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Bruges
Belgium
Belgium falls through the cracks. Wedged between Germany, France, and the Netherlands, and famous for waffles, Smurfs, and a statue of a little boy peeing, it's no wonder it can get lost in the mix. But Belgium rewards with richer sights than you might expect — and fewer tourist crowds. You'll encounter some of Europe's finest cuisine, including the best beer, creamiest chocolates, and tastiest French fries. Belgium's town squares bristle with soaring spires and warm-brick gables. Its museums house lush paintings celebrating the glories of everyday life. From funky urban neighborhoods to tranquil convents, from old-fashioned lace to high-powered European politics, little Belgium delights.
Places
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Bruges Perfectly pickled Gothic city with charming cobbles, cozy squares, dreamy canals, divine chocolate, and unbeatable beer.
▲▲ Brussels Urbane capital of Belgium, the European Union, and NATO, with one of Europe's grandest squares, colorful urban zones, and a beloved statue of a little boy peeing.
▲▲ Antwerp Gentrified port city with excellent museums, Belgium's best fashion, and an engaging mix of urban grittiness and youthful trendiness.
▲ Ghent Pleasant, lively university city with historic quarter and breathtaking Van Eyck altarpiece in its massive cathedral.
▲ Flanders Fields Infamous WWI battlefields near Ypres with artillery craters, memorials, and cemeteries spread across what today is idyllic Belgian countryside.
Damme Charming market town a bike ride away from Bruges.
Plan
Photos
Watch
Read
- Belgian Beer Basics
- Underappreciated Belgium Packs Plenty of Surprises
- Artsy, Urban Antwerp
- Europe’s Emigration Museums: Remembering the Long Goodbye
- Belgium’s Incredible Edibles
- Biking in Europe’s Boonies
- Bruges: Pickled in Gothic
- Tips for Chocoholics in Brussels and Bruges
- Brussels: The Would-Be Capital of Europe
- Brussels: Where Political Power Meets Good Living
- War Rooms: Europe’s Military Museums
- A Walk Through Ghent