When I added Belgium to my 20-day itinerary for traveling Europe by train. I had no idea what was in store for me.
Wandering the cobblestone streets between breathtakingly beautiful buildings as I sampled the local foodie delights — hello, deliciously warm waffles and chocolate that’ll make you weak in the knees! I fell in love with this European wonderland.
As I knocked back the diverse flavors in one of the Best Beer Capitals in the World and learned about this often-forgotten culture, I found myself wanting to explore every corner of this one-of-a-kind country.
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Here are 10 places to visit in Belgium (that aren’t Brussels).
Ghent
There’s a reason this place made it into my top ten weekend getaways in Europe.
Nestled in the heart of Flanders, Ghent is the perfect place to explore the wonders of Flemish culture. See famous works of art like the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers and soak in the rich local history.
Fun fact: Ghent was one of Europe’s most important cities during the Dark Ages.
From the eleventh century to the sixteenth century, this city was bigger than major metro areas like Moscow. In the famous Gravensteen castle, you can explore the space where the Counts of Flanders used to live and get a sense of the glory days.
Adding Ghent to your Belgium travel plan? You can do a whole lot here in one day. Here’s everything you need to know about spending the perfect 24 hours in Ghent.
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Antwerp
The second biggest city in Belgium and the largest city in the Flanders region, Antwerp is a must-see. Known as Antwerpen by its Dutch residents and Anvers by French residents, this port city is famous for its unique architecture and culture.
One of the world’s most important cities during the mid-16th century, Antwerp is renowned for its baroque architecture and art.
Did you know this diverse city is also widely considered to be the Art Deco and diamond capital of Europe? Whether you want to explore museums or upgrade your bling, this is the palace to be.
Bruges
Awarded by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best small cities in the world, this medieval gem is a breath of fresh air.
With a focus on sustainable tourism, Bruges is all about slow travel. Leave the tour guide behind here and dig deeper here. Far from the thongs of tourists, you’ll find in many places around Western Europe, the vibe is distinctly different here.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage heart of the city in the old town of Bruges. As you walk along the waterside and admire the gorgeous architecture, you’ll feel like you’re lost in a fairytale.
Inspired? Be sure to save my guide on How to Spend 24 Hours in Bruges, Belgium.
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Dinant
Along the shores of the Meuse River, you’ll find the ultra Instagrammable city of Dinant. A highly walkable city, you can get here in about an hour and a half from Brussels and explore this quaint little city on foot.
And check out the saxophones! Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone was born here and the locals are proud of their hometown hero. Walk down the main street, Rue Adolphe Sax, check out the saxophone-inspired art, then head over to the saxophone museum.
Leuven
This college town on the River Dyle will give you a taste of local life in Belgium.
Walk the car-free streets in the UNESCO World Heritage center. Make your way down to the Oude Markt and mingle with locals in the countless cafés and restaurants that dot the picture-perfect city square.
Snap shots of the 15th-century town hall to then make your way around to the dozens of local craft breweries that put Leuven on the map. From sour cherries to Oreo cookies to blonde wheat, the 2,000+ types of beer you’ll find in your local bars are a world away from your average pub picks.
Before you go, grab my guide to the best beers of Belgium (and check out some old pics of yours truly!).
Grote Markt in Mechelen, Belgium
Mechelen
The small picturesque city of Mechelen is renowned for its Flemish art and local charms. Plan one full day to take in the wonders of this highly walkable destination.
Make your way down the main street, IJzerenleen, to admire the local architecture.
Sample the best of Flemish and Belgian cuisine in the buzzing Grote Markt. Admire the striking City Hall and St. Rumbold’s Cathedral, then take a deeper dive into the culture at the Museum Hof van Busleyden.
An afternoon in Mechelen flies by so start early.
Ardennes
The rugged landscapes of the Ardennes are much loved by Belgians and international travelers alike. From the deep forested canyons to the dramatic green peaks, this is a nature lover’s wonderland. The network of caves that run beneath the valley of Meuse, Ourthe, and Lesse alone make it worth the trip.
Running from Luxembourg to Belgium before to Germany, it’s easy to make a detour into the Ardennes and experience the great outdoors.
Planning Tip: While the sky is the limit when you’re creating a budget in Belgium, you can have a great time without breaking the bank. Before you go, read up on insider budgeting tips so that you can travel smart.
Cathedral of Our Lady, Tournai
Tournai
In its 2000+ years of history, Tournai has been ruled by France, England, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands. Its fascinating and unique past makes this cultural wonderland well worth exploring.
Admire the wonders of the medieval old town and listen to the beautiful music from the oldest belfry in Belgium. For a deeper look into the culture of this town that was once famous for its textile, take a walk around the Museum of Tapestry.
Liege
On the River Meuse, you’ll find another one of the Middle Ages key cities.
While it is the largest city in the French-speaking Wallonia region, Liege sees very little tourism. If you are looking to get off the beaten path and take a true glimpse into the local culture, this is the palace to be.
Take in the sights in the town square of Place St. Lambert then walk along to the Palace of the Prince-Bishops and Hôtel de Ville de Liège. For a look further back into history, explore the underground archaeological Roman sites in the 3 Archéoforum.
While there, read into the difference between Liege Waffles and Brussels Waffles…and maybe sample your findings. 😉
Mons
Called Bergen in Dutch, Mons is the capital of the Hainaut region. While it was a European Capital of Culture a few years back, it is left off of far too many Belgium travel agendas.
Considered the Silicon Valley of Belgium, Mons offers young vibrant energy in a historical facade. A unique place where technology meets culture, you’ll want at least a day to soak it all in here.
