Explore Best Places To Visit in Belgium & Tourist Attractions in Belgium

Belgium Tourism

In this article, you will find the best tourist attractions in Belgium. Belgium is a small, yet vibrant country located in the heart of Western Europe. It is bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Belgium’s rich culture, history, and architecture are some of its most defining features. From its bustling cities to its tranquil countryside, Belgium offers something for everyone. The country also boasts some of the best beer in the world! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or an exciting adventure, Belgium has something to offer everyone.

Best tourist attractions in Belgium

The Battlefields of Flanders

People travel to Belgium primarily because of its involvement in World War I front lines, particularly the Battlefields of Flanders near Ypres. In addition to being significant historically, the battlefields are a popular destination for pilgrims. The intact trenches surround the town of Ypres, and this region is also dotted with sizable cemeteries for the thousands of troops who lost their lives here.
Both the German War Cemetery in Langemark and the British Tyne Cot Cemetery serve as somber reminders of the bloody fighting that took place here during the Great War.

Ghent’s Gravensteen and Old Town (tourist attractions in Belgium)

The Counts of Flanders originally resided in this magnificent fort, which they built after being inspired by the massive castles the Crusaders erected in Syria. Gravensteen has been remarkably well-kept and is currently one of Europe’s best examples of a moated stronghold. Right in the center of the old town of Ghent, its walls rise above the rooftops of the neighboring streets, robust, impressively thick, and tall.
Although there are displays of medieval life inside the enormous arched hallways and rooms, the castle’s architecture is truly the show’s star. Before meandering around Ghent’s lovely stone-paved streets, ascend the staircase to the top for sweeping views of the city. It’s one of best tourist attractions in Belgium.

Ardennes (Tourist spots in Belgium)

The counts of Flanders originally resided in this magnificent fort, which they built after being inspired by the massive castles the Crusaders erected in Syria.
One of the most popular locations in Belgium for adventure seekers is the rugged Ardennes. The Ardennes region is perfect for hiking, camping, and riding. It has dense forests, rocks, caves, and Belgian biodiversity and wild creatures, including lynx, deer, and wild boar. After visiting the Ardennes, you won’t be let down if adventure is what you’re looking for on your trip to Belgium. It is among the top destinations in Belgium to see in a single day.

Meuse Valley (Travel spots in Belgium)

The counts of Flanders originally resided in this magnificent fort, which they built after being inspired by the massive castles the Crusaders erected in Syria.
The Meuse Valley, located south of Brussels, is among the most significant locations to experience Belgium’s rural interior. The Meuse River provides Belgium’s most picturesque river excursion prospects, with a hilltop castle and fortress ruins intermingled with deep wooded scenery, small waterfront towns, and limestone cliffs on each side. For help planning your river journey, go to Namur or Dinant. These two little towns serve as entry points to the area. The Meuse Valley is also home to several hiking and cycling paths for tourists who want to include some activities in their trip.

Bruges (tourist attractions in Belgium)

This pop-up cut-out of a medieval village in the heart of Flemish Belgium became famous thanks to the 2008 blockbuster film In Bruges. It never ceases to impress. Its historic center is a beguiling maze of meandering gravel alleyways surrounded on all sides by rising Low Country townhouse apses. Above the Grote Markt, soaring belfries with Gothic carvings and twisted gargoyles rise; chip vendors sell double-fried Belgian Frites next to several Irish pubs (the city has a surprisingly active nightlife); and beautiful gondolas float around the canals. Oh, and don’t forget to see the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a marvel of Gothic architecture thought to contain a vial of Christ’s congealed blood. See also our Bruges travel guide! It’s one of the best tourist attractions in Belgium.

Ypres

Little Ypres in the Westhoek is a must-see for any history fans traveling through Belgium. It is etched into many people’s memories as the location of one of the first world’s bloodiest and most damaging battles War. French, Canadian, British, ANZAC and other allied forces dug trenches in the undulating fields surrounding this historic city beginning in 1914 as they fought for control of West Flanders and attempted to drive German lines back over the famed Passendale Ridge. Today, the Menin Gate Memorial and the In Flanders Fields Museum—hailed as the most comprehensive World War I exhibit in all of Europe—honor this horrific conflict.

Brussels (tourist attractions in Belgium)

Without at least mentioning Belgium’s expansive, bustling, and indescribably thrilling capital city. No list of the country’s top must-see attractions could ever be considered complete. Brussels is home to the renowned Grand Place market square. A palimpsest of Gothic, Baroque, 18th-century and Beaux-Arts architectural styles coexist among the spires and apses. It is also the epicenter of modern European politics, drawing legislators from Portugal to Estonia. All around this historic plaza, regal parks with soaring monuments like the Cinquantenaire, and the list goes on. Additionally, these lanes conceal Belgian beer bars brimming with Trappist brews, foamy ales, and bars serving Trappist beers. it’s one of best places to visit in Belgium.

Namur

Namur has a relaxed, medieval vibe that belies its formal status as a regional capital. It combines classic Mosan-style homes constructed from grey brick and rugged black slate, crisscrossing cobblestone roads, and attractive riverfront promenades. The massive medieval Citadelle that adorns the mountains above the Sambre is, without a doubt, the piece de resistance. It is one of Europe’s most enormous fortifications and is more than 1,000 years old. In addition, it has a tonne of escape tunnels and bulwarks that were used up to World War II. The tourists are invited to explore Namur’s cobbled Place du Vieux Marché, a charming European square teeming with outdoor cafes and taverns serving Belgian beer.

Bastogne (tourist attractions in Belgium)

Bastogne, a peaceful town of 15,000 people, is perched directly on the borderlands with Luxembourg to the south. It has a long history dates back to the years when Gallic tribes fought Roman centurions in the Low Countries. The location is now more well-known for its role in the turbulent and gloomy histories of the 20th century, though. German armies planned the Battle of the Bulge from here in 1944, and the town later hosted the valiant 101st Airborne Division when Axis forces surrounded them. Today, the renowned Bastogne War Museum, the enormous Mardasson Memorial, and the Bastogne Barracks all pay tribute to this crucial period of the Western Front.

Ghent’s Canals

Take to the water for simple sightseeing in Ghent. Many businesses provide sightseeing cruises (both public and private alternatives) on Ghent’s waterways. It travels through the city’s medieval old town neighborhood and past. Some of the city’s monasteries, churches, and renowned guildhall facades line the canals.
The majority of canal tour options last 40 minutes or an hour. From roughly March through November, departures are consistent throughout the day, with fewer departures in the winter.

Waterloo (tourist attractions in Belgium)

The area where the battle raged is now a pastoral scene of agricultural fields. Still, to mark the occasion when Napoleon’s army was eventually defeated, a man-made hill rises up from the surrounding flatlands. A monument lion sculpture is perched atop the mountain.
The peak offers stunning vistas of the surrounding area. Waterloo continues to be a crucial stop on tour for anybody interested in the history of Belgium and, more broadly, of Europe. It’s one best tourist attractions in Belgium.

Semois Valley

The Semois Valley, a haven for nature lovers, offers a much-needed dose of verdant countryside. The following all that historic wandering through Belgium’s cities and towns.
The Semois River meanders through farmland in the country’s southernmost region. It is overlooked by gently undulating hills covered in forest. It is one of the best tourist places in Belgium for trekking and riverboat excursions that follow the river’s winding twists.
Villages like Membre, Laforet, and Alle have excellent lodging choices, ranging from regional camping to midrange guesthouses. Come in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom to see the valley at its most beautiful.

St. Peter’s Church, Leuven (tourist attractions in Belgium)

One of Belgium’s best preserved Brabant Gothic specimens is St. Peter’s Church, which features pointed arch windows and sheaf pillars. The Grote Markt, the town’s central square, is where the church is located.
In addition to the beautiful 15th-century building, art fans will also find a special surprise inside the church. Some of the finest Flemish paintings depicting biblical subjects are displayed in the museum of religious art located in the choir and ambulatory. Visits are recommended, especially if you can see the Last Supper artwork by Dirk Bouts and the Baroque carved pulpit.

Castle of Vêves (Tourist spots in Belgium)

One of the popular tourist destinations in Namur. This region is this fairytale-like medieval castle with circular towers on either side and lavish 18th-century interior design.
The current Castle of Vêves (Château de Vêves) was built in the fifteenth century. The fire destroyed the castle’s earlier structure in the twelfth century. But a fortified structure has stood here since 670 CE, easily guarding the key thoroughfare between Dinant and Rochefort. The castle is considered the best example of medieval architecture in Belgium. The castle is close to Celle’s village and is accessible from both Dinant and Namur.

Cathedral of Saint Bavo, Ghent (Travel spots in Belgium)

The most notable tourist destination in Ghent is this imposing cathedral. It displays the best ecclesiastical architecture in Belgium with its high Gothic choir and Romanesque crypt.
The Altar of Ghent, a Flemish masterpiece, is one of the most well-known pieces of art that adorns the inside of this high building, which is notable for its symmetrical stained glass windows. After viewing the artwork, visit the cathedral’s enormous crypt, which has significant tombs and some exquisite wall paintings.

Horta Museum and Town Houses

Victor Horta was the most significant architect and designer of the Art Nouveau movement in the early 20th century.
Many of his magnificent structures in Brussels still stand and are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the Horta Museum, which is housed in his former residence and workspace and has been kept as he intended, including the original stained glass, mosaics, woodwork, and decorations.
Using its sinuous curves to enhance and disperse natural light while incorporating elements from nature, Horta pioneered this artistic movement. Horta paid close attention to every aspect of the building and decorating. The home’s layout to its furnishings and artwork on the hinges and doorknobs.
His four significant town mansions, the Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta, are also included in the UNESCO site. In addition, the two connected buildings of his house and studio demonstrate Art Nouveau at its pinnacle.