Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

Oh Brussels, this place certainly sprouted a surprise in my backpacking calendar. The reason being, 10 hours before I arrived in the city, I had no idea I would be here. It all relied on the Northern Ireland v. Wales match. When Northern Ireland lost, I headed within hours for a direct Megabus from Paris to Brussels. Suddenly, I was backpacking in Belgium without any previous plan to do this!

Arrival back into BELGIUM!

Arrival back into BELGIUM!

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

I went with the trusted YHA again here in Brussels and though they have 3 locations in the city, I liked the look of the Jacques Brel hostel so I booked in here. It was a relaxing time in Brussels after the craziness of France and apart from some sightseeing in Brussels, I did want to chill out a bit. I met up with my friend Pol, from Brussels (Paul backpacked through Pyongyang with me in 2013) and chatted to the hostel folk, but other than that, I enjoyed some alone time at last!

Arrival at the Jacques Brel hostel in Brussels

Arrival at the Jacques Brel hostel in Brussels

My dorm room at the Jacques Brel hostel, Brussels

My dorm room at the Jacques Brel hostel, Brussels

Five of my favourites features of the Jacques Brel hostel are these five:

1.Spacious and Clean
Every now and then I end up staying in a large, spacious hostel and was one of them. Wide open spaces to relax, cosy sofas and a seated area in the garden for summer days. Jacques Brel hostel, named after a famous musician is a perfect place to chill out.

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

2.Huge Breakfast
Breakfast was a treat, it’s all you can eat and served on the first floor from 7.30 am to 10 am. Including salami, cheese, a mix of bread, both tropical and orange juices and a good range of coffees from the perculator.

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Breakfast at the Jacques Brel Hostel

3.Excellent Backpacker Bar – Babel Bar
The downstairs Babel Bar is a perfect backpacker hang out to meet new friends. Happy Hour is good value, but even away from that, the prices of food and drink are much cheaper than out in the city. I watched some football in here too- Belgium destroying Hungary 4-0 on the big screen. Beers from 1.60 Euros is definitely budget backpacker friendly.

A beer in the backpacker bar

A beer in the backpacker bar

Bar at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Bar at the Jacques Brel Hostel

Bar prices

Bar prices

4.Quiet Street Location
The location is on a quiet street and about 10 minutes walk from both the Brussels du Nord and the Brussels Central stations. Easy access in and out and for touring the main sights.

Quiet Street Location

Quiet Street Location

Belgian Frites

Belgian Frites

Grand Place

Grand Place

Belgian Waffles with Pol

Belgian Waffles with Pol

5.Security
Security is important and here every room has lockers (always carry your own lock by the way – a backpacker thing I learned years ago), you can check out and leave your bags in the secure luggage rooms (also bring your own lock) and you’ll need a key card to get into the hostel and the rooms, so it’s very secure.

Storage room

Storage room

Lockers in each dorm

Lockers in each dorm

I enjoyed my stay in Brussels, seeing the sights, the urination quirks and a good old catch up with my friend Pol!

Beers with Pol in Brussels, Belgium

Beers with Pol in Brussels, Belgium

Here are the details for booking the Jacquel Brel hostel in Brussels, Belgium:
https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/brussels-jacques-brel-youth-hostel
Tel. +32-2-2180187
Fax. +32-2-2172005
[email protected]

Here is a video from my time at the Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels:

2 thoughts on “Backpacking in Belgium: Staying at Jacques Brel Hostel, Brussels

  • Hi Beth, thanks for the comment. That’s good to know about the price being good. I haven’t been in this part of the world much the last few years – it used to be all Francs and Deutsch Marks, the Euro gets confusing and annoying for a nationalist like me! Safe travels. Jonny

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