Romance, architecture, food and surely chocolate – you’ll find everything in Belgium! This country is shrouded in history and features a wide array of fantastic places to see. It’s a charming and picturesque country with a remarkable architecture, vibrant streets, and delicious restaurants. If you are going to visit Belgium, you have to plan your route beforehand. This comprehensive guide will help you organize the most unforgettable trip and make sure that you don’t miss anything!
Grand Place, Brussels
It’s the central square in Brussels, founded in 979 by the Duke of Lower Lorraine. You will hardly find a better square anywhere in Europe. Grand Place is considered the most beautiful European square. Today, it is the leading tourist destination that will surely make a stunning impression. Thanks to its eclectic architecture, the square has been granted a UNESCO World Heritage label.
Many years ago, it was a buzzing market where locals and merchants sold and purchased goods. It was the heart of Belgium. Today, Grand Place functions as a cultural hub, where various events are held.
Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, Brussels
When in Brussels, you should surely pop into this place. It’s a huge historical complex that features tropical and cold greenhouses. If you travel to Brussels in spring, you have a fair opportunity to see the beauty of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken with your own eyes. They are open to the public once a year in spring. It’s the blooming season; we guarantee the beauty of this garden won’t leave you indifferent.
The orangery was created in the 19th century at the behest of King Willem I. But this project was finished by the next Belgian King, Leopold II. By building this orangery, the King wanted to let the citizens of Brussels in on his glimpse of paradise.
The main distinctive feature of the Greenhouses is a collection of rare tropical and subtropical flowers.
Atomium, Brussels
You can’t leave Brussels until you see Atomium with your own eyes. This monument that was built almost 50 years ago is the main icon of the city. It’s a museum that stands 102 m tall and consists of nine stainless steel spheres, connected by tubes. The whole structure forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal that is magnified 165 billion times. Atomium features exhibit halls and a restaurant with an incredible panoramic view of the city.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Brussels
If you want to buy something special, you should definitely visit this place. It’s a complex of glazed shopping arcades located in the city center. They were built more than 150 years ago. It includes a two hundred meter complex where you can find great chocolate shops, specialized boutiques, and cultural organizations. Here, you can even find boutiques of fashion designers who designed clothes for the royal family! Today, it’s the center of grandeur in Belgium. More than six million tourists visit this place every year.
Canals of Brugge
Brugge-Zeebrugge Canal is the waterway constructed more than 120 years ago to connect Brugge with the North Sea. Here, you can take a boat trip and see magnificent gardens, picturesque bridges, and medieval facades with your own eyes.
In fact, there are more than 80 canals in Brugge. That’s why it is frequently called Venice of the North. Sailing along the canals is a superb opportunity to see the city.
Markt of Bruges
The Markt or also called the Market Square is situated in the center of Brugge and covers more than 1 hectare. This market is the beating heart of the city. There’s the magnificent Belfrey (83 meters high) situated in the center of Markt Square. When you climb to the top of this building, you’ll surely be rewarded with a fantastic city view. Many years ago, Market Square was the center of medieval festivals and tournaments. Today, it serves as a meeting place for the citizens of the city.
Antwerpen-Centraal Railway Station
Belgium has lots of incredible places to see, and Antwerp is one of them. When you arrive in this city, you should definitely visit its central train station. It’s a magnificent building that was constructed in 1895. Locals also call it the Middle Station or Spoorwegkathedral. The whole building is made up of steel platforms and a huge stone station building that was constructed in an eclectic style. In 2009, it was rewarded as the fourth most attractive train station in the world. Between 2000 and 2009, the main building was completely renovated and expanded in order to accommodate the high-speed rail line. They also opened two new underground levels and more platforms.
MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), Antwerp
When in Antwerp, you should also pop into MAS – one of the best museums in the whole country. The MAS museum opened its doors in 2011. It’s a 60-meter high building; its facade is made of curved glass panels and Indian red sandstone. Here, you can make yourself familiar with the culture and history of Belgium. There are lots of incredible thematic exhibitions that unite local and global culture.
Mind that exhibitions vary depending on the season. If you want to see great views of the city, you need to go to the rooftop.
M-Museum, Leuven
If you are going to visit Leuven, a small Belgian city, you should definitely pop into M-Museum. It’s a well-known art museum that features more than 46,000 works! The art collection of M-Museum that includes sculptures and paintings grew into a full-fledged collection that allows you to see the works of medieval painters and modern artists. Here, you can also see with your own eyes the paintings of the Gothic period and a wide array of artworks that date back to the 19ths century.
Leuven Beer Festival
When you finally see all the city attractions, it is time to relax and visit the Leuven Beer Festival. It’s a popular event where you can test a variety of beers. Mind that Belgium is also famous for its beer. In 2016, the country had 224 active breweries.
Leuven Beer Festival unites 16 breweries together to meet each other, discuss the new ideas for development, and introduce their beer to all the visitors of the festival. Mind that, here, you’ll taste brews from all over the globe!
It doesn’t matter when you arrive in Belgium, you will never get bored here! However, your journey usually begins at the airport. Brussels is a popular European destination that features many airport transfer companies. But if you need a reputable and time-honored airport transfer service, you should order AtoB transfer (website). AtoB airport transfer service will deliver you to Leuven, Antwerp, Brugge, Brussels, or any other destination in Belgium.
When choosing the services of AtoB company, you can rest assured that they will organize a comfortable, safe, and affordable transfer from Charleroi Airport to any city in Belgium. They offer fixed rates, have a big fleet of vehicles and deal with professional drivers!
