The canal, an industrial district reborn as a trendy and sustainable neighbourhood

With its urban and contemporary art spots along the water, the canal has become a very trendy part of Brussels. 

Its converted industrial heritage also delights lovers of sustainability and circular economy. Innovative and sustainable projects have taken over these listed sites: organic food shopping, art galleries, museums and temporary exhibitions; huge airy spaces, but also places for after work drinks and underground parties.

This vast alternative district is definitely worth a visit. 

How would you like to start your discovery of the canal neighbourhood with a walk along the water? Cycling fans will love the cycle paths that line the quays all the way to the port of Brussels. They showcase the street art that abounds in the neighbourhood. 

And if you like these works, why not also follow our exciting street art trails through Brussels? Comic book lovers will love the monumental Corto Maltese mural which also features on the comic book trail.

If you are tempted to try out an unusual Brussels experience, go on a cruise. You can choose between a short circuit to reach the city centre in a different way, or an aperitif cruise to Brussels' green belt. 

When you talk about the Canal district you can't fail to mention Kanal, the temple of contemporary art on Sainctelette Square (scheduled to open on 28 November 2026). The monumental 40,000m² venue is Brussels’ newest cultural destination. With its library, archive centre, bookshop, two restaurants, rooftop, bakery... and an exceptional 12,000m² of exhibition space, this new cultural hub is well worth exploring to the fullest. On the opposite bank of the canal, you'll find iMal, an arts centre for digital culture and technology. Among the many other galleries in the area, a former warehouse of more than 3,500m² houses the Vanhaerents Art Collection, a unique place with works by Ai Weiwei, Ugo Rondinone and Allan McCollum, among others!

Located on the bank of the canal, Tour & Taxis is a gigantic former industrial site with spectacular architecture (which can be online thanks to a virtual audio guide). It has been transformed into a sustainable residential, cultural and events site. Its former warehouse hosts numerous exhibitions, and the Gare Maritime, a former maritime terminal which houses, among other things, a huge food court : the Gare Maritime Food Market. 

Here there's no shortage of options to have fun and relax! Tour & Taxis is home to a number of great places. BattleKart lets you experience the incomparable sensations of a mix of video games, augmented reality and electric karting. At WOM (World of Mind) challenge your senses and try your hand at more than 120 mind-bending illusions in a colourful 1,500 m space.

A somewhat unusual entry is Permafunghi, a clever mushroom farm that grows oyster mushrooms in recycled coffee grounds. To find out more about climate change and its impact on cities, visit the BELEXPO environment museum. Behind it there is a huge park with a picnic area, pétanque, woods, which is the perfect place to escape the urban landscape and it's only a stone's throw from the canal. What better way to round it all off than with a craft beer from La Brasserie de la Senne?

And now that you're here, we strongly recommend a visit to BE-HERE, which is just around the corner. This sustainable village houses a number of fascinating ecological initiatives (such as culinary treats, a bio-market and La Source, a micro-brewery). Moreover, the historical splendour of the building is worth a small detour in itself.

The food scene in the canal neighbourhood is rather alternative. The Belmundo is a social restaurant that focuses on the local economy. People go there for its delicious salads and seasonal dishes that change according to the whims of their vegetable garden. Staying with the water theme, why not book a table on the quayside at Le Phare (du Kanaal). The delicious recipes at this cosy canteen are always local and artisanal and are sure to make your mouth water. A little further on, at the ultra-trendy Koul, be sure to try their fresh and perfectly prepared flatbread, it's delicious. They also serve excellent coffee. Fancy another cup? You're in the right neighbourhood! Coffee connoisseurs rank Mok Coffee among the best coffee bars in the world.  Be sure to stop by the gourmet hall Kay 36, where a tempting selection of food stalls awaits!

Do you like to keep your finger on the gastronomic pulse? Then you'll be spoilt for choice in this neighbourhood. It's home to a wealth of avant-garde culinary talent, chefs who serve up radical, local, trendy cuisine. Hot on the heels of Barge, top-class establishments such as Kline and Nightshop have also settled in the neighbourhood. The latter also offers a fantastic selection of natural wines. Fancy another glass? Then be sure to check out the La Flaque. For the perfect cocktail LIB is highly recommended. It's an unpretentious neighbourhood cocktail bar with soul, reflecting the character of the neighbourhood.

Brussels is known as a great city to go out thanks, in no small part, to its numerous underground venues. But it also owes a lot of that reputation to the vibrant nightlife of the canal neighbourhood. Start your evening at Walvis, a bistro that looks out onto the canal. Its terrace is always full in the summer and its concerts and DJs nights might even convince you to spend the whole night there. The Tour & Taxis site offers concerts at Le Baixu, which means 'beautiful' in the language of the Pataxós Indians in Brazil. Here, jazz and world music take centre stage. 

If all this sounds a bit too stuffy and mainstream for you, there are plenty of alternatives. Among the capital's series of hip spots with a distinct Berlin feel, special mention goes to arts centre LaVallée. This former laundry sits in the heart of Molenbeek. It is a haven for artistic cross-pollination and anyone who wants to can come and chill out and soak up some culture. Come down for a festive vernissage, aperitifs and music evenings. Recyclart has been a fixture for lovers of subcultures for more than 20 years. The parties are downright legendary and the programming resolutely offbeat. VK Concerts* and Magasin4 also offer the chance to discover alternative music.