Grand Place (Grand Square), Brussels

Grand Place (Grand Square), Brussels (must see)

Grand Square—Brussels’ pride and joy—is the biggest show-off move of the Belgian capital. Some say it's the most beautiful square in Europe. Others say the world. Either way, it’s hard to argue when you’re standing there, dwarfed by a 15th-century Gothic Town Hall that looks like it got dressed for the Met Gala... and the neo-Gothic King's House—also charmingly called the Bread House (because apparently even royal buildings get carb cravings).

This cobblestoned stunner has been in the spotlight since the 11th century. Back then, it was a humble marketplace. A few hundred years later, it had a front-row seat to history—picture Inquisition bonfires and a couple of unfortunate noble executions (some sort of “light afternoon entertainment” for the medieval crowd)...

As Brussels bloomed, so did the square’s bling. Surrounding it are guildhalls that practically scream, “We have money and good taste!” Each one was built by a different trade—from haberdashers to bakers to brewers—and while the jobs have changed, the beauty hasn’t. Take Number 10, for example—once a brewers’ headquarters, now home to the Brewers Museum, so yes, beer still lives there. Circle of life.

Now, not everything has been smooth sailing here. In 1695, the French decided Brussels needed a “makeover.” So they bombarded the square for 36 hours straight. Miraculously, several buildings were rebuilt after that even better. Like Number 3, once run by tallow merchants, and Number 5, home of the archers’ guild, proudly rocking a phoenix on its façade—a little "burn me once" statement piece.

Today, in addition to being a history lesson with a stunning backdrop, the Grand Square is a vibe. Alleyways nearby are filled with centuries-old bars serving the holy trinity: Belgian beer, chocolate, and gossip. Butchers Street is your go-to for mussels and souvenirs and maybe some stretchy pants.

And if you time it right, you’ll catch the square in full party mode. There’s the biennial Flower Carpet—a psychedelic begonia explosion, the medieval cosplay of Ommegang, Christmas lights that would make the North Pole jealous, and concerts that echo through time.

Tip:
Visit in daylight to admire every gold-leafed flourish, and come back after dark for the light show. Around 10:20 PM, this square doesn’t just sparkle—it sings.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brussels. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Grand Place (Grand Square) on Map

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Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: Grand Place (Grand Square)
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium

Create Your Own Walk in Brussels

Create Your Own Walk in Brussels

Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chocolate Tour in Brussels

Chocolate Tour in Brussels

Belgium is considered one of, if not the, best producer of chocolate in the world. The country's capital, Brussels abounds in opportunities to taste more than 2,000 different varieties of this delectable treat. There is a plethora of chocolate shops in the city which offer chocolates of all imaginable shapes, sizes and colors.

Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Brussels Beer Tour

Brussels Beer Tour

Belgians are not very prone to boasting, except with things such as chocolate, fries and, evidently, beer. They treat beer the way the French treat wine: for the makers, it's a prized art; for the drinkers, it is something to be savored and discussed. They say that, on average, Belgians drink 150 liters of beer per year per person, and one would often see them sipping it from early in the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Grand Place Walking Tour

Grand Place Walking Tour

World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.

The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour

Brussels Introduction Walking Tour

Nowadays a major center for international politics, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is often referred to as the "Crossroads of Europe". Indeed, nestled at the heart of the continent, this city has a history closely linked to that of Western Europe. Repeatedly changing hands between various duchies, empires, republics, and kingdoms, it has evolved from a small rural settlement to an...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour

Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour

As well as being Belgium’s political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
The European Quarter Walking Tour

The European Quarter Walking Tour

Along with Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Brussels is one of the European Union’s de facto capitals. The office blocks of the European Quarter are mainly concentrated along and between two wide boulevards – rue de la Loi and rue Belliard – which Léopold II built to connect his Parc du Cinquantenaire with the city center.

Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


What to Buy in Brussels: 14 Ideas for Travelers

What to Buy in Brussels: 14 Ideas for Travelers

It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...
Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels

Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels

Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...