Bruegel

Located off the busy Boulevard de l'Empereur, about 10 minutes, by foot, southeast of the Grande Place, the Bruegel Hostel—with 144 cheap beds—is a hotspot with very basic accommodations. Of all the hostels we visited in Brussels, the Bruegel has the most central location in an area brimming with activity.

Rooms are no-nonsense, but always clean. Bunk beds of cherry-wood are in most doubles, and triples have single beds. The common spaces differ on each floor, all decorated in funky art, in the form of colorful graffiti or framed “bandes desinées” (comic strips). In addition, the Bruegel has a basement nightclub that stays open as long as there are people up and about.

On your way in or out, take note of the majestic church across the street, where the painter Pieter Bruegel and his father are buried.

Breakfast is included in the hostel price, but note that it is available from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. only. Note: Curfew is 1 a.m. and there's a lockout daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.