Grand-Place (Grote Markt)

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

It is free to go to the Grand-Place in Brussels as there is no entrance fee to visit this city square at any time of year, even when it is hosting the biennial Flower Carpet. You will need tickets for some attractions around the Grand-Place such as the Brussels City Museum, the Brussels Town Hall, and the Brussels Town Hall Tower.

The Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium, is worth visiting as the square has impressive buildings with gothic facades and historic guild halls with gilded details. But the Grand-Place isn’t just one of the most picturesque spots in Belgium, let alone in Brussels, it’s also a common meeting point for walking city tours.

The best time to visit the Grand-Place in Brussels if you wish to avoid the crowds is either early in the morning or in the late evening. That’s because this is the most popular attraction in Brussels and sees visitors at most times of the day, so expect it to be busy at most times of the day.

Many of Brussels’ most popular attractions are near the Grand-Place, as it’s only a short walk from the square to the Manneken Pis statue, the Horta Gallery, and the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert. Of course, the square also has its own attractions, including the Brussels Town Hall and the monument to Everard t'Serclaes.

Besides the Brussels Flower Carpet event held every two years, the Grand-Place hosts other events and festivals during the year. These include concerts, a colorful Christmas market, and the Ommegang of Brussels, a reenactment held in late June of the arrival of Emperor Charles V and his son Phillip II to the city in 1549.

Yes, but not in the way you think. The Grand-Place is a city square in the heart of Brussels and is separate from the Royal Palace of Brussels, even though they sound similar. So yes, you can walk into the Grand-Place as much as you want, while you can also go inside several buildings on the square, including the Brussels Town Hall and the Brussels City Museum.