Belgium Off The Beaten Path

  Grootseminarie Brugge,Brugge,West...
by Greggor58
 
  • Grootseminarie Brugge,Brugge,West Flanders,Belgium
      Grootseminarie Brugge,Brugge,West...
    by Greggor58
  •   Quiet Streets and Areas.
    by Poznick
  • Schellemolen windmill near Damme
      Schellemolen windmill near Damme
    by Dabs
  • Stadhius
      Stadhius
    by Dabs
  • The Minnewater is the perfect first view of Bruges
      The Minnewater is the perfect first view...
    by richiecdisc
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Belgium

76.

Tours & Walks   Brussels

Tours & Walks, Brussels

 71 Reviews  A meeting with a Brussels Greeter is a free of charge opportunity to get a unique and personal insight into the city. Your Greeter will take you to unusual and often hidden places that are off the... 

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77.

Pedestrian tunnel   Antwerp

Pedestrian tunnel, Antwerp

 13 Reviews  This is worth mentioning as well. There are two flights of escalators to reach the tunnel. Though they are still steep and very long. No wonder the escalator system were built to descent the height... 

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78.

Nearby Towns or Villages.   Brugge

Nearby Towns or Villages., Brugge

 22 Reviews  In Brugge, I rented a bike and followed an easy route to the Netherlands. The path was next to the tree-lined Damme canal with the occasional windmill and small town on the side - there was even a pub... 

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79.

Down on the Beach   Oostende

Down on the Beach, Oostende

 7 Reviews  When a grain of sand enters an oyster shell, the oyster covers it with nacre, a substance the oyster also uses to coat the inside of its shell. Layer upon layer of nacre is deposited on the grain of... 

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80.

WW I related   Ieper

WW I related, Ieper

 17 Reviews  We visited the British "Canada Farm cemetery" in Elverdinghe, between Ypres and Poperinge. It's just one of multiple small army cemeteries in the region. It's not really a special attraction, but... 

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81.

Markets & Flea Markets   Brussels

Markets & Flea Markets, Brussels

 11 Reviews  Go to the MAROLLEN (quarter in BRUSSELS) and walk around and I am sure that you will find beautifully coloured nice clothing and lots of fine gifts.......POTTERY e.g.. and....when the shops don't... 

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82.

Along the river, right and left bank   Antwerp

Along the river, right and left bank, Antwerp

 19 Reviews  Our favourite hang out was Cafe Beveren. Located on the riverbank in the centre of the city it is a `locals` bar in something of a timewarp. It seems to have stepped out of the 1960s and has at its... 

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83.

Quiet Streets and Areas.   Brugge

Quiet Streets and Areas., Brugge

 46 Reviews  Spend half a day making the walk from the north east corner of Brugge, along Damse Vaart Zuid, to the small town of Damme (about 5km distance each way). The entire walk is along a serene, tree-lined... 

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84.

Mercator   Oostende

Mercator, Oostende

 4 Reviews  MERCATOR MARINE. You cannot miss it arriving at Ostend. The Mercator Yacht Harbour,the three masted sailing ship 'Mercator',it also contains many yachts. It is nice to take a walk among the pride of... 

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85.

Outside Ieper   Ieper

Outside Ieper, Ieper

 14 Reviews  Grab yourself a bicycle at the train station in Ieper...The surrounding countryside is beautiful and perfect for a ride exploring War Memorials or just to change up your pace of life for a day or... 

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86.

Chinese & Japanese Towers   Brussels

Chinese & Japanese Towers, Brussels

 14 Reviews  These were commisioned to a French architect by king Leopold II. They are located on the northern corner of the Royal Park in Laeken area. I couldn't see much inside the Japanese Tower, because only... 

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87.

Antwerp-around Central Station   Antwerp

Antwerp-around Central Station, Antwerp

 13 Reviews  As we were exiting Centraal Station, no doubt reading a map in one of our guidebooks, a local came up and suggested that if we liked architecture that we should visit the Antwerp Zoo, right next door... 

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88.

Belgian Windmills   Brugge

Belgian Windmills, Brugge

 18 Reviews  There are four windmills along the canal that circles the old town section of Brugge. It seems as though most people do not bother to venture out to them, so, there are no bothersome crowds. I... 

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89.

Museums   Oostende

Museums, Oostende

 2 Reviews  A visit to Oostende is not complete without a visit to the Provincial Domain of Raversijde. One moment you will find yourself in the Middle Ages, the next shivers will run down your spine in the... 

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90.

Inside Ieper   Ieper

Inside Ieper, Ieper

 7 Reviews  This building on the Grote Markt caught my eye. It is reconstructed, of course, but its Renaissance-style frontage is fascinating. There was once a Medieval house here, called 'Der Wulf', then a... 

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91.

Jeanneken Pis   Brussels

Jeanneken Pis, Brussels

 10 Reviews  Where? Go to the dead-end in Impasse de la Fidelite, which is off the Rue des Bouchers What? Jaenneke Pis is a much more recent addition, dating back only to 1985. The statue shows a little girl... 

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92.

Surroundings-Zurenborg (Berchem)   Antwerp

Surroundings-Zurenborg (Berchem), Antwerp

 13 Reviews  This area is situated between the Dageraadplaats and the Berchem Train Station ... for more info about the history of the Cogels Osylei and its surroundings, i.e. Zurenborg quarter, go to my... 

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93.

Churches / Museums / Parks   Brugge

Churches / Museums / Parks, Brugge

 23 Reviews  Where? In Potterierei, just under a mile from the old city centre What? A quirky museum of all things medieval: sculpture, books and manuscripts, religious articles, paintings, furniture - pretty... 

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94.

Statues / Monuments   Oostende

Statues / Monuments, Oostende

 2 Reviews  Napoleon built this fort as defence against a possible invasion from the English. A British invasion never came and the fort was completed only upon the fall of Napoleon During worldwar I and II this... 

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95.

Parcs & Gardens   Brussels

Parcs & Gardens, Brussels

 36 Reviews  And suddenly we found ourselves in Spain. The statue of D. Quixote and Sancho Pança that I knew in Madrid was in front of us. Well, it is not Spain, but Spain square, wisely ornamented with a replica... 

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96.

Antwerp-South   Antwerp

Antwerp-South, Antwerp

 8 Reviews  .. and a cultural center Off beat track regarding the evolution in the design: from hydraulic power plant to "cultural power plant". Also, off beat path considering its current activities and... 

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97.

Breweries / Cafes.   Brugge

Breweries / Cafes., Brugge

 16 Reviews  This is a great spot ....quiet at the time that I visited with the few people that participated in a bike tour with Quasimondo Bike Tours...we stopped in to have a refreshment...we discovered a GREAT... 

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98.

St Petrus & Paulus Church   Oostende

St Petrus & Paulus Church, Oostende

 1 Review  Since the church looms above the cityscape when you exit the train station, you can't really call the Saint Peter and Paul Church "off the beaten path", and yet somehow it is. It's easy to disregard... 

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99.

Waterloo   Brussels

Waterloo, Brussels

 8 Reviews  Who never heard of Waterloo? The village itself might be small but the place of interest is outside the village. Here historici can dream of the big battlefield between Napoleon against big names as... 

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100.

Church: Saint Pauls church   Antwerp

Church: Saint Pauls church, Antwerp

 16 Reviews  Inside the church gate, the Mount Calvary is situated, surround by houses from beginning 16th century. It's a peculiar, spectacular open-air theatre of statues, built between 1700-1734. It depicts... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

't Zwin

by Helga67

Next to the Dutch border in the north of Knokke lies a unique nature reserve. It's the most important mud flat and salting area in Belgium.It's a paradise for bird lovers. You will find many birds here looking for a breeding place or a place to stay during winter.As a result of the salt sea water, this nature reserve has some specific flora that you won't find elsewhere, like the rare sea lavender.There is also a bird sanctuary in the Zwin with a wide range of native birds.Don't forget to bring along boots and a telescope.The Zwin is open from 9 am to 7 pm from Easter to September and closes at 5 pm during wintertime. Closed on Wednesdays from November to the end of March.Entrance fee for adults: 5 EUR

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Castle of Veves near Celles

by Paul2001

There are several very good castles in the Meuse Valley that are worth a visit. Unfortunately I only visited this one, the Castle of Verves. It is not a bad castle by any means and is certainly spectacular to look at from the outside. The notable feature is are the high six towers that dominate the countryside. The interior has a series of chamber, halls and kitchens that are all set up like they probably were back during the Renaissance. The castle was built in 1410 and sits on a rocky outcrop. It is still owned by the Counts of Liedekerke-Beaufort. Thankfully it is open to the public from April to October during which it is open from 10am to 6pm. A visit cost 5 Euros.

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VISIT ANTWERP (KNOWN AS ANVERSA AS WELL)

by stavlois

ANVERSA IS THE BEST PLACE I VISITED IN BELGIUM , IT HAS NAUTICAL CHARACTER WHICH I LOVE AND LOT OF SHIPPING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADITION.PEOPLE THERE ARE MORE OPEN AND FUN. FOOD IS EXCELLENT AND BEER IS A DREAM.Antwerp is known for its hospitality and its relaxed atmosphere

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The Musee de l'Armee in Brussels

by Paul2001

The Musee de l'Armee which is located the Parc du Cinquantenaire. This museum will likely only please enthusiast of military history only but if you are like me such an individual then be sure to visit this place. It possesses the largest collection of weaponry from the First World War that I have ever seen. It also has a large display of tanks, aircraft, and uniforms. The collection of over 130 aircraft is one of the largest you will see anywhere. I personally found the old uniforms from the early 19th century sort of dull and would advise that you go to the galleries featuring the two world wars if you are pressed for time. The museum is open from Tuesday until Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Pleasantly it is free to visit this museum.

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St. Hubert's Gallery

by Paul2001

The St. Hubert Gallery is a wonderful example of a 19th century covered shopping arcade. It was opened in 1847 and been a centre of city life ever since. The most important aspect of the gallery is amazing glass ceiling that hovers over the gallery's floor. It creats a bright, airy effect. The gallery was built for the affluent who would want to shop without being hassled by the lower classes and vagabonds. Such galleries were designed to keep the riffraff out. They were not quite so successful 153 years latter in keeping me out. Still the shops here tend to cater to those with limitless expense accounts and I had quickly retreat before I broke my traveling budget.

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the Grand Place

by pepples46

the Grand Place in Mons.the City is located near the French Border at the Center of two Canals.....which where importand for shipping coal, but the mines are closed now.today the City is NATO Headquarter.in flamish the Town is called Bergen..both names Mons and Bergen meaning =mountainsyou reach Mons by direct train from Brussels or on the Highway from Brussels.

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Mons

by pepples46

around 60km south of Brussels, in the Borinage, close to the rolling hills of the Ardennes, you find the smallish Town of Mons, with its beautiful Grand Place. it is also the site of the world famous Mons lucky Monkey, a brass figure, everyone stops and touches for good luck.it is said even Napoleon, on his way to Waterloo stopped here and touched the lucky-monkey for good luck........as we know now, it did not work.

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Geraardsbergen

by Luchonda

Geraardsbergen, near to Brakel and Aalst in the south of East Flanders. Region of the classic cycle tour of Flanders and adored by many "one day trippers" - for the landscape and local attractions and menues.

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Abbaye d'Orval, to be discovered

by 1W1V

Better to have your own wheels and discover the remote places of the Belgian Ardennes.One of the pearl of Ardennes is the Abbaye d'Orval. A wonderful place in a great environment.Cherry on the cake, the pix have been shooted on a bright winter day, so rare in Belgium

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Marche-Les-dames

by belgianchocolate

Want to go really of the beaten path.If you got a car and you visit Namur in the southof the country - drive up this little village. King Albert I fell of the rocks here in 1934.He loved climbing here. No wonder , the littlevillage is very peaceful in a valleyThe name of the village comes from a story.When the noble left the city of Namur for thefirst crusade in the 12th century 139 womanjoined together and went to this valley.They founded a cloister to wait for their husbands.They builded a chapel en prayed every singleday for their husbands to come back. (yeah right!)But not all of them came back. The widowsdecided to life there till the end of their days.Now you can have a walk in the garden ofthe cloister of 'Notre-Dame du Vivier'The place has some beautiful buildings fromthe 15th , 16th and 18th century in pure maasstyle. (called after the river near by).

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Top 3 Hotels in Belgium

Conrad Brussels  Brussels

 11 Reviews and 322 Opinions  Location, Building 

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Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce  Brugge

 4 Reviews and 299 Opinions  The Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce is definitely the most romantic hotels in Brugges. Stunning location,... 

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Hilton Antwerp  Antwerp

 17 Reviews and 256 Opinions  OK we´d been wanting to stay here for years, but was always too pricey. We managed to get a decent... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  WE are considering a short holiday in Belgium for about three days. WE would probably be taking a train to &/or from either... 

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A: Cheapest transport is not necessarily the 'best'. Flying from Venice or Switzerland might be a better option than train as those places are further away: check... 

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