Belgium has a vibrant history that will undoubtedly keep you busy for a few days or longer. To get the most out of your precious time, I suggest you visit these cities first, as they offer an array of historical sights.
Antwerp
This city has it all. Situated next to the Scheldt, it is the diamond capital of the world and has one of the biggest and most important ports in Europe. All of that doesn’t mean there is little history to find, on the contrary. Home of famous painters like Peter Paul Rubens, you can still visit his house and find his pieces in several museums. See the renowned cathedral where they have his works hanging as well. A lot of care has been given to historical buildings and the new exchange Handelsbeurs. It is a building that deserved to be restored in all its glory, preserving the first exchange in the world (dating back to 1531). Today, the building shows the wealth it brought to the city centuries ago, and how it became an example for all the other exchanges in the world.
Another great place to see is the Grote Markt where you can see the famous town hall and guild houses all around. Belgium has many of these, though the one in Antwerp certainly is up there with the best. The central station is another sight not to be missed. It might even be a great place to start your journey. Finally, I suggest you visit the Cathedral of our Lady.
Ghent
Ghent might be an underrated city in Belgium. It is overlooked by tourists who visit Bruges and the capital of Brussels. However, they are missing out on some of the finest historical landmarks in the country, and everyone who has visited Ghent will confirm that it has a great vibe and the perfect mix of old and new. One of the main attractions here is the castle of the counts. This fortress dated back to the Roman occupation and went through different turbulent periods before it was restored, partly for the World Expo in 1913, which took place in Ghent and became once again the main tourist attraction.
If the Flemish primitives are high up your list, you must see the Ghent Altarpiece, better known as ‘The adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers. It is truly a masterpiece completed in 1432 and world-renowned. The 18 panels tell you all kinds of stories from the Bible, but it is the craftsmanship that makes this piece stand out. After admiring this incredible gem, you might want to sit down on one of the many squares to enjoy some Belgian beers on a terrace. Yet, keep going a bit longer and make sure you don’t miss a visit to the Belfry, a recognized Unesco World Heritage site, and one of the symbols is on the top of its tower. It’s the dragon that protects the city since 1377. Climb up the building and enjoy the views over this historical city before you start enjoying all the culinary delights that are on offer here.
Bruges
Probably the most well known historic city in Belgium and the movie ‘In Bruges’ with Colin Farrell surely didn’t help to keep this medieval city under the radar. The Beguinage became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1998, followed by the Belfry in 1999 to which UNESCO declared the whole historical city center as a heritage site in 2000. Walking in the historical center is like walking back in time. Old houses, small streets, horse and carriages, small boats on the canals which run through the city, giving it the nickname ‘Venice of the north’,…. If you want to avoid the massive groups of tourists snapping pictures all the time and blocking your view at every corner of the street, I suggest you visit outside the busy summer months.
Another great way to avoid the crowds is to visit one of the many museums you find dotted in and around Bruges. One of my favorite ones is the Groeningemuseum. Here you will see some of the masterpieces the Flemish primitives made centuries ago. If that isn’t your thing, I suggest you pop into the Chocolate museum, cause who doesn’t like chocolate and the history of it? Just make sure you take your time to discover the city, as it is one of those places where you can find hidden gems that you can’t find in travel guides just by strolling around.
Mechelen
Last, but by all means, certainly not least, Mechelen is worth a visit. While the other cities might be more known to the broader public, often because foreign travel groups more frequently visit them, Mechelen is a hidden gem. Located halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, this city does have a vibrant history of which there is still a lot preserved. It was one of the big cloth trading hubs in the Middle Ages, making it a very prosperous city that even became the capital of the Low Lands for a while. Another relatively unknown fact is that the first railway in Europe was running between Brussels and Mechelen. Who would have thought?
But, there is a lot more to this city, and Mechelen also has several sites that are protected by Unesco. The most famous is St-Rumbold’s Tower. You can climb the 97-meter high tower to enjoy a fantastic view of the city and on a clear day even further. Of course, you need to add to your list; visit the Anker Brewery. Belgium is known worldwide for its beer, and this is the perfect placebo. Get a closer look at how they create this golden nectar: either way, plenty of places to see, and endless experiences to do. Don’t miss it!
by Kristof Eyckmans