Belgium It is a highly recommended country to enjoy a very complete vacation. It has access to the sea, some precious towns and cities that are worth knowing.
I'll talk to you about the most beautiful ones below, so take note if you are planning a route through this country where more than 800 different beers are made.
Brussels
It is the capital of Belgium, so it is not surprising that it is listed as its most important city. In addition, it must be borne in mind that it is also the main seat of the European Union and King Philip of Belgium and the Belgian royal family live there, specifically in Laeken Castle.
Population: 180,000 inhabitants.
Witches
Bruges is a city located 90 kilometers from Brussels. Its old town is spectacular, so much so that in 2000 it was declared a World Heritage Site by the Unesco. Why? Because medieval structures are preserved in very good condition. On the other hand, it is also worth mentioning its numerous canals, thanks to which it has earned the nickname "Venice of the North".
Population: 120,000 inhabitants.
Mons
It is very close to the border with France, in the province of Hainaut. The NATO headquarters It has been there since 1967, something that surely has a lot to do with the fact that it was one of the battle scenes of the First World War, since its streets were fought by the English and the Germans. Today, luckily, it is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Belgium.
Population: 98,000 inhabitants.
Leuven
It is considered a university city and with good reason. It is known as «the European Salamanca«, A city that comes alive when the academic year begins. It has the largest university in Belgium, which they say is one of the best in the world if we stick to several rankings.
Population: 100,000 inhabitants.
Ypres
It is a small and very welcoming city. It is not too far from the sea and can boast of having one of the largest and most beautiful squares in the entire country, which is the Main Square (Grote Markt). It is also worth visiting its ancient fish market of Los Paños or the Cathedral of San Martín.
Population: 40,000 inhabitants.
Ghent
It is one of those cities that usually appear on all tourist routes planned by Belgium. It is the flamenco city It preserves more historical buildings, so it is not surprising that it is a benchmark at a cultural level. Furthermore, you are lucky to be located between Brussels and Bruges, just 30 minutes away from each one traveling by train.
Population: 260,000 inhabitants.
Aalst
It is located on the banks of the Dender River, about 30 kilometers from Brussels. It is known for its carnival, where the Carnival prince, who has the privilege of "ruling" for three days. In this carnival there are two key days: Sunday (the day of the big parade) and Tuesday (when men dress up as women). The festivities end on Thursday afternoon with "the burning of the doll".
Population: 85,000 inhabitants.
Antwerp
With more than half a million inhabitants, Antwerp is the most populated city of the country by far. Its port is one of the most important in Europe (50 kilometers of docks contribute to this) and there is much to see, such as the Central Station, the Diamond District, the Royal Palace or the Case Museum of Rubens, As you probably already know, he was a well-known artist who lived in Antwerp for 25 years.
Population 520,000 inhabitants.
Mechelen
If you are traveling from Brussels to Antwerp or vice versa, you cannot miss Mechelen, which is a beautiful city that is about 25 kilometers away from both. You will love its architecture, especially if you face the San Rumoldo Tower, which with its 97 meters of altitude impresses you. You can climb to the top by walking its 538 steps after paying 7 euros. It is worth it because the views are spectacular.
Population: 87,000 inhabitants.
Dinant
Dinant is halfway between what is a town and what is a city. That is why we include it in the compilation of the most beautiful villages in Belgium. It has the particularity of being built on the banks of the Meuse river, which is why it is known as «Daughter of the Meuse«. It is also known for being the hometown of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.
Population: 14,000 inhabitants.
Recommended article: The most important cities in Belgium
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Belgium (April 2024)
- Brussels, cities, Ghent
- 1,230
