Capital city in Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Brussels
EU capital with a grand old square, beer, chocolate and strong comics and food scenes. Multilingual and international, affordable for Western Europe; grubby in places, with pickpockets and some risky districts.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–4,160Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,700Details
- Value for money7/100Better value than 6% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 24°CDetails
- Air quality20 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2010) · PollutedDetails
- Internet142 MbpsFixed broadband, Belgium medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe; restaurants often serve bottled or charge for tap.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; cash for some market stalls, small cafés and bars.Details
Where to stay in Brussels
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sablon / Marolles | Antiques, chocolatiers, calm central base |
| Saint-Géry / Dansaert | Bars, restaurants and trendy cafés |
| Ixelles (Flagey, Châtelain) | Long stays, cafés, parks, young crowd |
| European Quarter | EU workers: offices, expat bars, quiet at weekends |
| Saint-Gilles | Art Nouveau houses, multicultural, cheaper |
Apps that work in Brussels
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber Eats | Widest choice in big cities |
| Deliveroo | Restaurant delivery in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent |
| Takeaway.com | Local restaurants and takeaways |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SNCB: Train times and mobile tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and pricey; use official taxis at stands or app rides. Avoid unlicensed drivers at the station.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Belgium.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; cash for some market stalls, small cafés and bars. Bancontact debit cards are the local standard.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs are fewer than before; avoid Euronet's fees and always decline the machine's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Service is included; rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is enough.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; the Bancontact app needs a Belgian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 101 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops and newsagents must be registered with ID. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Belgium
Going to Brussels solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.