Certainly, the major area attracting tourists in Brussels is its Old Town which is also known as Grand Place. There is nothing strange in it since this area is literally the heart of the Belgian capital and it is located in a very close proximity to the major tourist attractions of this city.
Yet, there are many other interesting neighbourhoods in the city which have a lot to offer to their visitors. Apart from famous Sablon and Îlot Sacré there are some less famous but still attractive areas of Brussels which will give you absolutely unique experience.
Where to stay if you are low on a budget
Undeniably, it is amazing to stay right in the centre of Brussels, however, you will have to pay for such accommodation quite a lot just because of its localisation. At the same time, there is no sense in staying in the complete suburbs of the city and spend an entire day trying to reach the centre in order to explore the tourist attractions.
In order to avoid such a situation while staying in Brussels, you should choose the area known as Quartier Marais-Jacqmain for staying here. The area has affordable options for accommodations with a quite high level of comfort for instance easyHotel Brussels City Centre or 4* NH Collection Brussels Centre. Yet, this is not the only advantage of this area of Brussels. It has its own peculiar places for visiting.
One of the major attraction of Quartier Marais-Jacqmain is the Belgian Comic Strip Center. If you have already read some information about the capital of Belgium, you have certainly learnt about the long history of the comics art in this country which is perfectly depicted in the Belgian Comic Strip Center. The unusual gallery is situated in a warehouse which was designed by Victor Horta. This architect was one of the major designers of the Art Nouveau style and its founder. The place is certainly attractive for both adults and children. So, this museum is located in the part of the city with affordable accommodation.
Museum of the National Bank of Belgium is another crucial place of interest located in Quartier Marais-Jacqmain. It is still worth visiting this museum even if you are not interested in the history of banks. the reason for it is a vast exhibition of historical currencies presented in this museum.
Quartier Marais-Jacqmain is also known for Rue Neuve which is a narrow street filled with restaurants and boutiques.
Where is it better to stay in Brussels with your children?
If you are visiting Brussels with your children, you might be interested in staying in Quartier Marais-Jacqmain which we have just described above. Still, you might be willing to stay in a more relaxed neighbourhood. Then, Laeken will be a great option for you.
Laeken is a home to one of the most crucial symbols of Brussels and entire Belgium which is the Atomium,
Atomium is an amazing place for exploration for both parents and children and it is definitely one of the greatest spots to view the entire city.
Laeken is also a great place for families with children due to its beautiful parks. The greatest ones of them are Laeken and Osseghem. The first one has an amazing attraction which is the Castle of Laeken. It is an official royal residence. Another peculiar attraction of this park is the complex of the 19th-century Royal Greenhouses. Here, you will have a chance of exploring a magnificent collection of exotic plants from all over the world.
Laeken is the home to Bruparck Theme Park which will certainly attract your children. Mini Europe, a water park and 27 cinemas are some of the attractions located on the premises of Bruparck Theme Park.
In this area, you can look for apartments which will be particularly convenient for you if you are travelling with children. For instance, you can choose Rétro Studio which also has its own terrace.
Where should you stay in Brussels to enjoy amazing architecture?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, entire Brussels is filled with amazing architecture. The majority of tourists are particularly interested in exploring the historical constructions of the city, however, you should be aware of the fact there is an entire neighbourhood housing a variety of buildings designed according to the Art Nouveau style. You have already learnt from the previous part of this article about Victor Horta who was one of the founders of the entire movement of Art Nouveau.
Quartier des Squares is the best area of the city to explore this unique architectural style. This is a very dynamic part of the city filled with parks, botanical gardens, bodies of water, bars and restaurants. Furthermore, you can see here a collection of sculptures of the famous Belgian artists such as Jef Lambeaux and Constantin Meunier.
Explore the area even more and get into Square Ambiorix which also has an amazing collection of sculptures created in the 19th century, winding paths, ponds and a waterfall.