5 Best Cities to Visit in Belgium

By Nxr- Wikimedia

5 Best Cities to Visit in Belgium

Belgium might seem like a small country but there is a ton of things to do and see in this European country. The country is filled with natural beauty, cultural attractions and several historic landmarks.

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, in search of a tranquil medieval city to spend your vacation or need a city with several activities for the family; Belgium has it all.

This country is known for waffles, chocolate, beer and many more. You can experience the finest dining and get your favourite drink in one of their trendy bars.

Belgium is one of Europe’s top destination and the cities in this country offer different Belgian experiences.

To find out more about the 5 best cities to visit in Belgium, read on.

1. Brussels: The Heart of Europe

A flea market in Brussels By Donarreiskoffer – Wikimedia

The capital city, Brussels, is one of the most visited destinations by tourists in Belgium. This city is home to the Belgian Royal Family and central offices of the European Union.

The city is characterised by diverse cultures and this is reflected in the different restaurants and cafés. Some of the restaurants you will find range from Turkish, Portuguese, Brazilian, Moroccan, Congolese to name just a few.

Historic landmarks in this city can be found in Old Town where you will get to see several Baroque and gothic styles architecture.

The Old town is where the main square is located and the famous Grand Place. It is where you will also find the towering Brussels Town Hall and the historic Guild Houses.

On the Rue de I’Etuve is the well-known statue, Mannekin Pis. You can walk to the beautiful Saint-Michel Cathedral. This Gothic church was founded in the 13^th century and has two prominent twin towers with enormous stained-glass windows.

Check out the museums in the city too. You can explore the city on foot or use the Metro.

2. Bruges

By Marc Ryckaert – Wikimedia

Bruges is the most outstanding go-to city for tourist’s looking to get away to far from the busy European life. It’s one of the continent’s unique tourist destination that has always attracted the rich and famous British and French people since the 19^th century.

The picturesque canals in this city have been the top attraction for many visiting. This city got its roots from trading wool in the 12^th and 15^th centuries.

One other thing that makes this city the most visited is the architecture. The Baroque styled buildings with cobbled walkways such as the belfry; there are at least 360 steps to this 13th-century structure.

You can enjoy a boat ride through the canals as you spot the bridges or sit outside one of the cafés by the canals and enjoy the view. The Dijver Canal has several mansions that have been converted into museums.

The medieval streets in this city are beautiful. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés at the square.

Best time to visit the canals or walk to the square is midweek when it is less crowded.

3. Antwerp

By Rolf Kranz – Wikimedia

Antwerp is the second-largest city in Belgium and is characterized by the busy port that has been used for trade for years. This made it one of the most important cities in the whole of Europe.

There are plenty of cool and hip restaurants, cafés and trendy bars. The nightlife here is fun and entertaining. The fashion boutiques, diamond shops and art galleries offer varied experiences to those that love to shop.

The historic centre in this city is worth a visit, it survived heavy bombing during World War II. You will find the enormous cathedral towers, cobbled streets and several architectural attractions.

Most of the city’s landmarks are near the Grand place that is at the centre of the old town. The 16th-century Town Hall, the Butcher’s Hall and Rubens’ House are found here.

The central train station in this city is one of the most beautiful in Europe and is definitely worth stopping by.

Top museums in this city are; the Red star line museum that showcases mass departure during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Museum Aan de Stroom that exhibits local history and artefacts from around the world. For exhibitions on fine arts, visit the Mayer van den Berg Museum and the Royal Museum of fine arts.

4. Ghent

Graslei Street, Ghent By Alvesgaspar – Wikimedia

The city of Ghent is home to at least 250 thousand people and is loved by visitors along Belgium’s rail circuit. Ghent flourished through cloth trading in the medieval period.

Its city centre does not allow car traffic making it a pleasant experience for pedestrians. There are several medieval architectures in this city that have been well maintained and allow visitors.

Being a student city because of the universities around, one can find the best and coolest places to hangout. The bars and restaurants are atmospheric while the nightlife is something to look forward to while here.

The city might seem small but has plenty of fantastic places to visit. The historic centre has a stunning belfry, cathedral and a church surrounded by cobbled streets. The museums are rich with historic and art information and a tour of the old castle is something to add on your itinerary.

5. Leuven

Leuven is located about 30 kilometres east of Brussels close to river Dijle. It is also home to one of the oldest and most famous universities in the country.

The architecture in this city is Gothic and Baroque, but there are other modern and futuristic structures to admire.

St. Peter’s church at the Grote market has a Brabant Gothic style architecture and contains the Museum of Religious Art. Most historic structures can be found nearby along the Naamsestraat.

There are several tourist attractions outside the historic city centre. These will most likely be loved by nature lovers such as; the Leuven Botanical Garden Kruidtuin that was built in 1738 to provide medicinal plant garden for university medical students.

If you happen to be in Brussels, then you can make a day trip to this amazing city that is not crowded by tourists.

Exploring the city on weekends is quite pleasant this is because the streets are quiet and have no crowds at all.