Belgium is the perfect example of how old world charm and cutting-edge culture can coexist in perfect harmony. This European treasure is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, including historic castles, manor houses, museums, and churches as well as cutting-edge buildings, shopping malls, and entertainment options.
This is a comprehensive guide to all the amazing sights there are to see in Belgium if you happen to be planning a vacation there. Going through the list could leave you feeling overwhelmed, so it’s best to make your selections based on factors like availability of time and money.
These attractions in Belgium promise to liven up your trip and make it an event to remember while you’re visiting the country.
Top 7 Places To Visit In Belgium
Looking for recommendations on where to go in Belgium? Here’s a rundown of some of the top attractions in Belgium that you shouldn’t miss. Read on down for more information. Plan your journey to Belgium so that it includes stops at areas of personal interest.
1. Brussels: Nightlife And Shopping
Brussels, the country’s capital, is a major tourist destination since it is home to numerous notable cultural institutions, including museums, palaces, chapels, and houses. Tourists from all over the world go here to visit the administrative capital of the European Union.
Brussels, known for its abundance of world-class cafes, bars, restaurants, and shopping arcades, can make your European vacation both memorable and fascinating. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, offers a wide range of exciting tourist attractions.
2. Bruges: Palaces And Canals
Bruges, a beautiful medieval town endowed with historic buildings and canals, is one of the most breathtaking tourist destinations in all of Belgium. A network of canals running through the city has helped Bruges earn the nickname “Venice of the North,” and the city’s beautiful palaces, cathedrals, and mansions all nod to its Viking past.
You may rent bicycles and cruise the canal or relax at one of the many cafes serving up Belgian hot chocolate in the town square. It’s hard to imagine a more pleasant place to spend time in all of Belgium.
3. Upper Meuse Valley
The Meuse River forms the northern and southern borders of the country, with E42 connecting Liege and Namur and continuing on to Dinant. The valley is well-known for its picturesque villages, towering limestone cliffs, and trail-laced woodlands.
Namur, often spelled Namen, is located in the center of the valley and is notable for its many historical sites and huge university. The citadel of Namur, perched high above the town, is an interesting destination to explore and provides breathtaking vistas of the surrounding valley.
The best places to visit in the city are the museums, shops, and cafes along the Rue de Fer and in the heart of the Old Town. The Cathedral of Saint Aubain dates back to the 18th century, and the Church of Notre Dame is home to various rare religious artifacts that can be found in its ecclesiastical Treasury.
4. Memorials and Battlefields of Flanders
Ypres was the scene of some of the worst trench warfare of World War I, so it is a good starting point for tourists who wish to see some of the most significant battlefields, memorials, and conflict-related landmarks.
The Flanders Fields Museum is housed in the old Lakenhalle on Ypres’s central square, the Grote Markt, and provides an excellent overview of the area’s role and history, as well as items from the conflicts.
Tourists usually start their tour of the battlefield from Menin Gate after first viewing Rijselpoort, the fortified gate where British soldiers set up their command headquarters.
From Menin Gate, troops marched into battle, and now it serves as a memorial to the British soldiers who did not return home after the battles – 54,896 names are etched in its surface, and every night at 8pm since 1928, the Last Post has been sounded there.
5. Antwerp: The Cultural Capital of Flanders
Antwerp is an important industrial and artistic center, and it also happens to be home to a wealth of historic and cultural attractions. The majority of the old town’s most important structures are clustered around the Grand Square (Grote Markt).
The Butcher’s Hall (Vleeshuis) and Rubens’ House both date back to the 16th century and may be found in this neighborhood (Rubenshuis).
Passengers arriving at the grand Central Station (Middenstatie) can’t go wrong with a visit to Chocolate Nation, the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world. The location, being next to the Antwerp Zoo, makes this a favourite with families.
6. Canals, Castles, and Cathedrals of Ghent
Visit Ghent, a rival to Bruges in architectural and historical value, if you want to experience the charming ambience of a medieval town without the throng.
The Graseli Canal and the Korenlei Canal are home to many of Ghent’s historic guild houses, such as the 13th-century Koornstapelhuis, the 1527 Gildehuis der Metselaars (House of the Masons), and the 1682 Tolhuisje (Customs House).
Conclusion
In Belgium, visitors can enjoy a wide range of natural scenery, historic sites, and cultural activities. The medieval charm of Bruges and Ghent make them ideal honeymoon destinations, while the capital city of Brussels and the ancient port city of Antwerp provide a wealth of family-friendly attractions.
Anyone interested in military history will find plenty to explore, from the distant battlefields of Flanders to the many outstanding museums documenting Belgium’s participation in World Wars I and II. Discover all this and more by consulting our comprehensive guide to the top tourist destinations in Belgium.