Filled with wonderful sights in a small piece of land- that’s Belgium for you. Many UNESCO-acclaimed sites reside at this land of Belgium- from the elegant Grand Place to Bruges. From architectural marvel to historical and cultural sights, Belgium has beautiful places to offer to its visitors.
So, we brings here 7 places to visit in Belgium based upon some of memorable journey our some readers have in the past, based upon that we are bringing here best time to go with reason to choose that place into the list and make your journey memorable for a lifetime.
List of places to visit in Belgium
La Grand Place
Known as De Grote Markt in Dutch, La Grand Place was once named as the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding blend of architectural and artistic styles. The palace is surrounded by guildhalls and some buildings which were built 14th to 17th century. There is also a town hall near the Palace which depicts the Gothic architecture. It is one of the most visited places in Belgium. Located in the capital city, Brussels, the place is mostly busy in August when the center is filled with the 75- by 24-meter Flower Carpet.
The Canals and Belfry of Bruges
On the river banks of Reie, Bruges starts and expand then connect to the Zwin estuary and the North Sea. The canals are now beautifully reminding its tourists of Bruges. Walking and cruising along them is now one of the most popular things to do. You can hire a guide or download the tourist map to go through the inner canals and see breathtaking views of bridges and hidden gardens. Moreover, a tour on a boat will not be a bad idea too.
The beautiful belfry and Halle is another beautiful sight to see which are mainly in the Bruges. You can climb the 366 narrow steps of the belfry and it is one of the most popular things to do in Belgium. From the top, you can see the beautiful views of churches.
The Battlefields of Flanders
Many visitors come to Belgium to witness the front line of World War I and the Battlefields of Flanders around Ypres especially. The battlefields are pilgrimage centers too. The trenches are very vast- in kilometers around Ypres and there are many cemeteries laid on the fields which are of the soldiers who died in the battle. The two cemeteries: The British Tyne Cot Cemetery and Langemark’s German War Cemetery reminds the visitors about the combat that took place during the Great War.
Ghent’s Gravensteen and Old Town
Once the home of the counts of Flanders, Gravensteen is one of the best surviving moated fortresses in Europe. The count of Flanders took the inspiration from the castles which Crusaders built in Syria. That’s where the idea of building the castle came. Gravensteen is now one of the most visited places in Belgium and is a well-preserved historical monument. In the old town of Ghent, the Lieve river flows along with the high walls of the fort. You can see the medieval life halls, walls and architectural building style which stays strong and elegant. You can climb up the staircase and from the top, you can see the panoramic views if Ghant’s town.
Horta Museum and Town Houses
Located in the capital city, Brussels, Horta Museum was once the home and studio of Victor Horta. Victor Horta was also known as Art Nouveau and was one of the most famous architects and designers of the early 20th century. Some of the buildings designed by him now in Brussels and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Horta Museum contains an epic collection of Victor Horta with stained glass, mosaics, and nice woodwork. There are two buildings joined in his house and studio depicts Art Nouveau and there are four more town houses- Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta.
Waterloo
If you are a history enthusiast who is always fascinated by historical things and structures, Waterloo is just the place for you. It is the same place where Napoleon was defeated in the famous battle. Now, it is a beautiful landscape of agricultural fields and there is an artificial hill which is above from the plain land with a memorial lion sculpture on the top which signifies the big day when Napoleon and his army was defeated. From the top, you get picturesque views of the surroundings. So, if you want to see something historic and enjoy nature’s beautiful scenic views too, then this might be the place for you.
Mons Old Town
Mons is a very old town which is worth exploring if you are in Belgium. In the center, there is the Grand Palace, some buildings which are standing strong since the 15th century. The main highlights of Mons are the Toison d’Or House built in 1615 and the Chapel of St. George built in 1604. If you are looking for some sightseeing, just near the Grand Palace, there are many beautiful places to see. The bell tower on the hill is listed in UNESCO sites and the Church of Sainte-Waudru is also an elegant building which is worth visiting.
