Brussels’ cultural appeal begins with Grand-Place and the old center, where the city’s historical authority is most visible. Grand-Place is the central square, the symbolic heart of the city, and its most memorable landmark.

Beyond that, Brussels works for travelers who like a capital that still feels slightly rough at the edges: institutions, architecture, politics, and everyday life sitting close together rather than staged apart. It is a city of density more than perfection, and that is part of its interest.