Top 20 most beautiful monuments in Belgium2026 ranking

Orval beer is certainly one of the best known in the world among enthusiasts. A cheese is also produced on site. Both the beer and cheese are ATP certified and can be sampled at the abbey brewery, A l'Ange Gardien. Do not miss out on a Green Orval! Only the ruins of the old abbey can be visited. A guide explains the turbulent history of this abbey and the legend of Countess Mathilde of Canossa.

Maredsous Abbey is a magical place tucked away in a beautiful green setting. There are so many activities here. You can visit the cheese dairy, the microbrewery (because Maredsous is famous for its beer, among other things), and tour the abbey. We had a picnic there, but there is also a cafeteria available. A huge playground is set up for kids.

It is not easy to visit the Notre-Dame de Leffe Abbey, as the days and hours open to the public are so limited. It is not possible to make reservations, so be at the gate on the day and at the time indicated on the website. Once you get through the door, one of the brothers from the abbey gives the guided tour. For us, it was Brother Fernand. The idea is not to talk about Leffe beer, as there is the Maison Leffe museum in Dinant for that, but rather to talk about the turbulent history of this abbey. A quiet, relaxing, and free visit.

A lovely cathedral that is worth a visit. While the exterior remains fairly classic, Saint-Paul houses magnificent stained glass windows, along with a large number of paintings and sculptures. I really liked the ceilings, with their gold and blue vaulted arches. The place, which is not very crowded, keeps a solemn atmosphere. However, it is missing a brochure at the entrance to better understand the history of the monument.

Impossible to forget the climb up the Montagne de Bueren! It is my most memorable experience in Liege. Nearly 400 steps to climb with a 30-degree incline. Luckily, there are landings along the way to catch your breath. You pass by beautiful old houses, a few tourists, but mostly locals getting their exercise in. The effort is rewarded by a very pretty view of the city and the Meuse river. Do it with good physical fitness and proper shoes.

As famous as the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis attracts a lot of visitors. What a surprise to find yourself standing in front of this little statue, less than 60 centimeters tall and famous all over the world! The trip is mainly worth it for the show of all these tourists gathering here to take a selfie. Cool detail, the Manneken Pis is dressed according to the times and seasons, and for fans there is even a museum where these fancy outfits are displayed!

I had never visited a Beguinage before, so this site was a real discovery. The main gate is very beautiful, and I bumped into a few women who live there. The white houses and the inner garden are charming. I went in the spring, and everything was in bloom with daffodils around the linden and poplar trees. There is not a huge amount to see besides the church. I mostly enjoyed the setting and the serene atmosphere. It is a pleasant stop before heading to Minnewater Park, just down the way.

It is hard to believe you are entering a basilica. I was really surprised by this monument, which looks more like a Gothic pavilion than a religious building. With its two floors and gray facade, lacking a tower or bell, the basilica seems tiny next to the adjacent city hall. But the interior is sumptuous. I loved the stained glass, the vaults, and the paintings. The Chapel of the Holy Blood, located on the first floor, houses the famous relic of the cloth of Christ stained with blood during the crucifixion. Right next door, a small museum traces the history of the basilica. It is interesting and quick to see.

It would be a real shame to leave Bruges without visiting its Belfry. This impressive monument transported me back to the Middle Ages. You visit it like a museum, following a path that winds all the way to the top of the tower. The Treasury room, which used to house charters, gives you a good idea of the Belfry's historical function. For me, the drum room was the most impressive part, with its massive drum that rotates to trigger the bells. Finally, after climbing more than three hundred steps (which is pretty exhausting), you arrive right beneath the bells. I loved the view over Bruges and the sound, which was almost deafening. I recommend getting your tickets online to avoid the wait,…

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I found the visit to Orval Abbey very interesting. If you have the chance, I recommend going for a guided tour, as I really enjoyed the experience. At the end, you can taste one of the abbey's beers and pick up a few to take home. A few hours on-site is enough to see everything.