My name is Hafsa (25), I’m a student and I’ve also been a content creator for the past two years. My absolute passions in life are fashion, food and, of course, travelling – I’ve been to more than 24 countries so far. I share all my experiences on my Instagram account (@hafsafar_) and blog. What am I trying to achieve by doing this? I want to inspire and motivate others to discover the world and step out of their comfort zone! 
So let’s get started – here are a few of my favourite spots in my home city of Brussels that you definitely won’t want to miss.

Our Motel One in Brussels

One of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Brussels – and definitely my favourite – is Dansaert. It’s full of art and design, vintage boutiques and restaurants. When I’m walking around this area, I like to drop by ‘Bball in the Sky’, a pop-up design gallery that recently opened in the heart of Dansaert and explores the theme of sport, especially basketball, in creative ways.

In Dansaert, I love popping into ‘Isabelle Bajart’, a vintage boutique offering beautiful luxury pieces at great prices – I especially enjoy browsing there during the sale season! You’re sure to find some super-trendy items at ‘Knits and Treats’, a concept store with a range of designer brands on offer. But that’s not all! There are often events held here at weekends too, and there’s even a bar in the boutique. So you can treat yourself to a little drink while you shop. What more could you want? 

Towards the city centre, near the famous Manneken Pis, you’ll find ‘Le Funambule’. I worked at this iconic Brussels waffle shop myself for four years. There are simple sugar waffles on the menu – but also some more indulgent versions! When you visit Brussels, don’t miss a chance to try this Belgian speciality.

My second-favourite neighbourhood in Brussels is Les Marolles, which is full of charm and authenticity and, most importantly, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Brussels. Here, you’ll find a flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle. So, if you fancy a browse: the market is open every day from 6 am to 2 pm and promises some real finds and a brilliant atmosphere.

In my book, a visit to Les Marolles is never complete without a stop at ‘Maison Zack’. This pastry chef is renowned for his extraordinary creations. All of his sweet treats are made with love – and you can really taste it! Each and every one of his creations is full of refined flavours.

This neighbourhood is also home to a range of boutiques for vintage décor, second-hand clothes and little concept stores. If you’re planning a shopping trip, I’d recommend the ‘Melting Pot Kilo’ boutique for vintage clothes, where you can get a kilo of clothes for EUR 15. And if you’re a fan of tableware, there’s also the ‘La Vaisselle Au Kilo’ boutique, which works on the same principle but with different prices depending on the product type.

To round off a wonderful day in Brussels, I’d recommend going for dinner at ‘Nona Pizza’. At this restaurant, you can enjoy wood-fired pizza made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is lovely – and from here, it’s also an easy walk back to Motel One Brussels.

The soundtrack to your city break

More insider tips?