Beautiful places in Belgium. Wonderful historical cities of belgium Best places in belgium

Of course, a trip to Belgium will be considered incomplete if you do not visit such famous cities as Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Also, be sure to include in your compulsory program visiting breweries. It must be said that for such a very tiny country as Belgium (it takes only three hours to cross it completely), it nevertheless boasts a lot of interesting things for tourist review things - castles, art museums, unique architectural monuments, and in addition to the famous beer, here you can enjoy delicious Belgian chocolate.

In addition to Brussels, a very pretty town of Bruges is of great interest to tourists in Belgium. It's not in vain world organization UNESCO has included its entire center in the list of its objects of protection. Some visitors even find it more attractive than Venice, to which it is often compared. the best way its inspection is definitely a boat trip. All of these boat trips, offered literally everywhere, include the most interesting and key places in the city.

There are also many museums in the city, most of which are museums related to art in one way or another. But there are museums that simply fall out of this list, such as the chocolate museum and the frietmuseum snack museum.

Bruges, or little Venice, as caring citizens often call it, is a truly charming town. Old houses, carefully wrapped in ivy on all sides, canals with picturesque bridges, a market square with buildings of the 18th century, an old watch tower - Belford, which is a symbol of the stamina and courage of the townspeople - all this together makes Bruges not only an attractive place for tourists, but also a very romantic and beautiful city.

Just a 30-minute drive from the charming Bruges is the equally pretty town of Ghent. Of course, its historical center is not as impressive as that of Bruges, but this city is much more lively. Here you should definitely take a walk through the wonderful historical center and visit Gravenstein Castle. The fate of this castle is truly unique - it managed to visit both the main city fortress until the 14th century, and the city prison until 1700, and even the count's residence later. It was later that a cotton processing factory was opened in the same building.

Formally, Ghent is the capital of Flanders, here you can see the perfectly preserved city hall and the castles of Counts Philip and Gerald the Devils. Be sure to visit the city's famous Cathedral, where you will see the beautiful Ghent altar and admire close to its walls, painted by the great artist Van Eyck. Worthy of acquaintance also local Archaeological Museum, it is attractive not only for the collection of its exhibits, but also for the fact that it is located in the old building of the Cistercian abbey of Baylock.

Ghent is also very popular for its various annual colorful festivals, of which the Flanders festivals, which usually take place in the month of October, are especially picturesque.

Antwerp is considered to be the second largest city in Belgium. And it is also the diamond capital of the world, so arriving in this city, it is simply impossible to do without visiting the Diamond Museum. In addition to the fact that there are 4 diamond exchanges in the city, there are also 380 cutting workshops and approximately 12 thousand cutting specialists. By the way, a considerable part of them are our compatriots.

Art lovers will certainly enjoy a visit to the house-museum of Rubens, where he grew up. Everything here is literally dedicated to the life and work of the greatest artist of the 17th century. Having spent quite a bit of time, you can visit Fort Breendonk, located near Antwerp, which the Nazis used as a concentration camp during the Second World War. Here you can learn more about the terrible events that took place on the territory of Belgium from 1940 until 1945.

In the Maritime Museum of Antwerp you can get acquainted with the history of the seaport, shipping and seafaring, and here you can also see a large number of ship models belonging to completely different historical eras.

The Belgian town of Leuven is primarily famous for its university, founded in 1425 and considered the oldest in the country. Undoubted fame for this university was gained by its outstanding students, and above all by the great humanist of his time, Erasmus of Rotterdam. In addition, the University of Leuven has the most picturesque student dormitory in Europe, located within the walls of the former Beguine monastery.

Leuven is also famous for its architecture - its City Hall is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful buildings of its era, and the papal collegium, the churches of St. Michael and St. Peter attract visitors with their unusual forms and architectural decorations. Even in Leuven, tourists usually visit the brewery of the famous Stella Artois company, where they get acquainted with all stages of the production of this popular drink.

You can also visit the town of Mechelin, which has been the residence of the Belgian archbishop since the 16th century. Here you will also see magnificent architectural masterpieces - the majestic building of the City Hall, the Baroque Church of St. John with its famous altar triptych - "The Adoration of the Magi" by Rubbens, gothic cathedral, the long construction of which was completed only at the beginning of the 19th century, the massive building of the former Cloth Workshop, the building of the Church of St. Peter and Paul. All of them are a real decoration of the city and emphasize its uniqueness.

But the history of the ancient Belgian city of Kotreika goes back to the times of Roman settlements. The prosperity of this city in the Middle Ages was due to the well-established production of damask fabrics. Since that time, many picturesque buildings have been preserved in the city - the monastery of the beguines, the Gothic church of St. Martin, the remains of defensive structures and the Belford tower.

And, of course, one cannot ignore the town that has earned the fame of the city of arts - Liege. There are just a huge number of churches concentrated here, historical monuments and architectural landmarks. The true decoration of the city is the palace of the princes - bishops, the building of the City Hall, built in 1714, is also noteworthy. A memorial plaque in memory of the famous criminologist Maigret, famous in the novels of the writer Georges Simenon, who was once a resident of Liege, gives it special significance.

Belgium is small European country, located between the Netherlands from the north, Germany in the east, France and Luxembourg in the south and west, it is separated from the UK by a narrow strip of the North Sea. Here is the center of the intersection of political and financial interests, as well as the capital of the entire European Union - Brussels. Belgium is a highly developed and urbanized country with major cities, seaports of international importance, intertwined with iron and highways. A country that still preserves age-old folk traditions and customs. The country of museums, lace, chocolate and beer, and the ancient monuments and other sights of Belgium are known all over the world.

The history of Belgium dates back to the time when the local lands, the north of Gaul, were inhabited by the ancient Belgic tribes of Celtic origin. Julius Caesar, who captured this territory, called it Gallia Belgica, and for a long time it was in the possession of the Roman Empire, which left great legacy in the culture and architecture of modern Belgium. Since then, Belgium has gone through different periods and different rulers.

The Kingdom of Belgium was officially proclaimed in 1830. And in 1831, all European powers, except for the Netherlands, declared the kingdom "an independent and eternally neutral state." In 1839, the Netherlands also recognized Belgium as an independent state. As state structure The country was elected a constitutional monarchy.

As mentioned above, Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the capital of the entire United Europe: the headquarters of NATO and the European Union are located here. The population of Belgium has about 10 million inhabitants, in a relatively small area of ​​30.5 thousand square kilometers.

Belgium has three state languages: Flemish (Dutch, used in Belgium), French and German. The state consists of different ethnic groups, represented by the Flemings, Walloons, French and Germans. The main religious denominations are Catholicism and Protestantism.

Current time in Brussels:
(UTC+1)

Belgium - beautiful place for a trip to make an excursion into the history of Europe. What are Brussels and Bruges alone worth, where you can devote whole days to sightseeing. Belgium with its ancient and mysterious cities and provinces is fraught with many discoveries for an inquisitive traveler.

How to get there

The most logical way to get to Belgium is through Brussels.

By plane

The easiest way to get to Brussels from Russia is, of course, by plane, although this city is often included in many bus tours and tourist routes. But since bus tours and charter flights- things are variable and not always constant, then we should first of all talk about regular flights.

In total, there are two international airports near the Belgian capital - this is the largest Brussels-Zaventhem (Brussels International Airport) 12 kilometers northeast of the city and Brussels-Charleroi in the city of Charleroi, which is 50 kilometers south of Brussels itself. Direct flights from International Airport Brussels flights to Moscow are operated by Aeroflot (at Sheremetyevo) and Brussels Airlines (at Domodedovo). From the airport to the city can be reached by bus 12 or 21 (at night), as well as by train, which in 20 minutes can deliver a passenger directly to the Central Station of the Belgian capital.

As mentioned above, Aeroflot and Brussels Airlines have direct flights from Moscow to Brussels. However, it makes sense for residents of other cities to take advantage of the many connecting flights. However, Muscovites can also use connecting flights - often such flights are cheaper than direct ones. Below we list the airlines on whose planes you can fly to Brussels (the cities of connections are indicated in brackets).

• Czech Airlines (Prague): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Samara, Ufa, Perm.
• Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara.
• Austrian Airlines (Vienna): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
• Finnair (Helsinki
• AlItalia (Rome): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg.
• Air France (Paris): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• KLM (Amsterdam): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Air Malta (La Valletta): Moscow.
• Norwegian Airlines (Oslo): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• SAS (Stockholm and Copenhagen): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Air Baltic (Riga): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad.
• Estonian Air (Tallinn): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov, Ufa, Sochi, Novosibirsk.
• Ukraine International Airlines (Kyiv): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg.
• TAP Portugal (Lisbon): Moscow
• LOT (Warsaw): Moscow, St. Petersburg
• EasyJet (London, Manchester): Moscow
• British Airways (London): St. Petersburg

By train

WITH German cities Brussels is connected by ICE and Thalys, with the Dutch - Thalys and trains, with the Swiss Zurich and Basel - EuroCity trains, and with the Austrian ski resorts — .

Launch planned soon high speed train Fyra between Brussels and Amsterdam with a travel time of only 1 hour 46 minutes.

By car

By car, you can get to Brussels along seven main highways, which then flow into the city's main and secondary streets. Among them are the pan-European highways E40, E411 and E19 and the highways A12 and A201. Brussels, like Moscow, is surrounded by three transport rings - the largest ring road R0 ("Brussels ring"), as well as the Big and Small road rings. One of the features of the Brussels transport system is the presence of a huge number of roads transferred underground, so that today in the city you can drive through entire underground intersections.

By bus

The two largest bus stations in Brussels are located at the North and South railway stations. Regional buses go to Wallonia (company) and Flanders (company). International bus routes are operated by large companies and. Moreover, buses of the Ecolines company can reach Brussels directly from the Rizhsky railway station in Moscow. True, such a trip automatically means a lot of transfers and considerable financial expenses.

Flight Search
to Belgium

Vehicle search
for hire

Find flights to Belgium

We compare all available flight options for your request, and then we direct you to purchase on the official websites of airlines and agencies. The airfare you see on Aviasales is final. We have removed all hidden services and checkboxes.

We know where to buy cheap air tickets. Plane tickets to 220 countries of the world. Search and compare prices for air tickets among 100 agencies and 728 airlines.

We cooperate with Aviasales.ru and do not take any commissions - the cost of tickets is absolutely the same as on the site.

Car rental search

Compare 900 car rental companies at 53,000 locations.

Search 221 car rental companies worldwide
40,000 points of issue
Easy cancellation or modification of your booking

We cooperate with RentalCars and do not take any commissions - the rental price is absolutely the same as on the site.

Climate and weather in Belgium

Cities and regions

Regions of Belgium

The main one in the region is, of course, Brussels. You can read more about it.

Located in the south of Belgium, the Walloon region with enchanting scenery and medieval castles, built in the most unimaginable places, reminiscent of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The spirit of magic and miracles hovers everywhere here, and the inhabitants of this region, the Walloons, will gladly tell you a lot of amazing and mysterious stories associated with Wallonia and will offer the most delicious ham in Belgium and the liveliest beer.

The capital of the Walloon region is the town of Namur, whose ancient citadel was a defensive fortification from enemy attacks. Namur is located cable car to survey the area. In Wallonia, hiking and cycling are common in the picturesque surroundings and at the foot of the Ardennes mountains. You can see all the beauty and grandeur of the castles of Wallonia from a bird's eye view: for tourists, sightseeing flights are organized here on a large hot-air balloon. Here you can go climbing and golf, and lovers of antiquity can expect numerous sights, monuments of culture and history, fortresses and cathedrals. The city of Tournai is home to the ancient Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style and dating back to the 12th century. This province also includes the town of Spa, where the resort of the same name is located.

The province of Flanders is a cultural and historical region that is part of Holland and France. The Flemish Region of Belgium is part of Flanders. The most beautiful places of the province, which belonged to France in the ninth century, were famous for large textile enterprises, whose products were sold far beyond the borders of Flanders. In 1830, most of the lands of Flanders went to the kingdom of Belgium. The province has such wonderful cities as Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, known for their amazing architecture and historical past.

Notable cities in Belgium

The name of the Belgian capital is known to every educated person, and in the last half century, the city, which is the de facto capital of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO, has been talked about for a huge number of reasons. By the way, the municipality of Brussels itself is not very large - only 148 thousand people live here, and it is one of the 19 municipalities that make up the Brussels metropolitan region. In essence, this is one city with a population of 1,830 thousand inhabitants. In addition, Brussels is the center of the French and Flemish Communities of Belgium.

This is the largest city in the country with a predominantly French-speaking population, although historically in the city the majority of residents communicated in Dutch. Today, on the streets of Brussels, all signs and signs are duplicated in both languages. The capital stands on the Senne River, but you can’t see it in the historical part - it was put through pipes during the industrialization that swept the city in the 19th century.

Most ancient city Belgium is the center of the settlement of the German tribe Tungry, who lived here during the time of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, here was the center of the county of Capet and Hespengau. An old cozy town with a little less than 30 thousand inhabitants is located on a small river Eker. It is in this famous city in 57-54 BC, there was an uprising of the Eburons, led by Ambiorikos, and a memorial monument was erected here in his honor. Tongeren has a large concentration of architectural monuments antiquity, among which a special place is occupied by Basilica of Our Lady of Tongeren built in the 13th century. Until now, the ancient ruins of the walls that once reliably surrounded Tongeren have been preserved. The city has several museums where you can get acquainted with the richest collections of Tongeren antiquities of the Celtic-Roman period.

The city of Chime, located in the southwest of Wallonia, is both a city and a community of almost 1,000 people. Shime has a long history going back centuries.

In the Middle Ages, Chime was a county and belonged to noble counts, whose genealogy was conducted from the Croix family. In 1686 they were awarded the title of imperial princes. Over time, by 1806, the county fell into decline and was transferred to the ownership of the state under the control of the governor sent from Vienna. In 1824, the head of the Karaman-Rike clan inherited the title of Prince Karaman-shime, which is still inherited by descendants. The medieval castle of Chime, built at the end of the fifteenth century by the Croix family, has survived to this day, although its walls have suffered greatly over a long time. In 1977, as a result of constitutional reform, a modern community was formed, uniting fourteen small Belgian towns.

The most famous attraction of Shime is the monastery. Notre Dame de Scurmont, founded in 1850, which, in addition to holding religious services, produces live beer under the Shime brand.

This is another wonderful city-museum, where the main church life of Belgium is concentrated. Liège, which is the administrative center of the province of the same name, is located at the confluence of the Meuse and Ourthe rivers. During Roman rule, the city was called Leodius, and its history dates back to the distant 705, from the time of the death of Bishop Lambert, canonized.

In the Middle Ages, internecine wars took place here, Charles the Bold several times delivered devastating blows to Liege, and only starting from the 16th century did the city begin to flourish. Liege is the focus of attractions: cathedrals, museums of antiquities, churches.

Antwerp is the second city in Belgium after Brussels, which is the largest city in Flanders and the administrative center of the province of Antwerp. The city is located on both sides of the beautiful Scheldt River. The first historical references date back to the beginning of the 7th century. The Duke of Brabant made a great contribution to the development of Antwerp as a world trade center. Before the Eighty Years' War, Antwerp was the largest shopping mall throughout northern Europe. In 1531, after an active influx of gold from the New World, one of the first trading exchanges in the world opens here. By the 16th century, Antwerp had over 100,000 inhabitants. This period includes the construction of the Antwerp City Hall. In 1834, Antwerp was recognized by Belgium, from that time a new era of development began for the city. All the headquarters of the leading European banks are located here, international exhibitions and fairs are held here.

Antwerp is the diamond capital of Belgium, its workshops are located in the old Jewish quarter. There is also the Diamond Museum. There are countless historical and cultural monuments in Antwerp: the Royal Museum of Art, the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the Mayer Van Den Berg Museum, the Opera and the Flanders Ballet, the Brabo Fountain. Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting the modern cultural center "Singel". On the outskirts of Antwerp, in Derne, there is the Sterkhofe Castle, which houses the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Here you can wander and admire the splendor beautiful park, with its clean ponds and relict trees.

The capital of East Flanders - Ghent, with a population of more than 225 thousand people, is located on the Scheldt River. There is a seaport in Ghent, from which the picturesque Ghent-Terneuzen canal stretches, allowing ships to pass, to the Scheldt River. The city, which appeared in the Stone Age, is rich in sights and historical places. The name of the city, translated from the Celtic "ganda", means "confluence". In the 7th century, the famous abbeys of St. Bavo and St. Peter were organized here.

During the late Middle Ages, Ghent prospered and played a leading role in the production and trade of textiles and cloth. In the XIII-XV centuries, the city was the second largest in Europe, art and culture were actively developing. As a result of the split, during the reformation period, Jesuits began to come to the camps of Protestants and Catholics in Ghent. They brought with them the baroque style. In 1715, the construction of theaters and operas began. At the beginning of the 19th century, Ghent was already a fairly economically developed large city, thanks to the active mechanization of industry.

Ghent is a major educational center in Belgium: there are several specialized higher schools different directions and a university, one of the oldest in the country.

In Ghent, at almost every step you can find a historical monument, fraught with the events of the past. There is a reservoir here, from which the famous Velsdstraat begins, with the Korenley and Grasli embankments, and along which the main cultural attractions are located: the Fox Canal, the city watch tower, St. Michael's Bridge, the Lakenhalle cloth market and many others. Worthy of a visit is Gravensteen Castle, built by Philip of Alsace in 1180.

The city is famous for its theatres, operas and museums. Here you will find many cozy bars and cafes offering not only traditional dishes Belgian cuisine, but also dishes from other European cuisines. Ghent has always been famous for its bacon making. There is still a shop in which bacon was sold in the Middle Ages, now there is a restaurant here. Dried pork hams, the restaurant's specialty, are hung directly under the ceiling. Another excellent tasting dish is Ghent cheese with cumin, served with a very thick liqueur.

In the cafes and pubs of Ghent, it is customary to drink beer from unusual dishes that resemble a flask on a wooden stand. This way of drinking beer and dishes was invented by the enterprising innkeeper Pauvel Kwak, who lived in Ghent in the thirteenth century. Passing travelers often lamented that they could not drink beer on the road, and then the resourceful Powel Kwak came up with special glasses. This invention made it possible to enjoy fresh beer right in a moving carriage.

The student city of Leuven, located on the banks of the River Dale, is first mentioned in historical descriptions of the battles of the Vikings with the Franks in 891, when the Franks won the victory. Leuven is home to the oldest university in Belgium, founded in 1425. There is even a monument to the student, cast in bronze, which stands near the center of Leuven. As a result of conflicts between the Walloons and the Flemings, in 1968 the university was divided into two parts: one wing was given to the Flemings, and the other wing was assigned to the Walloons. The Flemish part is still in Leuven, while the Walloon part was moved to the city of Louvain-la-Neuve. In Leuven there is a beautiful city hall built in the Gothic style.

The well-known Stella Artois beer appeared in Leuven, in 1366, in the old “ Arthur's Brewery". Now this historical and architectural monument is one of the main attractions of Belgium. Here is the empire of beer, where tourists are offered various interesting excursions on the territory of the beer complex.

Brewing traditions in Belgium are so important that the local university has a special faculty, which is called the "Beer Academy". Every year Leuven hosts a popular competition to choose the best bartender. The competition is accompanied by a fun mass celebration. On the main beer square, Oude Markt, which becomes one continuous pub in the evening, you can meet beer connoisseurs from all over the world.

The city of Mechelen, mentioned in the annals in 1008, lies between Antwerp and Brussels and is also a municipality. Mechelen stands on the banks of the Dale River, which carries its waters measuredly. In ancient times, during the reign of the Roman Empire, this area, inhabited mainly by the Romans, was very swampy, in order to drain it, it was necessary to build numerous channels that formed a whole system of islands. Most of the canals in modern Mechelen have been replaced by pipes.

In the III-IV centuries, pagan Germanic tribes came to Mechelen. The monk Rumold, who later became a saint, founded the first monastery here. Thanks to Rumold, Christianity began to be practiced in Mechelen. In the fourteenth century, the city began to develop rapidly and flourish under the control of the Burgundian dukes. During the Middle Ages, Mechelen was already quite an influential city both in terms of textile trade and politically: in the fifteenth century, under Margaret of Austria, Mechelen was the capital of the Spanish Netherlands. However, over time, the city lost its former economic and political power, leaving behind a leading role in the religious life of Belgium. In 1559, Mechelen was proclaimed the center of the diocese. After the defeat of the Spanish troops, during the Eighty Years' War, the city was burned and plundered. After the end of the war, Mechelen was completely restored and turned into beautiful city Belgium. First Railway Europe was introduced in 1835 in Mechelen.

The main attraction of Mechelen, among the abundance of cultural and architectural monuments, is the Cathedral of St. Rumold, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also noteworthy are the Church of St. John and the Church of Our Lady, and the city hall building is considered one of the most beautiful buildings.

Located in the south of Belgium, the city of Bouillon, also called Bouillon, belongs to the province of Luxembourg. Bouillon lies at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by unique nature. The city with a population of 5.5 thousand heifers is famous for the fact that the world-famous Bouillon Castle stands here, owned by Duke Gottfried, the fearless leader of the First Crusade in 1096. This castle is a huge defensive fortress, which still breathes cold and damp from the stone floors. The castle is one of the most imposing defensive buildings of the medieval period. Exciting jousting tournaments and restorations of medieval battles are held on the territory of the Bouillon Castle, which tourists can attend. Interesting competitions are also held here with trained birds - eagles, hawks, vultures, which can carry out various commands.

On central square Bouillon erected a monument to Duke Gottfried of Bouillon. Walking along the streets of this cute and cozy town, you will get real pleasure from contemplating the old buildings and small picture houses, closely pressed to each other.

The ancient town of Malmedy, famous for its delicious cream and French fries, is also famous for its colorful carnival. Malmedy is located sixty kilometers from Liege and is considered to be its province. Not far from the town is Reinhardstein Castle, open to tourists. For a long time Malmedy has been engaged in the production of paper - this is told by the exposition in the local National Museum Papers.

Malmedy is home to the Carnival Museum, which tells the story of this fun show. colorful carnival, lasting four days in a row, takes place annually before Lent. On the tongue local residents it is called Cwarmê and was first celebrated in 1459. During the festival, ancient national characters walk through the city, dressed in colorful clothes and showing various scenes. The main figures are Bans Courtants and Haget: Bans is constantly chasing people in the streets, and Haget is trying to catch spectators and passers-by with long wooden tongs called hapes-tchar.

Malmedy hosts the Belgian Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 Grand Prix, more precisely, it takes place in the last week of August between the cities of Stavelot, Malmedy and Francochamps.

Where to go in Belgium

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Belgium

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Belgium in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Movement around the country

Purchases

In addition to the gastronomic specialties of the country, Belgium is famous for its lace, which, in our opinion, is worth a closer look, and which is a stylish souvenir from Belgium.

Belgian lace

In the Belgian region of Flanders, beautiful lace is woven, famous all over the world. The art of lace-making originated in these parts at the end of the sixteenth century, during the economic and cultural heyday of Flanders. Belgian lace was very popular, all the royal courts preferred to decorate their robes with thin airy lace. The Flemings owned a special technology for making the thinnest thread, and each region of the province was distinguished by its unique weaving.

Antwerp lace is characterized by lace with floral motifs and vases, against the background of small six-pointed stars scattered over the canvas.

Raspberry-Mechelen lace is similar to Antwerp, but they are more elegant and thin, they were used mainly for finishing cuffs and nightgowns, for sewing jabots. Malinsky laces were especially popular.

Bruges lace is a continuous knitted braid, with a bizarre intricate pattern that is formed by connecting separate parts.

Brussels lace was considered the most expensive and luxurious, where separately made ornaments were connected against a background of tulle. These excellent laces were especially appreciated outside of Flanders, and were exported to England under the name angletter, in view of the ban on the import of Flemish lace to foggy Albion. Another type of Brussels lace was called “duchesse”, there was no background as such in them, and the ornaments were skillfully connected by weaving to each other.

Sales in Belgium

In Belgium, sales periods are regulated by law. The treasured days for shopping last exactly one month: from July 1 in summer and from January 3 in winter. Before that, it is useless to wait for discounts and budget prices from the shops of the capital of Belgium: violators who announced discounts before this time will face imposing fines.

In general, Brussels is quite an expensive city: in terms of prices, it can be compared with the nearby major cities - Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. But during the sales period, it captures a real hype. Brussels shops open their doors from 9-10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Fridays, most of the city's shops are open until 8 or 9 pm, with the exception of large galleries and shopping centers.

Tax free in Belgium

If the purchase amount in one store in one day exceeded 125 EUR, it makes sense to use the VAT refund system. In Belgium, VAT is 21%. In order to return this money, you must ask the store Tax Free a check, which should indicate the name of the goods, their price, including tax and the amount of compensation. At the last customs office at the exit from the EU, present the receipt and unpacked purchases to receive a customs stamp.

To receive money, you can:

• Present a check for payment in a Russian bank.
• Mail the check to your local Premier Tax Free office.
• Present the check for payment at one of the cash refund points in the EU.

If your visit to the country is limited only to its capital, you will spend the vast majority of time there, or you just planned shopping in the main city of Belgium, then our material will come in handy "Shopping in Brussels".

Connection

Economy

Where to stay

Despite the very small piece of Europe that Belgium occupies, there are a large number of hotels and hotel complexes of various levels on its territory. In Belgium there are famous hotels with world names such as the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott and other famous and expensive hotels. In order to feel the real spirit of Belgium, to see its national traditions and color, it is best to stay in a small mini-hotel. In small and cozy hotels of this kind, with a reigning atmosphere of peace and regularity, you can feel at home with the Belgians.

In Belgium, you can rent a hotel room for just an hour, and for a longer time. A wide range of accommodation prices allows you to choose the most diverse, suitable specifically for you, the best options for housing and the services provided: there are rooms for 15 euros per day, and there are rooms for 17 thousand. The most budget rooms can be found in hostels located throughout the country.

Congress hotels are popular due to their convenient location. As a rule, they are located near large cities, administrative centers, international highways and airports.

Belgium is a fairly small country located in Western Europe. It is located between Holland, France, Germany and a tiny one.

Despite the small territory of the country, the architecture and culture of various cities in Belgium cannot be called uniform. Even the local population in the two parts of the state, Wallonia and Flanders, speaks completely different languages.

Brussels is the main city ​​of belgium and its capital. It is considered one of the most highly developed settlements peace. However, despite the ongoing construction of modern buildings, the old part of the city was kept intact. Although, instead of reliable ancient defensive walls, this place has long been surrounded by wonderful boulevards. However, the medieval street layout, architectural masterpieces dating back to the Middle Ages and later historical eras, and the old squares have been preserved in excellent condition.

The main attractions of the Belgian capital are considered to be the unique Royal Galleries, which bear the name of Saint Hubert. In addition, numerous museums and the medieval town hall are of great interest to travelers. For most foreign tourists, at any mention of Brussels, the famous Mannequin Pis fountain instantly pops up in their memory.

Fountain Mannequin Pis

It was built in the 17th century, and for several centuries Manneken Pis has attracted the attention of all passers-by. It has long been one of the main symbols of the Belgian capital. The Town Hall, built in the 15th century and completely reconstructed in 1944, also attracts the attention of tourists. She is the most tall building in the old part of the city, and its height is a little less than a hundred meters, and its top is decorated with a very unusual weather vane, a figurine of St. Michael. The facade of the famous Town Hall is decorated with graceful symbolic sculptural compositions. This attraction is surrounded by old Gothic-style mansions, reconstructed during the Renaissance in connection with the need to bring architecture in line with new trends.

On this moment many of these buildings are located, and the most famous of them is the City Museum. Its exposition includes rare tapestries, amazing paintings and engravings, as well as the finest lace made by talented Belgian craftswomen. In their free time from excursions, vacationers often visit the old Cantillon brewery, where you can not only learn more about the history of local brewing, but also taste the best varieties of this drink.

Another city ​​of belgium, which is cultural center countries - medieval Bruges, which became known throughout Europe in the XIV century. It is definitely the most beautiful place in Flanders. In addition, it is the former capital of the Burgundian dukes. Bruges has perfectly preserved all its unique charm: numerous canals with small low bridges, narrow streets, wooden piers, old buildings, most of which have been decorating this city for more than 3-4 centuries. The watch tower, which was built back in 1300, still protects this place from uninvited guests. And the City Hall, created half a century later, perfectly preserved its original appearance. The most important decoration of Bruges is the Gruthuse Palace. In the museums of the city you can see paintings by the famous artist Van Eyck.

In addition to cultural recreation, foreign tourists in local bars and cozy restaurants can enjoy fresh foamy beer, which has no equal throughout the state.

One of the largest cities in Belgium The port of Antwerp is considered to be famous all over the world for its high-quality cutting of precious stones. The local Diamond Museum acquaints travelers with a rare exposition. The oldest church in the city is the Church of St. Bartholomew, built in the 12th century in the Romanesque architectural style.

Among the main tourist centers Belgium also includes Liege in Wallonia, which is known as a city of gunsmiths. In this place, the Town Hall and the medieval citadel, the archbishop's castle, a huge number of temples in various architectural styles have been preserved. The city also has a museum of weapons, which presents a unique exposition about the history of edged weapons. Among the ancient military items here you can see chain mail and armor.

Next city ​​of belgium- small Ghent - is a real pearl of the country. It is located at the confluence of two small rivers. There, along the embankment, closely adjacent to each other, wonderful old 3-x, 4-story mansions with a gable roof perched. Once upon a time, these buildings belonged to various guilds. It is worth noting that the old part of Ghent has been preserved in the form in which it existed 200-300 years ago.

The main attractions of the town are the Sint Jorishof Palace, St. Bavo's Cathedral with its unusual towers, as well as the 90-meter bell tower, which is the tallest building here. At the first glance at the majestic building, it is impossible not to be amazed at the exceptional skill of medieval architects and engineers who managed to build this masterpiece 6 centuries ago. Among foreign tourists, the covered market is also very popular, which was built in the 15th century specifically for the sale of the famous Flemish lace and cloth.

Among other things, in Belgium there are summer resorts, which include Ostend. It is located on the coast of the North Sea, and there are five sandy beaches. However, they are much better suited for calm and leisurely walks than for summer swimming and sunbathing. The most interesting monument of Ostend is the old sailing ship Mercator, which is currently a museum. Even all the small details of it have been restored, and it looks exactly the same as in ancient times, when long-distance voyages were made on it.

Belgium is an incredibly beautiful and small country located in the northwest of Europe. Despite the small size of Belgium, on its territory there are many interesting places worth a visit for every tourist.

Belgian cities will offer you a huge number of wonderful museums, beautiful parks, interesting architectural buildings and historical monuments, which is why we have prepared for you a list of five Belgian cities worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

1. Bruges

The beautiful city of Bruges is considered the most popular city Belgium, and its historic center is one of the most famous objects world heritage center of UNESCO. The medieval city of Bruges is often called the Venice of the North, because in addition to beautiful parks and traditional medieval buildings, there are also picturesque water channels. Most of the city streets are covered with cobblestones, which gives this city even more of a medieval charm. While relaxing in Bruges, be sure to take a walk to market square, Belfort Towers and Our Lady Church, and then look into Minnewater Park, in the lake where you can see swans.

2. Brussels

The second popular Belgian city is Brussels, which, as the capital of Belgium, is considered one of the main tourist centers of the country. Brussels is located in the heart of Europe and it perfectly combines historical sights, the bustle of the capital city and the charm of a medieval town. The most famous monument in Brussels is the bronze statue of a pissing boy, the historical origin of which is the subject of numerous legends. It is also worth visiting the beautiful medieval Grand Place and the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula.

3. Antwerp

The city of Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium and is world famous for its lively nightlife, many restaurants and bars, as well as numerous festivals that take place throughout the city throughout the year. Antwerp is also often called the city of diamonds and fashion, because this is where the world diamond center is located, but if shopping is not to your liking, then you will definitely like the beautiful medieval center of Antwerp, where there are many historical and modern architectural sights, but walking around the city , you will notice traces of Rubens everywhere, because it was here that last years this famous artist of his life.

4. Ghent

Flower capital of Belgium amazing city Ghent is the favorite city of the Belgians themselves. This modest, completely tourist town filled with many cafes and elegant restaurants, but in addition to going to numerous establishments, Belgians come here to walk around the pedestrian historical center and to visit the local opera house. On the territory of the city there are 100 churches, more than 400 historical buildings, as many as 18 museums and a real count's castle, which offers a panoramic view of Ghent.

5. Spa

The Belgian town of Spa has long been the world famous pearl of the Ardennes and, having given its name to all the world's resorts with healing water, it still remains one of the best spa resorts in the world, because the local hot springs and healing and relaxing treatments are incomparable. Healing properties local waters were discovered in the 14th century, but the city of Spa became an international resort center only in the 18th century. In addition to visiting local sources, it is also worth coming here in order to admire beautiful nature, because the Spa is located in a green valley surrounded by forests and hills, along which numerous streams and rivers flow.

Read more about Belgium in the article "The most interesting Belgian sights".

Despite its small size, Belgium has hundreds of interesting places to offer travelers. Belgium will not disappoint connoisseurs of both modern and ancient history, preserving a colossal part of the European heritage within a tiny piece of land.
Bruges is the most popular destination in the country, with its well-preserved medieval streets and tranquil canals attracting tourists throughout the year. But there are many other cities in the country, including Ghent and Mechelen, which have preserved the excellent architectural sights of Belgium from the Middle Ages. This small country has always been at the center of European history, where the most important events of the continent took place. It was in Belgium that Napoleon suffered his major defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, and during the First and Second World Wars, Belgium was on the front line several times. The battlefields of World War I have now become important places of pilgrimage where people come to pay respect.

Bruges: Belfrey Palace and Gall Tower Tour

The most recognizable sight in Belgium is the Belfry Palace and the beautiful bell tower of the Galle tower dominating the main square in Bruges. This medieval structure was once a covered market in the city center and is remarkably well preserved, allowing visitors to experience the real grandeur of medieval architecture. For most tourists in Belgium, a tour of the 366 narrow steps of the bell tower is a must-see in Bruges. The view from the top of the tower against the backdrop of church spiers provides one of the most beautiful views to the city.

Saint Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent

This majestic cathedral, with its tall Gothic choir and Romanesque crypt, exhibits the finest example of religious architecture in Belgium and is Belgium's most remarkable landmark. Although the building of the Bavo Cathedral with harmonious stained glass windows is a masterpiece in itself, most people come here to see the famous work of art - the Ghent Altarpiece. Don't miss also the gigantic crypt under the cathedral with important graves and beautiful wall paintings.

Fields of Flanders

Castle Gravensteen

This extremely impressive fort was once the great castle of the Counts of Flanders. The Gravensteen was built in the image of the great Crusader castles in Syria. Today it is one of the best-preserved examples of a European fortress with massive high walls on the banks of the River Liv, right in the heart of the old city of Ghent. Inside Gravensteen Castle, there are extensive arched halls with exhibitions about medieval life. But it’s worth visiting this landmark of Belgium for the sake of the architecture of the castle itself, as well as to climb the stairs to the roof and admire the panoramic views of the city.

Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges

If you decide to visit any church in Bruges, then stop at the Basilica of the Holy Blood. She is known not only for the combination of Romanesque and gothic architecture, but also with its sacred meaning. The upper chapel houses the vial of Christ's blood from which the church takes its name. A drop of the blood of Jesus Christ was returned to Belgium after the Second Crusade. The interior of the church is magnificently decorated with gold and holy relics.

Meuse valley

The Meuse Valley in the south of the country is one of the best places to explore the lush Belgian countryside. This is a great opportunity to take a trip along the river, observing the beautiful scenery of dense forests and limestone cliffs, interspersed with small Belgian villages. The city of Dinant in the province of Namur is considered the gateway to this region, from where all excursions to the Meuse Valley begin. Popular activities include walking tours, bike tours and more. The cities of Dinant and Namur have ancient cliff-top citadels along with other Belgian landmarks. But the Meuse valley is worth visiting even for the stunning scenery.

Grand Place in Antwerp

Right in the heart of Antwerp is the wonderful Grand Place, also known as the Grand Market. Here you will find some of the finest examples of Belgian architecture, including the guild houses with their typical peaked shape. The Antwerp City Hall is a well-preserved 16th century architectural monument with a collection of paintings depicting the history of Antwerp. Among the finest façades of the Guild Buildings, the Coopers' House and the Grocers' House are well-preserved examples of the Belgian style of architecture.

Old town of Mons

The old town of Mons is a stunning landmark in Belgium that is definitely worth exploring. At its center is the Grand Place, the main square with many typically decorative buildings. All of these buildings span a 400 year period, dating from the 15th to 18th centuries while maintaining a sense of symmetry. In particular, the Toison d "Or House (1615) and the Chapel of St. George (1604) are the architectural decoration of the square. In addition to the Grand Place, the old city hides many other sightseeing opportunities. The UNESCO-listed bell tower on the hill and the church of St. Waldetrude (Saint-Vaudru) with its artistic and religious relics are two important sights of Belgium.

Church of St. Peter, Leuven

St. Peter's Church is located in the center of Leuven on the main square of the city, the so-called Great Market. For lovers of architecture and history, this will be a great chance to visit one of the best preserved examples of the Belgian-Brabant Gothic style. Inside is a religious art museum with beautiful Flemish paintings illustrating biblical places.

Mechelen old town

Its monuments may not be as famous as those in Bruges, but the old town of Mechelen is great place to get to know medieval Belgium. A large number of beautiful old buildings have survived to this day intact. Most of them are centrally located around the Grand Market, including Lakenhall and St. Rumbolt's Cathedral with its high tower with clock. A walk through the center from the main square will reveal to tourists many masterpieces of typical architecture, including guild houses.

waterloo

This is the same Waterloo where Napoleon was defeated in the famous battle. Today it is a simple countryside where epochal battles once took place. In the middle of the usual landscapes of agricultural fields, an artificial hill rises with a memorial sculpture of a lion on top. It marks the day when Napoleon's army was finally stopped. Waterloo remains an important stop on the route of any tourist interested in the history of Belgium and Europe. This is one of the must-see attractions in Belgium.

Semois Valley

The picturesque Semois Valley is a great alternative to the historical sights of Belgium in the cities. Head to the south-east of the country, where the Semois River passes through densely forested hills. The most popular way to travel around the Semois Valley is on foot, but you can also explore the area on a river boat trip. The valley offers some of the most beautiful scenery Belgium, attracting numerous nature lovers during the spring and summer season, when numerous wild flowers bloom.

Religious beauty in Tournai

One of the main reasons to visit the Walloon city of Tournai is Notre Dame Cathedral. It is considered one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world from the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Romanesque and early Gothic masterpiece was built during the 12th - 13th centuries. Today, you can admire the outstanding works of Rubens here, as well as climb the 257 steps to the top of the Notre-Dame bell tower, where you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Thurn. Visit a museum Visual arts before enjoying a drink in one of the quiet cafes on the Grand Place. Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful cities Europe.

Cultural capital Liege

Liege - cultural capital Walloons on the river Meuse, near Maastricht in the Netherlands. Here were born such prominent personalities as the emperor Charlemagne (Charlemagne) and the writer Georges Simenon, the creator of a series of novels about the detective Jules Maigret. Must-see Belgian sights in Liege include the Palace of the Prince-Bishops, the medieval cathedral church, and La Batte Sunday market (the largest and oldest in Belgium), as well as the courtyards, stairs and gardens of the Liege citadel. The Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 circuit is nearby.

Charleroi

Interested in photography? Then come to Charleroi. The largest city in Wallonia is famous for its largest photography museum in Europe, housed in an old Carmelite monastery. The museum illuminates the history of photography from its origins to the present day. Besides photography, there are many other must-see attractions including the Museum of Glass, the 17th-century Château Cartier, the City Hall, and the 300-year-old Sunday market.