Essen

Belgium, small but packs a punch. Not known among its fellow Europeans as a destination hub nor among those beyond the continent but look close and you will find some hidden gems. A confusing country with 3 official languages! We're here to help you navigate it and find the best best places in Belgium. 

Lying on the North Sea coast, Belgium's immediate neighbours are France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands. The small nation of Belgium might leave you surprised by its rich and gorgeous heritage. It boasts a number of fascinatingly historic cities packed with medieval and Art Nouveau architecture and famous for their long traditions in arts, fashion and fine dining. If you've seen the best of them, the Belgian countryside offers anything from sandy beaches to the densely forested hills and ridges of the Ardennes. Brussels, the country's vibrant capital, is a modern world city with a highly international character. It combines massive postmodern buildings in its European Quarter with impressive historic monuments, such as the World Heritage listed Grand Place, surrounded by guildhouses and the Gothic town hall. There's Laken Castle and the large St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, dedicated to the cities patron saints. The Royal Palace is a more recent but no less grand structure. One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Atomium, a remarkable steel structure and remnant of the 1958 World's Fair.

Belgium

The diamond heart of Belgium with awesome cultural experiences and natural gems on its borders.

Antwerp

Museum Folkwang was founded by Karl Ernst Osthaus (1874–1921) in the Westphalian industrial town of Hagen in 1902. The then art history, literature and philosophy student acquired the necessary funds by inheritance. From its beginnings as an art collection supplemented by natural history and arts-and-craft pieces, it soon developed into a pioneering modern art museum in Germany.

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Museum Folkwang

Stroll down the prettiest streets in Zurenborg and enjoy the city’s grand late 19th century Art Nouveau architecture at its height 

Three white brick Art Nouveau style buildings on a street intersection in Cogels-Osylei, Antwerp. 

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Large brick Art Nouveau inspired townhouse with a white column balcony in Cogels-Osylei, Antwerp. 

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Row of 3 Art Nouveau inspired townhouses in Cogels-Osylei, Antwerp. 

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The art nouveau houses in the side streets of Cogels Oyslei in Zurenborg, Antwerpen

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The Golden Triangle

Immerse yourself in some Antwerp history and contemporary art at this snazzy museum. Make it to the top for the best panoramic view around! 


MAS, a brown concrete building with wavy glass windows 

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Brown concrete building near smaller buildings at Antwerp's harbour district

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Young woman tourist holding her phone outside the window of Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) to photo Antwerp, Belgium

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Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) beside the river Scheldt in the harbour district by Antwerp’s port, Belgium

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Glass walls inside Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) with a view over the city-center of Antwerp and the old cranes, Belgium

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Museum by the River

Fish around for deals at the Saturday-only market in the theatre square. Great for foodies! Support your local shops (and get fresh food of any kind)

Food market stall with large metal bowls filled with chickpeas, lentils and spices at the Exotic Market, Antwerp

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Metal bowls filled with green and black olives at the Exotic Market, Antwerp

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Dessert food stall with rolled pastries, flat bread, and other baked goods at the Exotic Market, Antwerp

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Saturday Exotic Market

This church is a mish-mash of architecture as it took 200 years to build. A marriage here literally unified Spain. 

Inside the Brabantine Gothic style church of Saint Gummarus, Lier, Belgium

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Looking up at the outside of the Gothic church of Saint Gummarus, Lier

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Saint Gummarus Church

Do you want family fun or a relaxing stroll? This park is for you. There’s some pretty stuff here too, so don’t just run straight to the mini golf. 


A white bridge across a river in Stadspark, Lier

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Bust of an older man wearing a hat, Louis Van Boeckel in Stadspark, Lier

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Small weeping willow tree hanging over the lake in Stadspark, Lier 

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City Park Lier

At this free petting zoo you meet all kinds of animals from donkeys to ostriches. Take a walk on the wild side on one of their hiking trails


Small children looking at a horse at 't struisvogelnest by Lier, Belgium. A petting zoo.

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kids playing in a bouncy castle at struisvogelnest in Lier, Belgium.

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Kid on a toy tractor at Ostrich farm, a petting zoo near Lier, Antwerp.

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Kids petting  a goat at 't struisvogelnest in Belgium

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People putting their heads into a cutout picture of a farm at a petting zoo in lier, belgium.

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The Ostrich Nest

Escape to this cozy and quiet super tiny plant haven in the heart of the city.


A small pond with a lily pad in the centre and a mini waterfall feature at the top in Plantentuin, Antwerp

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Purple flowers with a long stem (Alliums) growing outside in Plantentuin, Antwerp

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Walking path in a botanical garden. Plants, bushes and trees line the pathway to a building nearby at the Plantentuin

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Small cacti grouped together in a greenhouse garden

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Plantentuin

A pretty lake and nature reserve perfect for cyclists and walkers. But in late summer,  everyone gets hype for the elecontic music festival Fire is Gold 


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Music festival goers queuing at the food stalls and eating at the Fire is Gold Festival, Middenvijver, Antwerp

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Smoke covers the large stage in the park at Middenvijver, Antwerp

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Couple walking their dog by the Middenvijver river in Het Rot nature reserve, Antwerp

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Fireworks in the night sky at Laundry Day festival (Fire is Gold Festival) in Middenvijver, Antwerp

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Crowd of festival goers listening to music around the front stage at Laundry Day (Fire is Gold Festival), Antwerp

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Middenvijver

The grass is always greener on the other side is literally true for Antwerp. Explore tons of nature reserves on the left bank of Antwerp on this 11km route 


Antwerp across the Scheldt river from the left bank of the city (linkeroever), Belgium

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Lush greenery plants and shallow river in Blokkersdijk nature reserve, Antwerp, Belgium

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Walking the left bank 

Chinese stone lions guard the gateway to Chinatown. Pass through the gate to find a small but bustling neighbourhood and discover a taste of Chinese culture


Antwerp Chinatown entrance with a traditional-style gate and lion statues, Belgium

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Chinatown gate entrance facing the Antwerpen Central Station, Antwerp, Belgium

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Two women taking a photo by a Chinese dragon, Chinatown, Belgium

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Man in a red dragon costume celebrating Chinese New Year, Chinatown, Antwerp, Belgium

Chinese restaraunt "DK" in Antwerp, Chinatown, Belgium

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2018 Chinese New Year celebrations with flags hanging on a building, Antwerp

Chinese New Year celebrations and display table in Antwerp's Chinatown, Belgium

Chinatown

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Museum Folkwang

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