Things to do in Belgium

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We’re going to Brussels in August with a view to visiting Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp as well.

Of course we can look at Tripadvisor and suchlike but I love personal recommendations from those who have been.

Im going with 3 adult offspring (one with Sen) and looking for a mixture of city and hopefully, a bit of nature too. We’re staying for 9 nights in all.

So - what places did you love and those which disappointed? We did go to Bruges years ago so I know what’s there but happy for recommendations. Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp are unknown

The Atomium is fab!

Aagh, just typed a long reply only for it to disappear, so here goes again 🙂

Good choices, OP.
A few ideas:

Brussels
Mont des Arts: museum area and view of the city.
Park Cinquantenaire

Bruges
Walk round the outer canal ring

Antwerp
Boat tour of the port area (didn't have time for this myself).
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS): views of the city and port area from its roof terrace.
Sint-Anna tunnel: a 400m long foot tunnel under the River Scheldt, accessed by wooden escalators or lift, to the Linkeroever district from where there's a great view of the Antwerp skyline.

Ghent
(Probably my favourite of all four places) Korenlei and Graslei canals.
Castle of the Counts (Het Gravensteen) - didn't have time to go inside but just the outside is wonderful.
Citadel Park & Botanical Gardens on the southern edge of the city.

Have a great time whatever you do. I think Belgium is a much under-rated country.

Bruges - Sanseveria bakery for brunch is a must.
We enjoyed the boat trip, lots of historical chat and great views.

Ghent - Bookznbooze is a great place to while away an hr.
There is a fantastic market every Friday.
Can't remember the name but gruesomely interesting museum on previous torture methods (justice or judicial).

Also many magnificent churches in Ghent if that appeals.

Brussels: Atomium, Natural History Musuem, Magritte Museum, the roof top terrace of the Musical Instruments Museum. The Royal Palace is open to visitors in August I think. Tervuren for the park (on the 44 tram) and the African Museum. Wolf Food Hall. The Sablon and it's chocolate shops. Place Ste Catherine and the fish restaurants.

Ghent and Bruges well covered by PPs. If you have 9 days I would go to the coast maybe - Ostend or Blankenberg and use the coastal tram. Nice restaurants and good beach bars. Boat trips of course.

Also Ypres - for the museum, the Menin Gate and maybe a battlefield tour.

Leuven is very nice - good architecture, shops and restaurants.

Antwerp - I loved the Red Star Line museum about emigration to the New World. And the ReubensHuis is stunning old building. Botanical gardens. Big wheel on the riverside. RAS restaurant overlooking the river. Also Elfde Gebod which is something way out there but great food.

All of the above have lovely squares for drinking beer on. I live in Brussels so can probably think of more stuff....

The Lobster House on Rue du Bouchers (tourist trap street) is actually nice with good service and food. You get to it via the Galerie St Hubert which is also worth a look. The art deco bars like the Falstaff are worth a look. Also Au Mort Subite and Le Cercueil. Chinese and Thai food near Place St Gery.

www.belgiantrain.be/en/tickets-and-railcards/promotion/duo-ticket 2 for 1 rail tickets.

If your adult kids are under 26 they can get a holiday rail pass www.belgiantrain.be/en/tickets-and-railcards/go-unlimited

Wow, so many great ideas! Thank you for taking the trouble to reply, I’m buzzing now! Like many people, this has been a long-delayed holiday (Covid) so all the more special.

MissAmbrosia, good tip about the tickets, thank you, and yes the one with Sen is under 26 - and also adores churches!

Eat chocolate.
Eat chips with mayonnaise.
Don't try to speak French in Flemish areas.
Eat more chocolate.

I can do all that! 😁

We are going next weekend. We are going for two nights in Bruges, one in Ypres, one in Waterloo and two in Brussels. It was meant to be a short break that has grown!

The plan is to go up the bell tower and around, see the Heironymous Bosch in the Groeninge Museum in Bruges. Maybe a canal trip or brewery tour.

In Brussels there should be the Tapis in the Grand Place (and Mannequin Pis). I want to go to the Magritte Museum and I expect DC will want to go to the Atomium, which is the Eiffel Tower of Belgium.

DH is in charge of the history lessons for Ypres and Waterloo!

If you haven't been by the time we get back, I'll let you know how we get on.

Museum of everyday life in Ghent may be of interest, agree about the Friday market and the churches. In Antwerp the cathedral and the other main churches are worth a visit too.

The language issue is very real. Went to a hotel in a Flemish area, they realised mine is limited, asked if I spoke another language, face like thunder when I said 'je parle Francais' and then a smile when ten seconds later I offered English.

Oooh yes please! Sounds brilliant

That made me laugh out loud - and take careful note!

Im so glad I posted here, reading all the suggestions has made me feel quite excited. I normally am about holidays but it’s been pushed back and pushed back and other things have had to be cancelled that I think I’ve just put off thinking about it for fear of disappointment