Lonely Planet Pocket Bruges & Brussels

,

• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN:
  9781788685528
• Print ISBN:
  9781786573803

Grand Place & Îlot Sacré

Brussels’ heart beats in the Grand Place, ringed by gold-trimmed, gabled houses built by merchant guilds, and flanked by the 15th-century Gothic town hall. In the 12th century this was used as a marketplace; the names of the surrounding lanes still evoke herbs, cheese and poultry. Nearby are glass-covered shopping arcades and that Brussels icon, Manneken Pis.

Start your day at Grand Place, with its splendid guild houses and Brussels City Museum and if you fancy, the Musée Mode & Dentelle for historic lace ware. Take a turn around the glorious Galeries St-Hubert in the footsteps of Victor Hugo, and if you’re a cartoon fan, the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée. Have a predinner beer at the irresistible Théâtre Royal de Toone, then listen to some live piano as you dine at Le Cercle des Voyageurs, near the iconic Manneken Pis. Round out your day with more live sounds at the Music Village.

Hôtel de Ville on Grand Place | TELESNIUK/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Getting There & Around

m This central area is easily accessed via metro stations De Brouckère, Gare Centrale and Rogier.

j Bourse station sits between the Îlot Sacré and Ste-Catherine areas.

2 It’s a dense but compact area: walking from sight to sight makes sense, and means you can check out the area’s murals.

Top SightGrand Place

Alive with classic cafés (pubs), the square takes on different auras at different times. Visit more than once, including at night, when the scene is magically illumina...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Bruges & Brussels
• Top Sights
• Eating
• Four Perfect Days
• Need to Know
• Bruges Neighbourhoods
• Markt, Burg & North Bruges
• South Bruges
• Belgian Coast
• Brussels Neighbourhoods
• Grand Place & Îlot Sacré
• Royal Quarter
• EU Quarter & Etterbeek
• Musée Horta
• Survival Guide
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers