Top 10 Most Amazing Cities in Belgium

Belgium is a country rich in history and culture, an ideal destination for a road trip, going from one city to another admiring its beautiful landscapes and getting lost in the famous Flanders.

When organizing an itinerary, the city to start from is certainly Brussels, but do not miss other smaller cities, very special and unique, which you can easily reach by train from the capital thanks to the many direct connections, such as Bruges or Ghent.

Ready to discover this magnificent country? Here are the 10 most beautiful cities in Belgium!

Oudenaarde

Credit: Starcevic – pexels.com

It is a small town in the East Flanders region, halfway between Ghent and the French border. Being small and the main attractions close together, it is perfect to visit in one day, thanks to the direct trains that depart from Brussels and arrive at their destination in an hour.

But Oudenaarde is famous above all for one reason: it is the city of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, the famous cycling competition!

In the center, you will also find a dedicated museum, the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, with interactive exhibits and displays that pay homage to the big names in cycling. But besides this sport, this city is also known for its beer, so a visit to the Liefmans Brewery, founded in 1679, is a must.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, because temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). The Tour of Flanders generally takes place in April.

Highlights

• Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen
• Liefmans Brewery
• Herenhuis de Lalaing

Dinant

Credit: Mogilat – pexels.com

It is located in the southeastern part of Belgium, not far from the border with France. It is a little-known little town, but it is worth visiting: the landscape that you will find once you arrive in Dinant you will hardly forget!

This town is located on the banks of the Moselle River and is surrounded by rocky hills that rise almost vertically around it.

But in addition to the fantastic view, Dinant is also known for being the birthplace of Sax and Leffe beer. Perfect for a day trip, as it is easily reachable from Brussels thanks to direct trains, among the things to see there are the Citadel, located on top of the hill, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view over the whole city, no doubt the best viewpoint. You can climb 408 steps or take the cable car to climb.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). As for the big events, the most important one is held in July, the Dinant Jazz Festival.

Main Attractions

• Citadelle de Dinant
• Grotte de Dinant La Merveilleuse
• Maison Leffe

Namur

Credit: Pixabay.com

It is located in the southeastern part of Belgium, approximately halfway between Brussels and Dinant. It is a romantic and charming city that develops around the Meuse River.

This destination is also perfect for a day visit and thanks to direct trains from Brussels it will be very easy to reach! The best way to discover it is to stroll through its characteristic alleys, full of small boutiques and typical restaurants.

We recommend that you go up to the top of the Citadel, from where you can admire a beautiful view over the whole city.

But Namur is famous above all for its famous characters D’Joseph and Francwès (not very well known outside the national borders) and the snail, one of the greatest local products and now a true symbol of the city!

A little curiosity about the city: it is said that this is the place where French fries were born! In the 18th century, when the inhabitants of the city loved to eat fried fish, the lake froze due to a very cold winter. In the absence of fish, the inhabitants came up with the idea of cutting the potatoes into small pieces and then frying them.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). One of the most important festivals in the city is the International Nature Namur Festival, held in October, followed by the Festival International du Film Francophone, from September to October

Main Attractions

• Citadelle de Namur
• Chateau de Namur
• Beffroi de Namur

Ostend

Credit: Filippofaccendini – pexels.com

It is a seaside resort located on the coast of Flanders, not far from Bruges. This is the perfect place if you love the sea, fish-based cuisine and if you are always looking for destinations far from mass tourism.

It is one of the most important ports in Belgium and has a suggestive charm. In the summer the waterfront comes alive and is filled with people looking for a relaxing weekend away from the cities and all their worries.

The city also has a very long beach. Ostend was once the seaside resort of the Belgian bourgeoisie! Stroll through its streets, enjoy the smell of the sea and the sun’s rays on your skin, and, after a few hours of relaxation on the beach, visit its main attractions, the Casino Kursaal Oostende (one of the symbols of the city) and the Fort Napoleon

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). The Sand Sculpture Festival Ostend is held from June to September.

Main attractions

• Casino Kursaal Oostende
• Fort Napoleon
• Museumship Amadine

Leuven

Credit: Fazekas – pexels.com

Leuven is located in the center of Belgium and is very close to Brussels, which is just under 26 kilometers away.

Recommended to be visited in the day, it will be really easy to reach it from the capital thanks to the many direct trains!

Leuven is primarily a university city! Its strengths are undoubtedly its lively and innovative character and spirit and the beer! Exactly, you must know that this city is the birthplace of Stella Artois beer, appreciated and drunk all over the world. The city is full of breweries, where you can also do different tastings and taste all the typical local beers.

On the other hand, we know that in this field Belgium is at the top! And between tastings, also visit other magnificent attractions of the city, such as the Gothic-style town hall, the Church of San Francesco and the Church of San Michele and its beautiful parks, such as the Dijlepark.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (which is concentrated mainly in the winter season), In summer there are several events, such as the Hapje-Tapje, a local gastronomy festival with beer as a great protagonist, and summer films, or open-air cinemas scattered around the streets and squares of the city.

Main Attractions

• Historisch Stadhuis van Leuven
• Sint-Pieterskerk
• Arenbergkasteel

Liege

Credit: Hankenne – pexels.com

Located in the eastern part of the country near the borders of the Netherlands and Germany, it is one of the most popular cities in Belgium. It is perfect for a day trip, as it is only an hour by train from Brussels.

Located on the banks of the Meuse River, this small town will immediately steal your heart. Our advice is to stroll through the streets of the historic center, starting from Place Saint-Lambert, the main square of the city, where St. Paul’s Cathedral is located.

Also, don’t miss the beautiful Parc de la Boverie park, where the famous La Bovarie art museum is located. But one of the main attractions is without a doubt the Montagna di Bueren, the most famous staircase in Belgium! Climb to the top by tackling 367 steps, hard work but the view will pay off all the effort!

Best from mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). The most important event in the city is the Festival de Liege, an international festival of dance, theater, and music held in February.

Main Attractions

• Montagne de Bueren
• Place Saint-Lambert
• Aquarium-Museum
• La Bovarie

Antwerp

Credit: Pixabay.com

The port of Antwerp is located in the north of Belgium, on the border with Holland. It has its airport, the Luchthaven Antwerpen, but the flights are not entirely cheap from Italy, so the best solution is always to arrive in Brussels and then reach the city by direct train from the capital in about 50 minutes.

Antwerp is the second-largest city in Belgium and is the country’s main port. Despite being a dynamic and modern city, it still retains its medieval charm, which you can discover in its historic center, whose main place is the Grote Mark, the market square.

Thanks to its mix of nightlife, multicultural atmosphere, and architectural wonders, it is one of the most popular Belgian cities and suitable for everyone, both for families and young kids looking for fun. On your visit, don’t forget to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady and Het Steen, a medieval fortress that stands out above the city.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season). There are many events in the summer, such as the Antwerp Fashion Show at the Academy of Fine Arts, the Tall Ship Race, the Rubens Market, and many small events and events that are held daily.

Main Attractions

• Cathedral of Our Lady
• Het Steen
• Museum Aan de Stroom

Ghent

Credit: Mogilat – pexels.com

In western Belgium, halfway between Bruges and the capital Brussels, lies the city of Ghent, in Flemish language Gent, extremely beautiful and fascinating.

With enchanting medieval palaces and squares, the city is crossed by romantic canals, on which to enjoy a relaxing boat ride, to be able to admire it from a different point of view.

Its historic center is the largest pedestrian area in Belgium and is full of museums, art galleries, and small clubs where you can stop for a drink while contemplating the slow pace of this town.

Perfect to visit in a day, you absolutely cannot miss its bell tower, 91 meters high and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral of St. Bavo and the Gravensteen, the castle of the counts of Flanders.

Best Period to Visit

Mid-May to mid-September is the best time to go here in Belgium it is when temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days. In this period, to be precise in July, one of the most important festivals in Flanders is held, the Ghent Festival, consisting of 4 different events, the Blue Note Festival, the Street Theater Festival, the International Puppet Festival, and the Festival of the dances.

Main Attractions

• Het Belfort van Gent
• Bavo’s Cathedral
• Gravensteen

Bruges

Credit: Duggan – pexels.com

Bruges is one of the most beautiful and loved cities by tourists who travel to Belgium and who always include it in their itineraries. It is located in the northwestern part of the country, not far from Ostend and the border with the Netherlands.

This medieval city, very romantic and fairytale, is called the “pearl of Flanders”. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread over two main nuclei, which correspond to the two most important squares of the city, the Burg and the Markt, and then Burgplatz and Marktplatz.

Our advice to live it to the fullest is to get lost in its streets, have a drink at one of the tables overlooking the squares, and taste the delicious chocolate in one of the many workshops. But the favorite activity among tourists is undoubtedly the romantic boat ride through the canals of Bruges, to be able to admire it from another point of view.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited (mainly concentrated in the winter season) – find out more. In May, one of the most important festivals is held, the Procession of the Blood of Christ, while every three years in August the city hosts the Bruges Canalside Festival.

Main Attractions

• Belfort Brugge
• Minnerwater Park
• Historium Bruges

Brussels

Credit: Meurice – pexels.com

The first position could only be Brussels, capital of Belgium, one of the most fascinating cities in Europe! This is the perfect starting point for a trip to this country, whether it’s a road trip by car or traveling by train. Brussels is optimally connected to all the cities presented up to now!

At least a weekend should be dedicated to the capital because there are so many things to do and see! It is a destination suitable for everyone, perfect for both teenagers and families with children, both for those looking for fun and for those who want to experience a weekend full of culture.

The itinerary can only start from Grand Place, the main square, and the beating heart of the city. Among the things to see absolutely, there is the Royal Palace, the European district, and the Atomium, the only attraction farthest from the historic center. There is no shortage of museums, suitable for both adults and children.

Best Period to Visit

From mid-May to mid-September, temperatures are mild, there are beautiful sunny days and rainfall is limited – find out more. Being a very active capital, there are festivals and events at any time of the year! Furthermore, August is the only month of the year in which it is possible to visit the Royal Palace inside!

Main Attractions

• Palais de Bruxelles
• Atonium
• Manneken Pis
• Europeto district