The Grand Place – Brussels’ gilded main square

Out of history book pages

De Grote Mark is a really enchanting place and Brussels’ main square. The City Hall, or Hotel de Ville, is the most impressive building in the square and it is a sight to behold inside and out. The Gothic architecture of its exterior will capture your attention on each and every tiny detail. Inside, sculptures, old tapestries and paintings adorn the walls. The tales told during the guided tour make it come to life, from Renaissance to present day.

Several of the other buildings at De Grote Markt are guildhalls, used long ago by early professionals to perfect their craft and pass their knowledge to future generations. You can spot them by the gold details on the facades. Directly across from the Grand Place's City Hall, another building captures our attention: the Bread house or Broodhuis which today hosts the Museum of the City of Brussels.

Culinary traditions

Once you arrive at De Grote Markt you will find yourself surrounded by shops and restaurants selling every Belgian culinary tradition. A must try are Cuberdons! This typical cone shaped sweet, originally raspberry flavoured, with a crisp exterior and a gooey middle is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Chocolateries are plenty around the square as are waffle shops and restaurants. Belgian beer, "fries and mussels", or "moules et frites" as they are called locally, and other seafood dishes are highlights of the local cuisine and at De Grote Markt they are at walking distance from one another.

Historical sites you can explore in Brussels

But beside the marvelous square, the city also offers a complete list of places to go. Few hundred meters from the Grand Place in Brussels, you can find the famous Manneken pis, the bronze sculpture of a boy urinating into a fountain’s basin. Tourists usually think on a bigger masterpiece; however, it is one of the most remarkable sites to see in the surprising old city.

From there it is easy to go to the Palace of Justice where you can enjoy beautiful sights of the city, at the Avenue Louise, nearby to the European Parliament. It is also an important residential and commercial neighborhood.

But Brussels is not only a historical city: It is the hometown of Tintin, Astèrix and Obélix and Lucky Luck. The city has a guided tour that includes buildings decorated with cartoons and the Belgian Comic Strip Center where visitors can discover a range of permanent exhibitions, illustrated with original artwork and unique objects.

The city also offers good connections to amazing medieval places like Bruges, an old city where it is easy to feel like you’re in a town 500 years ago. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, it is referred as “The Venice of the North”. The city is also well connected to Antwerp and even Paris where you can go in a 90-minute trip.

Whether you want to enjoy the sights at the Grand Place in Brussels or any of the city’s other marvellous attractions, we have many hotels in Brussels at convenient central locations.

Author: Sidy Diallo

Guest Relations Manager at the NH Collection Brussels Centre

My name is Sidy DIALLO, I am proud to be the Guest Relations Manager at the NH Collection Brussels Centre, deeply in love with Brussels. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management and a Master's Degree in Administration and Public Policies, I have more than 10 years of professional experience in the world of hospitality. throughout my career I have always worked on numerous issues relating to customer relations. Together with my colleagues from Front Desk and Guest Services we are making sure that all guests have the best experience in our hotel and taking care of their special requests, celebrations and expectations. I get energy from solving problems and doing the best I can and I love that every day is different and full of surprises. I put my face to it, I take personal responsibility for my work, I like to take the hand of those who turn to me and accompany them throughout the experience we build together. It doesn't matter if I am asked a simple question or a request that may seem impossible: my function is to try to satisfy every Desire. I look forward to welcoming you warmly here at NH Collection Brussels Center to offer you a memorable experience!