A complete list of the school breaks, special days and holidays in Belgium that you can bookmark for later use. This way, you don’t plan a shopping trip when everything is closed or miss important festivities because you didn’t know about them. Read Post

Namur is the capital of Belgium’s Wallonia region, strategically situated at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. This location has made Namur an important military and trade center since Roman times when it was fortified as a citadel. Over the centuries, Namur’s citadel and position along key waterways brought both prosperity and conflict as it was contested by European powers. Read Post

Mons is a historic city located in the Wallonia region of Belgium, about 45 miles southwest of Brussels. As the capital of the province of Hainaut, Mons has been an important center of commerce, politics and military conflicts throughout its long history. The area around Mons was first settled during Roman times. In the Middle Ages, Mons emerged as a prosperous trading city and was fortified with impressive city walls and gates. Much of the medieval architecture in the city center remains intact today, including the magnificent Grand Place square surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the towering belfry. Read Post

Best things to do Location History Dinant in a day Facts Food Neighbourhoods Hotels Restaurants Transportation Christmas markets Weather Cost of living Dinant is a picturesque town situated along Belgium’s Meuse River. Nestled between steep cliff walls in a sharp bend of the river, thisRead Post

Ypres stands as a living testament to a history steeped in valour, resilience and regeneration. Once a bustling hub of the cloth industry, Ypres witnessed significant turmoil during the Great Wars, only to rise again, showcasing an undying spirit that resonates with every visitor who graces its streets. As one embarks upon a journey to explore this remarkable city, a kaleidoscope of experiences awaits. Read Post

Ninove is a city and municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders in Belgium. It is pronounced as Ninive in French, Nienove in German and Ninova in Italian. Ninove means “new pasture” and has a history dating back to the 9th century. Ninove is located on the river Dender and is part of the Denderstreek, a region known for its agricultural and industrial activities. Read Post

Kortrijk is a city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Belgium. In French and English, it is sometimes called Courtrai or Courtray. In Latin, it was known as Cortoriacum or Cortoracum. In West Flemish, a regional dialect of Dutch, it is called Kortryk or Kortrik. Kortrijk has a long and rich history that dates back to Roman times when it was a settlement near the river Leie and two Roman roads. Read Post

Best things to do Location History Tournai in a day Facts Food Neighbourhoods Hotels Restaurants Transportation Christmas markets Weather Cost of living Tournai has a rich history, attractions, seamless transportation and vibrant markets. Tournai gracefully straddles the banks of the Scheldt River and has beenRead Post

Brussels is home to several top-notch restaurants that offer exceptional dining experiences. The Lobster House is an establishment known for its exquisite seafood dishes, particularly its delicious lobsters prepared in various styles. Le Bistro-Porte de Hal provides a cozy setting and serves a diverse range of Belgian and international cuisine. The Blue stands out for its Mediterranean-inspired menu, featuring flavors from the region. Comme Chez Soi is a celebrated fine-dining restaurant offering a fusion of French and Belgian gastronomy. Read Post

Brussels offers a range of excellent hotels that cater to different budgets and preferences. Brussels has several high-end hotels that provide top-notch amenities and impeccable service for those looking for a luxurious stay. These hotels offer elegantly designed rooms or suites, spa facilities, fine dining restaurants, and convenient locations in the heart of the city. Guests can expect a comfortable and indulgent experience, with services tailored to meet their every need, while travelers on a tighter budget can find a variety of affordable hotels and budget-friendly accommodations in Brussels. Read Post

Contents Best bars Bars near Grand Place Cocktail bars Rooftop bars Pubs American bars Nightclubs Bar Tours Gay bars Live music bars Breweries Brussels offers a diverse selection of bars that cater to different tastes and preferences. Belgian beer is a must-try drink in Brussels,Read Post

Contents Best Museums Most visited Museums Historical Museums Art Museums / Galleries Museums for kids Brussels is a treasure trove of museums that offer diverse and enriching experiences for visitors. These museums showcase a range of subjects, from art and history to science and culture.Read Post

Contents Best things to do With Kids Museums Location Towns Best to visit How many days Directions Get around My 4-day gastronomic journey in the Belgian Ardennes was an experience filled with discovery and indulgence. Day 1 began at The Owl Distillery. Though not aRead Post

Brussels, the capital of Belgium isn’t exactly the most popular capital in Europe. It’s a bit gritty, the sights are rather spread out, and it takes some time to warm up to it. But it does have a rich history and plays an important roleRead Post

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is an intriguing destination with much to offer. Brussels is pronounced as “bruh-suhls” or “bruh-suhlz” in English. The city is also known by its French name, “Bruxelles” (pronounced “bruh-kel”), and its Dutch name, “Brussel” (pronounced “bruh-suhl”). It is home to the iconic Atomium, a unique structure with futuristic spheres that offer panoramic views of Brussels. The Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a historic square surrounded by ornate buildings, including the Gothic-style Brussels City Hall. The Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue of a urinating boy, is a quirky symbol of Brussels and a popular tourist attraction. The Royal Palace of Brussels, although not the residence of the king, is an impressive neoclassical building that can be visited during the summer months, and the Belgian Comic Strip Center showcases the country’s rich comic book heritage, including the adventures of Tintin and the Smurfs. Read Post

Hallerbos, known as the Blue Forest or Bluebell Forest, is a 552-hectare protected forest located south of Brussels, Belgium. It is composed of beech, oak, and birch trees and is famous for the striking carpet of bluebells that bloom every spring, transforming the forest floorRead Post

The Abbey of Villers-la-Ville in Belgium isn’t that known, but it should be. You can wander around these abbey grounds for hours and even picnic there. It’s the perfect spot for photographers, children, history buffs and others. Have a look. Read Post

Fort Breendonk is an historical site located in Willebroek, Belgium, just 15 kilometers south of Antwerp and 30 km (18.6 miles) north of Brussels. It was originally constructed as a military fortification between 1906 and 1913 to defend Antwerp. However, during World War II, itRead Post

Last year, I spent two days in Maasmechelen, in the Belgian province of Limburg. I visited Maasmechelen Village Outlet Shopping there, but also went hiking in Connecterra and walked around the old mine workers neighborhood. On my way home from Maasmechelen, I decided to stopRead Post

Beringen is a small city of 44,000 inhabitants located in the Belgian province of Limburg. It is 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Dutch border and has a history shaped by coal mining and agriculture. The city center is anchored by the lively Market Square,Read Post

The Waterloo Battlefield is located 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Brussels in Belgium and covers an area of 5 square kilometers (2 square miles). It is where the famous Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between the French forces of NapoleonRead Post

The National Botanical Garden of Meise near Brussels in Belgium is open all-year-round. The domain itself is 92 ha big and there’s also a large greenhouse. I visited the beginning of spring and photographed the botanical garden of Belgium as it came to live. Read Post

The Hergé Museum is dedicated to the life and works of cartoonist Georges Remi, better know as Hergé and the creator of character Tintin. Tintin gets a lot of attention, but several rooms are also dedicated to the other works and of Hergé and the people and events that influenced him. Read Post

As many of you already know I’m a big chocolate lover. Luckily I live in Belgium. We have amazing chocolate brands over here. One of them is Guylian Chocolates. Guylian Chocolates is famous for its seahorse and seashell shaped chocolates with a soft chocolate filling.Read Post

During our chocolate tour, we visited some of the best chocolatiers and got to taste different chocolates. We also did a chocolate workshop in Brussels during which we first got to make and then got to taste our own chocolate cookies. It was so much fun! Read Post

The beautiful rose garden Coloma in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, close to Brussels, Belgium, is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 3,000 rose varieties. I went there for a walk on a troubled day and left again feeling better and lighter. Read Post

Tervuren Park is a public park located on the outskirts of Brussels in the town of Tervuren, Belgium. The main attractions of Tervuren Park include the Royal Museum for Central Africa, the King’s Pavilion, and its scenic landscapes. The Royal Museum in Tervuren Park housesRead Post

Fort Liefkenshoek, also known as Fort Kallo, is a star-shaped structure that was built in the 16th century and played an important role in the battle for Antwerp. It is on the bank of the Scheldt River and offers a unique view of the industrialRead Post

Charleroi is a city located in the southern part of Belgium, in the province of Hainaut. Situated on the banks of the River Sambre, Charleroi was established in 1666 when the Spanish built a fortress there. The city was named after King Charles II ofRead Post

Gaasbeek Castle is located about 10 km from Brussels, but you wouldn’t think that when you’re walking around on the peaceful, green castle grounds, around the ponds and with the castle as a backdrop. People come here to picnic, let their kids play on the grass and stretch their legs. Read Post

Liege, a capital city in the Wallonia region of Belgium, is located alongside the Meuse River, in Belgium. Liege has grown to become a hub with a rich industrial legacy. Liege is not just a relic of the past; it actively embraces the future, asRead Post

I’m always up for exploring a bit more of my home country Belgium but being the workaholic that I am, I often need a kick in the behind to do so. This time, that kick came from the Province of Liège. They’ve put together aRead Post

Ostend is a coastal city located in the province of West Flanders in Belgium, along the North Sea. Ostend started as a small fishing village in the Middle Ages but grew into an important harbor town by the 17th century. Ostend has been conquered andRead Post

Mechelen is a historic city located in the center of Flanders, one of the three regions in Belgium. It lies about halfway between the major port city of Antwerp and Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Mechelen was briefly the capital of Low Countries (Belgium, NetherlandsRead Post

It might not be as famous as some other Belgian cities, but there are plenty of things to do in Mechelen! This article lists the sights and activities I think you shouldn’t miss when visiting the city, based on my own experience. Check it out! Read Post

Ghent, often overshadowed by its more famous Belgian counterparts like Brussels and Brugge, is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of history, culture and modernity. Located in the Flemish region of Belgium, Ghent has a rich history evident in its well-preserved architecture, suchRead Post

Ghent is a historic city located in the Flanders region of Belgium. With origins dating back to the 10th century, Ghent grew to become one of the largest and richest cities in Europe during the Middle Ages due to its thriving cloth trade. However, GhentRead Post

Ghent is a historic city that traces its origins to Celtic and Roman settlements in the early centuries AD. Ghent, strategically located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, became an important port city ruled by wealthy guilds in the Middle Ages. ArchitecturalRead Post

Ghent Light Festival is a free light art festival happening every three years in Ghent, Belgium. It runs for five nights and features light installations by local and international artists. The festival illuminates historic landmarks and various city spaces. In 2024, the event will occurRead Post

Ghent is a creative city and street art is part of the city’s look. Some of the coolest graffiti in Ghent can be found at the Werregarenstraatje and the Tweebruggenstraat. Check it out! Read Post

The Belfry of Ghent is one of the three famous towers of the city. Climb up the stairs and learn about the history of the building on the different floor. There you can also meet the dragon who protected the tower and the famous Bell Ronald. Read Post

The Gravensteen Castle in Ghent houses a Museum of Arms and a Museum of Judicial Objects, a.k.a. torture tools. Inside, you learn a bunch about the castle’s history. I went to have a look and snapped some shots while I was at it.  Read Post

Ghent is a historic city located in the Flanders region of Belgium. Ghent’s origin dates back to the 10th century, but then grew to become one of the largest and richest cities in northern Europe by the 13th century due to its thriving cloth tradeRead Post

Leuven is a historic university city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. With its Gothic architecture, vibrant student population, and lively culinary scene, Leuven offers visitors a delightful blend of history, culture, dining, and shopping. The pedestrian-friendly streets in the historic city center containRead Post

Leuven doesn’t have one, but two beguinages. The Small Beguinage is only a street and two alleys big, while the Grand Beguinage of Leuven is a large UNESCO site and a great place to go for a quiet stroll. It’s pretty photogenetic too. Have a look! Read Post

Leuven is a historic university town located about 30 km east of Brussels in Belgium’s Flemish Brabant province. Some of Leuven’s top attractions highlighted in the file include the 15th century Town Hall, the UNESCO-listed University Library, ancient beguinages, and the M Museum Leuven displayingRead Post

Park abbey is a Norbertine abbey located in Leuven. There’s a small museum and guided tours of the abbey grounds are available upon request. We visited the museum and the parochial church and also went for a walk around the large ponds. Come along? Read Post

The Botanical Garden of Leuven, Belgium is the oldest botanical garden in the country, founded by the Catholic University of Leuven in 1735. It’s a lovely place to go for a walk or read a book on one of the benches. Have a look. Read Post

Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium that exudes charm and history. Its well-preserved medieval architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site status make it a must-visit destination. Bruges provides a magical setting that perfectly complements the array of hotels available in the city. Whether you’re seekingRead Post

Bruges is in northwest Belgium, in the province of West Flanders. It’s near major cities like Brussels and Amsterdam and is 64 kilometers inland from the North Sea. The city has historical significance as a medieval trading hub, particularly in cloth-making and spices. The portRead Post

Bruges is a medieval city in northern Belgium’s Flanders region. Bruges is full of picturesque canals, cobbled streets and that that is why it is called the “Venice of the North”. Vikings founded Bruges as a port settlement in the 9th century. Its coast andRead Post

Bruges allures visitors with its fairy tale architecture and scenery. Bruges is a medieval city known for its well-preserved Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Its historic city center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Bruges entices with cobblestone streets, towers, canals and swans. BeyondRead Post

Bruges is a picturesque medieval town located in the Flemish region of Belgium. With its well-preserved historic architecture, winding canals and cobblestone streets, Bruges is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. Bruges has a long and fascinating history as an important EuropeanRead Post

Antwerp is a city of culture, fashion and a lot of coffee bars. In this guide you’ll find all the information you need to plan your trip, including a breakdown of the neighborhoods and tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to do. Read Post

Antwerp is a historic port city known as a global diamond trading and fashion hub. Antwerp provides places to stay, from luxurious 5-star properties to budget friendly hostels. Historic hotels allow soaking up heritage. For those looking for luxury accommodations, Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is aRead Post

Antwerp is a historic port city in northern Belgium along the Scheldt River. Today, as Belgium’s second largest city, Antwerp is an important seaport and centre of diamond trading. With over 500,000 residents, Antwerp boasts a multicultural energy and youthful creative spirit. Antwerp has developed a vibrant and eclectic dining scene reflecting its history and diversity. Belgian cuisine originated by blending French culinary influences with heartier Germanic fare using local ingredients. Signature dishes like moules frites, waffles, chocolate and beer define Belgium’s food culture. The restaurants in Antwerp showcase an incredible diversity of cuisines and dining experiences that blend traditional Belgian fare with global influences. Read Post

Antwerp is known as Belgium’s “capital of diamonds”. It is located just 15 kilometers south of the Dutch border, on the banks of the River Scheldt. Today, it continues to captivate visitors with its captivating blend of diamonds, fashion, art, and, of course, its amazingRead Post

The city of Antwerp in Belgium is known as a hip place. So it won’t surprise that there are tons of cool coffee bars where you can get re-energized, take a break, read a book or grab some cake. The list below consists of the Antwerp coffee bars I’ve already been to. Whenever I visit a new one, I’ll add it here, so make sure to check back! Read Post