Hetal Chirag
I and four of my roommates went on a month long Euro-trip covering Switzerland, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany after completing Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, Canada. Since we all wanted to have a real backpacking experience, we booked best possible hostels, apartments and rental cars to cover as much of Europe as we possibly could.
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, was one of the first places we visited on our Euro-trip. This gorgeous city is packed with magnificent architectures and fascinating history. La Grand Place is most certainly one of the most beautiful European city squares I have ever witnessed.
Since our hostel was very close to the Grand Place, we visited this square almost every day. Every time we walked through the Grand Place, it felt like we were travelling back in time. If you think about the amount of intricate details in each building, you can imagine how much time and efforts it must have taken to build this entire city square.
La Grand Place is the best spot to observe the hustle and bustle of this dynamic city. Even if you sit still, it is just fascinating to silently observe and absorb the city’s energy. If you are a foodie, you are definitely in for a treat. While you are in Brussels, you have to try delicious Belgian waffles, local handmade chocolates and many other local delicacies this city has to offer.
If you plant to visit the Grand Place, make sure you go there during the daytime as well as the night time. On a bright sunny day, gold coloured details on some of the buildings really stand out. On certain days, there is also a local flowers market that takes place in the square. At night times, the square looks even more beautiful with a delightful display of lights.
You have to keep in mind that the prices for food and drinks at the Grand Place are quite expensive compared to other places in the city, but the view is definitely worth it.
