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Tour · Old town on foot · Brussels

Brussels on Foot: From the Old Quays Through the Grand-Place to the Royal Quarter

A day's walk through the historic center of Brussels. You go from the monuments at the old quays to the town hall and the guildhalls of the Grand-Place, then climb up to the Congress Column and into the Royal Quarter, and reach the viewpoint at the Palace of Justice via the Sablon. A cocktail in the Lower Town rounds off the day.

Stops
13
Time
10:00–19:00
On foot
approx. 6.5 km
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On this walk, you get to know historic Brussels as one continuous route. The city has two levels: the Lower Town with its old trading streets and the Grand-Place, and the Upper Town with its palaces, parliament, and broad squares. The tour links the two without any need for a bus or the metro.

You start in the quay district at the Anspach Fountain and the small monument to the carrier pigeons. Then you head south along the boulevard to the Grand-Place. There, the town hall and the guildhalls take center stage, including the house where Victor Hugo lived in exile. After lunch right on the square, you climb up to the Congress Column. From there you follow the Rue Royale along the park, past the parliament and the Royal Palace to the Place Royale. Via the Sablon and the Palais d'Egmont, you reach the square in front of the Palace of Justice, where the view opens up over the whole city. To finish, you walk back to the old town and stop in at a cocktail bar.

The tour suits you if you're visiting Brussels for the first time and would rather experience architecture and city history from the outside than in museums. The distances are short, the pace stays relaxed, and at every stop you can linger as long as you like.

Lower Town, Upper Town, and Back

  1. Visit · Monuments · Quartier des Quais - Kaaienwijk

    1Fontaine Anspach

    A quiet start in the quay district. The fountain commemorates Mayor Anspach, who had the central boulevards laid out.

  2. on foot 1 min · 70 m
    Visit · Monuments · Quartier des Quais - Kaaienwijk

    2Monument au Pigeon-Soldat

    The monument to the carrier pigeons of World War I is just a few steps from the fountain.

  3. on foot 10 min · 810 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

    3Anspach Building

    A short stop on the way south to the Grand-Place. It shows you the architecture along Boulevard Anspach.

  4. on foot 5 min · 440 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

    4Prefeitura de Bruxelas

    The Gothic facade and the tower define the square. Check in advance whether guided tours of the interior are offered.

  5. on foot 1 min · 60 m
    Visit · Monuments · Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

    5Maison du Pigeon

    One of the guildhalls on the square, where Victor Hugo lived in exile. Look for the commemorative plaque on the facade.

  6. on foot 1 min · 90 m
    6
    Meal · Belgian · Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

    6La Rose Blanche

    Belgian cuisine right on the Grand-Place. It's often busy at lunchtime, so a reservation saves you waiting.

  7. on foot 14 min · 1.1 km
    Visit · Monuments · Quartier Marais-Jacqmain - Wijk Marais-Jacqmain

    7Congress Column

    The way here leads slightly uphill. At the foot of the column is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the eternal flame.

  8. on foot 6 min · 510 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk

    8Paleis der Natie

    This is where the Belgian parliament meets. You reach it via the Rue Royale along Brussels Park.

  9. on foot 9 min · 720 m
    Visit · Monuments · Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk

    9Royal Palace

    The long facade lies at the southern end of the park. The interior is only open in summer, so check ahead.

  10. on foot 6 min · 450 m
    Visit · Monuments · Quartier Royal - Koninklijke Wijk

    10Koningsplein

    The neoclassical square with its equestrian statue offers a view down over the Lower Town.

  11. on foot 7 min · 530 m
    Visit · Monuments · Sablon (Brüssel)

    11Palais d'Egmontpaleis

    The palace sits at the edge of the Sablon. The small park behind it is a good spot for a short break.

  12. on foot 6 min · 510 m
    Visit · Monuments · Marollenviertel

    12Poelaertplein

    From the square in front of the Palace of Justice, you can see far across the city's rooftops. The elevator takes you down into the Marolles district.

  13. on foot 15 min · 1.2 km
    13
    Bar · Cocktail bars · Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk

    13Bar Magritte

    To finish, you walk about 15 minutes back to the Lower Town. The bar is just a few minutes from the Grand-Place.

Good to know

  • There are some slopes and stairs between the Lower and Upper Town, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
  • The Grand-Place is crowded from late morning on. For photos without the crowds, a short detour early in the morning is worthwhile.
  • Admission and opening hours for the town hall and the Royal Palace change with the season, so check them before you visit.
  • There is often construction work at the Palace of Justice. The viewpoint and the elevator are usually accessible, though.

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Automatically compiled from travelguide195 places (as of 11/05/2026). Travel times are estimated from distance; please check opening hours in advance.

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