This list of the best places to see in Belgium It will allow you to know one of the smallest countries in Europe and we will confess, with more charming corners per square kilometer.
Famous for the beautiful medieval historical hulls of the main cities such as Bruges and Ghent, Brussels also has its most modern and multicultural side in cities such as Brussels or Antwerp, which perfectly complement the above aspects.
In addition to the visits, this country is known for some of its gastronomic delights among which you can not miss the typical mussels with fries, waffles, the delicious Belgian chocolate and the great variety of craft beers.
Although it can be done perfectly by rental car, to travel this small country we recommend using the train, which will allow you to reach all points of interest in a short time, being very interesting, depending on the route you want to do, buy the Rail Pass which includes 10 trips and costs a little more than 80 euros.
The best time for a trip to Belgium is usually from April to October, when the temperature is more pleasant and there is less probability of rain, although any time of the year can be interesting to make this trip.
Based on our two trips to the Belgian country, the first combining Bruges and Brussels and the second knowing Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp, we have made this selection of 10 essential places to visit in Belgium. We start!
1. Witches
Bruges, deservedly declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and one of the most essential places to see in Belgium.
In this perfectly preserved medieval city, it is almost an obligation to get lost in its cobbled streets and canals surrounded by beautiful buildings, built with the typical Flemish brick architecture and colorful facades.
It is worth dedicating to the city at least one full day, to follow this guide of Bruges in one day and complete this list of the best places to visit in Bruges among which the Grote Markt, the Muelle del Rosario and the Minnewater Park stand out .
If it is your first visit to Bruges, an interesting way to know the history and not miss anything is to book this free tour of the old town Free! or any of these guided tours.
To get to Bruges you can take a train from Brussels Midi station that takes an hour.
Another option, perfect if you do not have much time and are staying in Brussels, is to book this excursion by bus or this one that also includes the city of Ghent, both with a guide in Spanish and considered two of the best excursions in Brussels.
For more information you can read this post on how to go from Brussels to Bruges.
Witches
2. Brussels
Brussels, beyond being the political capital of the European Union, is one of the most beautiful cities to see in Belgium.
This city of quiet walks, well-kept parks, interesting museums and historical buildings, has in the Grand Place the great jewel of the country and its best tourist attraction.
In addition to enjoying one of the most beautiful squares in the world day and night, we advise you to cross the Saint Hubert Galleries, find the famous Manneken Pis, make the Comic Book Route and get lost in the beautiful neighborhood of Le Sablon.
Another of the best tips if you are going to travel to this city is to complete this list of essential places to visit in Brussels and this one of the best things to do in Brussels.
A good way not to miss anything important about the city is to follow these personalized guides for days:
These routes can be combined with some of the best free tours in Brussels Free! or any of these guided tours in Spanish.
Brussels, one of the cities to see in Belgium
3. Ghent
Visiting Ghent, the jewel of Flanders and one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, is one of the best things to do in Belgium.
Always in the shadow of its neighbor and crowded Bruges, this city has nothing to envy and many travelers place it even ahead in beauty, confirming that you will fall in love at first sight when you enter its historic center, full of beautiful buildings of medieval architecture , stone bridges, large canals and a fairytale castle.
If you do not want to miss any points of interest we recommend you follow this Ghent route in one day and this list of places to visit in Ghent essential, in which the Graslei and Korenlei docks, the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the Church of St. Nicholas and the stunning views from the Belfort tower.
To know the interesting history and anecdotes of the city you can book this free tour of Ghent Free! With guide in Spanish.
You can get to Ghent by taking the train in the direction of Ostend that departs from the main stations of Brussels and takes 45 minutes, or by booking this guided tour in Spanish.
For more information you can read this post on how to go from Brussels to Ghent.
Ghent
4. Leuven
The university city of Leuven, which often goes unnoticed by the fame of other Flemish cities, is another of the great jewels to see in Belgium.
This city in which a student atmosphere is breathed in every corner, has for us the most beautiful city hall in the world, which alone is worth the visit.
In addition to spending time admiring the facade of this building, we recommend you take a walk or bike ride through the city and know all these places to visit in Leuven with charm such as the Great Beguinage, the university library and the Oude Markt, the largest bar in the world.
You can arrive by train in 25 minutes from Brussels Central Station, getting off at Leuven station. If you want to have a guide in Spanish to get to know the city better, you can book this excursion.
Leuven
5. Dinant, one of the cities to see in Belgium
The small city of Dinant known as the "Daughter of the Meuse" and located in the Walloon region, is another of the most beautiful places to visit in Belgium.
This population stands out for its privileged location along the Mosa riverbed, encased between rock formations, which give it a magical charm.
Among the best things to do in the city is to climb the cable car to the Citadel with good views of the town and the surroundings, visit the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and cross across the river to have the best perspective of the city .
As a curiosity, Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone was born in Dinant, from which you will find several, in the form of sculpture, in different parts of the city.
To get to Dinant you can take a train on the Namur / Dinant line from Brussels central station that takes less than two hours.
Another more comfortable option is to book this excursion to Luxembourg and Dinant by bus and with a guide in Spanish.
Dinant
6. Antwerp
Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world and in which Rubens became a genius, is another of the essential cities to see in Belgium.
Located on the banks of the Scheldt River, this city achieved an enormous historical-cultural heritage from the 16th century, when it became one of the most important commercial centers and one of the richest cities in Europe.
These gains were used to build large Renaissance-style jewels such as the City Hall and the buildings of the Grote Markt.
In addition to these wonders, this city lends itself to a pleasant walk through the alleys of the historic center and the most charming neighborhoods to complete this list of the best places to visit in Antwerp and this Antwerp route in one day.
You can expand these routes around the city by booking this free tour of Antwerp Free! or any of these themed tours with a guide in Spanish.
To get to this city we recommend you read this post on how to go from Brussels to Antwerp.
Antwerp, one of the cities to visit in Belgium
7. Villers la Ville Abbey
The Abbey of Villers la Ville, a former Cistercian monastery founded in 1146 and declared heritage of the Walloon Region, is another of the most impressive places to see in Belgium.
Strolling through the ruins of this huge abbey located in a fantastic natural environment is one of the great pleasures and memories that you will take from your trip to Belgium. During the tour in audioguide or with a brochure in Spanish, you will know all the corners of the complex and the life of the monks in the Middle Ages.
You can arrive by train from Brussels in an hour and a half, making a transfer in the town of Ottignes.
Visiting hours: from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 6pm from April to October, the other months close one hour before.
Villers la Ville Abbey
8. Namur
Namur, the capital of the Wallonia region, located at the confluence of the Mosa and Sambre rivers, is another of the magical places to visit in Belgium.
In this city you will enjoy strolling through its historic center, entering one of its most beautiful shops and trying local dishes in a good restaurant, before climbing to one of the largest fortresses in Europe, The Citadel.
Other wonders of the city are the Cathedral of Saint Aubain, the Main Square, the Palace of Congresses, the Tower of Saint-Jacques and the Church of Saint-Loup.
You can combine the visit to Namur with Dinant in one day, located half an hour by train, something that will allow you to know two impressive places in the same day.
Another alternative is to book this day trip from Brussels or this one that includes Luxembourg, both with a guide in Spanish.
Namur
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Damme
Located 6 kilometers north of Bruges, Damme is one of the most picturesque villages to see in Belgium.
The few medieval streets that the town has will take you to places such as the Plaza Mayor, the Town Hall, the San Juan Hospital, the Church of Our Lady or the Cathedral as well as the great attraction that is to arrive by boat or by bicycle from Bruges by a beautiful wooded channel called Damse Vaar.
During the walk, one of the best things to do in Belgium, you will see a landscape of farms and windmills that we are sure, you will not forget.
Damme
10. Mechelen
Mechelen or Mechelen in Dutch, is one of the most beautiful cities in the Flanders region and our latest recommendation from places to visit in Belgium.
In spite of being surrounded by cities like Bruges or Ghent, it is advisable to spend a day in Mechelen to know all its wonders that it offers such as the Grote Markt, the Cathedral of San Romualdo, the two beaterios, the Margarita Palace of York and the Groen Waterke, among others.
Before leaving the city, don't forget to try the local beer Gouden Carolus, Emperor Charles V's favorite, at the 1471 Het Anker brewery.
To get to Mechelen in 20 minutes you can take a train at the Midi, Central and North stations of Brussels although if you prefer to learn more about the history of the city you can book this guided tour in Spanish from Brussels.
If you feel like helping us expand the list 10 essential places to see in Belgium, add yours in the comments.
