Top Tourist Attractions in Belgium (Ticket & Entrance Fee)

Though it is not a huge country, Belgium—often referred to as the “Kingdom of Chocolate”—has been selected to host several significant worldwide offices. Traveling to this nation in Western Europe offers travelers great and unforgettable experiences due to its rich history, distinctive cuisine, and exceptional infrastructural development.

Brussels

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and headquarter to the European Union, is a popular tourist destination due to its breathtaking beauty. It has magnificent Gothic churches, historic galleries and museums, and verdant parks. Traveling through thousands of years of culture is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the city.

Grand Place

• Address: Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

Grand Place, although being named the Grand Square, is a little 20,000 square meters in size yet is admired much for its enchanting beauty. The Grand Place was formerly a marketplace in Brussels’ first city in the eleventh century, but by the fourteenth century, it had come to represent the city’s tradesmen and merchants. The 96-meter-tall town hall with its finely carved Brabantine Gothic architecture is the focal point of the square site. The Brussels city patron, Saint Michael, is shown in a gilded metal statue at the top of the court. Additionally, the Big Square will host the vibrant flower festival that attracts a lot of people in even years.

Atomium

• Address: Pl. de l’Atomium 1, Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
• The Atomium Entrance fee as follows

André Waterkeyn created The Atomium in 1958 with the intention of using it for the Brussels World’s Fair and it was never meant to be a permanent fixture in the city. However, similar to the French Eiffel Tower, the Belgians sought to preserve this enormous construction after the fair was over, and it eventually became a popular tourist attraction.

Essentially, the Atomium is a massive, glossy steel replica of an iron crystal that is 335 feet tall. It is composed of nine spheres organized in the same orientation as the iron atoms in their delta and alpha isotopes (the gamma allotrope of iron contains extra atoms in the middle of each cube face). Furthermore, an atom is 165 billion times larger than a typical iron crystal. Visitors will have an amazing and strange voyage via the fascinating places inside the crystal.

Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert

• Address: Galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

The Royal Gallery project was developed in the 1830s and finished in 1847 to open for public viewing. It was started by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer. The Little Prince’s chamber and the King and Queen’s double gallery are both present. There are clear glass dome systems put atop stores, theaters, cafés, restaurants, and residential buildings. These include the Cinéma des Galeries, the Théâtre du Vaudeville, and the Taverne du Passage, which was once the Café des Arts and served as a gathering place for authors and artists of the era until 1892. Regular visitors to the location included Cobra group artists and surrealist painters. Throughout the walk, the tour guide will regale you with fascinating tales about the lengthy history of the Royal Family.

Royal Palace

• Address: Rue Brederode 16, Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:30 – 17:00
• Royal Palace of Brussels Entrance fee: Free (closed Monday)

Although the Belgian royal family no longer resides officially in the Royal Palace of Brussels, which dates back to the 18th century, it is nevertheless one of the most stunning sights in the city and the location of royal ceremonies and various occasions. The palace, with its soaring Corinthian columns, straightforward domes, and classical Greek elements, is a beautiful example of European neoclassical architecture from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The vast grandeur of the structure overwhelms visitors, starting with the gilded bay windows, the marble foyer and staircase, the large-scale reliefs, and the magnificent chandeliers.

Parc du Cinquantenaire

• Address: Brussels, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

Constructed in 1880 to commemorate 50 years of Belgian independence, Parc du Cinquantenaire is a historical landmark with monuments, sculptures, and more, as well as a collection of French-style gardens. etching and museum. It’s a traditional French park, a big rectangle with rows of exquisite trees sliced into it geometrically. Broad walkways define lawns that are bordered by fences or adorned with statues and flowerbeds. This expansive landscape is also scattered with museums and monuments, most notably the triumphal arch with its three domes in the Beaux-Arts style. Today, with its rows of seats and passion fruit trellises providing cool green shade throughout the hot summer months, this area is ideal for wandering and unwinding.

St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral

• Address: Pl. Sainte-Gudule, Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
• Entrance fee: Free

One of the most significant landmarks in Brussels is the Church of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula (Cathédrale Saint-Michel et Sainte-Gudule). It took three millennia to construct, having been constructed in the Gothic style in the early 13th century on the ruins of a Romanesque church that had been established in the eleventh century. A stunning 17th-century oak confessional and a wooden Baroque pulpit are located in the center of the church, to the right. The magnificent Grenzing-designed organ, which has over 4,000 pipes and four keyboards, is another example of this building’s remarkable architecture. It would also be hard to overlook the Holy Chapel, the church’s treasured relic preserved beneath 18th-century iron doors. This location has a great deal of really precious religious artifacts, sculptures, and tools.

Mont des Arts

• Address: Brussels, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

The suburbs of Brussels are connected to the city center by Mont des Arts, which is situated between Place Royale and Grand Place. Constructed initially for the 1910 Universal Exhibition, it underwent modifications in the 1950s to become a component of the extensive Mont des Arts urban complex. Ascending the stairs towards the fountain and strolling around the park, guests may take in one of Brussels’ most recognizable vistas, which features the towering, majestic town hall and the whole city center. While taking in the alluring surroundings, don’t forget to explore the nearby monuments and other distinctive buildings.

Museum of Natural Sciences

• Address: Rue Vautier 29, Brussel, Belgium
• Opening hours: 09:30 – 17:00 (Tuesday – Friday) | 10:00 – 18:00 (Saturday – Sunday)
• Museum of Natural Sciences Entrance fee as follows

The Museum of Natural Sciences in Belgium is home to a sizable collection of over 36 million objects, of which 9 million are other invertebrates and 15 million insects. The museum also features seashells, whale bones, Neanderthal spy, minerals, moon rocks, dinosaurs, and mammoths. Meet the Bernissart Iguanodon, T. rex, Triceratops, Diplodocus, and 34 more renowned species at the biggest Dinosaur Gallery in Europe. You will discover fascinating details about their amazing formation and growth process as you explore the museum’s four floors. Don’t forget to check out the display in the museum hall that offers visitors the most logical perspective by clearly illustrating the stage of human evolution.

Ghent

Ghent’s old center has charming alleyways encircled by houses with steeple roofs that border gorgeous canals. One of the best destinations to visit is Ghent if you love architecture and history. A boat ride on the canal or a stroll around the town on a summer evening when most of the significant structures are lit up provide visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Belfry of Ghent

• Address: Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
• Entrance fee as follows

The elaborate Belfry, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Cloth Hall, which is located at the foot of the square, bookend Botermarkt and house St. Bavo’s Cathedral, are testaments to the immense prosperity of Ghent during the 14th century. Constructed with funds from the wool and textile guilds, they exhibit a stunning Brabant Gothic architecture. The Belfry has a carillon of 54 bells that have sounded for more than six centuries, and a gilded copper dragon perches atop it. Taking the elevator to the viewing gallery, which is situated 66 meters (217 feet) above Sint-Baafsplein, will allow you to witness the bells and enjoy sweeping views of the church’s Gothic embellishments, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and gabled facades. A little museum on top of the tower showcases the original dragon, many armor pieces, and replicas of the cathedral.

Gravensteen

• Address: Sint-Veerleplein 11, 9000 Gent, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
• Entrance fee as follows

The Castle of the Counts of Flanders, encircled by a moat, resembles a massive battleship gliding over the serene Lieve Canal. As they navigate the maze of hallways, staircases, and weapon exhibits, visitors will undoubtedly experience the medieval ambiance of this place. When visiting the castle, guests are likely to be chilled by the horrifying instruments of torture used to inmates, which represent the tremendous tyranny of the ruling class. Weapons of battle such as daggers, firearms, crossbows, and many more are kept in storage in the Weapons Museum.

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral

• Address: Sint-Baafsplein 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
• Opening hours: 08:30 – 17:00
• Entrance fee: Free

St. The Bavo, a splendid brick and granite edifice with a Romanesque crypt from its predecessor, the church of Sint-Jans, is situated on the east side of Sint-Baafsplein. Numerous art enthusiasts are enthralled by St. Bavo’s Cathedral due to its rich history and numerous artistic masterpieces. From the flaming red marble high altar of the baroque style to the wood, gilded, and marble Rococo pulpit to the magnificent painting by Rubens depicting Saint Bavo entering the Ghent monastery. The bishops’ last resting places and a treasure room are located in the spacious crypt area under the main cathedral.

Museum voor Schone Kunsten

• Address: Fernand Scribedreef 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
• Opening hours: 09:30 -17:30 (Tuesday – Thursday) | 10:00 – 18:00 (Friday – Sunday)
• Entrance fee: €13

The Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst is not far from the Museum of Fine Arts, which is situated in Gent on the east side of Citadel Park. Two panels by Hieronymus Bosch, significant examples of Flemish Primitives and Dutch art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, are part of the museum’s outstanding collection. The museum also takes great pride in its collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century artwork, which offers a broad overview of contemporary Belgian art, including significant pieces by George Minne and James Ensor and ranging from Romanticism to Surrealism.

Saint Michael’s Bridge

• Address: St Michael’s Bridge, Sint-Michielshelling, 9000 Gent, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

St. Michael’s Bridge is a very worthwhile experience for those with passionate hearts traveling through Belgium. Early in the 20th century, the bridge—which was originally a flat turntable bridge—was rebuilt with stone arches. You may enjoy the spectacular view from your check-in photo taken anywhere on the bridge, or you can take in Gent’s alluring beauty every evening as the sun sets.

Antwerpen

Famous artists like Rubens and Jordaens formerly called Antwerp home, and centuries later, the city’s Old Town core is home to several stunning historical structures, including town halls and cathedrals. The top-notch museums in Antwerp are a must-see destination for anybody interested in art and culture and should be included in any travel plan to Belgium.

MAS – Museum aan de Stroom

• Address: Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (except Monday)
• Museum aan de Stroom Entrance fee as follows

The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), often known as the “River Museum” in Dutch, is a museum situated in Antwerp, Belgium’s Eilandje neighborhood by the Schelde River. For individuals who are curious about the past, present, and future of Antwerp and the globe at large, the museum offers an engaging narrative. Located in a tall structure including a spiral tower rising to 62 meters, guests can take in a breathtaking view over Antwerp. The museum is a fusion of collections that include the pre-Columbian art of Paul and Dora Janssen-Art Collection, the art of the former Ethnographic Museum, the former National Maritime Museum, the Museum of Folk Culture, part of the ‘Vleeshuis’ collection, and the museum’s collection of harbor cranes. It also brings together the art and heritage of the city, the harbor, and the world.

Zoo Antwerpen

• Address: Koningin Astridplein 20-26, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
• Antwerp Zoo Entrance fee as follows

One of Europe’s biggest and most varied animal collections may be found in the Antwerp Zoo. The garden was just over 10 hectares when it was first opened to the public in1843. From then on, it underwent expansion until 1936, when it reached its current size of 36 hectares. More over 6,000 specimens are kept there, representing about 1,160 distinct species, including roughly 300 species of reptiles and 1,700 kinds of fish. Two of the most remarkable species in the animal collection are the white rhinoceros and the endangered Père David deer.

Cathedral of Our Lady

• Address: Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00
• Entrance fee: €12

The 170-year construction of the Church of Our Lady, which was finished in 1521, became the pride of the city’s citizens. From the late Middle Ages to the Baroque and Neo-Gothic eras and up to the present, the church has witnessed the organic growth of both a society and a religious community. The stained glass windows, mausoleums, paintings, sculptures, and organs that depict elements of 19th-century Neo-Gothic and Baroque architecture are the highlights. Furthermore, The Elevation of the Cross, The Descent from the Cross, epitaphs made for Jan Moretus and Martina Plantin, and the figure of the Virgin Mary are among the four paintings by the renowned Flemish Baroque artist.

The Rubens House

• Address: Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (except Monday)
• Entrance fee: €8

Peter Paul Rubens, a Flemish Baroque painter, draftsman, and diplomat, lived at the rebuilt and renovated Rubens House. In addition to Rubens’ own paintings, the museum features pieces by associate artists including Anthony Van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens. A tour of the house and an introduction to the location and his way of life precede the excursion. You will next proceed to the workshop, which is filled with original artwork.

Chocolate Nation

• Address: Koningin Astridplein 7, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:15 – 18:30 (Sunday – Thursday) | 09:30 – 19:00 (Friday – Saturday)
• Chocolate Nation Entrance fee as follows

The most well-known chocolate museum in the world, Chocolate Nation is a site full of tales and sensory experiences from chocolate brands and chocolatiers. It is located in Belgium. This interactive museum covers innovations, goods, history, and rituals related to chocolate.

We will take you on a 60- to 90-minute tour through 14 themed rooms where we present the tale of Belgian chocolate. The voyage begins in the cocoa farms around the equator and travels with the cocoa bean to Antwerp, the largest cocoa storage port in the world. A massive fantasy machine shows the process of making chocolate and the source of its silky, smooth flavor. Visitors will learn along the route why Belgian chocolate is so well-known worldwide.

Liège

The third-largest town in Belgium, Liège (Luik in Flemish) has long been a major industrial hub for the nation. Liège, which has a long history of coal and steel production, isn’t as picturesque as other Belgian cities, but it does have some fantastic museums, cathedrals, and other cultural attractions for those who enjoy history and architecture.

Montagne de Bueren

• Address: Montagne de Bueren, 4000 Liège, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

The Montagne de Bueren, an engineering marvel that epitomized nineteenth-century innovations, provided a direct line of communication between the city’s castle and the barracks. The city’s 374-step ascending staircase, which has an approximate 30% incline, is situated between buildings. As they ascend, tourists will be able to take in the breathtaking view of the entire city, including the Meuse River’s twisting course and the narrow streets leading through the former residences.

Aquarium-Museum of Liège

• Address: Quai Edouard Van Beneden 22, 4020 Liège, Belgium
• Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Monday – Thursday) | 10:00 – 18:00 (Friday – Sunday)
• Entrance fee as follows

With fish species from all over the world, the Museum – Aquarium in Liège will take you on a fantastic voyage through the animal and aquatic cosmos. In 50 tanks, guests may view over 2,500 animals from 200 different species in the aquarium area. Legendary piranhas, clown fish, sea anemones, stone fish, and black-finned sharks from the enigmatic ocean are a few common varieties. Instead, the museum here has 20,000 incredibly well-preserved specimens on exhibit in 1,000 square meter rooms, ranging in size from tiny fleas to enormous whales.

La Boverie

• Address: Parc de la Boverie, 4020 Liège, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (except Monday)
• Entrance fee as follows

Located in a park and within a short distance from Liège station, La Boverie serves as both a fine arts museum and an international exhibition center. La Boverie is consequently exceptional in that it houses the City of Liège’s historical collections in addition to modern art and a number of exciting cultural initiatives. Major temporary exhibits arranged by the City of Liège may be seen at La Boverie. Don’t miss the chance to view the collection, which has pieces by artists such as Gérard De Lairesse, Ingres, Gauguin, Chagall, Picasso, Evenepoel, Delvaux, and Magritte. It’s a very unique experience.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

• Address: Pl. de la Cathédrale, 4000 Liège, Belgium
• Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
• Entrance fee: Free

The church, which was damaged during the French Revolution, was first built in 966 and has striking Gothic architecture. The tower was beautifully redecorated in the 19th century by a group of renowned Belgian artists. As one enters the cathedral, the choir, window system, chapel, and side tower all prominently display the Gothic influence. The bas-relief and the Christ statue on the marble burial monument further contribute to the church’s sacrosanct aura.

Brugge

Bruges, or “Brugge” as it is known in Dutch, is one of the European fairytale cities that hasn’t lost its charm. Situated in Belgium’s western Flemish area, Bruges offers contemporary comforts and food that will transport you to locations you’ve only heard about in stories.

Belfry of Bruges

• Address: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
• Opening hours: 09:00 – 20:00
• Entrance fee as follows

The bell tower, which dates back to the 13th century, is not only a symbol of Brugge’s pride but also a must-see location for tourists. This 83-meter-tall tower, which stands for independence, power, and prosperity, was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The tower burnt down shortly after it was built, and the 19th-century repairs are what gave it its current neoclassical splendor. Despite locals’ worries about its safety, the tower’s 1 meter eastward lean has produced a unique feature that draws many of tourists.

You’ll be rewarded with an amazing view over the city and neighboring surroundings after ascending the 366 steps of the tower. On the way up, guests can make a stop in the treasury, which houses the medieval charters, seals, and treasury of the city. A little distance farther on are the striking musical drum that regulates the 47 carillon bells in the tower, as well as the keyboard that the carillon players throughout the city use to hit the bells.

Grote Markt

• Address: Markt, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
• Opening hours: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

The most picturesque sites in Bruges are found around the Markt (Market Square), which is designed in the medieval style. A statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who were instrumental in leading the Flemish resistance against the French at the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, is positioned in the middle of the structure. Nearly every traveler to Bruges walks through this pedestrian-only area, which is located in the heart of the old city. The interactive Historium Bruges exhibit and the 12th-century belfry, which can be scaled for panoramic city views, are two of the Markt’s attractions.

Church of Our Lady

• Address: Mariastraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
• Opening hours: 09:30 – 17:00
• Entrance fee: Free

Commencing in the 13th century, the Church of Our Lady in Bruges is a remarkable example of a medieval church constructed over a minimum of 200 years. At 122 meters high, this brick tower surpasses St. Martin in Landshut, Germany, as the tallest in the world and the highest in Belgium. These days, guests to the Church of Our Lady can ascend the slender circular staircase for breathtaking views over the city’s main plaza. The tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy from the 16th century are one of the church’s other notable features. Among the rare Michelangelo sculptures that may be seen outside of Italy are these white marble statues of the Virgin and Greensleeves, which were sculpted by the artist sometime about 1504.

Choco-Story, Chocolate Museum

• Address: Wijnzakstraat 2, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00
• Entrance fee as follows

Explore the fascinating world of chocolate at the museum, where you can learn about the 4,000-year history of this delectable treat and go on a sensory trip throughout time. Initially, it will use a special collection of about a thousand objects to explain the narrative of the creation and evolution of chocolate. In addition to the history, the museum shows visitors how chocolate is created, with particular emphasis on the range of raw ingredients used and the development of the manufacturing method. You may sample chocolate items created at the museum and learn the secrets of exquisitely smooth chocolate in the demonstration center.

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

• Address: Sint-Salvatorskoorstraat 8, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 17:30 (Monday – Friday) | 10:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 15:30 (Saturday)| 14:00 – 17:00 (Sunday)
• Entrance fee: Free

St. Salvator’s Church, the oldest church in the city, has seen several renovations and additions, contributing to its diverse interior design and architecture. The church was reconstructed in the Gothic style using red bricks by the middle of the thirteenth century, with the lowest section of the tower dating from the twelfth century. The neo-Romanesque tower was built in the 19th century, although the three-nave basilica of today is mostly from the late 13th century. A wide blend of styles from the Scheldt and High Gothic eras, as well as Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque styles, are the outcome of the extensive building history.

The statues and tapestries are from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, while the choir seats were put in around the 15th century. The furniture was updated in the 17th century in the Baroque style, while the stained glass windows and wall paintings are from the 19th century. The organ’s ornate carving originates from 1719, while the metal lattice gate was created in 1726. Together, they produce a remarkably distinctive building that draws in all visitors.