Brussels

The small medieval centre of Brussels, with the Grand-Place/Grote Markt, a beautiful square and , at its heart. The centre is a pedestrian-only area with small streets and dotted with attractions. You'll find ample opportunities to try waffles, Belgian beer or fries here.

Following the outline of the second city walls, the Pentagon encloses the core city with its numerous restaurants, bars, museums, and other fascinating secrets to discover. It is small enough to be explored on foot, and doing so is highly recommended.

The heart of Flemish, Belgian, and European politics, home to the European Parliament and Commission, and numerous other EU institutions. The Cinquantenaire Park on its eastern side is the background of museums well worth visiting.

Heights to the north of the city with remnants of the 1935 and 1958 World's Fairs scattered around, the most famous of which is the Atomium. In the Atomium's shadow, Mini Europe and the Kinepolis cinema complex gave the Heysel its reputation as Brussels' leisure district.

Brussels' high rise district to the north of the Pentagon, with modern skyscrapers, generic shopping opportunities, ethnic restaurants, the Tour et Taxis/Thurn en Taxis, an old industrial site converted to multiuse including a food market, and overpriced veggie bars. The district has little of tourist interest aside from the North Station, with its impressive Art Deco architecture.

A laid-back residential area on the east side of the city, bordering Kraainem to the east and Tervuren to the south. It boasts a variety of architectural styles to explore, most notably houses by famous Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, which are listed as s.

Home to much of Brussels' Congolese population. Worth a visit for the distinct African vibe, the colourful outfits that go with it, and the many African specialities that can be purchased in this neighbourhood.

A residential and commercial district bordering Schaarbeek to the south-west and Woluwe to the south. Aside from the Cemetery of Brussels, this off-the-beaten-track district has a few interesting museums to offer. Unless you're visiting NATO headquarters, this area is of relatively little interest to the average traveller, save some nice parks.

An upscale residential district bordering the Sonian Forest to the south. Home of the Avenue Louise/Louizalaan, widely regarded as Brussels' fanciest avenue.

Mainly a residential and commercial district. Towards the border with Flanders, it's fairly rural, with forests, agriculture, and the restored Luizen windmill. The Koekelberg Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, can be seen from almost everywhere, and is absolutely worth a visit.

The Sonian Forest is the largest natural area in Brussels, although only a small part of it is geographically within the boundaries of the Brussels-Capital Region. Its endless beech trees covering rolling hills offer opportunities for jogging and cycling. If you get up early enough, you have a good chance of spotting deer and other wildlife! The Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos to the north is a popular leisure destination for locals. The Sonian Forest is inscribed as a .

A residential area in the south of Brussels with a high immigrant population. The district has in the past played an important commercial role in the city.

A mixed residential and commercial district to the north-east of the Pentagon. There are a few nice neighbourhoods, but in most of the district the conditions are deteriorating. While things have slowly begun to improve, it should still be visited with caution. The Saint-Josse/Sint-Joost suburb in particular is the poorest neighbourhood in Belgium, and its main attraction is the Brussels red light district.

A thin strip of commercial and industrial zones following the harbour from the Business District to Vilvoorde north of Brussels, and hosting the largest railway hub in Belgium. With little to see and do, deserted at night, and an unpleasant atmosphere of industrial decay after sunset, it is recommended to avoid this district.