352 Best Sights in Belgium

One of the prettiest stretches of parkland in Brussels made all the more welcome for being deep among the residential mélange of Schaerbeek. Its archways of cherry blossoms are particularly enchanting in spring. In summer there are free concerts and Glacier Cocozza, across the road, draws a queue all the way down the road for its ice creams. The park is best known for its Cherry Festival (last Sunday in June) when locals gather to compete in a highly competitive cherry-pit-spitting contest.

This tranquil park, just next to the EU Quarter, has a strange history of failures. First, it was a poorly maintained 19th-century pleasure garden, then home to a zoo in which most of the animals died (its two entrance pavilions date from this era). By the 1930s, thankfully, it found its purpose and became an important scientific library and institute, around which a pair of museums were later added. It's largely peaceful except at lunchtime, when seemingly every corner is invaded by local schoolkids.

Among the nonmilitary sights within the Citadelle, the former officers’ mess hall is now a fragrance factory that allows you to witness the steps of isolating and combining the aromas involved in creating a fine perfume. Factory visits are by tour only, but a shop upstairs exhibits the work of local artists and sells the factory’s products.

Tervuren Park, once the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant, was the venue for King Leopold II's 1897 Exposition. His aim was to showcase the wealth and "culture" he was tearing out of the Congo Free State, which didn't even have the slim political protection of being a Belgian colony at the time—international condemnation eventually forced the King to make it one in 1908. In preparation for the exposition, he built the Koloniënpaleis (Colonial Palace), which now hosts the Royal Museum for Central Africa; he also created gardens in the French style. The exposition itself was considered a success, though is now thought to be a stain on Belgian history. It contained a human zoo of Congolese, several of whom died in the crossing to Europe. But the park is more than this dark corner of history—its 205 hectares (507 acres) span a pair of valleys, and for those walking or cycling the trails here, it's the gateway to the northeasternmost reaches of the Forêt de Soigne, a vast forest of boundless trails.

Art lovers will want to head for nearby Sint-Idesbald---effectively a western suburb of Koksijde---to discover the Paul Delvaux Museum in a reconverted Flemish farmhouse. It is dedicated to the painter, famous for his Surrealist mix of nudes, skeletons, and trains, who died in 1994 at the age of nearly 100. This collection has work from the various stages of Delvaux’s career, including his later, somewhat eerie female nudes.

This bustling square is as old as Liège itself. For centuries it was where the city’s commercial and political life was concentrated. The 18th-century Hôtel de Ville is here, with its two entrances: one for the wealthy and one for the common people. A number of the old buildings surrounding it were among the 23,000 destroyed by German bombs. In the center stands the Perron, a large fountain sculpted by Jean Delcour, topped with an acorn—the symbol of Liège’s liberty.

This square has played a part in the economic history of Belgium, for here during the 18th century, when the city was under Austrian rule, the Department of Commerce met and money was minted. It has also felt the brunt of Belgium’s position as a European battleground—it was leveled in World War I and again in World War II. Today the square consists of an immense, hardwood platform—a sunny local meeting place—surrounded by modern buildings containing a conference center and shops. The annual Christmas Market takes over the square in early December. Just off the north end of the square is the 18th-century Beffroi, a stone tower that was never actually a belfry, despite its name.

Now a vibrant, bustling focal point, this square went through a long period of neglect after the Cathedral of St. Lambert, the largest cathedral in Europe, was destroyed during the French Revolution. At its center proudly stands a sculpture honoring both the murdered 8th-century saint and the future of Liège. 

The River Scheldt (known in French as the "Escaut") once gave Tournai a vital route to the sea, making it a thriving medieval trading hub. The Pont des Trous (Bridge of Holes) was built as a fortified bridge in the 13th century to defend this vital waterway, and remains one of only three examples of its kind left in the world. Having said that, it was largely destroyed in World War II, only to be swiftly rebuilt with a larger arch to allow for modern transport barges to pass. At the time of writing, it was being enlarged again, despite vociferous public outcry. It is a great spot to watch the barges drift on by.

Although the Port of Antwerp is 88 km (53 miles) from the sea, it is Europe's second-largest port (after Rotterdam) and the 10th largest in the world. Giant locks facilitate navigation up the River Scheldt; the Berendrecht measures 546 yards by 74 yards. Every year, 178.2 million tons of goods are shipped here, serving a vast area stretching across half of Europe. Surprisingly, in the midst of all this hustle and bustle is a traditional fishing village, Lillo, nestled in an old fort among the enormous refineries, tankers, and buildings of the chemical industries. It's worth exploring and has a museum that explains the history of the area.

Built in 1381, this gate is a unique remnant of Brussels’s city walls, which tend to reappear in unusual places. (For example, if you continue down nearby rue Haute, you'll spy a huge chunk of wall next to the bowling alley at the crossroads with boulevard de l'Empereur.) In 1847, this gate became one of the first museums in Europe, though it lost its collections to the Cinquantenaire complex in the 1870s. It now has a permanent exhibition on medieval Brussels, and if you climb its 169 steps to the roof, a crenelated walkway affords sweeping views of the neighborhood.

Originally constructed in the 14th century, Trier Gate is the last remaining evidence of the medieval city wall that once encircled Bastogne. The ramparts kept the city safe until 1688, when they were demolished on the orders of French king Louis XIV, and the gate was converted into a prison—a role it performed until 1914. The German offensive in 1944--45 almost destroyed the building, but it has since been restored. Today it occasionally hosts temporary exhibitions—you'll need an appointment to look inside at other times.

The best-known of Spa’s water sources—locally known as pouhons—is the Pouhon Pierre Le Grand, which can be visited by tourists as well as curistes (people taking the cure). In past times, pregnant women came to drink the iron-rich water. Nowadays, the source draws those with poor circulation, anemia, and arthritis. The building housing the spring dates from 1880, although is was given a major face-lift in 2012.

The world of early humans is on display at this speculative re-creation of prehistoric dwellings. You can get a sense of your ancestors’ technical aptitude while trying your own hand at making pots and polishing stones. The museum is next to the cave of Ramioul, where the lighting system brings out the beauty of the rock formations. Guides explain in English the cave’s animal life and its use by humans. Tours are led April–October on weekends at 2.

An exceptionally thoughtful museum for our times, the Red Star Line operated the old steamers that would cross to the New World from Antwerp, carrying some 2 million passengers to new lives between 1873 and 1934. The museum follows the stories of the emigrants who made that journey, leaving the familiar behind for a life of uncertainty, putting a human face on immigration that is sorely needed these days.

Reinhardstein, the loftiest and possibly the best-preserved medieval fortress in the country, dating originally from 1354, is reached by a mile-long hike through the Hautes Fagnes. It sits on a spur of rock overlooking the river Warche and has been in the hands of such illustrious families as the Metternichs, ancestors of Prince Metternich, the architect of the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Hall of Knights and the Chapel are particular gems. Guided tours, lasting a little over an hour, depart hourly. They are mostly given in French, Dutch, or German, but guides are usually happy to offer some English explanation upon request.

This historic part of town was once popular with those walking the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostella via the Netherlands or Germany trail. They would visit in order to venerate the relics of Ste. Gertrude at the church. It was later adopted by local brewers. Hostelries once lined the streets here, and you can still see the scallop shell (symbol of St. James) on various facades along rue du Coq and rue Bayard. More recently, the town has traced where the Brabant Way and Gallia Belgica Way used to meet up here, with maps to follow local sections of the trail found in the tourist office. Ivy-strewn stairs also lead out of the St. James area via rue du Wichet to the pretty Dodaine Park.  

The flint mines that lie 6 km (4 miles) outside the city were once a valuable resource to early humankind, its rock capable of being chipped into spearheads, knives, and tools. According to UNESCO, this is the largest and earliest mine of its type in Europe. Visits today descend by ladder into the chalky stone underbelly of the mines, accompanied by an archaeologist guide. 

In 1874, the city set about connecting the left and right banks of the Scheldt. The importance of shipping meant a bridge just wasn't feasible at the time, so nearly 60 years later they eventually decided to dig down instead. The tunnel's rare wooden escalator and almost hypnotic tiling make it a reason to enter in itself, though it's worth spending some time exploring Linkroever, across the water. A trail leads from the exit on the left bank up to a petite stretch of beach known as Sint-Annastrand that looks out over the Scheldt—a bizarre splash of nature amid the docks.

This late-Gothic church dedicated to St. Andrew dates from 1514 but reflects substantial Baroque influences from its extension during the 18th century. The church is notable for the magnificence of its Baroque high altar, stained-glass windows, and columns. Its most striking feature is the pulpit depicting Peter and his brother Andrew, created by Jan-Baptist Van Hoof and Jan-Frans Van Geel in 1821. The church is closed to visitors during services.

This late-Gothic church dedicated to St. Andrew dates from 1514 but reflects substantial Baroque influences from its extension during the 18th century. The church is notable for the magnificence of its Baroque high altar, stained-glass windows, and columns. Its most striking feature is the pulpit depicting Peter and his brother Andrew, created by Jan-Baptist Van Hoof and Jan-Frans Van Geel in 1821. The church is closed to visitors during services.

Much of the current church building was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. By the mid-1700s, though, it had received a Baroque makeover, with its impressive pulpit one of few surviving items from that era. Come the 19th century, the church acquired its current neo-Gothic interior and spectacular murals. Most prized of all are the relics of St. Bartholomew, which were moved here in 1515. Since then, a procession has taken place on the Sunday around his saint's day (August 24), where the relics are carried from the church and paraded around the city, followed by a folk festival on the main square.

Like so much of Antwerp, the Jesuit St. Charles Borromeo Church bears the imprint of Rubens. The front and tower are generally attributed to him, and his hand can certainly be seen in the clustered cherubim above the entrance. The church’s facade suggests a richly decorated high altar, inviting the observer inside. The interior was once magnificent, but most of Rubens’s frescoes were destroyed by fire, and other works were carted off to Vienna when the Austrians banned the Jesuits in the 18th century. The square is one of the most attractive in Antwerp, flanked by the harmonious Renaissance buildings of the Jesuit convent, now occupied by the City Library.

The church where Philip and Joanna were wed is a product of the De Waghemakere–Keldermans architectural partnership that worked so well in building the cathedral in Antwerp. The interior is notable for its stained-glass windows from the 15th and 16th centuries—those in the choir were the gift of Maximilian of Austria (father of Philip the Handsome), who visited in 1516 and is depicted in one of the windows, along with his wife, Mary of Burgundy.

Peter Paul Rubens is buried in the white sandstone St. Jacob's Church. A painting depicting him as St. George posed between his two wives, Isabella Brant and Helena Fourment, hangs above his tomb. The three-aisle church blends late-Gothic and Baroque styles. The tombs are a who's who of prominent 17th-century Antwerp families.

The outer ramparts of the medieval city of Bruges used to be dotted with windmills; now four remain along the ring road. The two most impressive are the St-Janshuismolen (1770) and close to it the Koeleweimolen (1765). Of these, only St-Janshuismolen can be visited, and it is still used to grind flour. The wooden steps leading up to it are quite steep and not for the fainthearted.

Like many of the early medieval churches, St. Martin's has been rebuilt and renovated numerous times since it was first constructed in the 12th century. Among its large collection of medieval art, the crown jewels are the 16th-century altarpiece Triptych of the Holy Spirit by Kortrijk-born Bernard de Rijckere and a magnificent 6.5-meter-high tabernacle tower with some fine reliefs. A free brochure explains many of the artworks. You can also climb its 246-step tower for sweeping views of the city; tickets for this are free but you'll need to scan the QR code at the gate to download them.

This whitewashed church close to the banks of the Leie likely dates back to the 11th century. Built using limestone from Tournai, shipped via the rivers Scheldt and Leie, it was heavily renovated in 1900, creating its current neo-Gothic hall. In the graveyard, you’ll find the resting places of many of the artists who made the village their home, including Albijn van den Abeele and George Minne, whose grave lies beneath a bronze cast of a mother cradling her child. Inside are a number of impressive works, including a large panel by Gustave van de Woestyne. Behind the church, you’ll also spy a much-admired 17th-century farmhouse linked to the old abbey, which has been featured in many classic paintings. Stroll the waterside for one of the more peaceful, scenic stretches of the river.

Perhaps Belgium's best example of Scheldt-Gothic, St. Nicholas's Church was built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, destroyed a century later after two disastrous fires, and later rebuilt by prosperous merchants. During the French Revolution, the church was used as a stable, and its treasures were ransacked. The tower, one of the many soaring landmarks of this city's famed skyline, dates from about 1300 and was the first belfry in Ghent.

The late-Gothic St. Paul's Church, built 1530–71, houses more than 50 outstanding paintings, including a series known as the 15 mysteries of the Rosary by Antwerp's finest painters of the time. There are three by Rubens, including a visceral depiction of Jesus's flagellation, as well as works by Jordaens and Van Dyck. The church is further enriched by more than 200 17th- and 18th-century sculptures, including the 10 Baroque confessionals attributed to Peeter Verbruggen the Elder. A Baroque altar completed in 1639 towers over the more somber Gothic nave. Sint-Pauluskerk was restored in 1968 after a major fire.