Belgium's charms are frequently underplayed, even by loyal Belgians. But if you dismiss this country as just good for beer, chocolate and the European Parliament you'll be the one missing out. Belgium is perfect for those who like the finer, more beautiful things in life, but without the attitude some other nations are known for. And many of the best places to stay in Belgium reflect this with their understated service and charming yet chic interiors.
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Don't let the European Parliament put you off, Brussels isn't at all bland. This multicultural city is rife with fascinating museums and packed with art and design and good food, and it’s got a very independent cultural flavour, influenced by its international meting pot of inhabitants.
Antwerp has a historic reputation for fine living: this city had held an important spot on key trade route since the 16th Century - which is also when many of Antwerp's most grand and glorious buildings were built. The art came in the 17th Century, when the city inspired the likes of Rubens and Van Dyck. Antwerp's more recent pursuit is fashion. Many of Antwerp's main sights are within the old walls - about a 2km radius. And of course it has the diamonds.
Bruges is one of Europe's best preserved pre-motorised cities. A charming warren of cobbled streets, vast churches, canals lined with gorgeous old warehouses, a spectacularly lovely main square and chocolate shops. Lots and lots of chocolate shops. And beer. And waffles. And moules and frite. But mostly beautiful, romantic architecture and lots of the the best places to stay in Belgium! And Ghent’s beautiful canal-side architecture makes it look similar to Bruges, but more intimate and romantic. And with significantly fewer visitors.
These cities are some of the best places to stay in Belgium if you're looking for a city break, or you only have a few days, but if you get out into the undeniably flat countryside you'll find your visit even more rewarding.
Northern Belgium, oft called Dutch-speaking Flanders, is the flatter region, dotted with pretty towns and cities and significant battlefields. Leige is historic, Leuven is an ancient university town, known for its brewing, while Ypres is best known for its war memorials. Southern Belgium is French speaking, called Wallonia, and this is the more rural of the two, a great place to see by bike - it’s especially lovely around Namur. This is the countryside of the Ardennes Forest and Spa, the elegant small town which put the 'spa' into spa-town. Close to the French border, Mons has a fantastic collection of museums and a beautiful medieval centre with a Grand Palace. It also has a great dragon fighting festival…
What not to Miss
- A portion or two of moules and those famous double fried frites. Possibly washed down with a local beer? some of the best as brewed in local abbeys, think Orval, Chimay, Val Deiu or Florette. And a bit later on you might want to try a proper Belgian waffle, Belgian chocolate and a pastry? These are the foods typically associated with Belgium, but there are many more treasures to come out of the blend of Flemish and French cuisine that you see hereabouts.
- You might also want to eat in one or two of the old grand cafes.
- It’s a bit obvious to say not to miss the architecture, as it’s not possible to, but we mean go out of your way to see the great variety of Belgium’s great architecture. From the medieval palaces, to the Heritage Listed Grand Place, to Brussels’ space age Atomium, which was built in the 1950s. Belgium has some fantastically beautiful churches to admire too.
- The same can be said for the art of Belgium. It’s everywhere, from posters advertising the latest exhibition of Flemish Old Masters to modernist art in the metro stations. Belgium has a number of excellent art museums, and you’ll find them in every city, and some of the towns too. Bruges’ Groeningemuseum is a prime example, as is the Rubenhuis in Antwerp.
- In Brussels kids will love Manneken Pis, the fountain statue of the little boy relieving himself cheerfully. It is just back from Rue Charles Buls, the tourist street of chocolate shops. They may also be interested in taking a chocolate tour or chocolate making workshop. Or visiting the Musees Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, which has an excellent ancient Egyptian section. The family of stuffed iguanodons at the Musee des Sciences Naturelles, will be another highlight for kids.
- In Bruges visit the Markt, and climb the Belfort - there's not much to see inside, but the view is worth the long climb. Take a ride on the canals and see the Begijnhof. Or take a horse and trap ride to the Minnewater. Visit the tiny Basilica of the Holy Blood in the Burg, and admire the Stadhuis and Brugse Vrije, which are the Gothic town administration buildings.
- Antwerp's weekend markets are a lot of fun and you can find stalls selling the usual foods, clothes and gifts to antiques and bicycles. There's a big market on the Theatreplein Square. Those with an interest in fashion may prefer the Kammerstraat, which is where you'll find the Fashion Museum, and boutiques belonging to some of Antwerp's big name designers, including Dries van Noten. Antwerp also has a Diamond Museum, the Diamantmuseum. There's also 'Diamondland' where you can see them being cut and set in the daily 'show'. And if you want to purchase a diamond, skip the sellers near the station and visit the diamond merchants in the diamond district around Hoveniersstraat and Schapstraat.
- If you’re even mildly interested in the Battle of Waterloo then visit Hougoumont, a recently restored fortified farm which could have made all the difference to the battle’s outcome. And Memorial 1815, an underground museum.