Dominating the Bruges skyline at a height of 272 feet (83 meters, this striking Gothic belfry (known as the Belfort stands proud over Markt Square as one of the city’s most cherished landmarks. This 13th-century tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing tourists with its historic galleries and panoramic views from the top.
Bruges City Hall (Stadhuis van Brugge) is Belgium’s oldest building and arguably Bruges’ most beautiful. Constructed between 1376 and 1420, the flamboyant, Gothic-style building was one of the first grand town halls in the Low Countries. The city has been governed from this building for more than 700 years.
The only brewery still working in Bruges’ city center, Brouwerij De Halve Maan has been operated by the same family since 1856. It’s believed, however, to have been in operation for much longer: The first recorded mention of the brewery dates from 1546, when Bruges was home to more than 30 breweries.
Covering a hillside near Ypres, Tyne Cot Cemetery is the world’s biggest Commonwealth military cemetery. Home to the graves of 11,954 British Commonwealth servicemen lost in World War I, the site—with its white gravestones and Memorial Wall— is a key fixture on WWI battlefields tours.
Named for the patron saints of Brussels, the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a cocathedral of the local Catholic archdiocese and one of the most beautiful churches in the city. It stands upon the ruins of an 11th-century Romanesque chapel, the remains of which can be viewed for a nominal fee.
No introduction to the architectural marvels of Ghent would be complete without checking out the Belfry and Lakenhalle (Bell Tower and Cloth Hall). The Unesco-listed Ghent Belfry, topped with a gilded dragon and home to bells that have rung for more than six centuries, offers sweeping views over the city and its gabled buildings from the top of the bell tower. Like Graslei and Korenlei, the Belfry looks spectacular when floodlit at night.
One of Europe’s major World War I landmarks, the Menin Gate Memorial (sometimes known as the Ypres Memorial) commemorates more than 54,000 British and Commonwealth troops who perished in the Flanders region. Many of these soldiers were never formally buried, and their names are inscribed on the historic gate in a lasting tribute.
The historical and cultural heart of Antwerp, Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen) is surrounded by lavish 16th-century guild houses and the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal). Although many of the buildings burned down in the 16th century, they were rebuilt in the same style and showcase Flemish architecture.
The medieval-style Markt (Market Square) is the setting for Bruges’ most photogenic landmarks, including the belfry (Belfort) and the Provinciaal Hof. At its center stands a statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who played leading roles in the Flemish resistance against the French in the 1302 Battle of the Golden Spurs.
Note: Sint-Janshospitaal is temporarily closed. Dating back to the 12th century, Sint-Janshospitaal (or Saint John’s Hospital) housed the sick for more than 800 years. Today, it’s one of the oldest surviving hospitals in Europe—and it’s open to the public. Lucky visitors can tour the chapel, explore the collection of artwork and vintage medical supplies, and even wander medieval wards where monks and nuns did their best to nurture patients.
Spanning around 74 acres (30 hectares), sprawling Cinquantenaire Park (Parc du Cinquantenaire) was named in honor of the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence, which was celebrated there with the 1880 National. Today, the park is home to three museums, along with the Great Mosque of Brussels and a triumphal arch dating to 1905.
Brussels is the administrative heart of the European Union and the headquarters of the European Parliament, where over 700 members convene to make important decisions about the EU on a regular basis. The only directly elected EU institution, this body is charged with EU legislation, along with the Council of the European Union.
Just a short stroll from Brussels’ central sights, the Sablon district has long been one of the city’s most affluent and atmospheric neighborhoods. Renowned for its elegant architecture and lively antiques market, the area is crammed with terrace cafes, hip restaurants, contemporary art galleries, and fine chocolatiers.
Hill 60 was a World War I battlefield in the Ypres Salient battlegrounds of Flanders, named for its height of 197 feet (60 meters) above sea level. It was the site of intense fighting between British and German troops in 1915. Several memorials and monuments are located at Hill 60 to honor the soldiers who fought here during the war.
Antwerp’s main railway station, nicknamedSpoorwegkathedraal (Railway Cathedral) by locals, features glass-and-iron vaulted ceilings, an ornate central dome, and hundreds of gilded flourishes. An extensive restoration of the station was completed in 2009, when a shopping mall and two further platforms were added to the complex.
A museum devoted to all things chocolate Bruges’ Choco-Story is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. Learn how Belgian chocolate is made—and then sample some freshly made treats before you leave.
The Essex Farm Cemetery is a burial ground and memorial in the Ypres Salient commemorating approximately 1,200 service personnel from World War I. Buried in the cemetery are Commonwealth soldiers who died between April 1915 and August 1917 as casualties at a dressing station in the area, including 103 unidentified soldiers.
Also known as the Bruges Beer Experience, this innovative exhibition in the heart of Bruges immerses guests in Belgian beer culture through interactive tours and an on-site tasting bar. Opened in 2014, the museum uses modern technology to bring Belgium’s brewing history to life, making it a top spot for young families and beer lovers alike.
Spearheading the rejuvenation of the Willemdok harbor area, Museum aan de Stroom (which translates as “Museum on the River”) is acclaimed equally for its stellar architecture by Neutelings Riedijk and its well-curated exhibitions about the history and culture of Antwerp. Towering 60 meters (197 feet) above the harbor, the building comprises layers of bright-red sandstone bricks held together with glass and steel.
Rich in medieval architecture and home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ghent’s city center is replete with canals, cobblestones, and classic Flemish architecture. A European powerhouse during the Middle Ages, Ghent Old Town boasts soaring churches and well-kept merchants’ houses.
Located in the Belgian town of Bastogne, this museum focuses on World War II history—it pays particular attention to the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in Bastogne in 1944. The museum tells the story of the war and the events that led to it through a mix of military ephemera exhibits and immersive experiences, one of which uses augmented reality.
Best known as the site of the 1944 Siege of Bastogne, this quiet Belgian town in the Ardennes is where encircled United States soldiers managed to turn the tide for the Battle of the Bulge, despite difficult conditions and heavy casualties. Today, Bastogne memorializes these events through monuments and museums.
The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Coeur) is one of Belgium’s most iconic buildings. Designed to celebrate Belgium’s independence, its first stone was laid by King Leopold II himself. Art fans worldwide visit this Roman Catholic cathedral to enjoy an authentic slice of Art Deco design.
A candy-striped confection of white sandstone and red brick, the 14th-century Gothic Butcher's Hall (Vleeshuis) originally served as a meat market but now fulfills the more refined role of music museum. Today, you can admire exquisite antique musical instruments such as Delftware mandolins at Museum Vleeshuis.
Forming the backbone of Antwerp’s artistic heritage, Rubens House (Rubenshuis) is a top draw for travelers. The former home of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, who lived in Antwerp for most of his life, is decorated with marble Roman busts and antique furniture that reflect the sumptuous lifestyle enjoyed by Antwerp’s most illustrious son.
Built from 1866 to 1883, the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice) is the seat of the supreme court in Belgium and one of the most important historic buildings in Brussels. It was commissioned by Leopold II and designed by Joseph Poelaert, and it may have been the largest building constructed in the 19th century.
The Memorial Museum of Passchendaele 1917 is devoted to one of World War I’s bloodiest offensives—the Battle of Passchendaele. Housed in a Norman-style château in the Belgian village of Zonnebeke, it uses artifacts, memorabilia, and reconstructions to chronicle the battle, those who fought in it, and how the conflict came to epitomize WWI’s misery and senselessness.
Set back from a main street in a small park behind a medieval gate, the Groeningemuseum is one of the finest art museums in the country. It holds a collection that covers around 600 years of Flemish and Belgian painting, from the 14th through the 20th century, with 11 rooms arranged in chronological order.
Built in the early 15th century, Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville is one of the city’s stand-out historical buildings. Located on the UNESCO-protected Grand-Place, the hall’s carved façade and tower make it a Gothic masterpiece and a must-see for visitors to Belgium’s capital.
Featuring six different galleries, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium house more than 20,000 works of art dating from the 15th to the 21st centuries. Individually and collectively, the Brussels museum complex provides a fascinating overview of the great movements and artists of Western art, from the medieval to the modern era.
