Welcome to Saint Gilles, the Art Nouveau capital of Brussels!

If you’re an architecture nerd, this is the place for you. Get lost walking up and down the streets filled with beautifully intricate buildings with massive windows, detailed doors, and insanely pretty colours. Saint Gilles is often referred to as a ‘village within a city’ for its cozy vibe.

Saint Gilles has become a popular stomping ground for expats who want the comfort of a community while still being close enough to the busy life in Brussels city centre. With tons of green areas and outdoor terraces, it’s no wonder so many people want to call this neighborhood home! Art is also alive and thriving here, so make sure to check out some of its best sights like the town hall, Halle Gate, and the Parvis Square. Saint Gilles is a great place to live like the locals, and get a real feel for everyday life in Brussels on a culture packed city trip.

Learn Something New

The first museum on your list has to be the Horta Museum. Victor Horta is a name you’ll hear time and time again while visiting Brussels, and for a good reason! This guy was the master of Art Nouveau, and it clearly shows with all of the insanely cool examples across Saint Gilles. You’ll get to enter the home and studio of Horta, plus see what inspired many of the buildings across Brussels! If you’re into something a little more out of the box, check out the Museum of Fantastic Art - a collection filled with the spooky, the strange, the surreal, and the fantastic! This is not your typical museum, and that’s what makes the art worth seeing!

Get Outdoors

After you’ve gotten your fill on Art Nouveau buildings, check out the next most beautiful view in Saint Gilles - its parks! The neighbourhood is surrounded by peaceful green areas like the Pierre Paulus Park and Duden Park. Step outside and smell the fresh air, go for a jog, or have a picnic with friends. When the weather permits, you’ll find everyone outside here. If you’re here around spring it’s especially beautiful - don’t miss the sight of all the newly blooming flowers!

Sip n Dine

Want to start out your city trip in Brussels right? If you’re hungry for local food like we are, head to Aux Pays Des Merveilles - it’s a local bakery with THE best bagels! Don’t take our word for it and go try it out for yourself! Plus the vibes in this place are seriously cool, and you’re guaranteed to hear some great music with the owner’s personal playlist! If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, check out Brugmann, a Michelin rated French restaurant with an eclectic menu.

Jam Hotel isn’t just a great place to stay, it’s also an incredibly cool spot to hangout! They’ve got a rooftop cocktail bar - and even a swimming pool! If you’re a beer person (and reasonably so given that you’re in Belgium) try out Beer Storming - a micro brewery with tastings for all of their local Belgian beers.

Shop til You Drop

Come to Saint Giles to find your next bargain. This is the Brussels neighbourhood to visit for all shopaholics. You can choose between several different markets to stock up on local goods and produce. The biggest market in the neighbourhood is Marche Du Midi that happens every Sunday.

Or check out the two evening markets that happen throughout the week - the Parvis Square market and the Place Van Meenenplein market. If you want to be let in on a local’s secret: stop by the beloved vintage shop Lupinette! It’s a charming concept boutique with a friendly owner and even friendlier mascot - her cat, Lupinou!

Stick Around for a While!

Looking for a place to rest your head? Have no fear, there are some great options in Saint Gilles. Check out the JAM Hotel, which is a local’s favourite - even if you’re not staying here! They’ve got an incredible rooftop bar and garden, with a pool!

Looking for more things to do around Brussels’ many neighborhoods? Check out all of our neighbourhood guides!