🇧🇪 Brussels

Grand Place (Grote Markt)

Must-See ★ 4.7 · 28k reviews

The Grand Place ('Grand Square'; also used in English or Grote Markt; 'Grand Market') is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by opulent guildhalls and two larger edifices, the city's Town Hall, and the King's House or Breadhouse building containing the Museum of the City of Brussels. The square measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 361 ft). The Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. It is also considered as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. In the evening, surrounded by bright illumination, it is simply ravishing. Some evenings a music and light show is provided with the buildings serving as a canvas. Have a 'gaufre de Liège-Luikse wafel' here (Belgian waffle with caramelized sugar)—the best ones are available from the little shops off the northeast corner of the Grand Place-Grote Markt.

Visitor Info

Rating ★ 4.7 28,000 reviews

Visit Time ~45 min

Best Time Early morning or after dark

Insider Tips

· Visit once in daylight and once at night if you can
· Look for the guild houses, Town Hall, and changing seasonal decorations
· The square is most photogenic before the tour buses arrive

Free on iOS

Explore all 12 places in Brussels — download Promenario free

Offline maps and every place in Brussels, in your pocket.

Get on App Store →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Grand Place a UNESCO World Heritage Site? ▾

UNESCO inscribed it in 1998 for its outstanding blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Louis XIV architecture, representing the peak of Flemish commercial prosperity in the 17th century.

When was the Town Hall built? ▾

The Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) was built between 1402 and 1455 and is the only building on the square that survived French bombardment in 1695.

What are the guild halls and who built them? ▾

The surrounding guild halls were rebuilt by Brussels' powerful trade guilds (brewers, bakers, archers, tailors) after the 1695 French bombardment, each decorated with the guild's symbols and gilded facades.

Can you go inside the Town Hall? ▾

Yes, guided tours of the Town Hall interior are available Tuesday through Sunday; tickets cost around €5 and must be booked in advance at the tourist office on the square.

What is the King's House building opposite the Town Hall? ▾

The King's House (Maison du Roi / Broodhuis) is actually the City Museum, housing a large collection of Brussels history including over 900 costumes donated for the Manneken Pis statue.