25 Beautiful Places To Visit In Belgium

Hello there, fellow travel enthusiasts! Are you planning a trip to Belgium and don’t know which places you should include in your itinerary? Well, I’ve got you covered. After living in this beautiful country for almost 12 years, I have created a list of my favorite destinations that I want to share with you. So keep reading to discover 25 beautiful places to visit in Belgium.

Any trip to Belgium will, of course, include a couple of days in Brussels. This city, home to European Institutions, has an amazing vibe that will completely win you over. However, Belgium has so many other amazing places. From well-known and popular tourist destinations like Brugges to less visited towns like Hasselt, all of the destinations in this guide will steal your heart away. So let’s get started!

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BELGIUM

Book your flights with WayAway.com
Book your car with Rentalcars.com
Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
Get reliable travel insurance.
Find the best activities to do like this boat tour in Bruges.
Don’t forget to pack your Airtag to always help you locate your checked-in baggage.
Remember to bring with you your portable battery and Insta360 Flow to capture the best photos and videos.

BRUSSELS

Every trip to Belgium should begin with at least a couple of days in Brussels. Home to the European Institutions, Brussels has an amazing vibe due to the mix of people from so many countries living there.

Brussels will impress you with the beauty of its main historical buildings like for example the Grand Place on the charming Art Nouveau houses that you will randomly find in many streets. On top of that, it also has to offer a wide cultural range of activities as well as many trendy coffee places and restaurants. I lived in Brussels for over 8 years and I definitely loved every second I spent there.

Here are some of my personal recommendations for this city that you should include in your itinerary in Brussels.

The Grand Place. Brussels main square is beautiful no matter which season of the year you visit it but I particularly like it during in Christmas. Every year, they do a beautiful light show during the Christmas season.
Mont des Arts or Arts Hill is one of my all-time favorite places in Brussels. From here you will also get insane sunsets.
The Atomium.
The Japanase and Chinese Pagodas.
Flagey and its ponds.

BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN FLANDERS

2. Groot Bijgarden Castle

Distance from Brussels: 9,4 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach the Castle of Groot Bijgarden is to rent a car. Despite it being quite close to Brussels, it is not very well connected with public transport.
Time needed to visit: Half a day

The castle of Groot Bijgarden is a beautiful and very well-maintained castle dating from the 17th century near Brussels. It is surrounded by a moat filled with water and it has a five-arch bridge giving access to it.

These days, the castle is used to host private events but it is possible to visit it every spring when it hosts Floralia Brussels. This is a flower exhibition that covers the 14 hectares of the garden as well as its greenhouses. Wandering around its garden while admiring the over 400 different species of flowers is a must-do if you are visiting Belgium in Spring.

Floralia Brussels will take place between 5 April and 2 May 2024. Make sure to book your tickets in advance here!

Opening hours: From 10:00 to 18:00.
Ticket Price: 16 Euros

3. Meise Botanical Garden

Distance from Brussels: 10,9 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach the Meise Botanical Garden is to rent a car and drive there. Same as for Groot Bijgarden Castle, despite it being quite close to Brussels, it is not very well connected with public transport.
Time needed to visit: Half a day

The Meise Botanical Garden is one of the world’s largest botanical gardens, with about 18,000 plant species. Half of them are inside the greenhouses and the other half outdoors. This botanical garden was established in 1958 when they decided to move the Botanical Garden from Brussels to Meise near the grounds of Bouchout Castle.

Visiting this botanical garden is the perfect way to spend a morning or an afternoon near Brussels while you relax and enjoy nature. You will have a wonderful time while you explore the grounds and the castle and get lost inside its immense greenhouses.

Meise Botanical Garden can be visited all year round, but my favorite time of the year to do so is during spring when the cherry trees are flowering! It is necessary to book your ticket in advance here.

Opening hours: From 10:00 to 18:00.
Ticket Price: 11 Euros

4. Aalst

Distance from Brussels: 29,4 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Aalst is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you to Aalst in 30 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: Half a day

Aalst is a small city halfway between Brussels and Ghent. This charming city, located next to the Dender River, might not be as famous as other cities in Belgium, but its main square, or Grote Markt in Flemish, is definitely worth a short visit.

Did you also know that Aalst is the first city in Belgium that make its city center car-free? This makes it the perfect destination if you want to walk around and do some shopping.

In addition, this city is a major destination within Belgium during Carnival festivities! People in this town work for months to create Carnival floats to win the first prize. During three days, the major gives the keys to the city to the Carnival Prince and the whole city celebrates.

Good to know: During Carnival, trains get really crowded since many people want to visit the city. So be prepared to have to wait for a few trains before you can enter one.

5. Leuven

Distance from Brussels: 29,8 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Leuven is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you to Aalst in 30 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day

Leuven is a student city that holds the largest university in Belgium, KU Leuven. During the school year, it is a very lively city with all its students but it does quiet down during the summer months.

When visiting this city, you should definitely include:

Leuven’s main square or Grote Markt with its impressive gothic city hall.
St Peter’s church, also located in the Grote Markt.
The university library, whose tower hosts one of the largest carillons in the world.
The Oude Markt or Old Market Square, which is nicknamed the largest bar in the world.
The Large Beguinage of Leuven (Groot Begijnhof of Leuven).

Leuven will always hold a very special place in my heart because it’s the first city I lived in in Belgium, so maybe I am a bit biased about it. But it really is a wonderful destination to visit on your next trip to Belgium.

6. Hallerbos, also known as the Blue Forest

Distance from Brussels: 30,2 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Hallerbos is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

Hallerbos is, without a doubt, Belgium’s most famous forest. You have probably seen many photos of it and it is for a good reason. Every spring, this forest gets covered in thousands of blue hyacinths that give the illusion of a blue carpet.

If you love being in nature and want to be amazed, then you definitely have to visit this forest. I have written a detailed blog about Hallerbos, so make sure to read it for more information.

7. Mechelen

Distance from Brussels: 31,1 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Mechelen is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you to Mechelen in 20 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day

Mechelen is another charming city that lies halfway between Brussels and Antwerp and is definitely another destination to include in your itinerary. Here, you will spend a day walking around its historic city center and enjoying its ambiance.

Among its must-visit sites are:

St. Rumbold’s Cathedral with its impressive tower.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk.
The Botanical Garden of Mechelen.
Het Anker Brewery.
Dyle Towpath, a peaceful path to walk along the river Dyle.

8. De Schorre Trolls

Distance from Brussels: 31,3 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach The Schorre Trolls is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: 2 hours

In the small town of Boom, near Antwerp, you can find De Schorre Park. This park is famous for hosting every year the festival Tomorrowland. However, during the rest of the year, you can explore this park in the hopes of finding “The 7 Trolls and the Magical Tower”.

These troll statues were created out of recycled wood by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo. They were a gift from the Tomorrowland festival to the city of Boom to celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2019.

To make it even a bit more interesting, these troll statues are not the only ones created by this artist, there are others around the world. So why not begin with these ones and try to visit the rest during your next trips? You can find the complete Troll Map here.

9. Donk Lake

Distance from Brussels: 44,1 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Donkmeer Lake is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: 2-3 hours

If you’re looking to escape for a few hours from the hustle and bustle of city life, then Donk Lake might just be the perfect place for you. With a surface of 0.86 square km and a depth of 3.2 m, this beautiful lake is located in the municipality of Berlare.

During the summer months, it is a very popular destination for locals, who visit the lake looking for a way to cool down and enjoy water activities.

However, during the winter months, it is a very peaceful destination to enjoy a walk near the water. I visited on a sunny January morning and it was just perfect. We enjoyed a beautiful walk near the lake and the adjacent creeks while trying to soak in the sun’s rays. I followed this walking trail in the App AllTrails in case you want to follow the same route as me.

10. Antwerp

Distance from Brussels: 45 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Antwerp is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you there in 45-50 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day

Antwerp is the capital of the Flemish region and one of Belgium’s most important cities, both from a cultural and an economic point of view. The city of Antwerp is another must in your Belgian itinerary and it will surprise you with everything it has to offer, from the historic center to the newest and trendy neighborhoods.

Among the main sites you have to visit are:

Antwerp’s Train Station which is one of the most impressive train stations you have ever imagined.
The Grote Markt, with its Guild Houses and the City Hall.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp.
Ruben’s House Museum (temporarily closed for renovations).
The MAS museum (Museum aan de Stroom) is a modern building located near the Schelde River in the trendy Eilandje district.
The Port Authority Building by Zada Hadid, a glass building in the shape of a ship.

I have visited Antwerp countless times and every time I visit, I discover new things to do.

11. Ghent

Distance from Brussels: 55 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Ghent is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you there in 30 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day

Ghent is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest cities in Belgium. Its historical center with traditional houses, cobbled stones, and canals (because yes, Bruges is not the only city in Belgium with canals), will make you fall in love with it.

Among the main sites to visit in Ghent are:

Sint Bravo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb from Jan Van Eyck.
The Belfry of Ghent, where you will get fantastic views of the city.
The Gravensteen Castle.
Relax in the Graslei Harbour.
Enjoy a boat tour along its canals.

12. Hasselt

Distance from Brussels: 84 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Hasselt is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

The city of Hasselt is a small city in the province of Limburg. It has been branded as “the city of taste” and it is famous for its distilleries of Hasselt genever (gin), the Limburgish pie, and the Hasselt Speculaas.

Despite it not being very famous among tourists visiting Belgium, this small city has one of Belgium’s “hidden gems”, the largest Japanese garden in Europe. This garden was a donation from the Japanese city Itami to Hasselt when they became sister cities.

Visiting this garden will make you feel like you have traveled to Japan and you have entered a zen space. I visited it in October and the place couldn’t be any more beautiful, the contrast of the red and yellow leaves with the green grass, the beautiful koi fish in the pond, it was just perfect.

The garden is only open from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Make sure to check out the exact dates and opening hours here. The entrance fee is 6 euros.

13. Bruges

Distance from Brussels: 97,3 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Bruges is by train. There are trains departing from the three main stations in Brussels that will take you there in approximately 1 hour. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Bruges is definitely Belgium’s most visited city and it is for good reason. Also known as “The Venice of the North”, Bruges has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City for its history and beautiful canals.

Bruges is the perfect destination to spend a day strolling along its beautiful canals, discovering its medieval historic center with cobbled streets and its small houses which are the ideal example of Hanseatic architecture.

The main sites and activities to do in Bruges are:

Explore the canals (either on foot or by joining a boat tour).
Visit its beguinage “The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde” with its white houses and tranquil convent garden.
The main square with the 83 meters-high Belfry. Going up to the top of the Belfry will grant you amazing views of the city.
The Burg Square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which hosts a relic of the Holy Blood

14. The Belgian Coast

Distance from Brussels: This will vary depending on where you go but it can vary from 107 km to 142 km.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach the Belgian Coast is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

Visiting the coast might not be the first thing that comes into your mind when planning a trip to Belgium but it sure has something to offer for everyone. Are you looking for a relaxing holiday near the beach? Then, it can be the place to go and relax on its endless sandy beaches during the warm summer days. Looking for a more active holiday? Then why not go hiking along the sandy dunes in De Panne? You can complete your visit to the Belgian coast by eating some fresh Moules Frites, one of Belgium’s most famous main dishes.

BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN WALLONIA

15. Solvay Domain and Chateau de la Hulpe

Distance from Brussels: 18,6 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Solvay Castle is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

Solvay Domain and the Chateau de la Hulpe is a beautiful destination just outside of Brussels. It is an extensive park with woods and ponds with a castle with French gardens. This makes it the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to escape the busy city life in Brussels.

Unfortunately, the castle can’t be visited inside but it is still a beautiful area to explore and admire the castle from outside.

The park domain is open daily between 8 am to 9 pm during the summer months and until 6 pm during the winter.

16. Louvain La Neuve and the Hergé Museum

Distance from Brussels: 38,5 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Louvain-La-Neuve is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day

Louvain-La-Neuve is a city in Belgium that was founded in 1970 to house UCLouvain University (Université Catholique de Louvain) due to the linguistic quarrels that took place in Belgium in the 1960s. This led to a split of the Catholic University of Leuven into the Dutch language KU Leuven, which remained in Leuven and the UCLouvain.

The city’s most important attraction is the Hergé Museum, a must-visit for all the Tintin comic fans. The museum follows the life and work and the astounding creativity of its author, Hergé.

The museum is open every day except Mondays and a few other bank holidays. You can check opening hours and ticket prices here.

17. Villers Abbey

Distance from Brussels: 52,1 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Villers Abbey is to rent a car and drive there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

Villers Abbey is an ancient Cistercian Abbey located in the small town of Villers La Ville. It was founded in 1146 and abandoned in 1796. However, the ruins of this majestic abbey started attracting visitors to the site, and in 1992, it was recognized as part of Wallonia’s exceptional heritage.

The ruins of this abbey are one of the best-preserved ones in Europe. No matter which time of the year you visit the abbey, you will have a fantastic time exploring the grounds and learning about the monk’s life here.

The abbey is open to visitors daily. You can check opening hours and entry fees here.

18. Namur

Distance from Brussels: 71,2 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Namur is by renting a car and driving there. However, there are direct trains leaving from Brussels every hour that will take you to Namur in 1h and 30 minutes. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Namur is the capital of the Walloon region in Belgium and it stands in the confluence of the rivers Sambre and Meuse. Despite being the capital of Wallonia, Namur is one of Belgium’s most underrated cities. If you want to visit a beautiful city without huge amounts of tourists, this is exactly the place for you.

The main sites to visit in Namur are:

The citadel and the amazing views of the Meuse River.
The Belfry or Tour de Saint Jacques, a UNESCO world heritage site.
The old town.
St Aubin’s Cathedral.
Walk along the river bank.

19. Mons

Distance from Brussels: 74,2 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Mons is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Mons is another beautiful but underrated city in Belgium. It actually has a total of 6 UNESCO-recognized attractions! The most popular one is the Doudou Festival and the Lumeçon, in which they re-enact the fight of St. George and the dragon. The re-enactment is done in the Grand Place and it is a custom tradition that spectators try to catch a hair of the dragon’s tail since it is supposed to bring good luck.

But even if you’re not visiting Mons during the Doudou Festival, this city will still surprise you. The main sites to visit are:

The Grand Place and the City Hall. Make sure to rub the monkey for good luck.
The Belfry from which you will be able to get views of the city.
The collegiate church of Saint Waidru.
Visit the Fine Arts Museum of Mons.

20. Liege

Distance from Brussels: 96 km
How to get there: There are direct trains leaving from Brussels every hour that will take you to Namur in approximately 1 hour. You can check timetables and prices on the SNCB Website.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Liège, located in the valley of the Meuse River and very close to the border with Germany and the Netherlands, it is a very important municipality in Wallonia due to its industry. But Liege is much more than an industrial city. Its streets have a mixture of tradition and innovation, which makes visiting this city a very interesting experience.

Here are the main activities you should include on your next visit to Liege:

Be impressed by Calatrava’s Liege-Guillemins train station.
Climbing the Beuren Mountain with its 374 steps!
Explore the Citadel of Liège.
Walk along the Meuse River.
Visit the Palace of the Prince Bishops.
Enjoy the delicious baked goods of Une Gauffrete Saperlipopette. Did you know that Liege Waffles are different from the Brussels ones?

21. Dinant

Distance from Brussels: 103 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Dinant is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: Half a day.

Dinant is one of the most charming towns in Belgium and it’s a must-visit place in Belgium. Located on the banks of the river Meuse, the small but beautiful is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway. In addition, there are many hiking areas nearby so you can combine your visit to Dinant with a more adventurous activity.

Here are the best things to do in Dinant:

Visit the citadel of Dinant. Unless you want to walk up 408 steps, I suggest you get the cable car to get there and descend on foot.
Admire the 13th-century gothic collegiate church of Dinant.
Visit the House of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone and of course, take photos of the many saxophones that decorate the streets.
Go on a Meuse River cruise.

22. Durbuy

Distance from Brussels: 119 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Durbuy is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Do you know the smallest city in the world? Well, Durbuy in the Luxemburgish region of Belgium claims to be the smallest city in the world. I don’t know if this is actually true but it sure is a beautiful place to visit in Belgium. Walking through the little cobbled streets in the medieval town will make you feel like you have walked back in time.

Here are the main things you have to do during your next visit to Durbuy:

Explore the charming cobbled streets in the Medieval city center while admiring the castle from every angle. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the castle as it is private property.
Be impressed by the Topiary Park, one of the largest in Durbuy.
Try locally produced products like chocolate, charcuterie and beer.
Get impressive views of the city from the Falize Rock (Rocher de la Falize)

23. Weris Dolmen

Distance from Brussels: 128 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Weris Dolmen is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Dolmen van Weris is an archeological site located just a short drive away from Durbuy and the perfect place to combine with your visit to the smallest city in the world. But do you know what a Dolmen is? A dolmen is a tomb. Centuries ago, people used to make tombs by staking big rocks on top of each other.

The area around the Weris Dolmen is perfect for spending a day hiking and exploring. So not only will you be able to see this archeological site but also enjoy some time in nature.

24. Bayehon Waterfall

Distance from Brussels: 150 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Bayehon Waterfall is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: A day.

Bayehon Waterfall is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Belgium. With its 9m of height, it is also the second largest waterfall in the country after Coo Waterfall.

This enchanting waterfall is located near the village of Longfaye, in Malmedy and it is the the perfect destination for an autumn hike. This is because Bayehon Waterfall has a very specific characteristic, it has reddish water due to a very simple chemical reaction. The water is full of iron from the rocks and when it comes into contact with the air, it oxidizes, giving it this particular red color.

25. Le Tombeau du Géant

Distance from Brussels: 153 km
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Le Tombeau du Geant is by renting a car and driving there.
Time needed to visit: A day.

The Giant’s Tomb (Le Tombeau du Géant in French) is a panoramic lookout point overlooking a loop of the Semois River near Bouillon. This site is considered a “natural heritage of landscape interest” and it is for good reason. The lookout is simply one of the prettiest places you can imagine. I could easily spend an hour just admiring the view.

On top of that, there are a few hiking trails around the area, following the Semois River until Boullion. Make sure to read my blog post about Hiking the Giant’s Tomb in the Belgian Ardennes for more information.

MAP WITH ALL THE LOCATIONS

To end up this blog, I have compiled all the destinations shared in the following map. This will help you plan your trip to Belgium.

And that’s it for my blog about 25 Beautiful Destinations to Visit in Belgium. I hope you liked it and it encouraged you to visit this beautiful country that has adopted me. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Happy travels!

DISCLAIMER: Did you know? This blog uses affiliate partnerships. When you click and book or make a purchase through one of my blog posts, I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting The Travelling Hiker!