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Tourist information for Western Belgium
Belgium, easily accessible from the UK and perfect for a short break,
is a land of contrasts. The bustling cosmopolitan city of Brussels, the great
port of Antwerp, the medieval gem that is Bruges, are perhaps best known, but
Mons, Tournai, Ghent, Liege and Ieper all have something to offer. The flat
lands of the north give way to rolling hills and woods which in turn rise to the
lovely and unspoilt Ardennes region, perfect for walking and cycling amongst
deep valleys and wooded hilltops. In the far south east is the lovely Duchy of
Luxembourg, where the hills of the Ardennes extend to the outskirts of the city,
which is well worth visiting in itself
Map of Western Belgium:
Towns and places of interest in western Belgium
Brussels boasts some of Europe's finest museums and galleries, like the
Musee Royaux de Beaux Arts and the Musee d'Art Moderne as well as the impressive
twin-towered Gothic cathedral. See the Lower Town with its wealth of exquisite
guildhouses and the Upper Town whose wide avenues and grand architecture attest
to its role as the residential area of the aristocracy. Visit the Hotel de Ville
on the superb Grand Place. Enjoy the fine parks.Stroll along the wide boulevards
with their excellent shops. Fine restaurants offering superb French style
cuisine as well as ethnic food from all over. Brussells serves Belgium's famous
beers in a huge variety of attractive bars, many with live music to complement
serious venues such as the Palais des Beaux Arts and Theatre Royal de la Monnaie.
18 kms south of the centre is the historic site of the battle of Waterloo.
Bruges is the most visited place in Belgium. Perhaps the most perfectly
preserved medieval city in western Europe, with a number of museums containing
many superb Flemish masterpieces, its compact centre makes it easy to see on
foot. Don't miss the Helig Bloed Basiliek or the neighbouring Stadhuis.
Picturesque houses and buildings line the banks of the waterways and the city is
full of good bars and restaurants. The surrounding countryside is perfect for
cycling and bikes can be hired in Bruges. Take a boat or cycle to the pretty
village of Damme.
The town of Ieper (Ypres) is best known for its role as a
strategic centre in World War One and the town is a central point for
pilgrimages to the many war cemeteries in the area. Visit the seaside towns of
Oostende, Zeebrugge and Knokke and the neat inland town of
Veurne with its lovely market square. Oudenaarde is the centre of
the Flemish tapestry industry, still thriving today. In the market square is the
elegant and flamboyant Stadhuis. The countryside between here and Kortrijk
(Courtrai) comprises pleasant low hills.
Ghent (Gand) has a lively centre with some superb buildings,
narrow attractive streets, a network of canals, a cathedral and some good
museums. Good for eating, with a mixture of French and Flemish cuisine and
plenty of bars. Antwerp is well worth visiting, a big industrial city and
port but with superbly preserved medieval churches and guildhouses and some of
the best art collections in the country. Like Brussells, buy a good guide book
to get the best of Antwerp. From the banks of the Scheldt river many boat
trips explore the waterways of the area. Other towns to visit in this corner of
Belgium are Diest, Leuven, Mechelen, Lier and the
open air folk museum at Bokrijk.
Tournai is worth a visit with its medieval buildings along the river, its
Romanesque cathedral, ancient belfry, lively bars and restaurants. Mons' museums
record the significant part it played in both World Wars, and around Mons
are some worthwhile sights - the castles of Beloeil and Attre and
the magical ruins of Villers-la-Ville abbey. The most southerly part of
this region is known as the Botte de Hainaut and is a lovely countryside
of rolling wooded hills and farmland with a scattering of small towns.
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