Brussels, Belgium
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Brussels.
Upscale area with famous chocolate shops, expensive dining, and weekend antique markets. Very safe but pricey and quiet at night. Better for visiting than staying.
Sablon sits around Place du Grand Sablon with weekend antique markets, high-end chocolate shops, art galleries, and expensive restaurants. Cobblestone pedestrian streets and old buildings give it an upscale village feel despite being in the city center. Wealthy Belgians and tourists come here for special occasions and luxury shopping. Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, and Wittamer all have shops here - the big-name chocolatiers. Restaurants are formal French brasseries with white tablecloths. People eat alone at lunch - business types and well-dressed locals. The area feels safe with good lighting and regular police. Affluent crowd means more eyes on the street. Gets quiet after restaurants close around 10pm though, and nightlife is limited compared to Ixelles or the European Quarter. Everything costs more, even by Brussels standards. You can walk to the lower town and Grand Place using stairs and elevators. Good for a nice meal or Sunday brunch, less practical as a budget base.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
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"Nice area for an afternoon, feels safe and upscale"
"Good spot for a nice meal or buying chocolate"
"Expensive but the experience is worth it"
"Gets quiet in the evenings, visit during the day"
"Felt safe walking around in the evening"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Brussels' safest area with heavy security from EU institutions, international crowd, and widespread English. More expensive and less Belgian in character than other neighborhoods.
Good mix of safety, cafe culture, dining variety, and actual Belgian character. More expensive than average but balances security with authenticity better than other areas.
Brussels' central square and main tourist zone. Good for sightseeing but high pickpocket and scam risk. Lots of police so violent crime is rare, but watch your stuff constantly. Visit for a few hours, don't stay here.
Help other women stay safe in Sablon
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.