Within the Brussels city limits two cultures, the Flemish and the French, co-exist and create a diverse and exciting atmosphere. A myriad of tiny art cafes, medieval buildings, art deco architecture, bustling markets and a host of galleries and museums await you on your Brussels city hotel doorstep. Brussels also happens to be home to a wealth of exciting festivals including art, film, music and food and drink. If you feel spoilt for choice, here are some of our favourites.

Brussels European Film Festival

After recently acquiring a new artistic director, in the shape of Ivan Corbisier, the film festival has undergone a slight change. Its aim to introduce the cinematic highlights of European film to its inhabitants remains the same, but now the films are showcased with a bit more pizzazz, and more and more stars are filing into the fantastic city to take part in this great event. The festival is usually held in the month of June and runs for 8 days. If you are looking for a Brussels city hotel around festival time there is a wide variety of great accommodation on offer, but get in quick and book before Adrian Brody and Audrey Tautou get there first.

Art Brussels

If you are an art enthusiast then the delights of Art Brussels are just you; every April the festival welcomes a variety of visitors from professional collectors to amateur art admirers. It is one of Europe’s finest platforms for the upcoming movers and shakers of the contemporary art world. Established galleries are also invited to showcase their best work for the public to peruse. When you are exhausted with the art you can go and explore the charms and wonders of the city. Hotels are available near the venue, but transport links to and from the fair are frequent so don’t worry when you book your Brussels city hotel if you are not within walking distance.

Beer Weekend

For those of you who see art in the grain rather than the paintbrush, Beer Weekend is for you. Taking place on the first weekend of September, around 50 Belgian breweries present their finest selection of beer and ask you to sample the tantalising amber nectar. Belgium has a strong connection to beer that the country boasts goes back to the middle ages, which means there has been plenty of time for them to perfect the art. If you like nothing more than meeting up with fellow beer lovers and sampling a range of varieties, then head to Brussels. You can book accommodation nearby, so you can walk to the festival from your Brussels city hotel with ease.

Couleur Cafe

Spread over three days in June, this vibrant music festival reflects the diverse culture of its host, Brussels. It presents music in a wide range of categories including R&B, hip hop, world, afro, reggae, ragga, dub, dancehall, Latin, salsa, son, ra