5 Cities To Visit in Belgium (That Aren’t Brussels or Bruges)

For more history, foodie delights and great beer, go beyond Bruges and Brussels to discover some of Belgium’s underrated gems.

Charming streets, fascinating medieval history, delicious food and some of the world’s best beers – what’s not to love about Belgium? From Christmas shopping in Bruges to bar hopping in Brussels, I’ve had my fair share of Belgian adventures – but there’s a lot more to this small but mighty country. In this guide, I’m sharing some of Belgium’s more overlooked destinations that are well worth your time.

Belgium is a small and well-connected country, meaning most of these cities are easily linked up via train. It’s also great for a road trip – something that’s high up on my Europe bucket list! If you’re spending around a week in Belgium, you could easily visit multiple cities in this post, and many are great day trips from Brussels, the nation’s capital.

Read on to discover your perfect Belgian adventure – including one of my favourite small cities in all of Europe!

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Leuven

Leuven truly has a place in my heart as one of Europe’s most underrated cities, full of history, beautiful buildings and great beer! I spent a long weekend here, but you can easily explore Leuven in a day. It’s only 20 minutes away from Brussels by train, so ideal for a day trip if you’re visiting Belgium’s capital.

Combining medieval history with modern buzz, I definitely immersed myself in the city’s thriving beer scene, but also found time to check out its stunning architecture. Grote Markt Square is the heart of the action; and the towering 15th century Leuven Town Hall a standout piece of gothic design.

Top things to do in Leuven:

• Explore the city’s beer scene – you can take a tour of the Stella Artois factory, or sip your way around the bars of Oude Market.
• Visit the Grand Beguinage, a 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 100 buildings.
• Explore Leuven by bike on a public or private guided tour.

Where to stay in Leuven:

• City Hostel (€) – independent hostel in central Leuven
• Park Inn Hotel (€€) – I stayed here on my visit, a clean and comfortable spot close to the train station
• Hotel Professor (€€€) – located right in Leuven’s historical centre

Ghent

The ideal ‘next step’ after Brussels and Bruges on a Belgium hit list! Ghent is the third-largest city in Belgium, a thriving university city combining medieval architecture with a youthful and vibrant atmosphere. And if you like castles and canals… you’re in for a treat!

During the Middle Ages, Ghent was considered one of Europe’s richest cities, due to its strong historical textile production industry. Today, the city keeps much of its heritage and architecture, with a modern and lively buzz. The city centre is heavily pedestrianised, meaning it’s ideal for exploring on foot or by bike.

Top things to do in Ghent

• Visit the Castle of The Counts, one of Belgium’s best-preserved castles – also home to a particularly unique collection of torture equipment!
• Head out on a Ghent boat tour to see the city from the water along the city’s picturesque canals.
• Get lost in the cobbled streets of Patershol, the medieval heart of the city.

Where to stay in Ghent

• Hostel Uppelink (€) – enjoy having the bustling city on your doorstep in this high-ceilinged, characterful hostel.
• Comic Art Hotel (€€€) – unique timber-beamed rooms decorated with vibrant yet tasteful graphic art.
• 1898 The Post (€€€€) – elegant rooms with antique furniture in Ghent’s spectacular former post office building.

Antwerp

The last time I was in Antwerp, I was dropped off by my overnight coach from London at the side of the road at 6am, with no idea what to do with myself. I was heading to a festival later that day, but had some time to explore the city before throwing myself into my first European mainland moshpits.

I did absolutely zero forward planning for this trip, and in hindsight I’d definitely have booked a guided tour to learn more about the city and get some tips from a local.

Top three things to do in Antwerp

• Take a walking tour of Antwerp’s highlights with a local guide.
• Wander the Grote Markt Square to see 16th century buildings and the Cathedral of Our Lady.
• Enjoy authentic, crispy fries and rich chocolate on a food tour with included tastings.

Where to stay in Antwerp

• Yust Antwerp (€) – Stylish hostel offering dorm beds and private rooms
• Moxy Antwerp (€€) – one of my favourite chains for comfort, style and affordability
• Hotel T’Sand (€€€€)- relax in plush yet homely rooms in this centrally located riverside hotel

Short on time? Combine a trip to Ghent and Antwerp in just one day from Brussels!

Mechelen

Ideally located between Brussels and Antwerp, it’s a short train ride from either city to explore Mechelen’s heritage buildings and UNESCO treasures.

Book a Mechelen guided walking tour to learn more about the city!

Top 3 things to do in Mechelen

• Head to the top of Rumboldt’s Tower for panoramic city views
• Visit the Winter Garden of the Ursulines, a former boarding school with a magnificent stained glass dome, now a museum dedicated to educational innovation
• Explore the Burgundarian renaissance at the Hof Van Busleyden through magnificent artwork and captivating storytelling

Where to stay in Mechelen

• B&B Hotel Mechelen (€€) – fresh and bright hotel with pops of colour, around 10-15 minutes walk from the city centre.
• Martins Patershof (€€€) – unique accommodation in a former monastery building with original features
• B&B De Koepoort (€€€) – spacious and comfortable rooms within easy reach of the historic centre.

Short on time? Explore Mechelen and Leuven in one day with a guided train tour from Brussels.

Bouillon

In the south of Belgium, close to the French border, you’ll find the riverside city of Bouillon. Set against a backdrop of thick forest along the River Semois, it’s a perfect base for exploring the Belgian Ardennes.

Towering over the town, Chateau de Bouillon, towers over the town and is a must-visit if you’re in the area. The earliest mentions of this imposing defensive fortress date back over a thousand years, and the castle today combines medieval, 16th-century and 17th-century features.

Top 3 things to do in Bouillon

• Visit Chateau de Bouillon, of course!
• Hike the Bouillon Belvedere Viewpoint Loop for spectacular views over the city (moderate difficulty, approx. 2hrs circular trail)
• Explore the surrounding countryside and visit Orval Abbey and Abbaye Notre-Dame de Clairefontaine.

Where to stay in Bouillon

• Hotel de la Poste – Relais de Napoleon III (€€) – riverside hotel with classical interiors.
• Hotel La Ferronniere (€€€) – charming ivy-covered 19th-century mansion at the edge of town.