The Grand Place also known as Grote Markt is regarded as one of the best squares in Europe.
With architectures ranging from Gothic, Baroque and Louis XIV eras coupled with beautiful alleys and popular restaurants that serve mouth-watering food, Grand Place ranks among the top must-visit attractions of Belgium.
Feel like getting a Belgium Visa so that you can visit this iconic place with your loved ones? Before you do that, read our brief guide to know the best places to visit and things to do in Grand Place.
Originally, the Brussels Grand Place was a marketplace where numerous traders and citizens used to trade goods.
Did you know? The streets surrounding the square are named after food. It’s due to the marketplace that the Place was in the olden times. Some of the streets are:
But, as time passed, the market stands had to go for the city expansion which meant grand buildings took the prime places and these are what surround the Grand Place today.
During the bombardment of Brussels, most of the buildings were damaged and it was after 1695 that most of the buildings were restored including the Grand Place.
The Grand Place is a bustling place filled with people. From tourists to school groups during the daytime to people sitting in small circles making merry during the night, Grand Place does seem like a busy place!
The towering Gothic tower of the town hall overlooks all these people. If you look at it for the first time, you will feel like it is some sort of castle or a church.
The Gothic tower is a prominent landmark that can be easily noticed from any corner of the city. So, if you get lost, simply follow your way to the tower and you should be good to go.
One of the biggest attractions in Belgium is the Winter Wonders event’s Sound & Light Show.
This event will go on till 2nd January 2022, at the Grand Place of Brussels. Witness a mesmerizing 360° sound and light show. This year, the theme will be based on:
This theme is being chosen to celebrate aspects such as:
The timings for the light & sound show are as follows:
Grand Place Brussels does host several events and attractions. Some of them are as follows:
One of the biggest attractions near Grand Place is the imposing Town Hall.
The height of the tower itself is 100 metres which makes it one of the most prominent structures in the Grand Place area. In addition to that, you will also see an enigmatic 5-metre statue of St. Michael killing a demon.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to wander in unless you take a guided tour. Summers is when the place gets busy.
Numerous restaurants surround the central square of the City of Brussels where you can get to relish different types of cuisines like Greek and Turkish.
Not to mention, some restaurants serve traditional Belgium delights that will tingle your taste buds. If restaurants are not up to your budget then you can try out cafés that also serve some amazing culinary delights for tourists.
The Brussels Museum was originally the Duke’s Building. Annually, this amazing place hosts a myriad of exhibitions that showcase the geography and history of the city.
If you are someone who loves to know about new traditions and cultures then Brussels Museum is the ideal place!
Admission ticket for people under 18 years old is free whereas for adults it is 8 Euros. For Senior citizens, it is 4 Euros.
Got to know about all the good stuff that Grand Place has to offer? Now, all you need to do is apply for a Belgium Tourist Visa and head over to Belgium to visit the highly-popular Grand Place with your friends or family!