The Butte du Lion, or Lion’s Mound, was built in 1820 to commemorate the exact place where Prince William II of the Netherlands was injured in the battle of Waterloo. Ordered by his father, King William I, the mound used battlefield soil to create a pyramid-like hill where an imposing lion sculpture now sits to represent courage.
Geological curiosities combine with quiet nature and ancient remains at Furfooz Park (Parc de Furfooz) outside the Belgian city of Dinant. Trails through this forested nature park lead you to caves, caverns, and ruins that date back to the Romans. It also boasts views of the Lesse River.
Situated near the Belgian village of Vladslo, the Vladslo German War Cemetery is the burial place of 35,644 German soldiers killed during World War One. Founded in 1918, this tree-framed and deeply atmospheric cemetery is a stop on many WWI battlefield tours; serving as a reminder of Germany’s losses during the conflict.
Part of Ghent University, the botanical garden is both a research garden and a peaceful attraction for nature-loving visitors and residents alike. Here you'll find over 10,000 different types of plants, including many rare species from around the world.
One of Bruges’ top family-friendly attractions, Boudewijn Theme Park and Dolfinarium is known for its dolphin, seal, and sea lion shows. In addition to marine mammals performing tricks, the park also has 20 outdoor attractions, including a roller coaster and pirate ship, as well as 10 indoor attractions suitable for a rainy day.
Considered to be the largest and oldest market in Belgium, La Batte Market is a Sunday tradition in Liège. Located alongside the Meuse River, this market provides a weekly opportunity to rub elbows with locals while shopping for souvenirs like clothes or books, or for a picnic of fruit, cheese, and more. Colorful umbrellas and stocked market tables, plus some antiques, all provide a charming atmosphere.
Spend some time in Brussels’ Cinquantenaire District and discover that Belgian culture is more than Tintin, beer, and frites. Built around Cinquantenaire Park, which celebrates Belgian independence and is home to museums depicting Belgium’s rich history, the neighborhood is also a gathering point for festivals and outdoor concerts—even the Brussels Marathon starts here.
Visit Beelwarde, on the outskirts of Ypres, to experience an amusement park with a twist. Along with rides for visitors of all ages, the park is home to all sorts of animals, and it doubles as a natural parkland for visitors who want to hike, picnic, or just stretch out and relax.
Located in the old town center, the Ghent Market Hall is a modern building with twin-gabled roofs that serves many functions throughout the year, from a concert venue to hosting a Christmas market. It’s a convenient place for visitors with its public restrooms and bike rental office; in addition, a public piano attracts amateur musicians to this contemporary gathering place in Ghent.
Opened in 1987 in the now-fashionable Zuid neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA)contributed to the rejuvenation of the formerly dilapidated district. Transformed into a cutting-edge gallery by architect Michel Grandsard, the museum exhibits more than 4,750 multimedia works by some of Flanders’ foremost contemporary artists.
Situated in old Bruges— a city renowned for its lace—the Lace Center (Kantcentrum is a small museum dedicated to the history and techniques of lacemaking. True to its theme, the center is housed in a 19th-century building that was one of Bruges’ original lace schools.
Immerse yourself in the art and science of Belgian beer manufacturing at Antwerp’s De Koninck brewery. Take a stroll over the pedestrian bridge that looks down over the brewing hall—and don’t forget to taste some of the finished product.
Located just outside Brussels in the town of Louvain-la-Neuve, the Hergé Museum is dedicated to 20th-century Belgian comic book artist Georges Remi, creator of Tintin and better known as Hergé. Remi’s much-loved cartoon boy-reporter appeared in 22 comic adventures, which sold in their millions and remain popular today.
Brussels’ Art and History Museum is a must-visit for any visitor to the city who loves art and culture. Combining masterpieces from the Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic eras, there are also exhibitions showing the city’s unique connection to the Art Deco movement. Visitors can see artifacts from throughout history and learn about cultures from all over the world.
One of the oldest cafés in Ghent, dating back to the 15th century, Café Den Turk is both a historic landmark and an attractive place to relax over a drink and a sandwich; it’s especially known for its selection of draft beers. There are outdoor tables for people-watching and a low-lit interior for warming up on chilly days, with photographs on display that offer a glimpse of the city during different eras.
A museum made to celebrate Brussels’ artistic past at the end of the 19th century, the Musée Fin-de-Siècle is a banquet of art from celebrated artists and literary visionaries. Perhaps most exciting are the interactive displays documenting the critical changes in the political and artistic temperature of the turn of the century.
Housed in a former waterside warehouse in the hipster district of Zuid, Antwerp’s FoMu (FotoMuseum) has earned its status as one of the most important photography collections in Europe. Its clean, white lines are perfect for presenting a rotating exhibition of cameras, equipment, and photos by internationally renowned photographers, which changes every four months.
The only remaining gate of Brussels’ medieval city walls, the Halle Gate (Porte de Hal is the oldest structure in Belgium’s capital. Built in 1381 and incorporating a black conical roof and neo-Gothic frontage added in the 1800s, this fairytale-like gatehouse is now a museum dedicated to Brussels’ military defenses and history.
Situated in Wavre, within day-tripping distance of Brussels, Walibi Belgium is a sprawling amusement park that was previously a Six Flags. Find all sorts of thrill rides, from roller coasters to water rides, along with plenty of kid-friendly attractions, many of which aren't restricted by height.
In the midst of Antwerp’s Diamond District is Diamondland, one of the city’s largest showrooms and home to an exclusive collection of diamond jewelry. Here visitors can learn more about the process involved in creating diamonds, and travelers planning on proposing can browse hundreds of diamond engagement rings.
Built in 1893, the Autrique House in Brussels was the first townhouse designed by Belgian architect Victor Horta, a pioneer of the early 20th-century art nouveau movement. Now restored to its original glory and open to visitors, the house is a key part of Brussels’ rich turn-of-the-century architectural heritage.
Housed in the Brasserie Cantillon, the only remaining traditional lambic brewery in Brussels, the Brussels Gueuze Museum is a great place to learn about Belgium’s celebrated brewing traditions firsthand. Here, visitors can see the insides of a working brewery that has changed little over the last century.
Situated in the Belgian seaside resort town of De Panne, Plopsaland is a sprawling amusement park. Visit to experience a variety of rides, from merry-go-rounds for little ones to non-inverting roller coasters for the more adventurous.
Extending from Place Louise to the Bois de la Cambre, Avenue Louise has long been known as one of the chicest places for shopping and strolling in all of Brussels. It also has several stand-out buildings, including two of Victor Horta's celebrated Art Nouveau townhouses: the Hôtel Solvay and the Hôtel Max Hallet.
One of the largest markets in Europe, Brussels’ Midi Market still feels pretty local in spirit. Popping with life and color on Sunday mornings, it sells everything from fresh flowers, produce, and meat to clothing, spices, chocolates, and household goods. Along with items to take home, it’s also where you’ll find the city’s best representation of the world’s cuisines.
Opened in 2012 and occupying a restored 16th-century guildhouse in Brussels’ beautiful Grand-Place, the Hard Rock Café Brussels is one of the city’s busiest eating spots. Guests come for the brand’s classic fusion of American food and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia presented in a glitzy, boutique-style setting.
Situated in the resort town of Blankenberge, SEA LIFE® is an indoor/outdoor aquarium featuring a variety of oceanic exhibits, an outdoor section with play areas for kids, and a seal-rescue center. Here visitors can learn about marine life through feedings, talks, and interactive experiences at the on-site touch tank.
Spread out across 57 acres in Belgium near the border with Germany, the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting place of 7,987 service people who perished while fighting on behalf of the Allies. Along with thousands of graves, there's a memorial bearing the names of 450 soldiers who went missing during the war.
A massive water park featuring attractions for visitors young and old, Plopsaqua is conveniently located in the popular summer getaway of De Panne—between the beach and the railway station. Don a suit and explore the waterslides, pools, and other features, many of which are suitable for toddlers or those who prefer not to swim.
Situated just north of Bastogne, the Recogne German War Cemetery is the final resting place of 6,807 German soldiers, most of whom died in the Battle of the Bulge. The bodies of both American and German soldiers were interred here until 1946, when the remains of US soldiers were transferred to Henri-Chapelle Cemetery.
