Historic centre

The historic heart of the city

Noteworthy for: When Belgium was born in the 19th century and Brussels became its capital, much of the historic Flemish old town was demolished to make way for new buildings - the historic centre is all that's left.
Once ringed by 16th century defensive walls, the city centre is now defined by the 'Petite Ceinture', a set of avenues and boulevards that form a pentagonal loop around it. Within the encasing roads, a warren of largely pedestrianised lanes twist and turn, opening onto wide boulevards, magnificent cathedrals and grand squares, including the Grand Place. Surrounded by stunning baroque guildhalls and the 15th century Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), Grand Place, which dates back to the 12th century, is one of the old town's - and indeed Brussels' - crowning glories.

Other notable sights include the bizarre Manneken Pis, magnificent St Michael's Cathedral, the 19th century Bourse (Brussels Stock Exchange), the Italian neo-Renaissance Galeries Royales St-Hubert and hundreds of specialty shops, bars and restaurants. Along with the lion's share of the historic sights come a glut of tourists, but there are enough characterful side streets to lose them.