1. View the contemporary art collections of Museum of Fine Arts of Liege

The Museum of Fine Arts of Liege has only been in operation for the past few years. It opened in 2016 and situated inside the stunning Palais des beaux-arts de Liege. There are many reasons to visit, especially if you want to view artworks and sculptures from up-and-coming artists. The museum has attained works from luminary artists such as Adrien de Witte, Claude Monet, Jean-Guillaume Carlier, Jules Pascin, Lambert Lombard, Marie Laurencin, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gaucin, and Vincent Van Gogh, to name a few.

La Boverie, Museum in Liege

Address: Parc de la Boverie, 4020 Liege, Belgium

Website: La Boverie, Museum in Liege

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9:30am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 10 - 13 USD

2. Treat your eyes to the Mosan art at Museum of Religious Art and Art Mosan

Mosan art is a form of religious art that encompasses Romanesque art and architecture, enameling, metalwork, and stone sculpting. It emerged around the river Meuse and in countries such as Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The craftsmanship and level of detail of Mosan artworks are such that they will take your breath away! A few of the artworks that will catch your eye include the Lactation of Saint Bernard, Myster of Apollo, Sedes Sapientiae, and Virgin and Child.

Museum of Religious Art and Art Mosan

Address: Le Grand Curtius, de Maestricht 13, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Le Grand Curtius

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

Price: 10 USD

3. Climb the stairs of Montagne de Bueren

Liege is a stunning-looking city so you’ll want to view it from a good vantage point. We recommend that you climb the 374 steps of Montagne de Bueren if you have the energy, and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city. Moreover, these steps have an interesting history. They were built in 1881 to commemorate Vincent de Beuren and the 600 soldiers that perished while defending the city against the Duke of Burgundy.

Montagne de Bueren

Address: Montagne de Bueren, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Reignite your love for art at Le Grand Curtius museum

Le Grand Curtius is one of the premier art museums in Liege and well worth the visit. It opened its doors back in 2009 and houses art and historic artifacts that date back 7,000 years. If you love art, then it will be one of the first attractions that you should visit when in Liege. But if you only have a mild interest in art, then you might become aficionado after viewing the stunning decorative arts, glassware, historic artifacts, and Mosan art on display.

Le Grand Curtius

Address: de Maestricht 13, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Le Grand Curtius

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

Price: 10 USD

5. Stroll across the elegant gloriously lit Liege City Hall

There are many beautiful buildings in Liege, and one of them is the Liege City Hall. It’s also known as La Violette and stands out due to its red brick exterior. Construction began back in 1714 and was completed in 1718. It’s been well-maintained over the centuries, making it one of the landmark buildings in the city. So, take some time out of your day to take a relaxing stroll around the building and even do some crowd watching.

Liege City Hall

Address: Place du Marche 2, Liege 4000, Belgium

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

6. Witness the Walloon way of life on the island of Outremeuse

Outremeuse basically means beyond the Meuse, which is a river that flows through Liege. However, Outremeuse is also an island and suburb that has traditionally been a cultural and economic hub. The Walloons, the French-speaking portion of the population in Liege, live here, and this is evident in the architecture and way of life. Also, don’t forget to check out the various mills and the Simenon district during your visit.

7. Explore the ruins of Saint Lambert's Cathedral at Archeoforum of Liege

Saint Lambert’s Cathedral is yet another important attraction and landmark that you should visit. But when you get there, you should pop by the Archeoforum that’s situated underneath the cathedral. Here, you’ll find an impressive archeological site that features the ruins of an ancient Gallo-Roman villa and other prehistoric artifacts. If these ruins pique your interest, then visit the nearby store to purchase publications that document these finds in detail.

Saint Lambert's Cathedral at the Archeoforum of Liege

Address: Place St Lambert, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Archeoforum of Liege

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

8. Tour the iconic Liege-Guillemins Station

Without a doubt, Liege-Guillemins Station impresses with its futuristic and trailblazing architecture. It was designed by the celebrated Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, who’s been responsible for designing various iconic bridges, museums, and stadiums around the world. The station is one of the busiest of its kind in the region and travelers can access high-speed trains from here. Furthermore, it features nine platforms, a travel center, and various bars and shops.

Liege-Guillemins Station

Address: 4000 Liège, Belgium

9. See the beautifully renovated Ansembourg Museum

Ansembourg Museum first opened its doors back in 1905 but it’s housed within a mansion that was originally built in 1740. And in recent years, the building has been undergoing maintenance and renovations. But what matters is what it houses inside, which is a wide range of interesting exhibitions. These include ceramics, chandeliers, clocks, furniture, glassware, tapestries, and other period pieces. And, when you finish viewing these exhibits, then take time to admire the exceptional masonry and intricate decor of the renovated museum.

Ansembourg Museum

Address: Feronstree 114, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Ansembourg Museum

Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

Price: 6 USD

10. Appreciate the stunning Gothic architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral, or Liege Cathedral, stuns visitors and onlookers with its gorgeous Gothic architecture and splendor. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth visiting this cathedral to check out the architecture, its interiors, and stained-glass windows. And when you’re inside the building, make sure to look up to view the vaults of the nave with their attractive yellow arches. It was originally founded about 1,000 years ago and rebuilt between the 13th and 15th centuries. Today, it functions as a Roman Catholic church and as the Diocese of Liege.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Address: Place de la Cathedrale 6, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: St. Paul’s Cathedral

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

11. Visit the former Palace of the Prince-Bishops in the heart of the city

When in Liege, be sure to visit the Palace of the Prince-Bishops and stand in awe at the building’s amazing Neo-Gothic and provincial architecture. It was originally built in the 16th century and the west wing was converted during the middle of the 18th century. Furthermore, it features a massive courtyard with decorated columns and a second courtyard that’s closed off to the public except for heritage days and other occasions.

Prince-Bishops' Palace

Address: Place Saint-Lambert 18, 4000 Liège, Belgium

Website: Prince-Bishops’ Palace

Opening hours: Subject to season and tour guide

12. Gorge on the delicious Liege waffles at the famous Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette

If you want to sample some of the tastiest waffles in Europen, then head over to the fMOUA Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette. It consists of a bakery, waffle and bake shop, and an ice cream shop, although the latter is closed and will re-open in April. All the food items are prepared by a committed and skilled team so expect quality delicacies and close attention to detail. They also prepare traditional Liege waffles made from raw ingredients without any additives and taste enhancers.

Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette

Address: Rue des Airs 1, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 7:30am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

13. Visit the gorgeous Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew

Some of the first things that you’ll notice when you set your eyes on the Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew are its attractive twin towers. Its architectural styles are a blend of Meuse Romanesque and Ottonian, and it also features French Baroque and Neoclassical decorative touches. Furthermore, it houses many notable religious artworks inside, such as The Crucifixion, The Glorification of the Holy Cross, and Mosan art of a baptismal font by Renier de Huy.

Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew

Address: Place St Barthelemy 8, 4000 Liege, Belgium

14. Relish a pub crawl at Market Square

The market or main square of Liege is a somewhat touristy part of the city. Apart from the tourists, you’ll also see locals going about their business since the square is surrounded by various shops. However, this square is also a good spot to start your pub-crawling adventures since many bars are in the immediate vicinity. You’ll find establishments such as Aux Sottay’, Far West, La Bodega, La Parisienne Bar, Mad Murphy’s, Temple Bar Liege, The Shamrock, Warzone, and many others in the nearby streets.

Market Square

Address: Place St Lambert, 4000 Liege, Belgium

15. Go treasure hunting at Treasure House of Liege

It seems that Liege is chockful of beautiful religious artifacts given the many cathedrals and museums in the city. But if you can’t get enough of these religious treasures from a bygone era, then head over to Treasure House of Liege. It’s situated by St. Paul’s Cathedral and functions as a museum with three floors that house a variety of artifacts. These include busts, gold items, manuscripts, old cloths, paintings, and silver.

Treasure House of Liege

Address: Rue Bonne Fortune 6, Liege 4000, Belgium

Website: Treasure House of Liege

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

Price: 7 USD

16. Taste the traditional peket at House of Peket

Do you like alcoholic beverages? If that’s the case, then head over to House of Peket to order a peket, which is a fruit brandy that shares many similarities to Dutch gin. Now, if you’re not keen on drinking, you can still enjoy this venue since it has an adjoining disco and restaurant. We should also mention that this venue has exposed brick walls that help give the space a cozy and intimate ambiance.

House of Peket

Address: Rue de l'Epee 4, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: House of Peket

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 2am; Fri - Sat: 10am - 5am

17. Enjoy the traditional puppet show at Museum of Walloon Life

One of the cool things about Liege is its unique puppet show tradition. And, one of the best places to experience one of these shows is at Museum of Walloon Life. Here, you’ll find exhibitions that showcase the culture and history of the local puppeteering scene dating back to the 19th century. As for the puppet shows, they’re performed in French, and the stories are based on the Birth of Jesus Christ, Charles the Great, and Snow White, to name a few.

Museum of Walloon Life

Address: Rue des Mineurs, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Museum of Walloon Life

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9:30am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 4 - 15 USD

18. Soak in the view from Coteaux de la Citadelle

As you make your way through Liege, you’ll realize that there are many hidden gems around every corner. One of these is the Coteaux de la Citadelle, which’s home to 60 monuments and surrounded by beautiful green spaces. But we recommend that you walk up the stairs of Citadelle so that you can view the city from the terrace. And if you happen to be in Liege on the first Saturday of October, then you’ll be treated to enchanting candle lights on the steps during the evening.

Coteaux de la Citadelle

Address: 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Coteaux de la Citadelle

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

19. Immerse in culture at Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liege

The Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liege is undoubtedly an impressive building due to its grand Italian-inspired exteriors and interiors. Renovations began in 2009 and ended in 2012 and the back part of the building was expanded to host a variety of conferences, shows, and workshops. Its showroom can seat over 1,000 patrons where they can watch the latest opera and musical performances in complete comfort. Furthermore, the opera runs a comprehensive program throughout the year so be sure to check their website before heading there.

Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liege

Address: Place de l'Opera, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liege

Opening hours: Refer to the opera’s website for dates and times of upcoming concerts

20. Browse through the taxidermied marine life exhibits at Aquarium and Zoological Museum

Modern living often makes it difficult for us to appreciate and comprehend nature, especially marine life. But if you happen to be in Liege, then there’s an excellent aquarium and marine in Outremeuse that’s worth visiting. Its museum has over 20,000 specimens on display comprising Belgian fauna, mammals, invertebrates, and vertebrates. And its aquarium features temperate and warm sea waters and temperate and warm fresh waters that house fish and other species from around the world. If this piques your interest, head on over to this fascinating museum.

Aquarium and Zoological Museum

Address: Quai Edouard Van Beneden 22, 4020 Liege, Belgium

Website: Aquarium-Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm

Price: 8 - 50 USD

21. Soothe your soul after a tiresome day at Park of the Boverie

You’ll likely visit La Boverie when in Liege since this is one of the city’s premier art museums. But did you know that it also has a gorgeous park where you can relax and soothe your spirit on one of those busy or stressful days? Not only that, you can enjoy a bike ride or a picnic while admiring the gorgeous fauna and flora, trees, and riverside. Furthermore, you’ll be glad to know that the park is kid-friendly, features benches, and there’s also kayaking facilities if you want to transverse the river.

Park of the Boverie

Address: 4020 Liege, Belgium

Website: Parc Boverie

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

22. Witness a beautiful sunset from Bridge of Fragnée

At one point or another, you’ll need to cross the Meuse River, which means that you’ll need to reach a bridge. We recommend heading to Bridge of Fragnée that’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the region. It consists of three spans comprised of six arches each and there are two pylons at the bridge’s entrance that have angelic statues mounted on top of them. Furthermore, this bridge is a protected historic landmark since 1994 and initially built for the prestigious Exposition Universelle of 1905. Be sure that you don’t leave Liege without witnessing a gorgeous sunset from here.

Bridge of Fragnée

Address: Pont de Fragnée, 4020 Liege, Belgium

Website: Pont de Fragnée

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

23. Say a prayer at Church of St. Denis

It seems like there’s a church or cathedral wherever you look in Liege. And these impress many onlookers due to their rich history and stunning architecture. But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all these churches and don’t know where to begin exploring, then we recommend the Church of St. Denis. Furthermore, it was built over 1,000 years ago, and it’s listed as an exceptional heritage building of Wallonia.

Church of St. Denis

Address: Rue de la Cathedrale 64, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Church of St. Denis

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

24. Dig into the transport history from the 18th century at Wallonia Public Transport Museum

Wallonia Public Transport Museum opened back in 1985 and has been the go-to venue to view exhibits of various public transportation vehicles from different eras. Expect to find buses, electric trams, trolleybuses, steam locomotives, and even horse-drawn carriages. The museum isn’t very large so it won’t take you long to view all the exhibits and there are English-speaking staff and an English language audio guide for your convenience.

Wallonia Public Transport Museum

Address: Rue Richard-Heintz 9, 4020 Liege, Belgium

Opening hours: 2pm - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 6 USD (Free admission on first Sunday of the month)

25. Catch a live performance at Comedy Central Liege

There’s no denying that Liege is a good city for culture vultures given that it’s home to amazing art museums, theaters, and an opera house. But what if you’re seeking a bit of entertainment in a more casual environment? Well, then we recommend Comedy Central Liege, which has many humorous, risqué, and unforgettable live performances by some of the best actors and comedians in the region. Moreover, you’ll appreciate the beautiful surroundings, friendly service, tasty food, and reasonable prices.

Comedy Central Liege

Address: Rue du Plan Incline 87, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: Comedy Central Liege

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 9:30am - 6pm; Thu - Fri: 9:30am - 10:30pm; Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 4pm - 10pm

Price: 1.50 - 5.50 USD

26. Sample the nightlife at The Workshop Of Gin

There are many excellent bars and pubs around Liege, but The Workshop Of Gin stands out due to its focus on gins and tonics. It boasts an intimate environment and offers great service, with a friendly host and bartender that will help you choose or prepare the perfect drink for the night. But due to the focus on premium drinks, quality ingredients, and personalized service, expect to pay more than you would in other similar venues. However, few places will expose you to the classic, modern, and unique tastes that you’ll find here.

The Workshop Of Gin

Address: Rue du Pont 5, 4000 Liege, Belgium

Website: The Workshop Of Gin

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 2pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 2pm - 2am; Sun: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

A city rich in culture and history

While Liege is a modern European city, it still carries with it its long and illustrious history in every nook and cranny. It’s a city with archaeological finds, art museums, historic landmarks, and medieval cathedrals, to name a few. But it also has a fun side thanks to its unique bars and pubs, and entertaining comedic performances and puppet shows.