Are you looking for information on things to see and do in Belgium? In this post we take you on a tour of one of the great unknowns of Europe . And look, it is a small country that is easy to get around. On top of that, you eat well (and drink better), it has cities full of charm and others so cosmopolitan that it is difficult not to feel welcome. Oh, and it has chocolate, chocolate everywhere. With that, it already wins over a large part of the population hehe.
Now that the new year is approaching and it's time for travel resolutions, we have a piece of advice for you: take a trip to this charming country, you won't regret it!
20 places to see in Belgium (and things to do)
If you finally decide to take a trip to Belgium and you don't know where to start, we hope that this article can be helpful. We'll tell you the 20 best things to see and do in Belgium , because yes... there's much more to it than Mannekein Pis and waffles! And so that you can discover all the charms of the country, follow our ideal 1-week itinerary through Belgium .
1. Brussels
We start with Brussels , the country's capital and the perfect destination for a short getaway. Among its must-sees are the Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Manneken Pis, the symbol of the city, and the impressive Atomium. And fans of comics will be in luck: Tintin, The Smurfs and Lucky Luke (among others) are of Belgian origin! There is even a comic tour in Brussels .
In short, you will soon find museums, shops and even street art where you can give free rein to your memories and imagination. Oh, and did you know that René Magritte was Belgian? In Brussels there is a museum entirely dedicated to this genius of surrealism, where you can see nearly 250 of his works.
⭐ Here we tell you everything to see and do in Brussels .
2. Witches
If Brussels is the brain of Belgium, Bruges is its soul. They are only 100 km apart, which makes the visit very easy. We recommend you sign up for a free tour in Spanish (of course, leave a tip at the end) and if you can, stay overnight at least one night , the atmosphere of Bruges changes completely under the light of the street lamps.
In Bruges, time seems to move at a different pace , the canals meander through the charming historic centre and the boats full of gawking tourists glide with the current. Being there will be one of the most beautiful memories of your trip to Belgium, so don't hesitate for a second to go!
⭐ This is all there is to see and do in Bruges
3. Ghent
Another safe bet is Ghent . It is a monumental, university city, pleasant and full of life. You cannot leave without stopping by the Graslei and Korenlei quays , which are incredibly beautiful, or visiting the Cathedral of Saint Bavo. Interesting fact: it is the birthplace of Charles I and is known as the "jewel of Flanders."
⭐ Our recommendations with the must-sees in Ghent
4. Leuven
I had never heard of Leuven until a friend went there on an Erasmus course, and seeing all her photos made me want to visit it. Besides being a place with a student vibe , it has one of the most beautiful town halls in Belgium and other interesting tourist attractions (what we liked most was the University ).
To make the most of your time, it is best to sign up for a free tour of Leuven , to get to know the historic centre of the city with the help of a local guide.
5. Antwerp, one of the most beautiful cities to see in Belgium
Despite being the second largest city in Belgium and the capital of Flanders, Antwerp is often overshadowed by its neighbours. However, it is more interesting than you might think: it has a very diverse architecture, offers a large number of museums of all kinds (our favourite is the Rubens House Museum) and, what's more, here you can try the Elixir d'Anvers in its place of origin.
To discover the city known as the Diamond City , it is best to sign up for this complete guided tour of the city of Antwerp.
⭐ These are the 10 must-sees in Antwerp
6. Mechelen
Halfway between Brussels and Antwerp is another place to visit in Belgium: Mechelen , a city that is not very well known but has several important monuments. If it is on your route, do not hesitate to make a stop.
Some of the things to see here are the Grote Markt , the main square of Mechelen, the Cathedral of Saint Romuald , taking a boat ride on the Dijle River or visiting the monasteries of the Beguines , a group of Christian women, single or widowed, who decided to live in a community, without becoming nuns. They dedicated themselves to helping the poor, to pray, to being nurses or teachers.
7. Ostend, an original place to see in Belgium
It may not be the prettiest beach destination in Europe, but if you want to enjoy the North Sea on your trip to Belgium, head to Ostend , where a lively urban beach , a port to stroll around, and delicious seafood to snack on await you.
8. Durbuy
The town of Durbuy boasts a strange record: it appears to be the smallest town in the world, with only 10,000 inhabitants. In 1331, the title was changed from town to city, which it still holds today. Town or city, what really matters is that it is an idyllic place, with a medieval feel and full of charming corners. Although one stands out above the rest: its 16th century castle.
9. Enjoy Belgian cuisine
A trip to Belgium wouldn't be perfect without trying one of its most curious specialties: moules-frites , nothing more and nothing less than mussels and fries ! And of course, you also have to treat yourself to something sweet: Belgian waffles are world-famous.
And if you like beer , you'll be very, very happy in Belgium. Some of the best beers in the world are Belgian, and you can taste the most famous ones in practically every bar.
10. Dinant
In the Wallonia region there are a few gems that are definitely worth a stop along the way. One of them is Dinant , a small town nestled on the banks of the Meuse River that seems to emerge directly from the rock itself.
This picturesque corner of Wallonia is one of the most photogenic places to see in Belgium and beyond its curious and unique location, it stands out for the Collegiate Church of Our Lady , a Gothic-style church with impressive stained glass windows and an extravagant bell tower.
More things to do in Belgium
- Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, you have to stuff yourself with Belgian chocolate , the best in the world. Tip: if you want to be sure, the Godiva store is your place.
- We've all probably studied the Battle of Waterloo at school, which would change the fate of Europe. But perhaps not everyone remembers that Waterloo is located in present-day Belgium! Jordi from mil viatges has a super interesting post about his visit to Waterloo .
- Take a trip to Luxembourg … it’s very close and very tempting. We haven’t visited this small country yet, but everything we saw and read about sounds great! There are even tours in Spanish that leave from Brussels .
- Another of the most beautiful towns in Belgium is Roche-en-Ardenne , which seems anchored in the past thanks to its surroundings and its castle.
- Take note of this name: Villers la Ville . It is a small village that hides a great treasure: the ruins of a Cistercian abbey that is about 900 years old.
- Amsterdam is just a stone's throw away and is definitely one of our favourite destinations in Europe. If you're short on time, you might consider a guided day trip from Brussels like this one . Prepare your trip with this travel guide to Amsterdam .
Are you still reading or have you already escaped to buy a flight to travel to Belgium? We wouldn't be surprised hehe, as you've seen this country has quite a few surprises within its borders. In the post we have presented you with what we believe to be the 20 best things to see and do in Belgium, although there are surely many more! Do you have any suggestions? We're all ears!
