Must-See Places in Belgium

Often called the “Venice of the North,” Bruges enchants with over 80 stone bridges, quiet canals, and cobbled lanes that seem unchanged since the 13th century. Cyclists ride past gabled merchant houses, windmills, and hidden courtyards that reflect in the water on calm mornings. The 83-meter Belfry Tower rewards a climb with sweeping views across red rooftops and church spires, a fitting send-off before heading into the Flanders countryside.

A lively blend of medieval grandeur and student energy, Ghent is home to nearly 100,000 university students and one of Belgium’s most beautiful riverside skylines. The 12th-century Gravensteen Castle rises above the Lys, while car-free cycling paths trace the edges of centuries-old quays lined with cafés and galleries. Pedaling through this cultural hub feels like a journey between past and present, where Gothic towers meet modern street art.

Antwerp blends modern creativity with old-world grandeur, known for its 123-meter cathedral spire and as the world’s diamond capital. The old harbor area now hosts galleries, trendy cafés, and bike lanes tracing the River Scheldt. Exploring the city by bike reveals layers of history—from Rubens’ baroque masterpieces to the ornate guild houses that still define its skyline.

Compact and elegant, Mechelen boasts a 336-step cathedral tower that rewards climbers with sweeping views across Flanders. Once a major Renaissance capital, it’s filled with gabled houses, canal-side cafés, and restored heritage façades. Cyclists can explore car-free squares and peaceful greenways linking abbeys and historic breweries that showcase centuries of craftsmanship.

Belgium’s capital dazzles with grand architecture, world-class museums, and a vibrant café culture. The Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site framed by 17th-century guild halls, is often cited among Europe’s most beautiful squares. The Atomium, built for the 1958 World Expo and standing 102 meters tall, offers panoramic city views, while leafy cycling paths lead past royal parks and art-nouveau façades.

Home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1425, Leuven mixes Gothic grandeur with a young, energetic atmosphere. The 15th-century town hall, with its 236 statues and ornate spires, stands as a masterpiece of Brabantine architecture. Beyond the center, quiet cycling paths wind past abbey gardens, hop fields, and the world’s oldest brewery, offering the perfect mix of culture and countryside.

One of Belgium’s most unique cycling experiences, this 212-meter-long path lets you ride straight through a shimmering pond, with water at eye level on both sides. Located in the Bokrijk nature reserve, the route blends perfectly into tranquil woodland scenery filled with birdsong and reflections. It’s a surreal yet peaceful experience—part artwork, part engineering marvel—that captures the spirit of Flanders’ cycling innovation.

Once a coal-mining town, Genk has reinvented itself as a creative hub surrounded by nature. The city’s C-Mine complex, built on a former industrial site, now hosts exhibitions and concerts beneath its 60-meter steel towers. Cyclists can warm up on gentle paths through the Hoge Kempen National Park, where over 200 kilometers of signposted trails weave through pine forests and heather fields that glow purple in late summer.

A hidden gem of Flanders, Diest is surrounded by ramparts and moats that date back to the 16th century. The compact old town features golden sandstone buildings and cozy streets leading to the Beguinage, a UNESCO-listed enclave of 90 houses once home to pious women. Cyclists often linger by the Demer River or the town’s scenic lake before completing the final leg back to Genk through gentle forest paths.

Tucked within a forested corner of Limburg, Averbode Abbey has stood here since the 12th century, radiating peace and simplicity. Its Baroque church façade gleams above tranquil ponds and cycling paths that weave through pine woods. The abbey is still home to Norbertine monks who produce their own cheese and beer, offering a refreshing stop where faith and Flemish tradition meet amid the trees.

Namur sits at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre Rivers, watched over by a sprawling citadel that rises more than 100 meters above the town. The historic center is filled with cafés, market squares, and narrow lanes perfect for a leisurely stroll after a ride. From the fortress ramparts, cyclists can enjoy sweeping views of Wallonia’s countryside before continuing south along peaceful riverside trails.

Deep in the Ardennes, Bouillon is wrapped around a tight river bend and crowned by a striking medieval castle built by Godfrey of Bouillon in the 11th century. The fortress towers 60 meters above the Semois River, offering postcard views of the town’s stone bridges and terraced houses. It’s one of the region’s most atmospheric cycling stops, where winding climbs reward with both history and panorama.

Perched between sheer limestone cliffs and the River Meuse, Dinant’s setting is one of Belgium’s most striking. The 16th-century Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame stands beneath a 100-meter citadel reached by 408 steps or a cable car. Known as the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, the town celebrates his legacy with colorful instruments lining its riverside promenade.

Often called the smallest city in the world, Durbuy charms with cobbled alleys, ivy-clad stone houses, and a population of barely 11,000. Set along the River Ourthe, it’s surrounded by rolling hills and limestone cliffs that make for scenic cycling approaches. The town’s medieval heart feels timeless, especially when paired with local specialties like trout, honey, and artisan beer from nearby Brasserie Durbuy.

A gem of Belgium’s coast, De Haan is known for its Belle Époque villas and quiet, dune-lined beaches. Cycling paths curve through pine forests and protected nature zones, where sea air and birdsong create an unhurried rhythm. With no high-rise buildings and a historic tram stop from 1902, it’s one of the coast’s most atmospheric places to pause and soak in the seaside calm.

On Belgium’s North Sea coast, Ostend blends seaside energy with art and history. Its five-kilometer promenade invites cyclists and walkers alike, with fresh sea breezes and long views across sandy beaches. Once a royal resort, the city still bears elegant 19th-century architecture, balanced by a lively harbor scene filled with seafood restaurants and colorful fishing boats.

Built in the 15th century, this Gothic-style building dominates the small harbor town of Veere. Once a bustling center of trade, today it’s a charming stop where cyclists can rest and explore cobbled streets lined with historic houses. The town hall’s ornate facade and carillon bells add a touch of grandeur to an otherwise quiet village. A pause here feels like cycling back into the Dutch Golden Age.

Rebuilt after heavy bombing in WWII, Middelburg’s old town has regained much of its former character, with lively market squares, canals, and gabled houses. Today it serves as Zeeland’s cultural hub, offering plenty of cafés and restaurants for a rewarding end-of-day stop. Cycling here mixes heritage with resilience, as the city blends its medieval past with modern energy. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with 19 windmills set in wide polders. Built in the 18th century to manage water levels, they remain one of the most photographed Dutch landscapes. Cycle paths run directly past the canals, giving close-up views of the mills and surrounding meadows. At sunset, the reflections in the water make this one of Holland’s most unforgettable stops.

Perched in the Eifel hills, Monscheau is a storybook German town filled with half-timbered houses and narrow cobbled lanes. The Rur River cuts through its heart, overlooked by a 13th-century castle and the charming market square. Cyclists roll into town surrounded by forested slopes and old mills, enjoying one last cross-border highlight before looping back toward Maastricht.

Just across the French border, Givet is framed by limestone cliffs and the River Meuse. The massive 17th-century Fort de Charlemont still dominates the skyline, stretching nearly 600 meters across the hilltop. The town’s riverside promenade and lively Saturday market make it an inviting stop, offering cyclists a taste of France before returning into Belgium’s wooded valleys.

One of the Netherlands’ oldest fortified towns, Bergen op Zoom has roots stretching back over 800 years. Cyclists pedal through cobbled squares like the Grote Markt, lined with Renaissance façades and the 15th-century St. Gertrude’s Church. The surrounding Brabant landscape unfolds in soft dunes and heather fields that glow purple in late summer, a peaceful contrast to the bustling ports farther north.

Surrounded by 14,000 hectares of forest, Compiègne is a stately town where history and nature intertwine beautifully. The grand Palais de Compiègne, redesigned under Napoleon with 133 rooms, stands beside leafy boulevards perfect for leisurely cycling. Just outside town lies the Armistice Clearing, a poignant site where World War I ended, adding quiet reflection to a journey otherwise filled with architectural elegance and woodland calm.

The final stretch into Paris feels almost cinematic as cyclists follow the peaceful Canal de l’Ourcq and Seine pathways into the heart of the city. After nearly 600 kilometers of cycling, the skyline unfolds gradually—bridges, domes, and finally the 324-meter Eiffel Tower marking the journey’s triumphant end. The route finishes with a sense of accomplishment and wonder, surrounded by museums, cafés, and the timeless rhythm of the City of Light.