Friendly, cosmopolitan, and playfully irreverent (exemplified in the fountain and city icon Manneken Pis), bilingual Brussels is a patchwork of lively neighborhoods. It’s not just Belgium’s capital, but also the seat of European Parliament, which lends it even more multi-cultural pizzazz. See our Brussels Travel Guide
Antwerp
Europe’s long-standing diamond capital and second biggest port, Flemish-flavored Antwerp has in recent decades also come strongly into its own as a fashion, art, and nightlife tastemaker. See our Antwerp Travel Guide
Bruges
With a gorgeous city center that seems frozen in time since the Middle Ages, Bruges is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has also been known for centuries as a center of fine Flemish lace making.
Ghent
In Northern Europe, Ghent was once second only to Paris in terms of size. Today, the city still offers plenty of medieval Flemish charm, and sports far fewer tourists than its spotlight-hogging sister Bruges just to the northwest.
Liège
Belgium’s third largest city, Liège is Wallonia’s biggest town, a former industrial center now beloved for its cobbled alleyways, abundance of excellent food and drink options, and a free spirit embodied in native folk hero Tchantchès.
Leuven
Seat of the Dukes of Brabant for eight centuries, Leuven boasts one of Belgium’s most beautiful town halls as well as the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Flanders’ most esteemed school for nearly 600 years.
