Prologue

Often disregarded as a tourist destination in Europe compared to Spain, France, Germany, or the Netherlands, Belgium is one of Europe's most underrated jewels. Belgium is home to a plethora of incredibly picturesque, frozen-in-time medieval villages and cities, stunning countryside, and, of course, its world-famous beer, making it one of Europe's most beautiful and romantic (short) city breaks. Today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the 5 best places to visit in this beautiful country that can be done over the weekend. Let the journey begin!

About Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is one of Western Europe's smallest and most densely populated countries. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Following the 1830 Belgian Revolution, when it seceded from the Netherlands (which itself had only existed since 1815), the country as it exists today was born. Today, it is divided into three autonomous regions, namely, the Flemish Region (Flanders) in the north, the Walloon Region (Wallonia) in the south, and the Brussels-Capital Region, and two linguistic communities, namely, the Dutch-speaking Flemish Community, which constitutes roughly 60% of the population, and the French-speaking Community, which constitutes roughly 40% of the population. Belgium's complicated governance system, which is made up of six independent governments, reflects the country's linguistic variety and fragmented political orientation.

Belgium is one of the European Union's six founding countries, and its capital, Brussels, is home to the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council, as well as one of two European Parliament seats (the other being Strasbourg). Belgium is a founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD, World Trade Organization, Benelux Union, and the Schengen Area. Many significant international organizations, such as NATO, have their headquarters in Brussels. Belgians live in a developed country with a high-income economy. It boasts very high living standards, quality of life, healthcare, and education, and the Human Development Index classifies it as "very high." It is also one of the world's safest and most peaceful countries.

5 Best Places to Visit in Belgium

Map created with Wanderlog, a road trip planner app on iOS and Android

1. Brussels

Brussels, Belgium's fascinating capital and the European Union's administrative headquarters, is historic yet hip, bureaucratic yet weird, self-assured yet unshowy, and multicultural at its core. All of this takes place in a metropolis that alternates between gorgeous, eccentric, and dilapidated.

Grand Place

While strolling on foot through the winding lanes in the town center, one accidentally stumbles across a strangely hidden, gorgeous cobblestone square, dubbed as the Grand Place. This central square in Brussels is home to antique guildhalls (1697–1705) with beautiful baroque gables, golden sculptures, and intricate guild insignia, with the spired 15th-century city hall being the focal point.

winding roads in the center of Brussels belgium

central square grand place brussels belgium

The Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis, which translates to "peeing little man" or "peeing boy," once known as Petit Julien, or little Julien, has been a public fountain, a mascot, and the star of many fantastic stories, situated at the intersection of the Rue de l'Étuv and the Rue du Chêne. However, there are no apparent explanations for why the statue exists there. Between the tourist stores and the waffle vendors, it's easy to miss the Manneken Pis. That is if you can find it among the countless cameras and amusing poses.

His beginnings are shrouded in a plethora of legends. Some seem plausible, while others are outright unbelievable. Here're some of the interesting stories that I could collect from the locals, tour guides, and from my research online -

Story 1 - Once Brussels was encircled by opponents who pretended to flee but actually buried dynamite beneath the city. Julien, a young child, noticed the burning fuse and hastily peed on it. The city honored him by erecting a statue in his likeness.
Story 2 - Once witch captured a boy peeing on her front door. She cursed him to pee for the rest of his life, furious. Fortunately, a man who had witnessed the entire incident promptly replaced the boy with a statue. In another account, the witch succeeds in cursing the lad with a permanently full bladder as well as turning him to stone.
Story 3 - Manneken Pis was a youngster who went missing during the city's festivities. His worried parents looked for him for days before discovering him peeing on the street corner. In some versions of the story, the father is a wealthy merchant who decided to erect the monument on the same corner where he discovered his loving son.
Story 4 - In this story, Manneken Pis is thought to be the young Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. He attempted to flee his father's castle to play with other youngsters in Brussels, only to be discovered on the renowned street corner.
Story 5 - In this story as well, Manneken Pis is thought to be the young Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. Godfrey's father died when he was two years old, and two noblemen from the house of Berthout declared war. Godfrey's guardians sought assistance from the Count of Flanders. The Count consented, but his soldiers were unsure and demanded to know for whom they were fighting. The infant was displayed and taken to war to appease his soldiers. Godfrey was placed in a basket and hung from an oak tree as a gesture of support for the troops. And he did encourage them by standing up and peeing on the heads of their Berthout foes every now and then. Godfrey's supporters triumphed in battle and celebrated by planting an oak tree in Brussels. According to legend, this is why the street next to Manneken Pis is called Rue du Chêne, which translates to "oak street." And, of course, they constructed a statue of the young peeing lord next to the oak.

Throughout history, Manneken Pis has been stolen and recovered countless times. It was seized by English forces in 1745 but was later discovered in Geraardsbergen. A replica was given to Geraardsbergen as a gift to the city's helpful citizens, even though Geraardsbergen had already had a Manneken Pis since 1459. There is still a rivalry between the two towns over who has the oldest statue. It was stolen once more in 1747, this time by French Grenadiers serving in Louis XV of France's troops in Brussels. Brussels residents revolted, almost triggering a riot. Louis XV presented Manneken Pis with exquisite brocade clothing embroidered with gold to make amends for his soldiers' misbehavior. The last time it was stolen was by the Antwerp Student's Union de Wikings on a frigid winter night in 1963. It was taken for a laugh, but also to raise money for a worthy cause. The pupils were not punished because it was done for a good cause.

On certain occasions, it is customary to outfit the small bronze figurine. The Maison du Roi houses his wardrobe, with over 800 outfits, including an expensive dress given to him by Louis XV of France. The first to gift an outfit to Manneken Pis was Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, the governor of the Austrian Netherlands. Aside from historical garb, the wardrobe also includes modern outfits such as Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus.

statue boy peeing manneken pis brussels belgium

Atomium

The Atomium is currently one of Europe's most popular tourist attractions. It is an icon of Brussels and Belgium, a major destination for worldwide tourism, and a one-of-a-kind architectural marvel. It was built for the first Universal World Exhibition after WWII (EXPO 58) The nine spheres represent a 165 billion-fold magnified iron crystal. They express one's belief in the power of science, particularly nuclear power.

Basilique National Du Sacré-Coeur

The twin towers and 80-meter-high copper dome of the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique National Du Sacré-Coeur) are a Brussels landmark, perched atop a gently sloping hill in the Koekelberg area. The dome of the Basilica is open to the public and provides views of the city.

After visiting the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in Paris in 1902, King Leopold II was inspired to build a basilica to commemorate Belgium's 75th anniversary of independence. The construction of the structure began in 1905, with Leopold personally placing the first foundation stone for what was to be a neo-Gothic church. Work on the church was slowed by two World Wars and the fact that it was entirely funded by donations from the faithful, so architect Albert van Huffel was commissioned in the 1920s to design a less expensive structure. Huffel replied by constructing a modern place of worship that openly embraced Art Decor, a popular art design movement in Belgium at the time. Work continued to be sluggish, and the structure was not completed until 1970.

Basilique National Du Sacré-Coeur brussels belgium

sunset at Basilique National Du Sacré-Coeur brussels belgium

boy holding yellow flower during sunset at Basilique National Du Sacré-Coeur brussels belgium

2. Bruges

It would be difficult to top Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site, if you were trying to imagine a fairy-tale medieval town. Photogenic market squares flanked with lofty towers, antique churches, and old whitewashed almshouses are linked by picturesque cobblestone pathways and dreamy canals. The only drawback is that everyone is aware of it. As a result, the city is constantly clogged with tourists, especially during the summer months. Spring, when daffodils carpet the calm courtyard of the historic Begijnhof hideaway, and winter (save Christmas), when you may virtually have the magnificent, if freezing, town to yourself, have a distinct allure.

fairy tale medieval town with canals old houses and cobblestone roads Bruges belgium

boat sailing in fairy tale medieval town with canals old houses and cobblestone roads Bruges belgium

horse chariot in the fairy tale medieval town with canals old houses and cobblestone roads Bruges belgium

horse chariot in fairy tale medieval town with canals old houses and cobblestone roads Bruges belgium

3. Ghent

Ghent is one of Europe's best-kept secrets, tiny enough to feel intimate yet large enough to remain active. It has just enough medieval whimsy to be entertaining, but it also has a harsh industrial edge to keep things real. Tourists are still scarce, but this is a city you won't want to miss, thanks to its spectacular canal-side architecture, a plethora of offbeat bars, and some of Belgium's most fascinating museums.

city center og ghent belgium showing river and houses

man standing on bridge in city center og ghent belgium showing river and houses

city center og ghent belgium showing church, river, bridge and houses

man wearing jacket in city center og ghent belgium showing river and houses

4. Dinant

Dinant has a striking setting, strung along the bank of the Meuse under spectacular cliffs crowned by a citadel and the Collegiale Notre-Dame (Church of Our Lady) in its backdrop, despite being over-touristed and traffic-clogged. It is located in the heart of the Namur province, in Wallonia, Belgium, and is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.

The Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge across the Meuse River, allowing entrance to the city's main square at the foot of Notre Dame and the citadel, bears the name of Charles de Gaulle, a French army officer, who was wounded in the ‘Battle of Dinant’ in 1914 during World War I, and later became a statesman and commanded Free France against Nazi Germany, during World War II. Whether arriving by vehicle or train, this is the first thing you see in Dinant. Outsized saxophone art statues displayed in brilliant colors can be seen while strolling. The statues depict many cultural patterns associated with the countries that make up the International Adolphe Sax Association. Every four years, the association hosts an international saxophone competition. At the bottom of each saxophone art statue is a small label identifying the country that represents the saxophone's cultural patterns. The bridge, which stretches for roughly 55 meters, has seen most of the region's historical events, from ancient times to the present. It was often destroyed and rebuilt. Following its demolition in 1940, when Belgians blew it up to prevent Germans from crossing the river, the current structure was completed in 1953.

Collegiale Notre-Dame church from Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge across the Meuse River in dinant belgium

Collegiale Notre-Dame church from Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge showing saxophones across the Meuse River in dinant belgium

man standing near Collegiale Notre-Dame church from Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge showing saxophones across the Meuse River in dinant belgium

5. Durbuy and Radhadesh

Durbuy is a Belgian town famous for its stone homes and cobblestone streets. It claims to be the "world's smallest city," and it is undoubtedly one of Wallonia's most tiny tourist attractions. Apart from its attractive medieval center, it is also a popular destination for walkers, mountain bikers, canoers, and kayakers, as well as other less strenuous country pursuits!

Radhadesh

Radhadesh is a spiritual community that was established in 1979 in the Château de Petite Somme, a 19th-century castle in the Belgian Ardennes. The community and facilities are spread out over 47 hectares, with pastures and attractive woodlands. The population of the village is estimated to be around 100 individuals. Radhadesh is the main center for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the Benelux and is a non-profit organization governed by a democratic general council.

sunset at Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre situated in Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium

About International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

ISKCON is a part of the Vaishnava tradition, which is a major component of Hinduism. Krishna devotees are known as Vaishnavas (or His primary expansions). There are approximately 560 million Vaishnavas worldwide, according to the 1996 Britannica Book of the Year. Among the different religious sects in India, Vaishnavism has the most followers. Sri Chaitanya, a 15th-century saint, and religious reformer taught and codified ISKCON's precepts and practices. Sri Chaitanya provided a great push for a large devotional movement that began in his native Bengal and eventually extended across India. As a reformed man, he was a staunch opponent of sectarianism, particularly within the caste system. Hundreds of volumes of philosophy were compiled under his leadership. To assist people re-establish a loving relationship with God, he recommended reciting the holy name of God in the form of the maha-mantra. Sri Chaitanya's devotees are known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas. In 1966, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the society's founder, incorporated it. Most ISKCON members live and work in society, practicing Krishna awareness in their homes and only visiting their local temple on rare occasions such as festivals. The organization is dedicated to the propagation of spiritual culture and has centers in almost all countries and significant cities throughout the world.

The Main altar showing Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Radha Krishna, and Balaram, Subhadra and Jagannath idols at Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre situated in Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium

About Srila Prabhupada

If it were not for Srila Prabhupada, the teachings and rich culture of bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, would be kept hidden within India's boundaries forever. Born as Abhay Charan De in Calcutta on September 1, 1896, he joined Mahatma Gandhi's civil disobedience campaign as a young man. In 1922, a visit with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a distinguished scholar, and spiritual leader, had a significant impact on young Abhay's future calling. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was a prominent figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava community, a monotheistic sect of Hinduism. During their first meeting, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta urged Abhay to bring Lord Krishna's teachings to the English-speaking world. Abhay became a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in 1933, deeply struck by his dedication and knowledge, and decided to carry out his mentor's request. Abhay, subsequently known as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, spent the next 32 years of his life preparing for his voyage west.

At the age of 69, he begged for a free passage and boarded the Jaladhuta, a cargo ship bound for New York. The travel was perilous, and he experienced two heart attacks while on board. He arrived at a lonely Brooklyn port with only seven dollars in Indian rupees and a container of his precious Sanskrit text translations after 35 days at sea. He faced significant difficulties in New York, and he began his mission modestly by teaching Bhagavad-gita lessons in lofts on the Bowery and singing kirtan (traditional devotional chanting) at Tompkins Square Park. Many young people were moved by his message of peace and goodwill, and some of them went on to become serious scholars of the Krishna-bhakti tradition. Bhaktivedanta Swami rented a modest storefront on New York's Lower East Side to be used as a temple with the support of these students. Bhaktivedanta Swami founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in July 1966 with the goal of "checking the world's imbalance of values and fighting for true oneness and harmony," as he put it. In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada traveled around the world 14 times on lecture tours, disseminating Lord Krishna's teachings. Men and women from all walks of life stepped up to accept his message. With their assistance, Srila Prabhupada founded temples, farm communities, a publishing firm, and educational institutions all over the world. In addition, he founded Hare Krishna Food for Life, which has grown to become the world's largest vegetarian food relief program.

The images below depict Srila Prabhupada among western students and Srila Prabhupada traveling to Russia to spread the message of Krishna Consciousness. For all Hindus, and anyone interested to gain more insights into Krishna Consciousness, a trip to Durbuy is not complete without visiting Radhadesh. For more information on Radhdesh and how to visit it, please read our article Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre Belgium | Radhadesh Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium.

Statue of Swami Prabhupada in Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre situated in Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium

3d painting of Swami Prabhupada among western students in Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre situated in Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium

3d painting of Swami Prabhupada traveling to Russia to spread the message of Krishna Consciousness in Radhadesh ISKCON Temple and Retreat Centre situated in Chateau de Petite Somme in Durbuy, Belgium

Visiting Belgium

Best Time to Visit: Although Belgium is stunning all year round, the ideal time to go will depend on your personal interests. In comparison to the busiest summer months, spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) offer moderate temperatures and less crowds, making them ideal for visitors who prefer warmer weather and outdoor activities. However, summer (July to August) may be the best season to visit Belgium despite the increased number of tourists if you want to enjoy the country's lively culture and joyful atmosphere. Since we live in the Netherlands and hence Belgium’s our neighbor, we’ve visited Belgium a number of times both during summer and winter.

Number of Days to Stay: Normally, a week is usually sufficient to see some of the beautiful countryside and the main cities of Belgium namely Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Dinant, and Durbuy. But you may wish to prolong your trip to ten days or longer if you want to explore more of a particular area or enjoy relaxing activities like hiking trails, beer tours, or visiting smaller villages.

Best Place to Stay: The best places to stay in Brussels are those that are close to the European Quarter or the Grand Place, which makes it easy to go to restaurants, shops, and public transportation. When visiting Bruges, try to book lodging in the old city center to really experience the medieval ambiance. Additionally, Ghent and Antwerp provide a variety of lodging choices, ranging from quaint guesthouses to boutique hotels, many of which are situated close to the city's major attractions. Whenever we visit Belgium, we stay in Brussels somewhere close to the city center, and make day trips to other cities or villages from there.

Best Way to Arrive: Belgium has excellent air, rail, and road connectivity. The primary international airport in the nation, Brussels Airport, handles flights from important places across the globe. Alternatively, Brussels is a key center for international train travel inside Europe, so you might arrive by train. Tourists from Belgium's surrounding countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and France can easily travel to towns like Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp thanks to the country's well-functioning rail system. We’ve traveled to Belgium both by train and car.

Best Local Mode of Conveyance: Traveling inside and between cities is made simple by Belgium's first-rate public transportation network, which includes buses, metros, trains, and trams. The metro and tram systems in places like Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent are effective and practical for getting around the city. The finest ways to explore Bruges, Dinant or Durbuy’s charming streets are on foot or by bicycle.

Epilogue

So that brings us to the end of our journey across the 5 best places to visit in Belgium over the weekend. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!