Not only is Brussels the capital of Belgium, it is also widely regarded as the capital of Europe, hosting the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, alongside more than 2,400 international associations and around 1,700 multinational corporations. Brussels attracts governments, organizations and businesses from around the world, and it is an outstanding destination for meetings and events. The city offers more than 200 venues, roughly 20,000 hotel beds and over 2,000 restaurants to accommodate international travelers.
Getting to and around Brussels is straightforward: Brussels Airport receives direct flights from more than 200 destinations, and high-speed rail places more than 600 million Europeans within two hours. Once in the city, visitors benefit from an efficient public-transport network that includes trains, trams, buses and the metro, plus taxis and bike-sharing options for easy local travel.
Brussels continues to expand and upgrade its MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) offerings. Last fall the city welcomed its largest hotel, Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection, in Place Rogier between the city center and the business district. The property features 532 guestrooms and suites, 15 meeting spaces, three restaurants, two bars, a spa and a rooftop pool—ideal for large gatherings and corporate stays.
Belgian Comic Strip Center © Michael Mulkens | Dreamstime.com
Soon after, the luxurious five-star Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels opened on Rue Royale, just steps from the Royal Palace. The hotel offers 126 elegant guestrooms, the restaurant Palais Royal led by two-Michelin-star chef David Martin, and an expansive spa—perfect for combining business with relaxation. The hotel has a storied past and has welcomed notable guests throughout its history.
This year The Standard made its Belgian debut in the Quartier Nord, featuring 200 guestrooms, suites and longer-stay apartments—the brand’s first accommodations of that type. Guests enjoy a rooftop garden and a 29th-floor brasserie with panoramic city views. Looking ahead, the eagerly awaited reopening of Hotel Metropole Brussels will reveal extensive renovations to the historic five-star Art Deco property that dates to 1895, with redesigned guest rooms and an updated Café Metropole.
Brussels’ culinary scene is also receiving international attention. The renowned Belga Queen, a chic brasserie with an oyster bar located in a former hotel and bank, reopened near Grand-Place in late 2024. For a wide range of dining options, Gare Maritime – Tour & Taxis offers a lively food hall in what was once one of Europe’s largest railway stations, where visitors can enjoy everything from casual bites and waffles to refined dining experiences.
Business travel in Brussels can also include memorable cultural and culinary experiences. Groups can book chocolate-making classes with celebrated chocolatiers, join hands-on waffle workshops, or explore Belgian Beer World to learn about the country’s rich brewing traditions. Belgium’s beer culture is recognized for its exceptional variety and holds UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
© Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection
Ready to make Brussels your next meeting destination? The Brussels Convention & Association Bureau offers support and resources to help planners design memorable events in the capital of Europe.
UNIQUE VENUES
Brussels’ rich architectural heritage provides a wide choice of distinctive venues for special events. The Solvay Library, built in 1902, showcases Art Nouveau details, stained-glass windows and a terrace overlooking Leopold Park, and can accommodate up to 250 guests. For smaller, more intimate gatherings, La Maison Cauchie is a celebrated example of the design movement and suits groups of up to 50.
For a playful and creative setting, the Belgian Comic Strip Center invites guests to immerse themselves in the world of comics, from Tintin to the Smurfs. The Musical Instruments Museum offers inspiration with a collection of more than 7,000 instruments and a 10th-floor restaurant that provides sweeping views of the city.
Outside the urban core, Château de Rivieren is a 19th-century castle set within nearly 25 acres of parkland, offering a stately setting just minutes from Grand-Place. For a historic and atmospheric option, the Musée de la Porte de Hal—an imposing 14th-century gatehouse—creates a memorable medieval backdrop for events.