Places to visit in Belgium​

Situated in the west of Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and France.
Although our surface area of 30,688 km2 makes it a small country, our location has made it the economic and urban nerve centre of Europe.
Art, music, and architecture are important parts of Belgian life and history. The comic strip is highly regarded, with Tintin and The Smurfs both originating in Belgium. 
We are famous for beer, chocolate, waffles, speculoos and French fries. The national dishes are “steak and fries”, and “mussels with fries”.
Many highly ranked Belgian restaurants can be found in the most influential restaurant guides, such as the Michelin Guide.

Brussels​

As the seat of the EU, Brussels is known as the “capital of Europe,” and its significance as a centre of international governance and business makes Brussels a true global city—a status shared with such metropolises as New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo. 

Bruges

Is known as “The Venice of the North” and is famous for its canals, gothic style buildings, and monuments. It has significant economic importance, thanks to its port, and was once one of the world’s chief commercial cities. 

Ghent

One of Belgium’s oldest cities and the historic capital of Flanders, It is one of the most important university cities and is often called “The City of Three Towers” due to its iconic towers of St. Bavo’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas’ Church, and the Belfry.

Antwerp​

The Port of Antwerp is one of the biggest in the world, ranking second in Europe after Rotterdam and within the top 20 globally. The city is also known as the hub of the world’s diamond trade and has lovely shopping streets.

Dinant​

Means “Sacred Valley” as the town is perched on the narrow banks of the River Meuse. On one side you can see the Citadel high above the Gothic Style Church and the ruins of The Tower of Crevecoeur (Broken Heart) on the other.

Spa

The word “spa” has come to mean mineral springs, but not everyone realises that there is a place behind the name. And that is in Belgium!
The town houses a prestigious thermal resort, already since the 16th century.

Brussels​

Check here for more details

What to visit? Grand Place & town hall, Royal Galleries, shopping streets, old stock exchange and beer museum, Manneken Pis and friends, Comic Strip trails, Royal Palace, Mont des Arts, Marolles district with Palace of Justice, Atomium & Mini-Europe, European Quarter, Cinquantenaire arch and garden, Koekelberg Basilica.
Where to eat/drink?
beers: Moeder Lambic Fontainas, Poechenellekelder, Delirium
food: Frites Atelier, Royal Indian Taste, Nüetnigenough, Ballekes, Belgian Waffles & Brunch

Captivating night scene of Bruges with historic buildings and canal reflections under starlit sky.
Bruges​

Check here for more details.

What to visit? Walk through the UNESCO historical centre, visit the Belfry (€15), chocolate museum (€14), fries museum (€11), the Beguinage “Ten Wijngaerde”, see the 4 main windmills (or take a bike tour €68 for 3 people)
Where to eat/drink? Ribs and Beer, BoemPatat, Bavet, Taj Mahal, Brewery De Halve Maan, House of waffles

ghent, belgium, architecture
Ghent

Check here for more details.

What to visit? Walk between the famous 3 towers, see the graffitistreet, the City Hall, City Pavilion, Castle of the Counts, Canon Dulle Griet, the St. Michael bridge or shop in the famous streets (Veldstraat, Kouter). Book here if you want a guide.
Where to eat/drink? ‘t Dreupelkot, Dulle Griet, Tush, De Bompa, Royal India, Belgian chocolate (try the Cuberdons!)

belgium, antwerp, square
Antwerp​​

Check here for more details

What to visit? The Train station, the zoo, MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), Oude Koornmarkt 16, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), Walk under the Scheldt River (tunnel), Sint-Anneke beach, shop in the Stadsfeestzaal and on the Meir streets, Museum Plantin-Moretus,  Het Steen
Where to eat/drink? ‘t Hofke, Caffènation, Frites Atelier, Chocolate Nation, Table D’ho, Spice Bazar ​

peace, water, clouds
Dinant​

Check here for more details

What to visit?  Church of Our Lady of Dinant, Cable Car, the Citadel, Maison Adolphe Sax (inventor of the saxophone), Saxophone momument, Leffe beer museum, Leffe Abbeye, the Bayard Rock, visit Caves, Crevecoeur castle, go kayaking
Where to eat/drink? Le Café Ardennais, Le 24 brasserie restaurant, La Medina, Bière “La Croisette de Dinant“

Spa​​

​Check here for more details

What to visit? Pouhon Pierre le Grand (Pouhon Peter the Great), Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Forestia Park, Château de Franchimont (Castle), Thermes de Spa, Musée de la Ville d’Eaux
Where to eat/drink? Le table de Spa, Le Rest’O des Amis, L’Alchimie, Gio Cafe ​

factory, beer, production
Breweries​​

Check here for more details or we mapped the most famous out here on GoogleMaps.

Did you know that Belgium counts more than 1.500 beers and 408 breweries, so be selective, you won’t be able to visit them all!
Belgian beer is listed as a World Heritage property and is consumed in Belgium as nowhere else in the world. A Belgian drinks 74 litres of beer a year, or one glass a day. Every Belgian beer has its own story that is told around a good dinner. (Read more about Belgium and its beers here).

Places to visit outside Belgium

Many cities are reachable by just a short train ride or cheap flight. Please visit this website to book train tickets or this website for flight tickets.
NOTE: Belgium has 2 airports, one close to Brussels (called Zaventem) and one much further and more in the south of Belgium in Charleroi (called Brussels-South).

Amsterdam​

Easily accessible by train in just under 2 hours and for around 60 euro return.
Why visit Amsterdam? > read here.

Paris​

The train ride to the capital of love is only 1h30 from Brussels but will cost around 150 euro round trip. Find out more here.

London

Also London can be reached through a 2 hour train ride from Brussels for around 100 euro return ticket. Reasons to visit here.

Frankfurt​

Also reachable by a short 3 hour train ride for just around 80 euro return. Reasons on why to visit you can find here.

Köln​

Reachable by a short 2 hour train ride for around 50 euro return. A perfect, affordable weekend getaway. Read more here.

Cheap flight destinations

From Brussels airport, cheap Ryanair flights are available for 12 European destinations (Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, Rome, Dublin,…)