away on a quiet street, we’ve found a budget hotel to fit your needs. Read on to check out our picks for the best budget hotels in Brussels for this year.

A simple yet chic and affordable room at Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills

Neighborhood: Ixelles
Doubles from $79

No, this hotel isn’t in the star-studded streets of Los Angeles; instead, you’ll find unpretentious, spotless, and comfortable accommodations. You may even score a small balcony. Rooms have a simple, modern design with all the basic amenities, including Wi-Fi. Read the full review

A trippy room at Vintage Hotel.

Vintage Hotel

Neighborhood: St. Gilles
Doubles from $90

For something a little more groovy, don’t miss Vintage Hotel, located near fashion boutiques and restaurants. You’ll find quirky guestrooms that feel very 1960s, but you’ll have all of today’s amenities to make you feel right at home. Read the full review

La Vieille Lanterne sits above a souvenir shop near Mannekin Pis.

La Vieille Lanterne

Neighborhood: Grand Place
Doubles from $99

La Vieille Lanterne isn’t flashy, but it does offer a peaceful place to rest your head. It’s located just above a souvenir shop and has been run by the same family since 1958. Most rooms look out to a charming cobblestone street, and the location, just steps from the famous Mannekin Pis, can’t be beat, especially at these rates. Read the full review

Meet fellow travelers and grab some fresh air on the deck of Sleep Well.

Sleep Well

Neighborhood: Near Gare du Nord
Doubles from $91

If you’re looking for a fun time, book a room at Sleep Well. From the cheerful and welcoming lobby to the hotel’s popular outdoor terrace, you are bound to make a friend or two here. They win points for the environment too, using only green energy. With an excellent location and free breakfast, the Sleep Well is also an amazing value. Read the full review

Sleep in the middle of the city at A La Grande Cloche.

A La Grande Cloche

Neighborhood: Grand Place
Doubles from $121

A La Grande Cloche is perfect if you like to be in the center of the action. With a top location in the heart of Brussels just steps from public transportation and major attractions, this hotel is a great value for sightseers. Inside, you’ll find clean rooms and a very generous buffet breakfast. This is a classic EuroCheapo pick. Read the full review

The post Our favorite budget hotels in Brussels for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

(Don’t forget to check out our Brussels city guide for more budget tips.)

Free things to do in Brussels

Here are five free attractions to enjoy in the Belgian capital:

1. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

Sinter-Goedelevoorplein
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Saturday), 8:30 to 2 p.m. (Sunday)
Website

Dating back to the 11th century, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a prominent fixture in the Brussels cityscape. Inside you’ll find stained-glass windows and beautiful arched ceilings. The cathedral is home to a Romanesque crypt, though visitors must pay €2.50 to view it.

In addition to holding daily services, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula hosts classical music concerts, may of which are free. Check the cathedral’s calendar of events to see who’s playing when you’re in town.

2. Visit European Parliament

Wiertzstraat 60
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 21 11
Website

Lest you forget, Brussels is the administrative center of the European Union. This special distinction affords visitors the opportunity to tour the European Parliament—without spending a euro.

To get your international relations fix, catch a guided tour of European Parliament’s debating chamber. Tours are conducted at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and at 10 a.m. only on Friday. If you want an extra special glimpse into the workings of the EU, check out the plenary sitting schedule to see when events are open to the public.

3. The Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History

Jubelpark 3
Tel: +32 (0)2 737 78 33
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website

A visit to Brussels’ Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History is completely free. The exhibitions document Belgian and European history chronologically, with no shortage of tanks thrown in for good measure. After winding your way through the galleries, head up to the museum’s roof. You’re in for a real treat: Look out and enjoy a panoramic view of Brussels.

4. Free museums on the first Wednesday of the month

While some Brussels museums are always free, others open their doors gratis monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month. Among the participating museums are the Museum of Old Masters and the Museum of Modern Art. Free admission begins at 1 p.m. Visit the Brussels Museums Website for more information.

5. Free concerts

L’Archiduic, a popular bar in the Ste. Catherine hood, hosts live jazz throughout the week. Check the site to see what’s on—but don’t blame us if you end up shelling out for a few drinks.

What else?

Have other suggestions for free activities in Brussels? Share your wisdom by leaving a comment!

The post 5 free things to do in Brussels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Definitely a melting pot of people, cultures and styles, Brussels offers a lot to see and do, including the tradition of imbibing Belgian beer.

But as the de facto capital of the European Union, this city can get expensive very fast, as rooms fill up on the weeknights and prices soar as administrators from around the continent come to do business.

Brussels budget travel guide

From finding affordable hotels to knowing where to get a good deal on a plate of mussels and frites, here are a few tips to keep your trip on the cheap.

1.  Free and cheap museums

While some of the fun ones like the museum of comics and the museum of musical instruments aren’t free, others like the museum of military history and touring the European Parliament are open to the public at no cost. And remember: all museums in Brussels are free on the first Sunday of every month.

Related: 5 free things to do in Brussels

2. Sipping beer at local brasseries

One bar might claim it houses the largest selection, the other says they have the strongest, or the darkest, etc. Don’t be sucked into a tourist trap just because you see that pink elephant on the beer bottle — all cafes in Brussels hold a rich and impressive Belgian beer selection. Take your time and look for something that has a local feel.

3. Know the mussels season

Brussels offers several local delicacies, but none are as famous as their steamed mussels. In Brussels, mussels season is typically in the fall (September to December), and sometimes in January and February. Ordering up a steamed pot in summer is available, but possibly not fresh and not from the North Sea. Other yummy alternatives for a taste of Belgium include carbonnades flamandes (Flemish beef stew) or rabbit in a gueuze beer sauce.

4. Seeking out fresh-cut frites

You will find enough frites (French fries) stands to make your head spin, but look for the ones with freshly-cut potatoes. Some stands use pre-packaged, frozen potatoes in their fryer, along with processed mayo in industrial-sized cans. The best frites shops have raw potatoes in burlap sacks ready to be cut and fried on the spot, with a giant assortment of sauces. Yum!

Little boy pis. Photo: fredrte

5. Don’t “pis” your time away

Word of mouth has somehow deemed Manneken Pis the landmark of Brussels. That mindset leads to continuous letdowns: the fountain is small, the statue is tiny and black iron poles block any chance of a good photo op. Locals find the hooplah hilarious, so listen, it’s no biggie. Go see it, and even grab a souvenir to take home, but just don’t revolve your whole day around it.

6. Laces out

Belgian lace is intricate, delicate, detailed and finely spun craftwork that’s quite special to some people. But textile work specific to a region isn’t unusual, so don’t feel like you have to pay an exorbitant amount for it. Lace shops might look fancy, but it doesn’t mean they should overcharge. Beware of paying too much for lace around the center.

7. Walk but maybe don’t eat: Rue des Bouchers

This quaint little alleyway is covered top to bottom in Belgian cafes and restaurants, with waiters beckoning patrons from the sides. The whole street seems to be working together, as prices, deals and dishes are strikingly similar. Rue des Bouchers is a strange, independent organism that seems to live by sucking euros from tourists that don’t know the difference between paella and mussels.

8. Dine local away from the action

In general, Brussels best finds are down small streets and away from the tourist spirals of Grand Place. Being a safe, small city to wander in, locals know their favorite eating spots lie within neighborhoods around the center square. There’s a huge café culture here, do as the Belgians do and wander until something looks appealing.

Related: Exploring the neighborhoods of Brussels

9. Strolling around here is easy (and free!)

The “must-see” of Brussels is the city itself, and downtown is very walkable. From the Botanique cultural center to the Brussels Charleroi canal and the dozens of impressive churches around town — everything is a stone’s throw away. However, if you don’t feel like walking too much, public transit is also a breeze, with underground metro stops at all of the above-mentioned areas. A one-day pass is €7.50

Cheapos love Residence les Ecrins for its good location and fun Tin Tin motif in the dining room. Photo: EuroCheapo

10. Finding affordable accommodations

Again, the center is a great place to wander but not necessarily to sleep in. Prices are usually high, and most Belgians live luxuriously on the fringe of the center. Since the city is small and easy to move in, don’t be afraid to find something further from the train stations and Grand Place. Some of the more clean and modern spots are away from those areas. Check out our favorite budget hotels in Brussels.

Furthermore, as a hub of the European Union, during the week, hotel prices soar. For a better deal, come on the weekend when most bureaucrats have headed home.

Ready to search? Check out our full list of cheap hotels in Brussels

The post Brussels Budget Travel Guide: 10 ways to save on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, there are still plenty of budget-friendly hotels to be found. We’ve made the hunt even easier by compiling a list of our favorite super cheap hotels in Brussels.

Also in our Brussels guide: Once you’ve booked your hotel, be sure brush up on these 10 budget tips in Brussels and check out these 5 free attractions to help you save even more money on your trip.

5 Super cheap hotels in Brussels

Along with price, these affordable hotels in Brussels also score high in other categories. We love these hotels for their cleanliness, comfort, hospitality, and character.

The same family has operated A La Grande Cloche since 1966!

A La Grande Cloche

Place Rouppe 10
Neighborhood: Grand Place
User rating: 8.0
Doubles starting at $56

The A La Grande Cloche is a family-run hotel with a location in the heart of Brussels. It’s just minutes from public transportation and attractions. The rooms aren’t terribly exciting, but they are clean, comfortable — and most importantly — often very cheap! Free Wi-Fi and a huge breakfast spread make this hotel an even better deal. Read the full review here.

Max Hotel blends cool and modern style with super cheap rates.

Max Hotel

Bd. Adolphe Max 107
Neighborhood: Near Gare du Nord
User rating: 8.1
Doubles starting at $57

The Max Hotel is a clean, minimalist, no-frills hotel with a central Brussels location. The list of amenities is not very long, but it does include flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. But costs are low, and Cheapos will love these prices.

Want to go super Cheapo? Waiving the maid service can save you an extra €15! Read more about the Max Hotel here.

You’ll love the outdoor patio and the prices at the Vintage Hotel.

Vintage Hotel

Dejoncker 45
Neighborhood: St. Gilles
User rating: 8.6
Doubles starting at $62

Retro furnishings and an overall groovy vibe define the Vintage Hotel. The décor may be all old-school, but the amenities are very modern. Rooms boast flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Guests will also love the hotel’s shared spaces, including a patio and a 24-hour lounge with a wine bar. Learn more about the hotel and book a room here.

Hotel Pantone is a modern, 3-star budget gem just outside the city center.

The Pantone Hotel Brussels

1 Place Loix
Neighborhood: St. Gilles
User rating: 8.3
Doubles starting at $63

The colorful Pantone Hotel is designed according to — you guessed it — the Pantone color system. Along with clean, fun design, the hotel also offers air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, toiletries, and LCD televisions in every room. The hotel isn’t in the city center, but it is very close to public transportation and is located on a block lined with handsome Art Nouveau buildings. Read our review of the Pantone Hotel.

The reception area is a cozy place to kick back at Hotel Noga.

Hotel Noga

Du Béguinage 38
Neighborhood: Ste. Catherine
User rating: 8.8
Doubles starting at $82

With a quiet location and eclectic décor, the Hotel Noga makes a great home base for Cheapos. A mixture of vintage and modern furnishings create lots of character in the rooms, and amenities include everything from air conditioning and minibars to free newspapers and Wi-Fi. Outside the hotel, there are plenty of sights and attractions to see. Read the full review of Hotel Noga.

More budget hotels in Brussels

While these hotels are certainly great deals, our guide has dozens of other cheapo stays in the city. Check out our full list of budget hotels in Brussels.

Have you been to Brussels? Share your tips in the comments below and let us know if you have any favorite hotels in Brussels!

The post Brussels Cheap Hotels: 5 Super cheap options from our guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With plenty of Eurocrats flaunting their nontaxable income, Brussels can be a tricky place for Cheapos. But eating and shopping in Brussels don’t have to cost an arm and a leg (although they can, if that’s what you’re into). Let me give you a few splurge options–and their budget alternatives.

Chocolate souvenirs

It’s indisputable that Belgians know how to make phenomenal chocolate. You can choose from a number of chocolatiers in the historic Old City, although you’d be wise to veer away from the perennial mall faves like Godiva and Neuhaus. If you want to splurge, you should look no further than the museum-like Pierre Marcolini boutique (39, Grote Zavel). Marcolini has some of the most inventive and delicious truffles, and you can even buy them by the piece.

Still, Marcolini’s gorgeous works of art don’t come cheap. That’s where Leonidas (12, Galerie du Centre and throughout the city) steps in. Though Leonidas’ truffles are good enough to be sold in upscale department stores abroad (i.e. Galeries Lafayette), they’re at the bottom of the steep chocolate hierarchy in Belgium, making them absurdly affordable. A 250g box goes for €5—and makes for a great souvenir.

Lunch with a view

Musical Instrument Museum. Photo: Vainsang

The Musical Instruments Museum (2, Hofberg) is housed in a gorgeous Art Nouveau mansion, and its terrace affords a stunning view of the city. The top floor cafe also happens to offer good bistro food, friendly service and a chance to mingle with the city’s Bright Young Things. But, with drinks and dessert, even its lunch deal can run close to €20.

For a cheap meal with a fine view, grab a sandwich from a bakery. Take the glass elevator up to Place Polaert, from where you have a beautiful panorama of the city–tout gratuit.

Art Nouveau elegance

Brussels is arguably the capital of Art Nouveau. The granddaddy of the movement, Victor Horta, lived the way he preached in a beautiful house. Today, the turn-of-the-century house is a museum (25, rue Américaine) that showcases gorgeous stained glass, beautiful arches and elegant wrought iron decorations. The only trouble is, it’s open only three hours a day, with visitors snaking around the block. Plus, admission is, at €8, not cheap.

As an alternative, you can head to the tourist information center and grab the helpful downtown Art Nouveau map that highlights some of the best examples of the movement. The whole city is your Art Nouveau museum, free of charge.

Antiques

Le Sablon square is the address for exclusive antique shopping. On weekends, when vendors set up tents, you’ll see well-heeled Parisians strolling with wads of cash. The stores surrounding the square are posh, everyday of the week.

If you’re less than awash in cash, you should beeline straight to the Place du Jeu de Balle, a flea market in the gentrified but still charming Marolles. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see 18th century dressers next to piles of used t-shirts. You might find stupendous reproductions of Magritte–or an oil portrait of someone’s great grandma.

And if you want to keep shopping, the surrounding streets are dotted with eclectic boutiques. (This neighborhood might be the only place on earth that outnumbers Berlin’s number of per-capita vintage stores.)

Get there before hipsters like you and me ruin it forever. Oh, wait…

The post Luxurious Brussels and Cheapo Alternatives appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Cheapo-friendly Manneken Pis memorabilia flood the streets of Brussels. While large statues can be expensive and too heavy to carry, smaller and cheaper versions are easy to pack and will likely provide plenty of laughs for the folks back home. With a little hunting, you might also find some freebies…

Let’s hear it for the little squirt

In the case of the Manneken Pis, toilet humor is historically justified. There are several legends about the meaning of the statue, most of which involve a small boy urinating on armies attacking Brussels and thus saving the day.

This bronze statue was cast in 1619 by sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy and is located at the corner of Rue de l’Étuve & Eikstraat, very near the Grand Place. Needless to say, the fountain is one of the city’s most famous attractions.

Replicas and pee-themed souvenirs are celebrated city-wide. Entire stores are devoted to M.P. memorabilia. Some of our favorite items include:

• Manneken Pis Belgian white beer
• Manneken Pis butane lighter
• Manneken Pis postcards depicting the boy in various costumes
• Manneken Pis shot glass
• Manneken Pis corkscrew

You can preview these souvenirs above, but know that you’ll be able to find cheaper versions from street vendors or shops in town.

While you’re at it…

If you find yourself eating some of those famous Belgian fries or waffles, check out the napkins. You might find depictions of the Manneken Pis you can take home for free.

Also see: our recommended budget hotels in Brussels.

The post Brussels cheap souvenir: Manneken Pis appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Our guide includes articles on transportation in and around Brussels, reviews of 27 centrally-located hotels, and more. Stay tuned as we’ll be adding more stuff soon. In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know the city of diplomats, bankers, cartoons, chocolate, and a little guy Belgians like to call Manneken Pis.

As usual, let us know what you think!

The post New EuroCheapo guide: Brussels, Belgium appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So, make sure your sweet tooth doesn’t go sour and check out four of Brussel’s best bet chocolate shops.

1) Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
9, Rue de la Tete d’Or

Only a short distance from the Grand Place, the Brussel’s museum of chocolate will not only show you how chocolate is made, but teach you how to make some of your own. We’d opt for the demonstration titled, “How To Make a Praline” (everyday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)  It’s €5 to enter; €4 for students.

2) Planete Chocolat
24, Rue du Lombard

Sugar pies, ice cream, and hot chocolates in all flavors are made available at this chocolaterie. Take a tour of the museum first and learn the history and art of chocolate-making, followed by a tasting session. During the summer months, enjoy all your tasty treats outside on the terrace from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Contact the property for prices and tour availability.

3) Chocolaterie Duval
19, Rue des Chardons

Located only a stone’s throw away from Place Meiser, Chocolaterie Duval makes their own chocolate daily and personalizes it upon request too! The chocolaterie tour costs €3 per person, unless you want a guide (€40 and recommended for large groups). Workshops and specialty classes (like “Chocolate and Wine“) are also available.

4) Maison du Chocolat Artisanal
67, Rue Marche-aux-Herbes

Aiming to offer “the best chocolates from the master chocolate makers of Belgium,” Maison is just a short walk away from the Grand Place on a cute little street. The “House of Artful Chocolate” offers a cornucopia of Belgian goodies from pralines, to truffles, to marzipan.  A box of five chocolates will set you back €5 here, but it’s well worth it. Yum.

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Boy, were we wrong! From the bright, grafitti-lined streets to the yummy, chocolately waffles, steamed mussels, and frothy beer, we were drawn in. The locals were friendly, the artistic vibe apparent everywhere, and the multitude of architectural icons loomed—most distinctly in the medieval Grand Place—and all across the metropolis.

And, we got a few crushes along the way.

First up, Hotel La Madeleine.

Hotel la Madeleine
rue de la Montagne, 22
Doubles: €60-100

Ah, ma Madeleine. Rooms at this 2-star gem are decorated with a modern, artistic sensibility. Purple and beige walls are accented by sleek furnishings (lamps, wardrobes and desks), and bedspreads are luxuriously thick, with pretty gold and magenta prints. Some triples and larger rooms even have terraces. Downstairs, the Madeleine has a modern, even funky, breakfast room.

Given the hotel’s style and reasonable rates, its central location made it a real value. Rue de la Montagne is just a few blocks from the Grand Place, ensuring you’re never far from a waffle stand, cafe, or metro. We were sold.

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Dear readers, we’re packing our bags for Belgium, where we’ll be adding two new cities to the site! And we’re asking you for your advice!

First, we’ll visit Brussels, the bulls-eye of the European Union. Known for its bankers, beer, and chocolate, Brussels is also known for rather expensive lodging, presenting us with both a challenge and an opportunity.

Next we’ll head to the picturesque village of Bruges, always popular with tourists–and full of charming hotels. (Bruges has also been in lights recently with the debut of In Bruges, a film starring Ralph Fiennes and Colin Farrell. It’s even playing in the theater downstairs from our office. We smell popcorn!)

Now, we’re asking you for your tips! Have you been to Brussels? Bursting with something to say about Bruges?

We’re compiling our list of independently-run hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, and pensions to review for both cities. In addition, we’d love to hear your budget restaurant recommendations, Belgian know-how, and anything else you’re eager to share with us.

Send us a note or write a comment below. And thanks—your recommendations help build a better EuroCheapo.

The post Calling All Cheapos: Brussels and Bruges advice appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.