Sarah Schug

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Brussels may be Belgium’s capital, but Antwerp has style. Arriving at the art nouveau splendor of its central station sets the tone: this is a city that knows how to impress, both with history and creative expression. Long known for its docks and diamond trade, Antwerp became a fashion cradle when the Antwerp Six designers shook up the global scene. This city is full of surprises, just waiting to be explored. RECOMMENDED: 💐 The best things to do in Brussels🍻 The best things to do in Bruges Sarah Schug is a writer based in Brussels, Belgium. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Bruges might get overshadowed by its big brothers Brussels and Antwerp, but though it might not be the biggest, it’s in lots of ways the most beautiful – and it’s full of great stuff to do too. If you’re into delicious beer, tasty food and, *checks notes*, museums about torture, you’ve come to the right place.  Bruges is one of those great cities where you can tick off all the sights on your to-do list in one weekend, and still have time to park up with a tankard of cold beer and watch the world go by for a whole afternoon. Our guide to Bruges features everything from canal boats to sticky ribs in chocolate and beer sauce, so you’re sure to find something for you. Here are the best things to do in Bruges.  RECOMMENDED: 🏠 The best hotels in Bruges📍 The best things to do in Brussels🚢 The best things to do in Ostend📍 The best city breaks in Europe This guide was recently updated by Sarah Schug, a writer based in Brussels, Belgium. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more, see our affiliate guidelines. 

When it comes to culture, food and scenic strolls, Belgium’s capital has got pretty much everything you want from a city break. Tuck into steaming bowls of moules marinières, street-side waffles and truly excellent beer, and spend your weekend exploring flea markets, excellent galleries and Art Nouveau architecture. Whatever you’re into, there’s something for you in Brussels. Here are the best things to do in Brussels right now.  RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best hotels in Bruges🧇 The best things to do in Bruges🇧🇪 The best things to do in Ostend📍 The best city breaks in Europe This guide was recently updated by Sarah Schug, a writer based in Brussels. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.