15 Most Beautiful Places in Belgium That You Can’t Miss

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There’s a reason there are so many most beautiful places in Belgium. Chocolate. Waffles. The EU. Hercule Poirot. Stromae.

Belgium is a tiny country with an outsized impact on the continent of Europe and the world at large. It also happens to be home to more beautiful places than you can shake a stick at.

Planning a visit soon? Keep this list of the most beautiful places in Belgium handy, and be ready to be enchanted.

Most beautiful places in Belgium

Brussels

The multicultural capital of Belgium is the de facto head of the European Union and the home of NATO headquarters, so it’s easy to think it’s focused on politics and civics, and there’s nothing to see here. 

But Brussels is packed with beautiful architecture, incredible culture, and some of the prettiest parks in Europe.

Start at the Grand Place–widely considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, not only Belgium–to take in the stunning and ornate 17th-century guildhouses there.

Visit the futuristic Atomium, built for the 1958 World’s Fair, and then enjoy a lovely walk in the Parc de Osseghem that will make you feel like you’re escaping into a fairy tale.

These sights and more await you in a capital city that is definitely not as boring as its role in European politics might have you believe.

Durbuy

The absolutely charming little city of Durbuy is a stunning place to visit. Cobbled streets, old stone walls, and perfect little gardens abound here, giving the city the look of a classic storybook illustration.

Besides the centuries-old architecture, standout sights here are the eerily beautiful Caves of Hotton and the enchanting Durbuy Topiary Park, a perfectly manicured work of botanical art.

Tiny it may be, but Durbuy is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium.

Dinant

On the shores of the river Meuse and backed by imposing stone cliffs, the city of Dinant is one of the most picture postcard perfect destinations in Belgium. It’s also like nothing else you can see anywhere else in the country.

You can take a cable car up to the clifftop Citadel for the most breathtaking views or stay on the ground to marvel at the onion dome of the Notre Dame de Dinant.

Taking a winding river cruise is also a great way to get a complete look at the pretty pastel structures of one of the most beautiful villages in Belgium.

Spa

Spa, located in the province of Liége, may just be the birthplace of wellness–this, after all, is where the word ‘spa’ came from, thanks to the many mineral springs purported to have miracle curative properties!

But beyond the miracle springs–which make Spa very worth a visit in themselves–this lovely little city is surrounded by several truly stunning wooded areas worth exploring.

And of course, in the city itself, you’ll find so many spas, all beautiful in their own way thanks to a wide array of architectural styles. You’ll be hard-pressed to choose just one to enjoy wellness services in!

Ardennes

The vast fairytale expanse of the Ardennes Forests is the stuff naturalists’ dreams are made of.

A remarkably unspoiled stretch of nature that sprawls across the borders of four countries, the Ardennes have been an enchanting destination for hikers, skiers, birdwatchers, and history lovers for centuries.

Whether you want to explore nature, visit charming little towns, or enjoy a vast array of sporting activities, the Ardennes are large enough to cater to any taste, and visitors will always remember it as one of the most beautiful places in Belgium.

Bruges

Often immortalized in cinema, the port city of Bruges is an unforgettable experience.

The medieval architecture here creates an illuminated manuscript atmosphere, with buildings like the Basilica of the Holy Blood appearing to have been drawn directly into the city by a medieval monk!

Ivy-coated homes and bridges, winding canals, and artisanal lacework add to the romance of Bruges, making it an ideal fairytale destination for dreamers. 

Antwerp

Riverside Antwerp is another Belgian port city like Bruges, but one with a history of being a bit more bustling and glamorous in many ways.

In 2017, Lonely Planet even suggested that Antwerp has been a trendsetting city for quite some time, with a glittering history in arts and culture. It’s no surprise then that Antwerp is home to some of the most beautiful places in Belgium.

For example, the stunning and ornate Centraal Station, originally built in the 19th century and painstakingly restored in the 20th, is as gorgeous and awe-inspiring as the 16th-century Cathedral of Our Lady; in fact, Centraal Station is itself often referred to as a cathedral! 

Modern beauty has its place in Antwerp as well, with examples like the Parkbrug pedestrian bridge and the Museum aan de Stroom being standouts here.

De Haan

Beach villages are often lovely, charming places, and not only is coastal De Haan no exception, it goes out of its way to really show off! There are many buildings in De Haan built in the exquisite Belle Époque architectural style, and the skyline is deliberately kept low so that these historic structures are not obscured.

To walk through De Haan’s Concession Quarter or De Concessie is to step back in time–here is where you’ll see the greatest concentration of beautiful Belle Époque buildings of all sizes, from cottages to multi-story structures.

Even the more contemporary buildings are constructed to harmonize with the heritage structures,  creating a pleasing, blended aesthetic to unite the past and the future.

Ghent

Ghent is a significant cultural hub in Belgium and a city that believes in keeping the past alive without being entirely tied to it.

Here, you’ll find beautiful, picturesque areas like the Graslei, a historic quay with some wonderful houses that date as far back as the Middle Ages… but you can also admire the De Krook library, built in 2017, and an incredible example of attractive modern architecture.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring height and striking architecture of the Ghent Belfry, and smile if you happen to hear the carillon in the tower playing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody–one of four songs the carillon’s antique brass drums are hand-programmed to play until 2025.

Furthering the joyous blending of heritage and progress, contemporary street art abounds in Ghent and is as celebrated as historic works like the breathtaking Ghent Altarpiece, dating back to the 15th century.

The attractiveness of Ghent lies in its embrace of its duality, and that makes it one of the most beautiful places in Belgium.

Mechelen

Snugly situated between Antwerp and Brussels, the small city of Mechelen stands out in Belgium by having an unusually large Grote Markt with an equally unusually large concentration of heritage buildings surrounding it.

Hours of time can be spent here simply enjoying the sight of so many exquisite historic structures, the individual features, and the fabulous embellishments that make each one unique.

Ascend the 62-meter St. Rumbold’s Tower–the source of the nickname maneblussers or Moon Extinguishers for city residents–for absolutely stunning views of Mechelen and allegedly, on a clear day, a line of sight all the way to the Brussels Atomium!

Then head into the cathedral, where absolutely magnificent stained glass windows, two amazing pipe organs, and a breathtaking array of classic artwork–Mechelen is known as a major capital of historical art in Flanders–will keep you entranced and fill your beauty-loving heart with delight. 

La Roche-en-Ardenne

One of the most beautiful towns in Belgium, the small, charming La Roche-en-Ardenne is a gem in the crown of the Belgian Ardenne.

Nestled into a lovely green valley, it is surrounded by a thick fairytale forest and overseen by the ruins of a reputedly haunted castle–traveling here is a dream come true for anyone who has ever wanted to set foot in a fantasy novel.

Strolling the idyllic Ourthe riverside hand in hand with a loved one, exploring the beautiful nature surrounding the city, and admiring the medieval architectural examples of La Roche-en-Ardenne are just a few of the ways you can spend one perfect storybook day here.

Ypres

Ypres is known for its significance in the First World War, but today is called the ‘City of Peace,’ and stands as a living tribute to peace being the better way. 

Much of Ypres and the surrounding areas were completely destroyed in battle, so this is a city that has had to spend time rebuilding and restoring, with thought and care put into every square meter of the reconstruction so that it still resembles itself before the war.

Memorials to the fallen, from large-scale monuments to small, quiet remembrances, can be found scattered throughout the city. A particularly new one, the laser-engraved steel Peace Bridge, can be found installed on the bucolic island grounds of the Pacific Eiland restaurant.

It must be crossed in order to access the restaurant and its lovely gardens, so coming and going and in multiple languages, visitors can reflect on the best way to preserve the beauty and history that surrounds them.

Waterloo

Another Belgian city with a storied battlefield past, Waterloo is more of a modern suburb these days than many of its historical sisters. But it still retains pops and points of historic charm.

For example, the little jewelbox that is the Church of St. Joseph presides over its more modern surrounds, while a drive up a pretty allée takes you to the stunning former Chateau d’Argenteuil, now repurposed as an international school.

Leuven

Beautiful Leuven is proud of its breweries and growing reputation for gastronomic excellence. But it’s also a repository of splendid Belgian Gothic architecture.

The streets of the city center are lined with fantastic historic buildings that loom imposingly over visitors. The anchor here is the Leuven Stadhuis, a 15th-century work of architectural art.

Intricately carved with dozens of statues and topped with turrets stretching high into the sky, this is a city hall that will leave you speechless.

Hoge Kempen National Park

For nature enthusiasts, visiting the lovely national park of Hoge Kempen is a need, not a want.

This absolutely massive nature reserve and hiking park is not even twenty years old, but it’s one of the most beautiful places in Belgium anyway, the culmination of a century of work by conservationists to establish a large nature park in Belgium.

With a huge network of hiking, cycling, and riding trails within its 67 square kilometers, visitors have multiple ways to explore the beautiful ecosystem of the park.

Conservationists have managed to preserve hundreds of species of flora and fauna here for visitors to enjoy viewing and have plans to attract and grow more.

Final Thoughts: Most beautiful cities in Belgium

A feast for the senses in every way, Belgium is a can’t miss destination. The next time you’re feeling a little deprived of loveliness, grab your suitcase and your list of the most beautiful cities in Belgium and get ready to experience dreaming in real life.

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