Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)

Since its completion in 1455, Brussels Town Hall has presided over much of the city’s medieval and modern history; managing to largely survive the French bombardment of the Grand-Place in 1695 and undergoing several extensions and restorations during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the hall is much admired for its exterior statues and 315-foot-high (96-meter) tower.

Visitors can view the building’s exterior independently or join a tour to see its interior, including showpieces such as its Gothic hall and medieval tapestries. Brussels walking tours typically stop outside to take in its façade with a guide to spotlight its history and architectural detail. In addition, some Brussels food tours showcase the hall’s exterior in-between tastings at Grand-Place eateries—a great way to discover the city’s historical and culinary highlights in one outing. The Brussels Card also grants access to interior tours of the hall.

• Brussels Town Hall is a must-see for history and architecture aficionados.
• Book an interior or Brussels walking tour for insight into the building’s architecture and storied past.
• The Town Hall is not wheelchair-accessible.

Brussels Town Hall stands on the south side of the traffic-free Grand-Place and is easy to reach on foot and public transport. Brussels Central Station is a 5-minute stroll away, and the nearest tram and metro stops are at Beurs and De Brouckere respectively—both stations are within a minute or two’s walking distance.

Interior tours of the hall operate at fixed times on Wednesdays and Sundays: tickets are only available on the day from the Grand-Place tourist information office. To fully appreciate the building’s exterior, arrive early to avoid the main daytime crowds. Alternatively, visit the Grand-Place at night, when the hall and its tower are floodlit to stellar effect.

The interior of the Town Hall is a vision of Gothic design, with everything from sumptuous wooden paneling, frescoes, and wall tapestries to gilt mirrors and priceless artworks. This rich décor is more than matched by the exterior: take time to note the 137 statues of saints and nobles on the façade and gaze up at the 5-story tower, capped by a 16-foot-high (5-meter) statue of the Archangel Michael—Brussels’ patron saint.