Brussels Town Hall: the Gothic tower and what you can visit
The Town Hall, in French the Hôtel de Ville, is the Gothic building on the Grand Place. Its tower is 96 m high and carries a figure of Saint Michael, the patron saint of the city. The building went up in phases: the first part dates from 1402 to 1420, an extension followed from 1444, and the tower was built from 1449 to 1455. Michael was placed on top in 1455.
You can visit the inside with a video guide, or take the separate panorama tour. The standard ticket does not promise a tower climb. If you would rather explore with a guide, see the Brussels walking tours.
Town Hall opening times and prices in 2026
The inside visit and the panorama tour are two different tickets.
| Option | Adult price | When | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside visit | €15 | Mon, Wed, Sun 11:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00); Fri, Sat 15:00–19:00 (last entry 18:00); closed Tue and Thu | Video guide with an adult and a family route, at least an hour |
| Panorama tour | €25 | Sat and Sun 15:00 (English), 16:00 (French), 17:00 (English) | Wedding hall, Gothic hall, balcony and a spiral staircase in the tower |
For most visitors, the inside visit is the right choice. Pick the panorama tour if you want the tower route and are fit enough for narrow stairs. Groups are limited to 15 people.
Our pick: the history of the square
This one-hour tour explains the facades, including the town hall's; access to the buildings is not included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Town Hall and Grand Place tours
Guided visits around the Grand Place and the old town, with live prices and availability.
Reduced prices and the video guide
Proof is required for every reduced rate.
Reduced tickets
Seniors from 65 and students pay €6 to €8 depending on the tariff, so check the rate when you buy. Children from 7 to 18, Belgian teachers, people with reduced mobility, residents and city staff pay €6. Children from 0 to 6 enter free.
Free and special rates
The Brussels Card and the MuseumPASS give free entry. Article 27 holders pay €1.25. A family ticket costs €40 for 2 adults and 2 children aged 7 to 18.
The video guide
It comes with an adult route and a family route, in French, Dutch, English, German, Italian and Spanish. Not every room is original medieval, and rooms can differ depending on use.
Booking
The official ticket portal shows available dates. A standard single visit does not need a booking in every case, but check that a slot is free before you plan around it. Around the winter holidays, check the portal for the panorama dates.
Restoration of the gates in 2026
The work is on the outer gates, not on the whole building.
Since May 2026, the outer gates facing the Grand Place and the Rue de l'Amigo have been under restoration. They were taken down and are restored in a workshop. The Rue de l'Amigo gate dates from 1717, and the Grand Place gate from the 15th century. The work does not close the Town Hall as a whole.
The tower and the facade survived the bombardment of 1695, when French troops destroyed large parts of the square. The story of that August is on the history page. If you plan to see the square at night or in winter, the light show page has the season dates.
Plan the rest of the square
The King's House and the old town around it.
Brussels City Museum
Tickets, hours and the original Manneken Pis in the King's House.
Brussels old town
A walking order from the station to the Mont des Arts.
Flower carpet
Every second year around 15 August, latest edition in August 2026.
Getting there
Trains from the airports and the walk from the station.
Tips for your Town Hall visit
Small choices that save time on the day.
Pick the day by the hours
Monday, Wednesday and Sunday are the long days, from 11:00 to 17:00. On Friday and Saturday the building opens in the afternoon, from 15:00 to 19:00. It is closed on Tuesday and Thursday.
Mind the last entry
The last entry is one hour before closing, at 16:00 or 18:00. The inside visit takes at least an hour, so arrive well before.
Bring proof for reduced rates
Every reduced ticket needs proof, such as a student card or a document for the Article 27 rate.
Panorama on the weekend
The panorama tour runs on Saturday and Sunday only: 15:00 and 17:00 in English, 16:00 in French.
Pair it with the City Museum
The City Museum on the same square is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Monday. On Tuesday the museum is open while the Town Hall is closed, so plan the order by the weekday.
City Museum →A good fallback for rain
Rain falls in every month in Brussels, and the inside visit works as an indoor stop. See the old town page for what to combine.
Brussels Town Hall: frequently asked questions
Can I climb the Town Hall tower?
The standard ticket does not promise a tower climb. The panorama tour at €25 runs through the wedding hall, the Gothic hall, the balcony and a spiral staircase in the tower. Dates and availability change, so check the ticket portal for your day.
What are the Town Hall opening times?
On Monday, Wednesday and Sunday the building is open from 11:00 to 17:00 with a last entry at 16:00. On Friday and Saturday it is open from 15:00 to 19:00 with a last entry at 18:00. It is closed on Tuesday and Thursday.
How much does the Town Hall cost?
The inside visit costs €15 for adults in 2026. The panorama tour costs €25. Reduced rates run from €1.25 to €8, and children under 7 are free.
How long does the visit take?
The inside visit takes at least an hour. For the panorama tour, leave extra room in your day.
Is the Town Hall closed for restoration?
No. The restoration in 2026 concerns the outer gates facing the Grand Place and the Rue de l'Amigo, not the whole building.
Is the Town Hall accessible for everyone?
Some parts are not easy to reach. The panorama tour uses narrow stairs and asks for enough physical fitness, so ask the ticket office about access for the inside visit.