RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumBrusselsWatermael-Boitsfort - Bosvoorde
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from Arcades - Arcaden
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumBrusselsWatermael-Boitsfort - Bosvoorde
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from Arcades - Arcaden
Moderate
5.0
(2)
10
hikers
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from Arcades - Arcaden
03:50
14.4km
150m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 8, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Grand-Place - Grote Markt
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
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1
6.27 km
Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Prince Charles of Lorraine, governor of the Austrian Netherlands, was responsible for the construction of the present Koningsplein and the accompanying church. The church is the joint showpiece of the architects Guimard and Montoyer. It was built between 1776 and 1787.
The Sint-Jacob-op-de-Koudenberg church is preceded by an imposing Greco-Roman colonnade with six Corinthian columns topped by a triangular pediment.
In the grandiose interior we find a rare type of barrel vault : despite the floral decorations, the designers adhered to a strict, classic style.
On July 21, 1831, Leopold I took the oath as the first king of Belgium on the square at the Sint-Jacobskerk. A memorial plaque bears witness to this historic event.
This is also the church of the royal family : King Leopold II, King Albert I, King Leopold III, King Baudouin, King Albert II, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg, King Philippe and Princess Astrid were all baptized here. The funeral ceremonies of King Leopold III and Prince Charles (regent of Belgium 1944-1951) also took place here.
Finally, the St-Jacob-op-de-Koudenberg Church is also the cathedral of the 'Diocese at the Armed Forces' (the army diocese).
Source: openchurches.eu
The Sint-Jacob-op-de-Koudenberg church is preceded by an imposing Greco-Roman colonnade with six Corinthian columns topped by a triangular pediment.
In the grandiose interior we find a rare type of barrel vault : despite the floral decorations, the designers adhered to a strict, classic style.
On July 21, 1831, Leopold I took the oath as the first king of Belgium on the square at the Sint-Jacobskerk. A memorial plaque bears witness to this historic event.
This is also the church of the royal family : King Leopold II, King Albert I, King Leopold III, King Baudouin, King Albert II, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg, King Philippe and Princess Astrid were all baptized here. The funeral ceremonies of King Leopold III and Prince Charles (regent of Belgium 1944-1951) also took place here.
Finally, the St-Jacob-op-de-Koudenberg Church is also the cathedral of the 'Diocese at the Armed Forces' (the army diocese).
Source: openchurches.eu
Translated by Google •
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2
6.44 km
Mont des Arts Garden
Highlight • Viewpoint
The "Art Mountain" is located on a slope between the Koningsplein and the lower town. From here you have a great panoramic view of Brussels.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
7.18 km
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Highlight • Monument
Typical of Brussels is this beautiful gallery, many small and pretty shops, but mostly geared towards tourists, such as the inevitable Belgian chocolate.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
7.26 km
Grand Place, Brussels
Highlight • Historical Site
Very nice here. But better to come here without a bike.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
7.31 km
Brussels Town Hall
Highlight • Monument
The first architect of the town hall was Jacob van Tienen. He was a pupil of Jan van Osy, who was the founder of the Brabant Gothic style. The construction of the left wing and the belfry (lower part of the current tower) started in 1402 under the auspices of the wealthy families of the city. The town hall was built of calcareous sandstone from the Dilbeek quarries, a few kilometres away.
In a fortified room on the first floor, the municipal charters were most likely kept.[1] It is unclear whether the municipal bells were also hung there. During the turbulent period around the municipal uprising of 1420-1421, the town hall was stormed several times. There was factional strife among the patricians, social unrest among the crafts, an economic crisis in the cloth industry and dynastic problems in the duchy. This is probably why the belfry function lasted a few decades at most. The charters and privileges were transferred to the treasury rooms of the St. Gudula and St. Nicholas churches.[2]
Long balconies were provided in the front facade to allow events on the Grote Markt to be followed, such as the magnificent knightly tournaments and the joyous entries.[3] The privilege room in the tower served as a ducal lodge, four of whose windows looked out onto the square. This was where the prince and the city magistrate took their mutual oath during joyous entries. It was a space full of symbolism, where the preciously illuminated manuscripts of the Brabantsche Yeesten and the rhyming chronicle of Jan van Heelu were also kept.
In 1421, the craft nations conquered a place in the city magistrate, which may have partly motivated the expansion that was started in 1444. Charles the Bold laid the first stone of the right wing, which was certainly also intended to provide support for the heightening of the tower. The latter was a matter of prestige. The right wing is smaller than the left and is the work of Willem de Voghel, who also became the architect of the Magna Aula in 1452. The tower of the town hall, 96 meters high, was crowned from 1449 by Jan van Ruisbroeck, architect of Philip the Good.
Source: Wikipedia
In a fortified room on the first floor, the municipal charters were most likely kept.[1] It is unclear whether the municipal bells were also hung there. During the turbulent period around the municipal uprising of 1420-1421, the town hall was stormed several times. There was factional strife among the patricians, social unrest among the crafts, an economic crisis in the cloth industry and dynastic problems in the duchy. This is probably why the belfry function lasted a few decades at most. The charters and privileges were transferred to the treasury rooms of the St. Gudula and St. Nicholas churches.[2]
Long balconies were provided in the front facade to allow events on the Grote Markt to be followed, such as the magnificent knightly tournaments and the joyous entries.[3] The privilege room in the tower served as a ducal lodge, four of whose windows looked out onto the square. This was where the prince and the city magistrate took their mutual oath during joyous entries. It was a space full of symbolism, where the preciously illuminated manuscripts of the Brabantsche Yeesten and the rhyming chronicle of Jan van Heelu were also kept.
In 1421, the craft nations conquered a place in the city magistrate, which may have partly motivated the expansion that was started in 1444. Charles the Bold laid the first stone of the right wing, which was certainly also intended to provide support for the heightening of the tower. The latter was a matter of prestige. The right wing is smaller than the left and is the work of Willem de Voghel, who also became the architect of the Magna Aula in 1452. The tower of the town hall, 96 meters high, was crowned from 1449 by Jan van Ruisbroeck, architect of Philip the Good.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
7.34 km
Grand Place (Grote Markt), Brussels
Highlight • Historical Site
The Grand Place, known as Grand-Place in French, is the bustling heart of the Belgian capital Brussels and an absolutely iconic symbol of the city. The square is rich in history and beautiful architecture, of which the Gothic town hall and impressive baroque closed facades are some of the highlights. The harmonious mix of old buildings with their unique designs gives the Grand Place an enchanting character and rightly so it is one of the most admired squares in Europe.
In 1998, the Grand Place, along with other architectural treasures, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this beautiful square is an absolute must for any traveler to Brussels.
In 1998, the Grand Place, along with other architectural treasures, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this beautiful square is an absolute must for any traveler to Brussels.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
7.41 km
Broodhuis / Maison du Roi (King's House)
Highlight • Historical Site
The most important work of art in the collection is undoubtedly the building that houses the museum.
This neo-Gothic building, called Maison du Roi in French and Broodhuis in Dutch, dates from the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Its unique history reflects that of the city.
But why does it have two different names?
Broodhuis in Dutch refers to the oldest history of the place. In the thirteenth century, a bread market stood on the central market square of Brussels, today's Grand Place. The French name, Maison du Roi, refers to the title of the building's later owners: the Dukes of Brabant. In the early sixteenth century, the lord of this place was none other than Charles V, "King" of Spain. Both on the facade and inside the building, there are several references to the emperor: his statue, centrally located on the front facade, welcomes visitors, and the stained-glass windows in the stairwell recall the territories he ruled.
For more information, click through to monument.heritage.brussels/nl/buildings/31143
About the building: The height of the King's House is 20.21 m. With the central tower, this is 38.49 m. For comparison, the Town Hall with its tower is 96 m high.
At the level of the first balcony, the length of the main facade is 30.78 m, while the building's depth is 21.28 m.
This neo-Gothic building, called Maison du Roi in French and Broodhuis in Dutch, dates from the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Its unique history reflects that of the city.
But why does it have two different names?
Broodhuis in Dutch refers to the oldest history of the place. In the thirteenth century, a bread market stood on the central market square of Brussels, today's Grand Place. The French name, Maison du Roi, refers to the title of the building's later owners: the Dukes of Brabant. In the early sixteenth century, the lord of this place was none other than Charles V, "King" of Spain. Both on the facade and inside the building, there are several references to the emperor: his statue, centrally located on the front facade, welcomes visitors, and the stained-glass windows in the stairwell recall the territories he ruled.
For more information, click through to monument.heritage.brussels/nl/buildings/31143
About the building: The height of the King's House is 20.21 m. With the central tower, this is 38.49 m. For comparison, the Town Hall with its tower is 96 m high.
At the level of the first balcony, the length of the main facade is 30.78 m, while the building's depth is 21.28 m.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
7.76 km
Manneken-Pis
Highlight • Monument
It's not uncommon for there to be a selfie row here. The fountain figure is the brand symbol of Brussels and accordingly almost every shop has a more or valuable tasteful version of it in the range.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
14.4 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.66 km
2.46 km
1.74 km
1.05 km
434 m
Surfaces
9.03 km
3.82 km
1.23 km
198 m
< 100 m
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Today
Tuesday 14 July
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