Orientation

Orientation

While Brussels technically includes 19 communes, or suburbs, most sights, hotels, and restaurants are clustered in the center, which encompasses Lower Town and Upper Town. To the south, is the posh area of Ixelles and the cluster of European institutions, along with the museums of the Cinquantenaire park. To the west of the center lies St-Gilles, with its mix of Art Nouveau architecture and immigrant areas around the Gare du Midi. (The area north of St-Gilles, Forest, is a similar amalgam, though it's more residential.) Farther west you'll find Erasmus's house in the industrial area of Anderlecht. The green communes of Jette and Laeken lie to the north.

City Center

Most sights, hotels, and restaurants are clustered in the center, which encompasses the lovely Grand'Place and Sablon squares, the two royal palaces, the old quarter of Les Marolles, and the urban chic of the places St-Géry and Ste-Catherine. Locals simply call this the centre, but the tours here distinguish a Lower Town and Upper Town.

LowerTown

Also known as the heart of Brussels, this area is literally the lower section of the center and includes the area around the Grand'Place and the Bourse.

Upper Town

A steep slope leads up to the Upper Town, around rue de la Régence, place Royale, and the Sablon squares.

Cinquantenaire & Schuman

Just east of central Brussels you'll find the buildings that make this city the "capital of Europe," as well as a number of museums and an attractive park, which surround Brussels' version of the Arc de Triomphe, known as the Cinquantenaire arch.

Ixelles

Fine examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture decorate this posh neighborhood that runs along either side of avenue Lousie just south of the city's center.

North of the Center

The northern part of the city is a little seedy and run-down, but beyond that you'll find green suburbs with lots of character and some of the city's best tourist attractions, including the Atomium building.