Grand-Place (Grote Markt)
The Basics
The central square of Brussels, Grand Place stands out for its unique blend of architectural styles from various eras. It is full of people at almost any hour and is surrounded by some of Brussels’ top attractions, including the Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) and the King’s House (Maison du Roi), which is now home to the Brussels City Museum. The famousManneken Pis statue is also nearby. Visit the square as part of a half-day walking tour or full-day city tour, or make it a stop on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour. Joining a small-group bicycle tour of Brussels is another great way to experience the spectacular square.
Things to Know Before You Go
Grand Place is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, although access may be limited during special events. Admission is free.
The best initial view of the Grand Place may be from the Rue des Harengs, one of six narrow side streets leading to the square.
The cobblestone-covered square may be challenging for those in wheelchairs or with strollers.
How to Get There
The Grand Place is easily accessible by public transportation, bike, or car. The closest Metro stops are Centrale, Bourse, and De Brouckere. Public parking is available on the Rue du Marche aux Herbes.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Grand Place is worth visiting whenever you are in Brussels—and more than once, as the atmosphere varies. Visit on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings for a regular flower market. And watch the calendar for special events that take place throughout the year, including the Winter Wonders event and Christmas market, from late November to New Year’s Day.
Brussels Flower Carpet
Every other year in mid-August, the Grand Place is literally carpeted in more than half a million begonias. One hundred volunteers artfully set up the flowers in colorful patterns covering 19,000 square feet (1,765 square meters) in a remarkably fast four hours. The Flower Carpet, perhaps best viewed from the balcony of the Town Hall, lasts for just one weekend, which includes concerts and sound-and-light shows each evening. A tradition since 1971, the next Flower Carpet will take place in August 2018.
- Things to do in Zaventem
- Things to do in Bruges
- Things to do in Lille
- Things to do in Dordrecht
- Things to do in Rotterdam
- Things to do in Amsterdam
- Things to do in Luxembourg City
- Things to do in Marne-la-Vallée
- Things to do in Paris
- Things to do in Leeuwarden
- Things to do in Stansted Mountfitchet
- Things to do in Horley
- Things to do in Flanders
- Things to do in South Holland
- Things to do in Nord-Pas de Calais
- Brussels City Museum (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles)
- Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)
- Hard Rock Cafe Brussels
- Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert (Les Galeries St-Hubert)
- Choco-Story Brussels: The Chocolate Museum
- MOOF Museum
- Manneken Pis
- Cinquantenaire District
- St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
- Museum of the Turn of the Century (Musée Fin-de-Siècle)
- Musical Instruments Museum
- Magritte Museum (Musée Magritte)
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
- Grand Sablon Square (Place du Grand Sablon)
- Belgian Comic Strip Center