11 Cities to Visit in Belgium that Aren’t Brussels

Out of all of the countries in Europe, Belgium hits a certain sweet spot.

It isn't just known for its recognizable architecture, with colorful buildings all in a row. It also isn't just known for helping to popularize waffles, strong beer, chocolate, and fries.

Belgium is known for so much more.

Its winding streets. Its diverse geography. If you want large cities, you've got it. If you want small towns? You have that too. Mountains for skiing or beaches for summertime lounging? Belgium really has it all.

Brussels is the most popular city in Belgium, but perhaps you're wanting to explore more of what this country has to offer, beyond the capital.

We're happy to share that there are so many more towns and cities of all sizes.

Whether it's your first time in the country, or you've been a couple of times and are looking for somewhere new, there are several options - all worth adding to your bucket list.

Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is a large city in north-eastern Belgium, close to the border of the Netherlands.

If you're looking for a city with a lot of things to do, Antwerp might be a good choice. There are many museums, landmarks, attractions, restaurants, stores, you name it. On top of that, there is a mixture of old architecture and new, so a little bit of everything.

In the Middle Ages, Antwerp was one of Europe's important centers for trade, particularly the cloth trade. It's also the birthplace of Rubens, one of the master painters in art history.

There is a small airport, but many people get to Antwerp by traveling through Brussels, then taking a short train ride (30-40 minutes).

Bruges, Belgium

You may have heard of Bruges. Next to Brussels, it is an extremely popular destination for tourists.

This is probably due to the fact it has an extremely cute (and old) city center with beautiful buildings, churches, a canal, and lots of opportunities for delicious food or a pint of Belgian beer.

Bruges is a mid-sized city in the northwestern part of the country, and its city center itself is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Travelers have long been going to and from Bruges. It was a Viking-era fortress in the 800s, after all.

This is one of the more "fairytale" looking cities on the list. Keep in mind that it can get very busy, especially at the height of tourist season (usually the summer months).

Mechelen, Belgium

Mechelen is a convenient stop between Brussels and Antwerp. Because it's a smaller city (around 77,000 residents), there are fewer big attractions than its two bookends, but that doesn't mean you should just skip right over it.

Because it's a bit smaller and less known internationally, it's less crowded, which can be a big plus.

And still, there are great things to see and do. There is a belfry that has UNESCO status, cathedrals, breweries, and great restaurants to try.

Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is another pretty famous city in Belgium. Between Brussels and Bruges, this city is old, beautiful, and has a little bit of everything - monuments, churches, museums, cuisine, etc.

It has a similar feeling to Bruges, but typically fewer crowds.

One of the most unique things about Ghent is that the medieval core of the city is, one, still well preserved, and two, car-free. This is great for all tourists, but particularly convenient if you're traveling with young children.

Dinant, Belgium

Dinant is an incredibly unique town that is closer to the French border. It is built along the Meuse River, next to a rocky gorge.

Unlike larger cities, Dinant is quite quiet, mostly due to its size. It's quite small.

Because of that, it's great for travelers who are tired of wading through crowds and want to have a more relaxing vacation (so, not packing the itinerary full with every single thing to do and see).

Fun fact: Adolphe Sax was born here (the inventor of saxophones).

Namur, Belgium

Namur is a mid-sized city in central Belgium, along the Meuse River.

It is home to a well-known castle, the Citadel of Namur, and a really cute old city center.

If you want to head to a smaller city with a calmer pace and fewer tourists, Namur still has a little bit of everything you'd want to see, just in a lesser-known package.

Liege, Belgium

Liege is a large, historic city with museums, things to do, great architecture, all of the above.

Historically, it was an important medieval center, and it's quite visible in the city layout and the architecture that exists today.

Like Namur, it also has a famous citadel that can be seen from the town. In fact, in 374 steps, you can climb up to the citadel and see an amazing view of Liege.

If you're a waffle connoisseur (which, aren't we all to some degree or another?), the word might be familiar to you. Liege Waffles are from here!

Mons, Belgium

A small city near the border of France, Mons is known for its UNESCO Ducasse Festival (often known as Doudou).

The Ducasse de Mons dates back to the Medieval era, since at least the 1200s, if not before. It combines folklore and religion and is a multi-day event with parades, celebrations, music, and other cultural moments.

The dates of the festival vary every year, but it's always centered around Trinity Sunday, a notable day in the Christian religion that falls in either late May or early June.

If you're interested in history, it's also near some battle sites from British history.

Charleroi, Belgium

Charleroi isn't a city for those looking for medieval streets and beautiful architecture. It's quite industrial, known for its history in coal and steel.

If you like more "gritty" aesthetics, Charleroi could be an interesting choice for you. However, if you're looking for dreamy Belgian architecture and cobblestone streets, this one might not be compatible.

All of that said, if you're looking for an authentic experience of what it's really like to live day in and day out in a Belgian city, Charleroi will deliver.

Kortrijk, Belgium

UNESCO Heritage sites, a sleepy river, Roman origins, and the site of the 14th-century Battle of the Spurs, Kortrijk is a large town that has so many different sides to it.

The town itself is very pretty; it even won the UNESCO Design City award in 2017.

If you like architecture and historic buildings, Kortrijk delivers.

In this small town, there are more than a dozen churches and cathedrals. There are also several museums, like one celebrating Flax (an important agricultural staple for the area), and even one inside an old windmill.

Plus, the town center itself is still medieval and car-free!

Ypres, Belgium

A smaller town, but still a fun one to add to the list - Ypres is in northwestern Belgium, and is a very relevant WWI site.

The site is famous for the aptly named Battle of Ypres Salient, a significant event in the First World War. Unfortunately, much of the town was destroyed.

Today, there are monuments and museums commemorating the war throughout town, which can give the area a somber feel.

At the Menin Gate, one of the town's memorials, a nightly bugle call is held for the Last Post.