Best Places to Travel in Belgium
When Josh and I arrived in Europe in 2014, we were overjoyed (and overwhelmed) with the adventure that is the expat life. After living in Belgium for a year and then in Germany for two years, we took as many opportunities as we could fit into our hectic youth ministry schedule to travel.
Belgium will always hold a special place in our heart; we grew to love the quirky country during our time there. It's got a storied, messy history and unique cultural personality, which makes for an incredible country to travel.
Planning to visit Belgium? Here's where you should go:
1. Brussels
The city of Brussels is the top tourist destination in Belgium. We lived on the outskirts of the city and spent a good amount of time here. We loved getting to show visitors around Brussels! The highlights include a beautiful city square called the Grand Place, the sassy Mannekin Pis statue, museums, and wandering into one of the many bars to enjoy some Belgian beer.
2. Bruges
Bruges is close second for top tourist destination in Belgium. With the canals, cobblestones, and centuries-old buildings, it's a romantic spot to wander around. Highlights include the Market Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, lace shopping, the canal boat tours, and checking out the Belfry.
3. Ghent
Ghent is a university town that's much quieter than Bruges, yet still tourist-friendly. It's another great place for a canal boat tour. One of my favorite things from Ghent was the cuberdons, aka neuzen, "noses": a cone-shaped candy that originated in Ghent. Stop at one of the many street vendors and pick up a small bag of these Belgian treats!
4. Leuven
We used to live halfway between Leuven and Brussels. Leuven is a university town very close to Brussels, and it's best known as the home of Stella Artois. It's much quieter than Brussels and there's not a heavy tourist presence here. Josh and I would come here for coffee dates, the occasional dinner out, to the movie theater, and sometimes to the markets. Highlights include taking a walking tour, shopping, and visiting the Stella Artois factory (although tours can be expensive if you're not part of a large group)... otherwise enjoy a properly served fresh Stella from tap at any bar around town.
5. Bastogne
This is a small city in southern Belgium and best known for its WWII history with the Battle of the Bulge. Highlights include visiting at least one of the many WWII museums, enjoying an Airborne beer in a helmet-shaped mug at a local bar, and getting to the unmarked foxholes in the forest outside of Bastogne.
6. Dinant
Dinant is another small city in southern Belgium. There's an old citadel that can be toured at the top of the cliff, and the city of Dinant is tucked right up around the foot of the cliff. Highlights include the cathedral, the citadel, and walking along the riverside, especially if the weather was as beautiful as the day we were there!
After visiting these cities, we're confident you'll fall in love with Belgium like we have! Do you have a favorite place to visit in Belgium? Any place we should have included on this list?