1. Explore vintage cars at Autoworld

Perfectly situated at the heart of Brussels at Cinquantenaire Park, Autoworld is a unique and prestigious museum that shows vintage cars. If you are into cars and you’re staying around Brussels, then this might be the appropriate activity for you to engage. The size of the museum accommodates more than 250 vintage cars from the United States and the whole of Europe. Just visit the museum and learn a thing or two about some of the oldest and the best engines that were trending from the 19th to the 20th centuries. You will be able to discover models like Minervas, a 1928 Bentley and a 1930 Cord among others.

Autoworld

Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Website: Autoworld

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

2. Take a tour of the Groeninge Museum

Are you an artist, a painter or just someone is deeply in love with art? This is a good opportunity for you to go see some of the ancient and beautiful pieces of art. Strategically located in the city of Bruges, Groeningemuseum is a historical museum that sits on the medieval Eekhout Abbey. In this museum, you will find very ancient paintings from the well-known Flemish painters. The museum boasts a range of masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods to a substantial collection of Flemish Primitive paintings. The museum is globally recognized and has oftentimes hosted prestigious traveling exhibits.

Groeninge Museum

Address: Dijver 12, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Website: Groeninge Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9:30am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

3. Learn Belgium's history at the In Flanders Fields Museum

Perfectly located in the heart of Ypres town in the market square, is the In Flanders’ Fields Museum, a museum which was erected to commemorate the World War I. There’s a famous poem written by John McCrae which gave birth to the name of the museum. If you are curious about how Belgium was invaded and affected by the war, the museum is a good place to collect those facts. Right from the invasion of Belgium to the events that took place during the war, everything is well documented. There’s also a shop where you can buy books, postcards, and gifts related to World War I.

In Flanders Fields Museum

Address: Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper, Belgium

Website: In Flanders Fields Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

4. Explore the Renaissance and Gothic works at the Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Strategically located in the heart of Antwerp, is Museum Mayer van den Bergh, a Renaissance and Gothic museum. Some of the collections featured in this museum include works of art by the late Fritz Mayer van den Bergh. It is by this local art collector where the museum got its name from. If you take a tour of the museum you will be able to see some beautiful masterpieces like the portrait of Fritz Mayer van den Bergh which was done by Jozef Janssens. Among the art collections featured are Renaissance and Gothic works stemming from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Address: Lange Gasthuisstraat 19, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

5. Explore the exceptional Curtius Museum

Perfectly perched on the banks of the Meuse River in the town of Liege, is Curtius Museum, one of the most famous museums in Belgium. Located in a scenic surrounding, the museum was built at the start of the 17th century. It used to be a private mansion home for Jean Curtius, an industrialist who supplied the Spanish army with weapons. The house has an attractive façade featuring beautifully crafted walls. It is under this museum now where you can find the Museum of Archeology, the Museum of Weaponry, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Religious Art and Mosan Art.

Curtius Museum

Address: Quai de Maestricht 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium

Website: Curtius Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 10am - 6pm (closed on Tue)

6. Take a stroll across Mini-Europe

Found at the foot of the Atomium in Bruparck in the heart of Brussels, is Mini-Europe, a beautifully attractive miniature park. Take a tour of this park and you will discover some of Europe’s coolest places. Some of the structures on display include reproductions of monuments in the European Union. Roughly about 350 buildings from about 80 cities are displayed on a scale of 1:25. The park also features educative guided tours and live displays of cable cars, trains, mills, including a miniature Mount Vesuvius erupting. The cool thing about this miniature park is how it combines the architecture of different cities in one place.

Mini-Europe

Address: 1020 Brussels, Belgium

Website: Mini-Europe

Opening hours: 9:30am - 7pm (daily)

7. Tour the magnificent Royal Palace of Brussels

Perfectly located in the heart of Brussels, is the Royal Palace of Brussels, the official palace of Belgium. Although the palace is recognized as the official abode, the royal family chose to live in the Royal Palace of Laeken which is just a few minutes from the city. Just close to the palace is Brussels Park which is separated from the palace by the Paleizenplein. In the palace, you will explore some of the royal collections including beautiful silverware, fine crystal, and furniture that was used by Napoleon, King Louis Phillipe, and both Leopold I and II.

Royal Palace of Brussels

Address: Rue Brederode 16, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Royal Palace of Brussels

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10:30am - 3:45pm (closed on Mon)

8. Discover fabulous collections at the Musical Instrument Museum

Are you into music? Then this is a chance during your vacation in Belgium to get to learn about Belgian musical history. Strategically located in downtown Brussels, is Musical Instrument Museum, a globally recognized museum for its collection of vintage musical instruments. The museum is a major part of the Royal Museums for Art, and it houses over 8,000 musical instruments. But it’s not only focused on Belgian musical culture, as it also displays European musical traditions as well as musical instruments from other parts of the world. That includes the only remaining copy of luthéal which was used by Ravel.

Musical Instruments Museum

Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Musical Instruments Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9:30am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

9. Visit the amazing Plantin-Moretus Museum

Do you seem to be running out of options on what to do during your vacation in Belgium? Then you can visit the Plantin-Moretus Museum and get some insights about historical methods of printing. This is a printing museum that is strategically located in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. It mainly features works done by Jan Moretus and Christophe Plantin, who were renowned printers from the 16th century. This is where they both used to reside and had the Plantin Press. Apart from being a major source of attraction for tourists in Belgium, UNESCO has also listed this site as a World Heritage Site.

Plantin-Moretus Museum

Address: Vrijdagmarkt 22-23, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Plantin-Moretus Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

10. See the unique Manneken Pis

While still in Belgium enjoy your fantastic vacation, one of the things you shouldn’t miss out on is visiting the Manneken Pis. Widely known all over the world, this is a small bronze sculpture that shows a naked young boy urinating into a fountain. The iconic landmark is strategically located in the heart of Brussels and attracts tourists from all over the globe making Brussels one of Belgium’s top tourist destinations. Designed in the early 1600s by Hieronymus Duquesnoy, this statue features a large wardrobe that includes several hundred outfits. It gets to dress different costumes during the week as per a published schedule.

Manneken Pis

Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Website: Manneken Pis

11. Admire splendid artworks at the Horta Museum

As its name suggests, the Horta Museum honors the life and work of Victor Horta, a Belgian Art Nouveau architect. Built around the turn of the 20th century and strategically located in Saint-Gilles, the house used to be a private residence and studio of Victor Horta. The museum represents a rich portion of Belgian history and has thus been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find priceless decorations, stained-glass pieces, and original mosaics. You will be able to find furniture, utensils used by Horta and even some literature regarding his life and the works he did.

Horta Museum

Address: Rue Américaine 25, 1060 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Horta Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 2pm - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)

12. Marvel at the stunning architecture of Atomium

This is one of the places in Belgium that your vacation will not feel complete before you visit. Constructed during the Expo 58 in the 1958 Brussel’s World’s fair, Atomium is one of Belgium’s iconic landmarks. This is a thrilling 335-feet (102 meters) tall building and its architecture depicts a unit cell of an iron crystal. Also, the building features 9 stainless steel 60-feet (18.3 meters) spheres made which are connected using tubes. Having been converted into a museum, it features a permanent exhibition which is dedicated to Expo 58. At the top of the building, you’ll find a restaurant with eye-catching views and mouthwatering items on the menu.

Atomium

Address: Square de l'Atomium, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Atomium

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

13. Drop by the Museum aan de Stroom

Strategically located on the banks of the Scheldt River, this is one of the widely recognized museums in the world and actually the largest museum in Antwerp. Museum aan de Stroom features stunning and beautiful art deco architecture of modern times. The museum houses close to half a million displays. As Antwerp is a port city, some of the major themes featured include power, life, death, metropolis, and status of Antwerp as an international port. Different language-speaking groups of people worldwide are able to access the museum because of the QR codes used to provide web information about the exhibits in five languages.

Museum aan de Stroom

Address: Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Museum aan de Stroom

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

14. Get amazed at the majestic Grand Place

The Grote Markt or popularly known as the Grand Place is made of wonderful homogeneous structures of public and private buildings dating back to the late 17th century. Famously known all over the world for its decorative and aesthetic wealth, Grand Place is the number one tourist attraction in Brussels. This ornate central square is regarded as one of the most charming medieval squares in Europe and probably the world. Historically, the square used to be a marketplace where traders and citizens used to trade. So many historical events happened in the square which makes the square so significant to the history of Belgium.

Grand Place

Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Website: Grand Place

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)

15. Meet rare animals at Antwerp Zoo

Perfectly located beside the Antwerpen-Centraal train station, Antwerp Zoo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the port city of Antwerp. It is also the oldest zoological park in the country. This is a good place to spend time with your family as you get to see different animal species. The zoo boasts historical buildings that were built as early as the 19th and early 20th centuries. If you brought your camera with you, you will be able to take pictures of animals such as different species of penguins, Asian elephants, and Baringo giraffes, just to name a few.

Antwerp Zoo

Address: Koningin Astridplein 20-26, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Antwerp Zoo

Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)

16. Visit the beautiful garden Pairi Daiza

Are you and your loved one bored and looking for a romantic outdoor activity to engage in? Then head to Pairi Daiza, a privately-owned zoological park and botanical garden in the lovely town of Brugelette. During this excursion, you are likely to come across a variety of different animal species. Walk up to Algoa Bay and observe harbor seals and penguins in their natural habitat. Enjoy some bird watching at the Cathedral Aviary which is recognized as one of the largest birdhouses in the entire continent. Also during this excursion, you are like to see other animals such as raccoons and reindeer.

Pairi Daiza

Address: Domaine de Cambron, 7940 Brugelette, Belgium

Website: Pairi Daiza

17. Check out the ancient castle Gravensteen

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Located in the East Flanders at Belgium, the Gravensteen is a medieval castle that is situated in Ghent. The castle was remodeled by count Philip of Alsace after the castle of crusaders he encountered during the Second Crusade. During different generations in Belgian history, the castle has been used for different purposes. First, it was used as the seat of the Counts of Flanders, then after abandonment, it was turned into a prison, and then a courthouse. The military architecture of the buildings symbolized the power of the Counts in the chaotic city of Ghent. It was even once turned into a cotton factory.

Gravensteen

Address: Sint-Veerleplein 11, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Website: Gravensteen

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

18. Enjoy a tour of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

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Strategically located in the heart of Brussels, The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is an association of six art museums that are regarded as the best in Belgium and probably the whole of Europe. The museum boasts a massive number of ancient drawings, sculptures, paintings, and other works of art. The museum has close relation with the Royal Museum and boasts a collection of the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Magritte Museum, the Antoine Wiertz Museum, the Fin de Siecle Museum, and the Constantin Meunier Museum. The Royal Museum hosts two of the museums in the same building.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Address: Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

19. Pay your respect at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

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Brussels is a city that is full of historical landmarks and the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is one of those iconic landmarks. This is an ancient cathedral that serves as a church for the Catholic faithful living within Brussels. This iconic cathedral serves as a cathedral for the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels and St. Rumbold’s Cathedral in Mechelen. The nearby Gobertange quarry is where the construction stones of the cathedral came from. If you’re keen enough, you will notice the peregrine falcons that have made the apex of the towers their nest. The cathedral is usually welcoming to visitors.

St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels

Address: Place Sainte-Gudule, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels

20. Visit the historic St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Since the ancient of days, Belgium has been a country that has had deep spirituality and as a consequence has had many iconic worship sites. Perfectly situated in the historic city of Ghent, is St. Bavo’s Cathedral, an 89-meter (292 feet) tall Gothic cathedral. Being the seat of Ghent’s Roman Catholic diocese, the cathedral obtained its name after Saint Bavo of Ghent. The cathedral stands where the chapel of St. John the Baptist was. You can visit the cathedral also to see some valuable pieces of art that are on display such as a painting done by Peter Paul Rubens. There are also attractive furnishings.

St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Address: Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Website: St. Bavo’s Cathedral

21. Get refreshed at Dogma Cocktails

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Are you looking for something fun to do over the weekend to make your vacation more entertaining? Or maybe it’s Friday after work, you’re tired and would love to get a drink or two before you head home. Strategically located in the heart of the port city of Antwerp, is Dogma Cocktails, a fantastic cocktail bar that should be on your to-do list. The bar offers a cozy relaxed atmosphere creating the perfect condition for you to your cocktail. The bar is situated in a retro-industrial interior with an informal speakeasy style. It is the perfect place to bring your date.

Dogma Cocktails

Address: Wijngaardstraat 5, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Dogma Cocktails

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 6pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 1am (closed on Mon)

22. Have fun at the Belgian Comic Strip Center

Strategically located in the heart of Brussels city, Belgian Comic Strip Center is a museum that is dedicated to Belgian comics. Featuring activities for all age groups, the museum is a nice place to go and engage in some outdoor activities with your family. Let the kids enjoy watching cartoons such as Smurfs and Tintin, among other cartoon characters idolized by Belgian cartoon artists. Different artists are given different rooms in which to showcase their work. The museum features an auditorium and a special room for the lovers of animation. This is a good opportunity to bond with your family.

Belgian Comic Strip Center

Address: Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: Belgian Comic Strip Center

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

23. Taste the amazing Belgian Chocolate

During your romantic getaway in Belgium, your vacation won’t be complete before you enjoy some Belgian chocolate. Chocolate is globally consumed in bulk and that makes chocolate-making one of the biggest profit-making businesses in the world. Belgium is famous worldwide for its fine and sweet chocolate. When you are out on a date, drop by a chocolate shop and buy chocolate for your better half. There are many tastes and flavors that you can select from such as Belvas, Neuhaus, Godiva, and Zaabar, just to name a few.

The Belgian Chocolate Makers

Address: Chaussée de Charleroi 125, 1060 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website: The Belgian Chocolate Makers

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 11am - 7pm (closed on Sun)

24. Explore the exceptional beauty of Vêves Castle

Perfectly located in a scenic area right outside the village of Celles, is the Castle of Veves, one of the major tourist attractions in the province of Namur, Belgium. It is one of the medieval attractions that have scholars and researches from all over the world visiting Belgium. Take your family to the castle and let them explore the lovely rooms decorated with 18th-century furniture, beautiful ancient souvenirs, and paintings. The medieval castle of Veves is picturesque and comprises of a dungeon and six towers covered by pointed roofs. You can even take pictures for memories.

Vêves Castle

Address: Rue de Furfooz 3, 5561 celles, Belgium

Website: Vêves Castle

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

25. Relax at Zeebrugge Village

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Would love to go and relax on the beach and enjoy some delicious seafood? Zeebrugge is the perfect place to enjoy all that. This is a charming village that is perfectly perched on the Belgian coast along the North Sea. It serves as both a port in that area and a seaside resort which attracts a lot of tourists. Some of the features that make it so popular are things like the marina, the seafront resort, hotels, cafés, and a romantic beachfront. Enjoy some mouthwatering dishes in one of the hotels. You can even buy fish to go and cook at home.

Zeebrugge Village

Address: Bruges, Belgium

26. Attend a mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady

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During your vacation in Belgium, you might feel like you need some spiritual upliftment to keep enjoying your wonderful vacation. If you are staying in the port city of Antwerp of nearby, you visit the Cathedral of Our Lady. This is a Roman Catholic cathedral that is built in Antwerp. The cathedral is ancient dating back to 1352 and features Gothic style. It is the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries and it was by far the tallest building in the region for many centuries. Although some original interior features have been ruined, you can still find significant art treasures that remain.

Cathedral of Our Lady

Address: Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Cathedral of Our Lady

27. Take a boat trip on the canals of Bruges

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Sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North, Bruges is the capital of the only province in the whole of Belgium with a direct connection to the North Sea, the province of West Flanders. The city is beautiful and attractive and features some iconic attractions such as the Bruges Canal. This is a good chance to spend some quality time with your loved one. Experience the charm of this quaint city as you travel the canal by boat. The surrounding is so attractive and picturesque and you wouldn’t want to miss the memories. Maybe you can take pictures of the secret gardens and the picturesque bridges.

Canals of Bruges

Address: Bruges, Belgium

28. Experience the beautiful port city Ghent

Strategically located at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers, is Ghent, a port city in the northwest part of Belgium. Although today the city has been transformed into an educational town and a cultural hub, in the old days it served as a city-state. There are several historical landmarks around Ghent that attract tourists from all over the world, making it a top tourist destination. You should make an effort while still enjoying your vacation to tour the city. Get to see different medieval architecture such as the Gravensteen castle, the Graslei, and Het Belfort van Gent among others.

Ghent

Address: Ghent, Flemish Region, Belgium

29. Explore the art pieces at Rubenshuis

Located in the heart of the port city of Antwerp, is Rubenshuis, one of the hidden gems in Antwerp, Belgium. This is a museum which was formerly the home and workshop/studio of Peter Paul Rubens. Rubens was a famous Belgian artist and some of his works of art are still in the museum. You will find his original masterpieces and a variety of medieval furnishings. The appearance of the home itself is picturesque and features a lovely courtyard, portico, and a quaint garden. The museum attracts tourists and researchers from all over the world making Antwerp a top tourist destination in Belgium.

Rubenshuis

Address: Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Website: Rubenshuis

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

30. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood

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Belgium is a country that has a deep spirituality history that dates way back to medieval times. If you are curious about the history of Belgian Christianity, you should visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This is a Roman Catholic basilica that is situated in Bruges. As its name suggests, the structure has a revered relic of the holy blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace. The church features an upper and lower chapel, both having different architectural features. It is a beautiful sight that you should visit during your vacation.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Address: Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Website: Basilica of the Holy Blood

Experience a wonderful time in Belgium

You might be visiting Belgium for a family vacation or just a romantic getaway. in any case, there are a lot of things that you can do in Belgium to ensure a fabulous holiday.