Grand Place

If you are visiting Brussels during the holidays, the Grand Place is an absolute must-see. While the architecture is already world-class, the festive decorations elevate it to one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. Why It’s Special: The Light & Sound Show: Every evening, the historic guildhalls and the Town Hall are illuminated by a choreographed light show set to music. It is perfectly timed and creates a breathtaking atmosphere that feels both modern and deeply traditional. The Centerpiece Tree: The massive, real Christmas tree in the center of the square smells incredible and is decorated beautifully, serving as the perfect focal point for photos. The Nativity Scene: The life-sized manger adds a touch of classic charm that reminds you of the history behind the season. The Atmosphere: Even with the crowds, there is a sense of wonder in the air. The golden accents of the buildings shimmer under the holiday lights, making the entire square feel like a jewelry box. Pro-Tips for Visitors: Timing: Try to catch the light show after 5:00 PM. It usually runs every 30 to 60 minutes. Warm Up: After viewing the square, walk two minutes to the surrounding Winter Wonders market for some authentic Belgian hot chocolate or vin chaud (mulled wine). View from Above: If you can snag a window seat at one of the cafes lining the square, the view of the lights from the second floor is unbeatable. This is easily the highlight of the Brussels Christmas markets. Don’t miss it!

We visited Grand Place during the Christmas season, and it was definitely quite crowded 👥—especially at night 🌙 because of the beautiful light show 💡✨. The atmosphere felt magical 🎄❄️, with festive decorations everywhere and music filling the square 🎶🎄. There are lots of shops, cafés, and restaurants surrounding the area 🛍️☕🍫, making it a great spot to walk around, grab Belgian waffles 🧇 or hot chocolate 🍫, and take plenty of photos 📸📍. It’s located almost at the very center of the city 🧭, so it’s super easy to reach from anywhere 🚶‍♀️🚋. The square itself is quite big and very impressive 🏛️😮. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit the museums around the square this time 😢🏛️, but just seeing the architecture was already worth it 🤍✨. Fun facts 🤓🇧🇪: ✨ Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 🌍 ✨ It’s surrounded by beautifully decorated guild houses dating back to the 17th century 🏰 ✨ It’s considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe (and even the world!) 🌟🌍 ✨ The square transforms completely during festivals, concerts, and Christmas markets 🎄🎶🎉 Overall, Grand Place is a must-visit in Brussels 🇧🇪❤️—especially during Christmas if you don’t mind the crowds 🎄👥✨. Absolutely stunning day or night 🌞🌙📸

It was a lovely evening in here. Christmas vibes is making it better. Not to cold to wander around. You can absolutely enjoy the architecture, the shops and also snacks here. There will be big christmas tree in the middle and also a light show in the evening. The view is breathtakingly nice🎄

Beautiful central plaza! Lots of ornate buildings with intricate statues and gold accents. Grand Place in Brussels is absolutely stunning! It’s vibrant during the day, but at night it transforms into something completely different and magical with the lights. I’d recommend visiting twice—once in the morning and once at night—to really enjoy both views. The whole square is so picturesque and a perfect spot to stroll around and take photos. Truly a must-visit in Brussels!

Had an amazing family city break to Belgium and France. First stop was a visit to the Christmas market in Belgium at the Grand Place. This place in Brussels is nothing short of breathtaking, especially during the Christmas season. Surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the majestic Town Hall, the square feels like a living postcard—rich with history, elegance, and warmth. The atmosphere feels magical without feeling overwhelming, full of great vibes, laughter, and a steady hum of people enjoying the moment together. One of the highlights is the lovely variety of stalls that line the square and nearby streets. Each one offers something different, from handcrafted gifts to local treats, making it easy to wander and explore without ever getting bored. The smell alone is unforgettable: freshly made waffles crisping on hot irons, their sweetness drifting through the air, paired perfectly with cups of steaming mulled wine. Stopping to enjoy these classic Belgian flavors while standing in such a stunning setting felt like a simple luxury done right. No visit to the Grand Place would be complete without indulging in Belgian chocolates, which truly taste divine. Whether from elegant chocolate shops or festive stalls, the quality is exceptional—rich, smooth, and expertly crafted. Combined with the festive decorations and the timeless beauty of the square, the Grand Place during Christmas feels welcoming, indulgent, and unforgettable. It’s a place where history, culture, and seasonal joy come together in the most memorable way. Had a lovely time overall.

Nice place but too touristy. The buildings surrounding the square are definitely beautiful, but the square is overly crowded with too many tourists. The shops around here all felt like tourist traps. Personally, spending ~15 min around here is enough. They have light show here at night as well, but again, overly crowded and it's a bit underwhelming.

Lovely place to look at the light show but it can get crowded at many times. Its a great atmosphere to look at lovely buildings in the square. I only got the night and early morming view but I am sure its great during the day also.

My God. This place is a UNESCO world heritage site, and holds that title since 1998. The various gilded guildhalls, the town hall, and the tower experience all in one location. You can easily spend 2 full days here. I would definitely return with better planning. BRUSSELS! You are amazing!

It is said by many that this is the most beautiful plaza in Europe. I believe it. The architecture here is beautiful and every building tells a story. Supposedly, Victor Hugo had a flat here and would stand in his balcony every day and yell, "This is the most beautiful place in the world!" Who could argue with a genius like him?

It's hard to wrap your head around some places and the Grand Place de Bruxelles is one of those places. Standing in the middle of this amazing square is truly a breathtaking thing to do. This massive square is full of so much history, so much beauty, and such a positive energy. We came both at night and during the day to explore and see all of the different shops, restaurants, chocolatiers, and see all the different architecture and greatly enjoyed this place at any time of the day. Tourist trap? I don't think so. I feel seeing the main square of any European city is a great way to get a feel of a place and an important place to just stand and take it all in. Belgium is such a wonderful country and the city of Brussels is an incredible place to spend time. I'm honored I was able to be a part of this place even for a small time. Do yourself a favour and enjoy a few walk through of the The Grand-Place.

Lovely views and restaurants near by! The scenery is perfect for tourists! Would recommend! Definitely a highlight of visiting Brussels.

In the center of Brussels, a big stage was assembled with live music and crowds of all ages. We watched our belongings as beggars, gypsys and hawkers were trying to come into our space. La Grand-Place in Brussels is surrounded by 17th century public & private buildings & is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bell towers of City hall or the Hôtel de Ville can't be missed & is the most famous landmark here. The Kings House, from the 15th century is now the city museum. After dark, we came back and walked past the security gates. The Gran Place was illuminated beautiful colors & we enjoyed listening to local Brussels hip hop performers with what seemed like a million others. Everyone was very upbeat & well behaved. The morning was very busy, about 100 men were in assembling yesterday's stage and building something else.

This square is very beautiful. I wish we had better weather when we visited in early March. The buildings are magnificent. It must be even more beautiful when the sunlight hits the gold on some of these buildings. You can find some cover when it rains and there's a few seating area. There's a chocolate shop, cafe and a museum. I hear at night when the lights come on, it looks very nice too. Unfortunately we couldn't stay that late.

Grand Place is the central square of Brussels. It's also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the impressive buildings located here includes the town hall which was completed in 1455.

Don't read reviews on a place like this...... Just go..... The sites, sounds, history, plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry. Go, walk eat what looks good maybe even have a Belgian beer or three or four.

If you are traveling to Brussels, you must visit Grand Place. While it was not our favorite thing to see in the city, it's iconic. The buildings are stunning! They light up nicely at night so no matter what time of the day it is, the area is beautiful. Tons of shops and restaurants too.

Visiting Brussels in summer of 2024 and had to drop by the grand place. Worth visiting to see all the historical and cool buildings.

We visited the Grand Place several times during our stay last month. The Christmas atmosphere is amazing and there's an evening night show every day! Definitely one of the highlights in Brussels--there's so much history and interesting architecture in and around the Grand Place!

Wonderful architecture.. History..lots of it.. If you are there at Christmas time..do not miss the light show.. I recommend viewing early morning and at night

This square itself is a work of art! Stunning architecture and intricate details- It's a must-see for anyone visiting Brussels. The area is filled with interesting shops and attractions. The Brussels Museum has a great collection of historical artifacts and art and The Museum of Beer is a fun and educational experience for beer lovers. I would definitely recommend taking some time to explore the Grande Place and its surrounding area. It's a wonderful part of Brussels with something for everyone.

This is a prime example of what you think of when you think of Europe....a massive open square surrounded by Gothic, Gothic Revival, Baroque, and Flemish architecture. The Grand Place is/was located about a block and a half from our hotel, down a cobblestone type street . Without any sort of indication, the street just opens up into the square, so you go from all kinds of shade from the surrounding buildings to an open sky and sunlight all around. I had been to Europe before, and seen things like this, but they in no way diminished the awe I experienced when I stepped into the square. The best was when my husband, fellow Yelper Mark G., who had never been to Europe before, stepped into the square. He had his head in his phone looking for something and when he looked up, he just said, "Wow!" and his jaw dropped. He immediately started taking photos and wandered off, like he was a kid in a candy store; it was so awesome to see someone's first-time reaction! Surrounding the square are restaurants and bistros with some outdoor seating, but there were also gelato vendors, and artists selling their wares in the middle of the square, along with a busker or two. On one side of the square is the Town Hall and opposite it, the City Museum. On the other two sides of the square are some private homes, but mostly guild halls. The architecture on these buildings is equally beautiful, if a little on the subtle side. We found a relief of Remus and Romulus suckling on a she-wolf above one doorway. I truly believe that this should be on your must-see list if you plan to visit Brussels. It really is beautiful! 26/2020

In the 15 European countries we've been to this main square is one of my absolute top favorites. Pictures don't do it justice. We were here in August a few years go and the square is beautiful to see in the full daylight and have the golden guild houses glimmering, especially if enjoying a cold refreshing Belgian beer in the patio seating of any of the cafes on the square. We are visiting in December now and can enjoy the Christmas light show, glittering tree, ambient Christmas music and a large nativity scene.

The Grand Place is indeed grand. As the city's central square, it is the most visited landmark, home to two of the main attractions in Brussel, the Town Hall, and City Museum, as well as former guildhalls. if you're coming to Brussels, I'm sure you've already got this one marked on your to-see list. Surrounding the square are the characteristic Belgian guild houses, the Town Hall, and the Maison du Roi where the Museum of Brussels is now located. Also known as Grote Markt, Grand Place was a major market place that dates back to the 10th century. now It's lined with many cafes, making it a good place to sample traditional Brussels' foods, such as modules (mussels), waffles and french fries, which originated in Belgium, not France ( which of course everybody knows for sure I believe). the Grand-Place is probably the best place to begin your tour of historic Brussels; it is within walking distance of many of the city's main attractions, including the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral and the beloved Manneken Pis. This is also a great location to grab a cup of coffee or a beer and watch the world go by. This is also the site of the bi-annual Flower Carpet where one million begonias carpet the square over Assumption Day weekend. It is filled with a carpet made from flowers every second of August.

Grand Palce de Bruxelles is the center square of the city. It's the meeting point of Brussels and the place to be while visiting. The buildings' architecture is impressively breathtaking. There are tons of shops and restaurants all around. One morning we ate breakfast in one of the cafes in this area to enjoy the hustle and bustle. Some of the buildings around the square are: town hall, Kong's house, guild homes, and many museums that are in some these buildings. If you have limited time in Brussels, make sure to visit this area to take pictures, eat some food or just wander around. Many of the walking tours' point of meet up is here as well. If you do not do reservations prior, they usually have guides around this area for a last minute tour option. ~

Absolutely stunning square and easily one of the more memorable squarea in Europe! I was lucky enough to be there during their christmas market celebration and it something I will never forget! Between the majority of the chalets with savory and sweet treats to the awesome parade and also the yummy drinks it was phenomenal. Back to the square itself, they put on light shows during portio of the year that are fun for all to watch at night. You don't need the lights though to appreciate the square in its glory though as it is just as stunning during the day! Surronded by museums, candy shops, cafes, and shopping opportunities, there is plenty of things to do. The surrounding area also offers plenty of things to do as well to keep you busy for sometime. Easily could see myself coming back as I still think about it to this day!

Enjoy the stroll to the palace, stop at all the chocolate shops and jewelry stores. Stop for wine.

4 years later since my last visit...Nothing has really changed, and fortunately it hasn't gotten any worse. The evil Starbucks is still an unfortunate American eyesore, and the digusting Hard Rock cafe is still holding firm in its location. The beautiful Baroque architecture is still regal and marvelous. Be sure to see it during the day and at night when all the buildings are lit up, creating an almost magical and majestic medieval moment in your life...unfortunately groups of loud and rowdy young people loiter, drink, play music, and do whatever else to kill the romance of Grand Place.

Beautiful. 4 stars due to the sheer number of tourists that will be there, I don't like really touristy areas, but the place is extremely beautiful. The architecture is simply stunning. There are lots of wee shops and eateries in the area as well, including one whose name escapes me that makes the best Belgian waffles. The very first Godiva store is also in the Place as well, so if you are into chocolate like my mum, you may wanna stop in.

What can I saw that hasn't been said before? This place is absolutely breathtaking. I have visited a couple of times already and continue to be amazed by it. My first visit was at night and I still vividly remember just standing there with my mouth wide open, looking at around and taking it all in. It truly blew my mind. My other visits have been during the day and it's stunning. Definitely a must if you are in Brussels.

I have lost count on how many times I have walked by this place. It's grand, beautiful, and breathtaking with so much depth to it! A must visit if you are in town. Definitely Wikipedia this place before your visit, so you could better appreciate the history behind the birth place of Belgium. Get your photo op here and better yet, stop for a minute and appreciate where you are.

Grand Place is often touted as the most beautiful square in all of Europe and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After seeing it for myself, I can see why and I do agree. Of all the squares I've seen in Europe, Grand Place is certainly the prettiest. You can enter the square from a number of streets and once you see all the intricately designed buildings, prepare to be amazed! Many of the buildings have been rebuilt in recent centuries and in the mid 1800's, they were restored to its former glory. I highly recommend visiting the square during the day time to get a better view of all the little details on each building and maybe visit the Museum of the city of Brussels. Then come back during the evening to see the buildings in the square lit up at night. It's a totally different feel and I believe worth 2 visits! I feel like if there was a musician playing in the evening during our visit it would've been even more magical. Around the square you'll find a number of restaurants & shops. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is just a short walk away... It is quite a bit touristy, but that is to be expected. I'd love to come back here in August to witness the flower carpet display. Every other August, a million colorful begonias are set up in patterns and the display covers the whole square!

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. My mother and I didn't do any research prior to arriving in Brussels and had no idea we were about to see this when we walked into the square. It's absolutely one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and is going to be something I remember from my European trip in 2017 for a long long time. We loved it and I couldn't get enough. We were here during December 2017 and saw the holiday light show at night here to the Christmas music of Sia. Stunning. The Grand Place is the center of Brussels and makes it an easy meeting place and also and easy place to navigate to and from. It's close to tons of shopping and there actually is a lot of shopping and food nearby and underneath the beautiful old buildings. Which is nice because you can marvel at the beauty, eat a snack, shop and then marvel some more. We come here every day and we stood and watched and saw it in the morning, afternoon and at night. I couldn't get enough. I want to come back and see it again during the summer and see everything.

The epicenter of Brussels. Plenty of shopping, both large chain stores and wonderful eclectic mom and pop shops. Wonderful bakeries and restaurants as well. A great place to spend a day in Brussels.

Yes, it's a tourist trap, but one you won't want to miss! It's beautiful! Looking at pictures of this magnificent square holds no justice to seeing it for yourself! The architecture is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance. Many of the buildings are gilded in gold which contrasts with the darkness of the Gothic architecture. The square is dominated by Brussels' town hall, which can easily be mistaken for a cathedral or church, and the King's House, which is actually a museum of the city of Brussels. The square is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site! There's plenty of street vendors, artists, restaurants, and shops selling food and souvenirs, and of course, people watching!

This square really is as beautiful as advertised. We had lunch at one of the restaurants. While it wasn't the best food of our trip and it was slightly overpriced, it was worth it for the view.

Not just the square, it is THE square. This is the tourist center of the city and it's amazing. Restos and coffee on two sides (of course, Starbucks) with the center a bunch of folks who are trying to separate the tourists from their Euros. There's even a beer museum in the place of the original brewers guildhall. This is the grand market center that is the same in all the big cities that I've seen in Continental Europe though this one is much much nicer. A tourist attraction on its own, you'll want to look carefully at the city hall and wonder why it's not symmetrical. And why is the last window to the right cut in half? And then wonder at al the gilded everything. There's enough gold leaf here to decorate a battleship. Impressive! The Grand Place is the central square of Brussels and is surrounded by guidhalls and the city's Town Hall. The Breadhouse contains the Museum of the City of Brussels. And the square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Grand Place is one of the best town squares in Europe. Located in the heart of Brussels this place amazes me every time I am there. My first memories of the grand place is a picture with my dad in front of the palace which is now housing a museum. On our most recent visit we got what we never saw before at the grand place: Sunshine. It was awesome to experience sunshine at the Grand place as I have always seen it under dark gloomy or cloudy skies. It definitely looked different and tourists and locals alike were pretty much sitting on the cobbled square soaking in the sun. The history of grand place is very important and every building has its own unique architecture. The area is always buzzing with tourists and on this sunny day we even witnessed a wedding at the grand place. 5 star landmark must see if you are in Europe.

When I think of Europe, I think of places like this. There's always tourists here for a reason, and this is a overall a very beautiful square. There are some downsides, like the fact that it is always packed and there are tons of beggars everywhere, but it's worth it to come and take a look. If you're in Brussels it's almost hard to avoid passing through if you're touring the city on foot anyway.

Beautiful area with tons to see, eat, and do. Short walk from Brussels Central station. This place is beautiful at night. The buildings light up in green and makes it a fun place to hang out and take photos. Lots of restaurants and bars nearby close late. Like 6am late. Stop by. It's a must see while you're in Brussels

Great traditionel Brasserie serving well prepared food. Ambience and atmosphere is in top with excellent waiters and service. The fish (Dover sole) is recommended. The restaurant is placed next to the park making for a good walk following the lunch.

This is one of the top places I ever ever visited abroad and I can't wait to revisit! My party had such an amazing time exploring all of the side shops and restaurants in the square of the Grand Palace. Words really can't explain how beautiful all of the buildings were. You can tell which buildings were built in which era base in the architectural designs. Did I mention that we had waffles (Donkey voice from Shrek)? I recommend this place to anyone

Wow!! Christmas is definitely the time to visit...the market is full of vendors, decorations are insane, the light show at night is magical! You will think you're in a storybook place. Medieval buildings surround you with Gothic churches standing high into the sky. It's just breathtaking. Plenty of places to eat and shop with music around you.

A must see in Brussels, because to be honest, there isn't much to see in Brussels. This is the center of the tourist neighborhood, stunning during the day and even more beautiful at night.

This is such a beautiful spot. The architecture of the buildings and the way it lights up at night make for a stunning image. Surrounded with shops and restaurants anywhere you go from here, it's a popular place for tourists and locals alike. During the holiday season enjoy the Christmas tree and decorations that make everyone happy.

Grand Place is rich in history and beautiful architecture.each structure has many different stories (and legends) to tell. The buildings are beautifully restored and spectacularly illuminated at night. The area is not overly crowded with pigeons or beggars and hustlers like you see in some other well known European cities. Nice amount of eateries as well without overcrowding the square. People should visit Grand Place during the day and again at night to really enjoy its beauty.

Why am I writing a review? It is so that I remember I have been here. Grand Place is magnificant. If you set foot in Brussels, you must pay a visit or you would regret it. The buildings are Grand indeed. The glitters surround you 360 degrees. One of the many tour guides (free) would tell you the legends, the histories, the symbols, the greeds and power plays, and the many things that are abnormal about the Grand Place. Major tip: come once during daytime and once in the evening. Second major tip: walking tours are free. Tour guides all carry an umbrella to identify themselves. Just find one in your language.

Wow.. wow.. wow.. just impressed and shocked with such beauty. It looks really beautiful during the night with the lights on the structures. So many people told me to watch out for pocket pickers but to me this place is very safe. I noticed that most people are too busy taking photos of this fantastic historical building.

Beautiful architecture - definitely worth going to on your visit to Brussels.

Beautiful place with stunning 360deg views all around you as you stand there, whether it's the night or the day. This place is awesome as it is located right in the heart of central Brussels and has some cool shops/bars surrounding it. The photo ops here are near endless as through the entrances you have several beautiful vantage points to pop that perfect shot. Overall, if traveling to Europe, the Grand Place is something worthy of seeing as it is a beautiful spectacle. Pros- Photo ops Historical significance Surrounding area Friendly people Bars/Shops Architecture Cons- Can get really crowded

A beautiful places to hang out and watch the people! Definitely a must see!! Well worth the trip.

Must visit in Brussels, and you will not be disappointed! I came here three times in one day! Once in the morning before the shops opened, after work, and in the evening. This UNESCO World Heritage Sites is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse. I especially took time to admire the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), accentuated by its bell tower, it's Brabantine gothic architecture was so detail. Morning before the shops/restaurants is a great time for photo opps. No many people around, i would feel okay about bringing tripod. Mid day is really crowded with visitors. Visiting here at night is so romantic with all the lights, also so photogenic. I didn't have the right lens with me on this trip for night photo, I would like to come back with F/2.8L. For photographers, I had 16mm with me and I had to take a few steps back to capture all the city hall. Wide is recommended.

The shredded Lamb lunch plate comes with lots of fresh vegetables and garlic toasted bread.

Really good place for frolicking. And going out withe the family one of the best places in Brussels. There are a lot of restaurants that are decent but acceptable.

Impressive. When you enter it's an incredible first impression. Massive and beautiful. Fortunately no cars allowed, similar to many areas in Brussels (sign of the times)

What a magical place. I recommend going at night vs the day bc so much more beautiful!! Must visit when you are in Brussels.

My jaw dropped when i first rounded the corner and stepped onto the square. Breath-taking!

This place is spectacular. I've seen plenty of travel shows and this place is always featured on many of the programs. It is as overwhelming as it looks on tv! Once you get to the square, you're blown away by the row of beautiful architecture, cobble stone ground, and hoards of people. Around this area, there are a lot of good affordable restaurants. If you go around the corner to Greek street, you can find live music and places to sample Belgium beers. We loved coming here while we visited Brussels. Another place I recommend is their park that is about a mile away by foot. Also, there are many free tour guides that meet at the square around 10 to 11 am. We joined a tour and it was pretty decent.