There's more to Antwerp than its diamonds. The city is home too to the second largest harbour in Europe and - more importantly - an array of 16th and 17th century architectural marvels. Artist Peter Paul Rubens also lived in the city.
Belgium things to see and do
Antwerp
Battle of the Bulge
Belgium draws a huge number of modern history buffs, and the site of the Battle of the Bulge (a World War II conflict), situated close to the Luxembourg border, is a further reason why. The Bastogne Historical Centre has a strong collection of memorabilia.
Bruges
The UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges is perhaps the one destination in Belgium that - in terms of sheer beauty - transcends all others. Key attractions include the 14th-century town hall, the belfry tower and the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour.
Brussels
The capital has some knock-out sights of its own, most notably the spectacularly gothic Grand Place in the heart of town. Nearby, the not so impressive but somehow equally well known Mannaken Pis - a statue of a boy caught in an eternal pee - also draws tourists in droves.
Castles in Wallonia
It's said that Belgium has a higher density of castles per square mile than anywhere else. The castles themselves, which range from manor houses to mighty fortresses, are found across the entire country, but it's in Wallonia that the most attractive constructions are found.
Eat moules frites
No trip to the country is even remotely complete without getting your fingers sticky with mussel juice. Moules frites (mussels with chips/ French fries) is one of Belgium's greatest gifts to the culinary world, and is usually reasonably priced.
Enjoy the original Spa
Sometimes referred to as the Pearl of the Ardennes, Spa is the town from which all spas take their name and, as such, makes for an essential stop-off for those who like their pampering. As well as offering a range of different treatments, it's also an attractive town in its own right. See www.spa-info.be.
Flanders Fields
Flanders Fields was the site of around half a million deaths in the horrific trenches of World War I. There are numerous military cemeteries and 'Missing Memorials' in the region commemorating those of all nationalities who fell in battle. Most of the soldiers who perished were the victims of poison gas attacks - the deadly gas Yperite was invented in the nearby city of Ypres, which was a renowned trading centre during the Middle Ages but was almost completely destroyed during World War I. At the In Flanders Fields museum in Ypres, visitors can discover what it was like to be a soldier in the trenches and learn about major events and aspects of the war such as the first gas attack, the Christmas Truces of 1914, and No Man's Land.
Get lacy
Belgian lace is one of the country's most famous products, with trade in intricately patterned pieces dating back to the Renaissance. Hundreds of craftswomen still work with lace in Bruges and Brussels - the Kantcentrum in Bruges (www.kantcentrum.com) gives regular demonstrations.
Ghent
Despite its age (and its glorious medieval buildings), Ghent holds a window up to contemporary Belgium - it's somewhere where cutting-edge design and ultra-modern technology coexist among the cobbles and spires. Come to enjoy the meeting of old and new.
Have a few beers
Belgium's brewing history reaches back to the Middle Ages, so it would be downright rude not to sample some of its famous ales. There are still well over 100 breweries in the country, producing everything from pale lager to Flemish Red. The t'Brugs Beertje bar in Bruges is a great place to sample different drinks. Indulge in chocolateVisitors with a sweet tooth will already be well aware of Belgium's lip-smacking prowess when it comes to creating chocolates, and it provides ample opportunity to pay homage to the brown stuff. Educate yourself before indulging by visiting Bruges' Chocolate Museum (www.choco-story.be).
Join the carnival
Belgium has a colourful roster of yearly festivals and celebrations, including the mid-Lent Carnival in Stavelot and the three-day Carnival de Binche. Arguably the most unmissable, however, is the pageantry-heavy Ommegang Festival in Brussels, which transports visitors back 500 years.
Learn about diamonds
Antwerp has long enjoyed a sparkling reputation as the world's diamond centre, and visitors can discover the city's prominence at the Diamant Museum (www.diamantmuseum.be). The venue features gem cutters and polishers at work, as well as outlining 400 years of history.
Liege
Liege doesn't have the immediate classic beauty of some of its compatriots, but look closer at this Ardennes city and you'll find some charming historic quarters and a wealth of heritage buildings. Great as a day-trip from Brussels.
Remember the War
Some of the most important - and most tragic - conflicts of World War I took place in Belgium. Today it's possible to revisit some of the erstwhile battlefields. The town of Ypres, close to the coast, is synonymous with the era and plays host to a memorial museum.
Sail through Bruges
Bruges is rightly reputed as one of the continent's most aesthetically pleasing cities, and taking a canal boat along its waterways is an endlessly enjoyable way to take in some of its main historical sights at leisure.
Take in a museum
Brussels is bursting with different museums to explore, from the Museum of Ancient Art to the Comic Strip Museum. One of the newest is dedicated to surrealist painter Rene Magritte - he's not everyone's cup of fish, but the museum gives a rewardingly alternative insight into Belgian creativity.
Tournai
Tournai is Belgium's second oldest city, and has all the charm and character that this fact would suggest. Make time to take in the oldest belfry in the country and the 12th century Cathedral of Our Lady, both of which are heritage-listed by UNESCO.
Waterloo
The site of the battle where, in June 1815, Napoleon was famously outmanoeuvred by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher, sits just 18km (11 miles) to the south of Brussels. Buses travel out from Gare du Midi, but car hire is also popular.
Top Tours & Activities
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2013 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.