Chocolate, waffles and medieval squares
The Grand-Place in Brussels, the canals of Bruges, the towers of Ghent and the artistic heritage of Antwerp. A guide to travelling small but delicious Belgium with waffles, fries and chocolate.
November 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Belgium is a small country, but each of its cities is a world of its own. Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, less than an hour apart by train, bring medieval squares, art museums and a world-famous table together on one route. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German.
Brussels: the Grand-Place and the Atomium
The Grand-Place at the heart of Brussels, with its ornate guild houses and town hall, is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Another symbol of the city, the Atomium, was built for the 1958 World's Fair and resembles a giant model of an iron crystal. Brussels is also known for its comic-strip culture; comic murals on the city's walls brighten any walk.
Bruges and Ghent: canals and towers
The historic centre of Bruges, with its canals, stone bridges and medieval buildings, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Seeing the city from the water on a boat tour or walking its quiet streets early in the morning is a special pleasure.
Ghent is a lively university city: the historic façades along the Graslei quay, its towers and canal-side terraces give it a feel that is both historic and young.
Antwerp: art, fashion and the port
Antwerp is the city where the painter Rubens lived and worked; his house is now a museum. Known for its grand railway station, historic port and fashion academy, the city is one of the most dynamic places in Belgium.
The table: waffles, fries, chocolate and beer
Belgium has two kinds of waffle: the light, rectangular Brussels waffle and the denser Liège waffle with caramelised sugar pearls. Fries (frites), sold in a paper cone with a sauce, are a street essential.
Belgian chocolate and pralines are world-famous; chocolatiers' windows appear on almost every street. Belgian beer culture was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016. Mussels and fries (moules-frites) are another of the country's classic dishes.
Good to know
- Intercity trains are frequent; Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp are easy day trips from Brussels.
- Dutch is spoken in Flanders and French in Wallonia; Brussels is bilingual.
- Trying your waffle plain or with powdered sugar is the local way.
