The Solo Scale:
In Brussels, it’s almost impossible to be downtown and miss the Grand Place. Even the first time I went, I was dropped off in the middle of the night. I had no sense of directions. The next morning as I began wandering around, I stumbled on the plaza within minutes. It’s massive, beautiful, and crowded.
On my latest trip, I spent a lot more time in the Grand Place, using it as a central point to navigate the rest of the city. Luckily, there’s a large metro station here, so it’s easy to get around. The Grand Place station is also where you can transfer to the airport.
TRIP TIP: Want to see those crowds dwindle? Visit as the sun is going down. The crowds don’t vanish, but you can grab a seat and have a drink and watch the lights come on the buildings.
When you’re in the Grand Place, there’s more to do that take your photos and go. However, you have to remember that it is one of the central tourist destinations, so if you’re looking for off-the-beaten path sights and cheap buys, it won’t be here. That doesn’t mean that it’s without its charms.
For one, you’ll find artists setting up shop to sell their prints and watercolours. Take note of which is which. The paintings will be a lot more expensive than the prints. These artists do take card payment, so you don’t have to bring a ton of cash and it is a more unique souvenir, especially as many of the works are of the Grand Place itself.
There’s also a lot of food nearby. This ranges from bars to quick bites to franchises to everything in between. There is a huge caveat here. These places know they’re catering to tourists, so a lot of them will be low quality and overpriced (I’m thinking of you, waffle that I ate because I was desperate for some food). This is my call to action that you look up the reviews. While the waffle I had was bad, the pasta at the Italian restaurant just outside Grand Place was absolutely phenomenal. The quality is there, you just need to be a bit discerning or you might fall into a tourist trap.
However, there are still lots of great places to eat. The square has so much kinetic energy and shopping nearby that being in the Grand Place means that you’re in the core of Brussels with plenty of access to the rest of the city by walking or by taking the public transit — available nearby.
It’s not a destination that will change your life. However, it is one that you should spend some time in, especially if you’re in Brussels. That’s thanks to the incredible architecture, amazing buildings, nearby restaurants, and shopping nearby. Picking a central hotel nearby will help with that, and allow you to find plenty of activity and bustle depending on how much you want of it.
Ready to explore beyond downtown Brussels and the Grand Place? Check out some other Belgium must-do’s to add onto your trip before you go!
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[…] you do, stop and explore Grand Place first. While it’s a highly tourist-packed experience, that doesn’t mean you should skip […]