# GRAND PLACE 8 
Situated right in the heart of Brussels' extensive pedestrianized Old Town, the UNESCO-listed Grand Place is one of Europe's largest and most impressive city squares.
The beautiful square is surrounded by opulent guild halls and dominated by the 15th-century city hall with its majestic spire and the King's House building. The famed Carpet of Flowers, which fills the square with color for four days in mid-August, takes place only in even-numbered years.
Square 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1998
by Galaxa1 / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Atomium 7 
Today a symbol of Brussels, the unique 102-meter-high Atomium, shaped like a giant atom, was created for the 1958 World Fair.
It is made up of nine 18 m-diameter stainless steel-clad spheres, joined together by tubes through which visitors can move to the top of the structure to enjoy panoramic views over Brussels.
Tower Height: 102 m | Built: 1958
# Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) 6 
Located on the famous Grand Place, this stunning Gothic building with a 96-meter-high (315 ft) tower was completed in 1455.
Join a guided tour to visit the magnificent interior with extraordinary reception rooms, lavish wooden paneling as well as tapestries and paintings.
City Hall ⚠️ Reserve guided tour in advance
by EmDee / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Oldmasters Museum (Museum of Ancient Art) 6
The Oldmasters Museum (Museum of Ancient Art) is part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels and dedicated to European painters from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
The museum holds an extensive collection of Flemish paintings, among them paintings by Bruegel and Rogier van der Weyden, Robert Campin (the Master of Flémalle), Anthony van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens.
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- Important Masterpieces: 6
- Highlight: Death of Marat, Jacques-Louis David (1793), 165 cm × 128 cm (65 in × 50 in)
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This is our selection of the 5 best paintings of the Oldmasters Museum:
1) Death of Marat, Jacques-Louis David (1793), 165 cm × 128 cm (65 in × 50 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, presumably an early copy of Pieter Bruegel the Elders lost original (1590-95)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) The King Drinks, Jacob Jordaens (1640)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
4) Pity, Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1441-1441)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
5) The Fall of the Rebel Angels the Fall of the Rebel Angels, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1562)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
Interesting Artworks: 5/10
Famous Artworks: 6/10
Art Display: 6/10
Building: 7/10
Size: 5/10
🧮 Overall: 6/10
Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 6,000 m2 / 64,583 ft2 | Galleries: ca. 30 | Artworks on Display: ca. 400 | Established: 1803 | Visitors (2016): 1,046,190
(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)
# Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) 5 
Located in the stunning former Old England department store, as well as the adjoining 18th-century neoclassical building, this museum houses a collection of more than seven thousand instruments and pieces.
by Jean-Pol Grandmont / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Basilique Nationale du Sacré Coeur 5
Located on the outskirts of Brussels, Basilique Nationale du Sacré Coeur is known as the largest building in Art Deco style and the fifth largest church in the world in the world. From its observation deck, the striking basilica provides the city's most beautiful views.
Basilica | Viewpoint Completed: 1970
by Lin ChangChih / Public Domain
# Royal Palace (Palais Royal) 5
Used by the Belgian royal family as an official residence this imposing palace with its sumptuous Throne Room can be visited a few weeks from late July to early September while the royal family is away.
Palace ⚠️ Visitable only from late July to early September
by Marc Ryckaert / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Cathedral of Saints Michael and St. Gudula (Sint-Michiels Kathedraal) 5
Built from the 13th to the 15th century, this Gothic cathedral features an impressive facade with two 69-meter-high towers and remarkable stained-glass windows.
Roman Catholic Cathedral Built: 11th–15th centuries | Style: Brabantine Gothic
by Donaldytong / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Galeries Royales St-Hubert 5
The elegant Galeries Royales St-Hubert in central Brussels were designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer between 1846 and 1847 making them the first glazed shopping arcade in Europe.
Historic Shopping Arcade Opened: 1847
by KoS / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Manneken Pis 5
Dressed in costumes several times each week, this small bronze statuette of a urinating boy is the symbol of Brussels.
Small Statue Height: 61 cm / 24 in | Created: in the 1660s
by Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 | Art & History Museum 5
The Art & History Museum (former Cinquantenaire Museum) offers a rich, diverse collection of artifacts and art from ancient to 19th-century cultures, housed in a striking architectural setting.
Highlights include the extensive collection of Asian art, rare archaeological finds, and the impressive array of decorative arts from various historical periods.
by Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
#12 | Horta Museum and MAJOR TOWNHOUSES OF VICTOR HORTA 5
The Horta Museum in Brussels offers an immersive experience into the Art Nouveau world of architect Victor Horta, displaying his home, studio, and original design works.
Victor Horta's major townhouses in Brussels, including Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta, are celebrated for their innovative design, luxurious materials, and intricate details. These buildings exemplify the Art Nouveau style and are preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighting Horta's architectural legacy.
Museum 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2000
by Brigade Piron, CC BY 3.0
#13 | Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie 5
The Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Belgium's premier opera house since 1700, is renowned for its rich history, modern facilities, and high-caliber performances.
Its historical significance and architectural beauty make it a cultural landmark in Brussels.
by Philippe De Gobert, CC BY 3.0