I visited the city named one of the best places in 2026 with cool neighbourhoods, street photobooths & direct trains
A EUROPEAN city often overlooked as a summer holiday destination has been named a top place to travel in 2026.
Brussels is often visited as a Christmas destination, known for its huge markets across the city.
However, spring and summer are just as good, if not better, thanks to its amazing restaurant and bar scene, as well as as art scene.
CN Traveller named it as one of their Best Places to Go in 2026, alongside places such as Hong Kong and Australia.
They explained: “This often-overlooked European capital is having a cultural moment, signalling a shift from a bureaucratic hub to a creative powerhouse.”
This includes a number of new openings in the city, including the new The Standard hotel this year, as well as the Kanal-Centre Pompudiu next year, a factory turned exhibition space.
I visited earlier this year, for a quick weekend trip to Europe.
It’s one of the easiest places to get to thanks to the Eurostar – taking under two hours, it is the second stop after Lille.
And it drops you right in the train station just south of the city, making it an easy walk or tram ride into town.
The first thing to do is grab a cup of coffee, and there are some fantastic spots in town.
My favourite was Wide Awake, a trendy stop with their own roasted beans and delicious snacks including kimchi croissants and walnut cookies.
Of course, tourist stops you need to make include Fritland – a chip shop serving up the best in town with a variety of dipping sauces – and Maison Dandoy, famous for their light and fluffy waffles.
A beautiful spot for photos is Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, one of the Europe‘s oldest shopping galleries.
Dating back to 1847, it was inspired by Italian palaces and Parisian gardens, and is now full of luxury shops and chocolatiers.
Yet head slightly out of town to Rue De Flandres, which was also named one of the coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out earlier this year.
They said it was a street that “captures the spirit of Brussels” adding: “It’s got all the charm – cobbled streets, crooked façades and centuries-old houses – but without the clichés.”
There’s photobooths tucked into shops – I grabbed a vintage one from Photomatique for a few euros.
Urban Therapie is where you can get some great shopping done, all selling independent brands.
And for food, I recommend Knees to Chin, a small Brussels chain restaurant selling Asian fusion food.
Or nearby is Nona Pizza and Nona Pasta, right next to each other and serving up Italian classics.
Make sure to have your cameras ready when wandering around town too, as the city is full of street art and murals.
There is even an official Street Art Trail, which you can find here to help you spot all 150.
Want to take some souvenirs home? One that is unique is the Jeanneke-pis boutique.
The ‘sister’ of the famous Mannekin Pis (the peeing boy), the boutique sells some unusual gifts including statues of the peeing girl herself.
But you can’t go wrong with some classic Belgium chocolates, and can barely walk without being tempted into a chocolatier by its smell.
My favourites include Neuhaus – also in the UK – as well as Mary and Elizabeth.
Some of my other recommendation include Wolf Food Market, an indoor food market with 17 restaurants and bars.
And for a glam stay, the Doubletree by Hilton Brussels City is beautiful (and don’t forget the free cookie at check in).
The Eurostar from London to Brussels takes just 1hr53, with tickets from £39 each way.