Things to Do in Brussels Near Grand Place
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Visit Grand Place Brussels and its historic monuments
Brussels is at your fingertips, and from the Alma Grand-Place or the Aris Grand-Place hotels, everything is within walking distance. The Grand-Place is just a 2-minute walk away. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are just around the corner. Brussels Central Station, which serves Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, is a 5-minute walk away. Below you’ll find our guide to the best attractions, events and hidden gems in Brussels city centre, all within walking distance of our two hotels.
Grand-Place of Brussels
You simply cannot miss it, let alone forget it. The Grand-Place will captivate you with its symmetry, rich ornamentation and light. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is both monumental and bustling: a venue for celebrations, flower markets, light festivals, or simply a place to meet up over a coffee. The Grand-Place is a 2-minute walk (around 150 metres) from the Alma Grand-Place Hotel and the Aris Grand-Place Hotel Brussels.
Let yourself be enchanted by:
- Town Hall: a Gothic jewel with soaring spires
- The King's House: now a city museum
- The facades of guild houses, all gilding, colonnades and sculpted details
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Built in 1847, they have welcomed figures such as Baudelaire, Verlaine and Magritte… as well as generations of visitors. Beneath their immense glass roof, everything seems to float in the air: the antique dealers’ display cases, the period light fittings, the floor mosaics. It’s like stepping onto a film set. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are a one-minute walk from the Alma Grand-Place hotel, on Rue des Éperonniers.
To discover:
- Historic chocolate makers (Mary, Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini)
- Independent bookshops and elegant boutiques
- The Théâtre des Galeries, confidential and refined
It’s the perfect place for a stroll between boutiques and sweet treats, or for a moment to yourself.
2 minutes on foot
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Bruegel, Peter Paul Rubens, James Ensor, Paul Delvaux, René Magritte… all come together in an extraordinary collection spanning six centuries of European painting, showcased at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Expansive, serene galleries invite you to step outside of time, whether exploring on your own, sharing the moment with others, or discovering the works with a guide.
Not to be missed:
- Museum of Ancient Art (Bruegel, Bosch, Van Dyck)
- The Fin-de-Siècle museum (Art Nouveau and the avant-garde)
- Large-scale temporary exhibitions
A space where you feel very small… and infinitely curious.
7 minutes on foot
The Royal Palace
Facing the Parc de Bruxelles, the Royal Palace of Brussels stands as the symbolic heart of Belgian power.
Home to official receptions, it opens its doors to the public each summer, revealing gilded salons, monumental staircases, refined tapestries and ceremonial furnishings.
Just ahead, the Place Royale unfolds like a living tableau, framed by elegant symmetrical facades and offering stunning views over the Mont des Arts.
10 minutes on foot
Manneken-Pis
Small, cheeky, world-famous: Manneken-Pis is more than a statue, he’s a symbol.
Every week (or almost every week), he changes his outfit to embody a cause, a country, a profession or a moment in history. Children love him, adults smile at him, and photographers never leave his side.
Also worth seeing: the official Garde-Robe of Manneken-Pis, in a nearby museum.
3 minutes on foot
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
Built in the 13th century, this cathedral is one of the finest examples of Brabant Gothic architecture.
Its twin towers dominate the city center
Inside: sacred calm, flamboyant stained glass windows, an archaeological crypt, and a majestic organ with over 4,000 pipes.
Even today, it hosts major state ceremonies and breathtaking spiritual concerts.
8 minutes on foot
Extend your discovery
Beyond its emblematic monuments, Brussels reveals its hidden corners, current exhibitions, discreet alleyways and well-kept addresses.
Cultural diaries
Staying at Arbany hotels also means enjoying a city on the move.
Throughout the year, Brussels celebrates art, history, music, light and festivities, often just around the corner.
The Ommegang
Every summer, Brussels steps back in time with the historic Ommegang procession, a spectacular reenactment celebrating the arrival of Emperor Charles V in the city.
This grand parade turns the Grand-Place into a vibrant open-air stage, filled with costumed participants, horses, drums, halberdiers, and a striking medieval atmosphere.
Grand-Place (1 minute walk)
Brussels Christmas Markets
During the festive season, Brussels transforms into a luminous winter wonderland, with the city glowing through sparkling lights, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and spectacular projections illuminating historic facades. At its heart lies one of Europe’s most renowned Christmas markets, part of Plaisirs d’Hiver, stretching across the city center.
Visitors can enjoy a warm and festive atmosphere, ideal for sipping mulled wine, tasting Belgian waffles, and strolling through beautifully decorated winter streets.
From late November to early January.
Located around the Grand-Place, Bourse, Sainte-Catherine (1 to 10 minutes’ walk)
Brussels Summer Festival
Every August, the city resounds to the rhythm of open-air concerts. The Brussels Summer Festival brings together Belgian and international artists in a relaxed, festive and open atmosphere, in the heart of the capital’s historic sites.
August
Mont des Arts, Place des Palais (about 10 minutes’ walk)
White Night
Contemporary art reinvents the city
An entire night dedicated to creation. Performances, visual installations, sounds, lights and surprises take over sometimes forgotten places to offer a unique artistic and sensory experience. Each edition explores a new district of Brussels.
Autumn (variable date)
Downtown (walking distance)
Comics Festival
The comic strip capital celebrates
Brussels celebrates its paper heroes with panache: giant balloon parade, children’s activities, original exhibitions, meetings with authors… From Tintin to Spirou, bubbles come to life in the city!
September
Parc Royal, Place des Palais (10-minute walk)
Bright Brussels Festival
In February, the night becomes a stage. This festival transforms the center of Brussels into an open-air gallery, with illuminated and interactive installations by Belgian and international artists. A fascinating evening stroll.
February
Quartier Royal, Mont des Arts (5 to 10 minutes’ walk)
Brussels Jazz Weekend
Every May, dozens of free concerts take place in the squares, cafés and streets of the city center. Swing, soul, fusion or classic jazz: the atmosphere is friendly, lively and, above all, accessible to all.
May
Grand-Place, Sablon, downtown
Exhibitions, shows, neighborhood events, markets or confidential festivals…
Read our monthly cultural recommendations and favorites in our blog.
