Belgium captivates visitors with its medieval cities, world-class chocolates, and rich artistic heritage. From the grand canals of Bruges to the vibrant Art Nouveau architecture of Brussels, this compact country offers an unforgettable blend of culture, cuisine, and historic charm.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Belgium.
-
1
Grand Place (Grote Markt)
Brussels' stunning central square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most beautiful public spaces. Surrounded by opulent guildhalls and the Gothic Town Hall, it dazzles visitors with intricate architecture and golden facades. The biennial Flower Carpet in August transforms the square into a masterpiece of living art.
Tip: Visit early morning to avoid crowds · Evening illumination is spectacular · Check dates for the Flower Carpet event
-
2
The Atomium
Belgium's iconic symbol built for the 1958 World's Fair represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. This futuristic structure features nine interconnected spheres with exhibitions, a restaurant, and panoramic city views from the top sphere. The gleaming steel monument embodies Brussels' modernist vision and scientific optimism.
Tip: Book tickets online to skip queues · Restaurant reservations recommended · Combine with Mini-Europe nearby
-
3
Bruges Historic Centre
The entire medieval city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its perfectly preserved Gothic architecture, romantic canals, and cobblestone streets. Known as the 'Venice of the North,' Bruges enchants visitors with its Belfry tower, Market Square, and labyrinth of waterways lined with historic buildings.
Tip: Take a canal boat tour for unique perspectives · Climb the Belfry for panoramic views · Visit early morning to beat day-trippers
-
4
Manneken Pis
Brussels' most famous resident is a small bronze fountain sculpture of a boy urinating, created in 1619. Despite its modest 61cm height, this quirky statue has become a beloved symbol of Belgian irreverence and humor. The figure has an extensive wardrobe of over 1,000 costumes displayed in the City Museum.
Tip: Check the dressing schedule online · Visit the City Museum to see costumes · Nearby female and dog versions exist too
-
5
Royal Palace of Brussels
The official palace of the Belgian King and Queen features stunning neoclassical architecture and lavish state rooms. Though not a royal residence, it hosts official receptions and houses masterpieces of Belgian art. The Mirror Room's ceiling, designed by artist Jan Fabre with over a million jewel scarab beetle wing-cases, is breathtaking.
Tip: Only open in summer months · Free guided tours available · Photography not allowed inside
-
6
Basilica of the Holy Blood
This Romanesque and Gothic basilica in Bruges houses a venerated relic believed to contain the blood of Christ, brought from the Holy Land in 1150. The lower chapel retains its austere 12th-century character, while the upper chapel dazzles with 19th-century Gothic revival decoration and stunning stained glass.
Tip: Relic veneration daily at 11:00 and 14:00 · Procession of the Holy Blood in May · Modest dress required
-
7
St. Bavo's Cathedral
Ghent's towering Gothic cathedral is home to the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by Jan van Eyck, considered one of history's most significant artworks. The cathedral itself is a masterpiece featuring stunning architecture, baroque sculptures, and a magnificent organ.
Tip: Audio guide highly recommended for altarpiece · Book altarpiece viewing time online · Cathedral entry is separate from altarpiece
-
8
Antwerp Central Station
Dubbed the 'Railway Cathedral,' this stunning 1905 station is an architectural masterpiece blending neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. The soaring stone and glass dome, ornate decorations, and marble halls make it one of the world's most beautiful train stations and a destination in itself.
Tip: Visit the Diamond District nearby · Great photo opportunities from platforms · Luggage storage available
-
9
Mini-Europe
This enchanting miniature park displays over 350 detailed models of Europe's most famous monuments at 1:25 scale. From the Eiffel Tower to Big Ben, each reproduction features animations and interactive elements. Located next to the Atomium, it offers a whimsical journey through European heritage.
Tip: Combo tickets with Atomium save money · Best on clear days for photos · Interactive displays engage children
-
10
Gravensteen Castle
The Castle of the Counts is Ghent's imposing 12th-century fortress with a dark medieval history. This authentic stone castle features torture chambers, dungeons, a weapons collection, and rampart walks offering stunning city views. Its well-preserved architecture provides an immersive glimpse into medieval life.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes for stairs · Audio guide included with ticket · Evening illumination is spectacular
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Grand Place, Brussels
UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most breathtaking public squares, surrounded by ornate 17th-century guildhalls and the Gothic Town Hall. The gilded facades glow magnificently at night under illumination. Free to visit at any hour; the biennial Flower Carpet in August fills the square with 750,000 begonias.
Atomium, Brussels
Belgium's most distinctive modern landmark, built for the 1958 World's Fair. The nine interconnected steel spheres represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Exhibitions inside explore 1950s visions of the future, while the top sphere offers panoramic Brussels views. Admission €16 adults.
Manneken Pis, Brussels
Brussels' most famous and irreverent symbol: a small 61cm bronze fountain sculpture of a urinating boy, created in 1619. His enormous wardrobe of over 1,000 costumes is displayed in the nearby City Museum. Check the official calendar to see him dressed in special outfits on holidays and civic occasions.
Belfry of Bruges
The iconic 83-meter medieval bell tower at the heart of Bruges' Market Square, a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Climbing its 366 steps rewards visitors with spectacular rooftop views over the medieval city's canals and spires. The carillon bells ring every quarter hour and have done so since the 14th century.
Gravensteen Castle, Ghent
The formidable moated Castle of the Counts rises from the Ghent cityscape and dates to 1180. One of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Low Countries, it houses a museum of medieval torture instruments. Climb the ramparts for views over Ghent's historic towers and canals.
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
Antwerp's Gothic masterpiece took 169 years to complete and soars 123 meters above the city. Inside hang four exceptional paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, including The Raising of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. The carillon of 49 bells is among the finest in Belgium.
Museums
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels
Belgium's foremost art museum complex encompasses the Ancient Art Museum (15th-18th century Flemish masters including Bruegel, Rubens, and Van Dyck) and the Modern Art Museum. The Magritte Museum, dedicated entirely to the Surrealist master René Magritte, is housed within the complex and alone justifies a visit.
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), Antwerp
Antwerp's landmark contemporary museum on the waterfront chronicles the city's history as a global port and trading centre. Ten floors of innovative exhibits cover maritime history, ethnographic collections, and the city's diamond trade. The rooftop terrace, free to access, offers the best 360-degree views in Antwerp.
Design Museum Ghent
An internationally recognised museum celebrating product design, fashion, and applied arts from the 18th century to the present. The permanent collection spans Art Nouveau furniture to contemporary industrial design. Temporary exhibitions frequently feature world-class designers and touring collections.
In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres
An award-winning WWI museum in the historic Cloth Hall in Ypres (Ieper), using multimedia exhibits, personal testimony, and authentic artefacts to convey the devastating scale of the Great War on the Western Front. Paired with the nightly Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, it is one of Belgium's most profoundly moving experiences.
Nature
Ardennes Region
Belgium's green heart: a vast forested plateau in the south-east covering the provinces of Liège, Luxembourg, and Namur. The Ardennes offers kayaking on the Ourthe and Semois rivers, hiking through ancient forests, cycling on dedicated trails, and picturesque medieval towns like Durbuy, Bouillon, and La Roche-en-Ardenne. Best visited spring through autumn.
Hautes Fagnes Nature Reserve
A protected high-altitude moorland plateau in eastern Belgium near the German border, featuring raised bogs, rare plant species, and vast open landscapes unlike anywhere else in the country. Wooden boardwalk trails lead across the fragile ecosystem. The Signal de Botrange is Belgium's highest point at 694 metres.
Sonian Forest (Forêt de Soignes)
An ancient beech forest on the south-eastern edge of Brussels covering 4,400 hectares across three regions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's finest examples of old-growth beech woodland. Excellent cycling and walking trails, with the beautiful Tervuren Park and Royal Museum for Central Africa at its northern edge.
North Sea Coast (Kust)
Belgium's 67-kilometre coastline stretches from the Dutch border to France, with wide sandy beaches, seaside resorts, and the charming town of Ostend. The Coast Tram (De Kusttram) runs the entire length of the coast. De Panne at the western end has impressive sand dunes and access to the West Flemish Dunes nature reserve.
Cultural
Horta Museum, Brussels
The former home and studio of Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of the movement's aesthetic in existence. Every detail — the curving ironwork staircases, coloured glass skylights, mosaic floors, and integrated furniture — reflects Horta's radical vision of total design. Located in Saint-Gilles, Brussels.
Magritte Museum, Brussels
The world's largest collection of works by René Magritte, Belgium's most celebrated artist, housed within the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts complex. Over 200 paintings, drawings, and sculptures spanning his entire career reveal the depth and surreal wit behind iconic images like The Son of Man and The Treachery of Images.
Hergé Museum, Louvain-la-Neuve
Dedicated to Georges Remi, the creator of Tintin, this architecturally striking museum designed by Christian de Portzamparc traces the artist's life, creative process, and the cultural impact of the Tintin albums. Original drawings, archive materials, and immersive installations make it essential for fans of the 'Ligne Claire' style and Belgian comics heritage.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most Belgian museums open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00 or 18:00, closed Mondays. Many offer extended hours on the first Wednesday of the month (often free after 13:00). Historic sites outdoors (Grand Place, canals, etc.) are accessible 24 hours. The Royal Palace in Brussels only opens to the public late July through early September.
- Fees
- Entry to Belgium's major museums ranges from €10-17 for adults. Combined tickets offer savings in cities like Bruges (Musea Brugge covers 13 museums). Many sites offer free or reduced admission for under-18s. The Brussels Card (€33/48/63 for 24/48/72 hours) covers public transport and free entry to 40+ museums.
- Best Times
- Arrive at popular sites early morning — especially Bruges Belfry, Atomium, and Grand Place — to avoid tour groups and queues. Bruges is best visited on weekday mornings; weekend afternoons can be extremely crowded from April-October. The Ghent Three Towers viewpoint from St. Michael's Bridge is most photogenic at golden hour (sunset).
- Booking
- Online booking is recommended for the Atomium, Horta Museum, Hergé Museum, and Pairi Daiza. Michelin-starred restaurants require advance reservations (sometimes months ahead). The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres requires no booking but arrive 30 minutes early for a good position. European Parliament tours must be booked online in advance with ID.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Belgium?
Late April through June is ideal: spring flowers, manageable crowds, mild temperatures (11-22°C), and major events like the Brussels Jazz Marathon and Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges. July-August brings summer festivals (Ghent Festivities, Tomorrowland) but also peak crowds in Bruges. December is magical for Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent.
Are guided tours available for Belgium's attractions?
Walking tours are widely available in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp — many are free with a tip at the end (search 'free walking tour Belgium'). Beer tasting tours are popular in all major cities. Chocolate workshops and tours operate in Brussels and Bruges. Day tours from Brussels to Bruges, Ghent, Ypres (WWI battlefields), or Waterloo are easy to arrange.
Can I take photos at attractions in Belgium?
Photography is generally permitted outdoors at all major landmarks. Inside museums, policies vary: many allow non-flash photography in permanent collections. The Horta Museum restricts photography in certain rooms. Grand Place at night and Bruges' Rozenhoedkaai canal reflection are Belgium's most iconic photo spots. The Atomium's interior tubes offer striking geometric shots.
How much time do I need for Belgium's main attractions?
Brussels warrants a minimum of 2 full days to cover the Grand Place, major museums, and neighbourhoods. Bruges can be done in a long day trip from Brussels but deserves an overnight stay to experience it after the day-trippers leave. Ghent is excellent for 1-2 days. Antwerp needs at least a full day for the cathedral, MAS, and historic centre. The Ardennes and WWI sites around Ypres each merit a dedicated day.