Belgium is a highly recommended country to enjoy a very complete vacation. It has access to the sea, some beautiful towns and cities that are worth visiting.
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 headquarters of the European Union and that King Felipe of Belgium and the Belgian royal family live there, specifically in the Castle of Laeken.
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 UNESCO . Why? Because the medieval structures are preserved in very good condition. On the other hand, we must also mention its many canals, thanks to which it has earned the nickname "the 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 has been there since 1967, something that surely has a lot to do with the fact that it was one of the battle sites of the First World War, since the English and Germans fought on its streets. Today, luckily, it is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Belgium.
Population: 98,000 inhabitants.
Louvain
It is considered a university town and for good reason. It is known as " the European Salamanca ", a city that comes to life 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 whole country, which is the Plaza Mayor (Grote Markt). It is also worth visiting its ancient market of Los Paños or the Cathedral of San MartĂn.
Population: 40,000 inhabitants.
Ghent
It is one of those cities that usually appear on all the tourist routes planned by Belgium. It is the Flemish city that preserves the most historical buildings, so it is not surprising that it is a cultural reference. In addition, it is fortunate to be located between Brussels and Bruges, just 30 minutes away from each of them by train.
Population: 260,000 inhabitants.
Aalst
It is located on the banks of the River Dender, about 30 kilometers from Brussels. It is known for its carnival, where the Prince of the carnival is chosen, who has the privilege of "ruling" for three days. In this carnival there are two key days: Sunday (the day of the great parade) and Tuesday (when the men dress up as women). The festivities end on Thursday afternoon with "the burning of the doll."
Population: 85,000 inhabitants.
Antwerp
With over half a million inhabitants, Antwerp is by far the most populous city in the country. 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 Quarter, the Royal Palace or the Rubens Case Museum, 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 going to travel 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 Torre de San Rumoldo , 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 towns in Belgium. It has the peculiarity 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 as the hometown of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.
Population: 14,000 inhabitants.
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