11 Best Places to Visit in Belgium

Tourists will find amazing variety in Belgium, from beautiful landscapes to historical landmarks and cultural attractions to travel. Couples looking for romantic places to visit can enjoy the medieval environment of older cities such as Bruges and Ghent, while families can find plenty of family-friendly activities in the capital city of Brussels and the historic port city of Antwerp.

From Flanders' remote battlefield to Belgium's role in World War II, there are many museums dedicated to military history. Discover all this and much more with a list of the best places to visit in Belgium.

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1. Medieval Bruges
Bruges is one of the most visited cities in Belgium due to its medieval architecture and deeply romantic environment. The Bruges' Canal is one of its most fascinating features, and no tour of the city is complete without a scenic boat ride. From the water tourists can enjoy a different perspective of the city; Land lovers can take the canals to see how the boats go, and there are free walking tours to the local tourist office. Of particular note are the mansions along the Dijver Canal, some of which are now museums.

The two main squares of the historic center are Burg Square (also simply known as "Burg") and Market Square, adjacent to each other in the city center. Markt Square is surrounded by a number of impressive buildings, but Halle and its 83m Belfree are the most impressive structures. Belfree, which began in 1282 and was completed in 1482, consists of 47 bells and is a viewing point for travelers brave enough to climb 366 steps.

Lovers of church architecture will want to visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Burg Square, which is a combination of Romanesque and later Gothic styles. Burg is also home to the historic Town Hall (Stadhuis), built in 1420, and the tourist office at the former court of law, the Liberty of Bruges.

Those staying in Bruges can find many attractive cities and tourist attractions within a short drive. For hiking or paddling, the trails along Schipdonkkanaal are particularly beautiful and there are also canoe boat trips. The small lower part of the damme is home to several historic buildings and a traditional Flemish atmosphere.

Located close to the beach, Bruges, Knokke and Ostend are also convenient for beach and beach communities. Knokke is best known for its high-end resort community in Knokke-Heist, which is also a hub for art lovers, with 85 stunning galleries and many public art galleries. With Ostend's beaches, visitors can see some of the best museums with local history, including the De Plate Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

2. Upper Muse Valley
The Muse River divides the country north and south, from E42 Liege to Namur and from there to Dinant. The valley is famous for its picturesque little towns, lush forests surrounded by dramatic limestone hills and trails.

Namur (also known as Namen) is located in the heart of the valley and is home to several historic landmarks as well as a large university. Namur Citadel is located above the city and is a fun place to explore as well as a great place for panoramic views of the valley.

In the city, the best sights are the Rue de Fer and the medieval city, and visitors can find some good museums as well as shops and cafes. Namur is also home to historic churches, including the 18th-century St. O'Brien Cathedral and the Notre-Dame Church and its church treasury.

To the west of Namur, the village of Florife is a magnificent 12th-century church, formerly the Premonstratensian Abbey, now a seminary. Abe Church still retains some of its original features and is a beautiful place to visit.

The next city is Fossa-la-Ville, a 12th-century monastery. Unfortunately, very little of the original remains unchanged, although visitors can still appreciate the encryption, the choir, and the tower.

Franc-Waret Castle, northeast of Namur, near Franc-Waret, is a beautiful 17th-century castle dwelling. Visitors can visit the fort and the grounds; The interior has a variety of original furniture, artefacts and rare items, and the garden tends to look carefully like it did during the heyday.

3. Brussels: The heart of Europe
The capital city of Brussels is a must-see destination for any visitor to Belgium, as it is not only the seat of the Belgian Royal Family but also the headquarters of the European Union. Thanks to the diverse mix of city dwellers, Brussels is known for its variety of restaurants and cafes that represent many gastronomic heritages. In addition to being a thriving and vibrant city center, the old city is home to many historical landmarks and exemplary examples of Baroque and Gothic architecture.

In the heart of the old city, tourists will find the Grand Square (Groot Market), the main square. It is home to the mighty Brussels City Hall (Hôtel de ville de Bruxelles) as well as the city's historic Guild House (Gildehuizeb).

Nearby, on the Rue de l'Etuve, is the famous Mannekin Pis statue. Also nearby is the magnificent St. Michael's Cathedral, a Gothic church founded in 1225, with double pillars and stained glass windows.

Above the old city center is the Palace Royale (Koningsplein), the official residence of the royal family. The archeological site of the Cඩdenberg Palace, excavated in the grounds of the palace, is a fascinating site with the foundations of the original palace and the long buried streets open to visitors. Adjacent to the palace is the Mont Des Arts, home to several museums, including the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a section of ancient art and a section of modern art.

More national museums can be found in the vast Parc du Cinquantenaire area near the EU headquarters. Here you will find the Belgian Military Museum and the Military History Museum as well as the Royal Museum of Art and History.

4. Memoirs and Battlefields in Flanders
Tourists who want to see the most important battlefields, monuments and conflict landmarks will want to start their pilgrimage to Ypres, one of the most brutal war trenches during the WWI era. To get a good overview of the area's involvement and history, as well as to see the artifacts of the conflict, visit the Flanders Fields Museum in Grote Markt, its main square in historic Lakenhalle, Ypres.

After visiting Rijselpoort, the fortified gate where the British Soldiers' Command Center is located, tourists usually begin their tour of the battlefield through the Maine Gate. This is where Menin Gate went into battle, and today it also serves as a monument to British soldiers who never returned home after the fighting - with 54,896 names engraved on its surface and the Last Post heard at this location every night. 1928 to 8 p.m.

The area around Ypres is home to several war cemeteries, including Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest of the British cemeteries in Flanders. Located about 12 km from Ypres, it is the final resting place for approximately 12,000 soldiers and a monument to another 35,000.

A small monument dedicated to Canadian soldiers who died in the first German gas attack in 1915 can be seen near tourists. There is a cemetery in Langemark, a nearby town for German soldiers, with nearly 45,000 graves of traumatic young men who died in 1914.

Extreme levels of fighting were reported in and around the village of Kemmel, a hotly contested area. Tourists will find several war cemeteries in the Kemelberg area, as well as a crater filled with water created by the British exploding local mines. Today it is known as the Lone Tree Crater and the pool of water is the pool of peace.

 5. Antwerp: The cultural capital of Flanders

The port city of Antwerp has many cultural and historical sites to explore; It is known for its industry and artistic influence. Most of the city's most notable buildings are on and around Grand Place (Grote Market) in the heart of the old city. In the area, visitors will find 16th-century town halls (Stadhuis), Butcher Hall (Vlashuis), and Rubens House (Rubenshuis).

Those arriving by train at the impressive Central Station (Midstate) will find a treat awaiting them at the nearby door at the Chocolate Nation, the world's largest Belgian chocolate museum. This is a big hit with the families conveniently adjoining the Antwerp Zoo. The zoo, founded in 1843, is known not only for its population of over 950 species but also for its beautiful Art Deco architecture and stylized animal habitats.

Antwerp is also known for its excellent museums, which explore a variety of subjects. History lovers will enjoy the Red Star Line Museum, which focuses on migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the Museum on the De Storm (MAS), which includes exhibits on local history as well as artifacts from around the world. . Museum Mayor Van den Berg is an excellent museum of fine arts, as is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.

6. Canals, castles and cathedrals of Ghent
Tourists who want to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the medieval city without the crowds of Bruges would like to visit Ghent, a rival of architectural and historical significance.

Most of Ghent's historic guild houses can be found along the Grasselli Canal and the Corenlei Canal, including the Kurnstapelhuis, dating to the early 13th century; Guildheuis der Metsellars (Mason's house) built in 1527; And Tolhuisje (custom house), built in 1682. Those who are lucky enough to visit in the evening should take the time for a canal boat cruise to admire these picturesque buildings burning from below.

In the heart of Ghent's Old Town, the impressive Gravenstein Leve is filled with the waters of the river. This huge medieval castle was built in the late 12th century and has all the splendor and exquisite elements of a fairytale castle.

Today, it is home to a museum that houses artifacts from various uses in the building, from the royal residence to the textile factory. Tourists can also visit the beautiful Larn Castle, just 11 kilometers from Ghent. This pentagonal fort was built in the 11th century and has historical exhibits.

7. Mons (Bergen)
Located near the French border, Mons sits between the Troil and Han rivers, along the route between Paris and Brussels. Grand-Place de Mons is located in the heart of the city and is home to many historic buildings, as well as plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants along its picturesque cobblestone streets.

City Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Mons) is located at the head of the main square of the city and the other four sides of the huge courtyard are surrounded by 15th to 18th century buildings.

Just a few blocks from the main square at the top of a hill, tourists will find Monsieur Belfrey, also known as El Caitou. This UNESCO-listed bell tower was built in the Baroque style in the 17th century and stands 87 meters high with a 47-hour Carillon. Tourists can climb the CDO on the observation platform at the top for panoramic views of the city. At the foot of the hill is the 15th century Brabant Gothic Collegiate Church of Saint-Vaudru.

Mons is also home to many good museums, and history buffs will want to prioritize a visit to the Mons Memorial Museum, formerly known as the War Museum. The museum has more than 5,000 artefacts related to the country's involvement and occupation during the two world wars, as well as an interactive exhibition.

Another excellent history museum is the Museo de la Vie Montois (Mons Folklore Museum), which focuses on local history and culture. Art lovers will also appreciate the unique collections at the Muse des Bux Arts (Museum of Fine Arts), as well as the Decorative Arts Museum Franકોois Duisburg.

8. Leuven
Located about 30 kilometers east of Brussels, Leuven sits on the Diesel River and is one of the oldest and most famous universities in the country. Tourists can see many beautiful examples of Gothic and other architectural styles on the university campus and throughout the city, starting with the city hall of Leuven which has 236 figures on its decorated facade.

St. sits right next to Grot Market. Peter Church (Sint-Peterskirk), a beautiful cathedral built in the Brabant Gothic style with a museum of religious art. Even the most historic buildings of the university can be found near Namsestrat.

Outside of the historic city center, Leuven has many beautiful tourist attractions for nature lovers. The Leuven Botanical Garden Crudtuin, originally created in 1738 as a garden of medicinal plants for university medical students, is now home to a variety of plants.

About four kilometers from the city center, Castle-Lo Borough is home to a large nature park that is free for visitors, with swimming and paddling in the lakes, a zoo and other activities.

9. Beaches of Belgium
Although most people do not immediately think of the beaches when planning a trip to Belgium, the West Coast offers many great choices for those who want to take a little solar eclipse and take a dip.

Knock-haist is the most famous of Belgium's beach resort communities and is located near the Dutch border, just 19 kilometers from Bruges. The city has four beaches along its 12-kilometer coastline, as well as numerous walking, hiking and cycling trails that run through the hills. Visitors will find that Nokke is home to a wonderful number of art galleries as well as two excellent museums about local and Belgian history.

The town of Ostend may be known as the main ferry port between Belgium and Great Britain, but it is also home to seaside resorts and beaches. There is a beautiful promenade that runs along the beach, and a breakwater that offers a nice view of the small town.

Ostend has a total of five beaches, about 29 kilometers from Bruges. Another beach resort near Bruges is the town of Blankenburg, famous for its lively promenade, Zidijak.

10. Dinant
Dinant Nagar is located 28 kilometers south of Namur and is a popular tourist destination in the Upper Muse Valley. It has a beautiful castle, which offers excellent views of the town. The city's limestone cliffs have been reinforced since the 11th century, and today tourists can see battlefields as well as former barracks, kitchens and dungeons. Visitors can reach Citadel by tram departing from Collegiate Notre-Dame de Denant.

Notre-Dame's 16th-century Collegiate Church is one of Denant's other major landmarks, with a 100-meter onion dome and a unique perch next to the rocks beneath the castle.

Other top travel tourist attractions include the Grotte La Mervelus, a major limestone cave system that can be explored, and the Rocher Baird, an impressive limestone pillar.

The Muse Bridge is a great place for photography, and boating on the Muse River is a popular activity in Dinant. The town is also known as the birthplace of Adolf Sex, the inventor of the first saxophone, and visitors will find many monuments honoring him throughout the town, as well as visiting his former home, which is now a museum.

11. Cathedrals and churches of Belgium
The city of Ghent has some of the most beautiful historic churches in Belgium, the most attractive of which is St. Michael's Church, built in the Gothic style of Belgian sandstone. Next to this church is St.-Michelsburg (St. Michael's Bridge), and together they are one of the city's most prestigious landmarks.

Another great example of Gothic architectural styles is Ghent's Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Bao (Sint-Buffs Cathedral), with 13th-century choir and 15th-century tower.

Late Gothic St. in the historic churches of Antwerp. Paul's Church (Sint-Pauluskirk), home to portraits of Van Dyke, Rubens and Jordans, and the country's largest Gothic cathedral, Our Lady's Cathedral, opened in 1352.