Often overshadowed by its neighbors, France, Spain, and Germany, Belgium turned out to be a romantic gem – packed with gorgeous landscapes and fairytale towns. After two months exploring this underrated country, these were my favorite destinations…
1. Dinant
I was completely charmed by Dinant — its setting was spectacular, with the Meuse River gliding past soaring limestone cliffs, the Gothic citadel perched dramatically above, and the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame’s onion dome adding to the Insta-worthy skyline! I took just under a 3 hour train journey from Bruges and spent an idyllic weekend at the boutique La Merveilleuse by Infiniti Hôtel.
I climbed the steep steps up to the Citadel and was treated to breathtaking river views, explored the magnificent Collegiate Church, and popped into the quirky but interesting Adolphe Sax House. I spent hours getting lost on the cobbled streets, hopping between cosy cafés, classic restaurants, and cute sweet shops — it felt wonderfully peaceful with a hint of intrigue!
Location:Wallonia, Southern Belgium | Size: small city ~13,000+ residents | Vibe: romantic, dramatic, and quietly enchanting
My favourite highlights…
Sampling the flaky, leek-filled Flamiche and the crisp, honey-sweet Couques de Dinant, stamped with beautiful folklore designs so they were almost too pretty to eat!
2. Bruges
This is my shot of the famous iconic scene in Bruges – it had such a romantic vibe!My Instagram gallery photo of Bruges Bridge – the historic buildings were very pretty!
Bruges honestly felt like stepping into a storybook — breathtaking medieval architecture, gabled houses, pretty market squares, and canals lined with historic brick buildings gave it a timeless, romantic vibe that felt almost unreal to me at times!
I arrived by train from Ghent in just 25 minutes and spent a dreamy three days wandering Bruges — gliding along the canals, getting lost in winding cobbled streets, ticking off the attractions, sampling world-class restaurants and photographing the iconic Rozenhoedkaai at sunset. The exquisite Belgian chocolates at Chocolaterie De Burg kept me going! It really was as beautiful as its reputation, though I did find it got very busy during the day.
Location:West Flanders, Northern Belgium | Size: small city ~118,000 residents | Vibe: fairytale-pretty, romantic, and timeless
My personal highlights…
Staying at the ultra-romantic 4-star Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce, set in two 16th-century half-timbered buildings — my room was filled with antiques, leaded-glass windows, and framed postcard-perfect canal views that were simply breathtaking!
3. Brussels
I sat down to savour a Tripel Karmeliet and people-watch in the Grand-Place!
Forget its dull reputation — Brussels really surprised me with its elegant, cosmopolitan vibe, ornate Art Nouveau facades, Gothic Town Hall, and the futuristic Atomium. I flew from London in just over an hour and spent three culture-packed days at the whimsical 4-star Hotel Indigo Brussels.
I was dazzled by the Grand Place, sampled Belgian chocolates, waffles, and beer, wandered past comic strip murals, admired the Atomium’s gleaming spheres, toured museums and galleries, snapped photos of the cheeky Manneken Pis sculpture, and ended evenings with smoked chocolate old fashioned at the chic Eight Rooftop Bar — Brussels completely won me over!
Location:Central Belgium | Size: capital city ~1.2 million residents | Vibe: grand yet eclectic
My highlights…
Indulging in chocolatey heaven at MIKE&BECKY, a funky little artisan shop, and couldn’t resist their warm, gooey sea-salt peanut butter and Belgian chocolate cookies!
4. Ghent
I took this in Ghent Food Hall – it was filled with artisan local food!
Ghent felt like one of Europe’s best-kept secrets — a gem filled medieval architecture, cobbled streets, Gravensteen Castle, and the pretty Graslei harbor, all with a quirky, youthful buzz which really won me over!
I took a 30-minute train from Brussels and spent four days at the romantic 4-star Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel (I loved its infrared room and candlelit pool!). I toured Gravensteen Castle, wandered the Patershol district, admired the ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ at Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, relaxed along the Graslei quays, sampled the nightlife and creative dining in Vrijdagmarkt, and browsed the artisan Lousbergmarkt — it was all very adorable!
Sampling home-baked pastries at the charming vintage-style Julie’s House, I loved the sweet, buttery aroma in the air and especially the ultra-sweet crème brûlée cupcakes!
5. Spa
Now part of the UNESCO-listed ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe,’ Spa was every bit the chic original spa destination I hoped for. I took the 2-hour train from Brussels, watching the forested Ardennes close in as we arrived, and spent three tranquil days surrounded by 19th-century architecture and wooded hills.
I soaked in the historic Thermes de Spa, sipped water at the Pouhon Pierre le Grand spring, admired the elegant Casino de Spa, and even visited the legendary Spa Francorchamps Motor Circuit — the whole town felt refined and timeless. I have to admit spa treatments and day passes weren’t cheap but the quality was very high!
Location:Ardennes region, Eastern Belgium | Size: small spa town ~10,000+ residents | Vibe: elegant, restorative, and quietly grand
My personal highlights…
I stayed at the chic 4-star Thermes de Spa and loved its sleek design, thermal mineral water from the Clementine spring, and blissful wellness facilities — especially the warm peat baths and soothing infrared sauna!
6. Durbuy
Durbuy was a small but perfectly formed medieval gem — I was smitten with its cobbled lanes, 17th-century castle above the River Ourthe, stone houses, and fairy-tale vibe.
I drove 1.5 hours from Brussels along winding Ardennes roads past hamlets and river views, spending two days at the quirky 4-star Les Suites de Petit Bomal. I toured Durbuy Castle, wandered the maze-like streets, dined at La Canette, admired the Topiary Park sculptures, and tried beer brewed the 14th-century way at La Ferme du Chêne — it really did feel like I was stepping back in time!
Location:Wallonia, Southern Belgium | Size: ~11,000 residents (one of the smallest cities in the world) | Vibe: storybook-cute, romantic, and wonderfully rustic
My favourite highlights…
Sampling freshly made artisan treats on rue Saint-Amour, I loved the sweet, fragrant aroma coming from the stores and the delicately floral lilac jam was a stand-out!
7. La Roche-en-Ardenne
La Roche-en-Ardenne was like stepping straight into a storybook village — dramatic castle ruins towered above the Ourthe River, stone houses lined the streets, and rolling Ardennes hills and forests wrapped the town in a tranquil setting.
Location:Wallonia, Southern Belgium | Size: small town ~4,000+ residents | Vibe: rugged, medieval, and nature-wrapped
My favourite highlights…
Dining al fresco at the upscale Brasserie Benelux, I loved the aroma of herbs as I savored the hand-folded vegan ravioli topped with a rich Provençale sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and edible flowers!
8. Ypres
I discovered that Ypres was deeply moving — known for its role in World War I, it mixed quiet beauty with poignant history. Reconstructed medieval-style buildings like the grand Cloth Hall, the solemn Menin Gate Memorial, and majestic Saint Martin’s Cathedral stood against the serene Flemish countryside, and the whole city seemed to hum with quiet dignity.
I took the Dover–Calais ferry, drove an hour, and spent a few reflective days at the boutique Hotel Kasteelhof ‘T Hooghe. I attended the deeply moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate (I was glad I’d brought tissues), explored the powerful In Flanders Fields Museum inside the Cloth Hall, toured the preserved Yorkshire Trench and Dugout and walked through Tyne Cot Cemetery — it was an emotional experience that really stayed with me!
Location:West Flanders, Northern Belgium | Size: small city ~35,000+ residents | Vibe: poignant, dignified, and beautifully rebuilt
My favourite highlights…
Exploring the In Flanders Fields Museum, I was deeply moved by the soldiers’ letters and diaries and the poignant displays of mud-caked boots, dented mess tins, and faded photographs of loved ones.
9. De Haan
This charming coastal town felt wonderfully nostalgic — I adored its wide sandy beaches, rolling dunes, Belle Époque villas, and scenic promenades, all blissfully free of high-rises.
Just 25 minutes from Bruges, I spent a long summer weekend at the boutique 4-star Beach Hotel, lounging on the beach and strolling the elegant Promenade Albert I. I admired the Concessie district’s villas, visited the historic tram station, cycled through the wild Uitkerkse Polder, and picnicked among the seaside dunes — it made a wonderful coastal escape!
Location:Belgian Coast, West Flanders | Size: small town ~12,000+ residents | Vibe: elegant, Belle Époque, and refreshingly low-key
My highlights…
Dining on a nutty pear pecan pie and a creamy oat-milk latte at the funky artisan Bruut coffee shop – I also really liked the cosy, trendy vibe it had!
10. High Fens-Eifel Nature Park
The High Fens felt almost otherworldly to me — vast rolling heaths, dense forests, and scattered half-timbered houses gave it a wild, untamed beauty.
I drove two hours east from Brussels and camped for three days at Camping Perlenau on the park’s edge. I hiked the Eifelsteig trail, explored the medieval Reinhardstein Castle, joined a guided tour to spot unique flora and fauna, and spent peaceful afternoons by scenic Lake Robertville — the perfect mix of adventure and serenity!
Location:Eastern Belgium (Wallonia) | Size: ~ 2,485 sq km (one of the largest protected areas in the region) | Vibe: wild, windswept, and quietly haunting | Wildlife: red deer, roe deer, wild boar, foxes, black grouse, cranes, owls, and rare wetland birds
My highlights…
11. Veurne
Founded in the 9th century, Veurne was a beautifully preserved gem — I loved its elegant Renaissance-style square, UNESCO-listed Belfry, Gothic St. Walburga Church, and charming stepped-gable houses, all set against the tranquil Flemish countryside.
Just a 30-minute drive from Bruges, I spent two days at the characterful B&B ‘t Kasteel & ‘t Koetshuys. I explored the stunning Grand Place with its Renaissance Town Hall, visited the historic Spanish Pavilion, relaxed in the peaceful Sint-Niklaas Hospital gardens, and indulged in crispy Veurnse kletskoppen at the family-friendly Bakkerijmuseum — the whole place felt delightfully old-world!
Location:West Flanders, Northern Belgium | Size: small town ~12,000+ residents | Vibe: quietly elegant and storybook-pretty
My personal highlights…
Sitting out in the sunshine in the beer garden of the renowned beer café The Court Of Heaven sipping on a seriously strong Westvleteren Belgian Trappist Beer after being recommended it by the in-house beer sommelier!
12. Gaasbeek Castle
Dating back to the late 13th century, Gaasbeek Castle felt wonderfully romantic — with its fairy-tale turrets, moat, and sprawling manicured gardens, it had an enchanting, slightly mysterious air.
I drove 30 minutes from Brussels, paid the €15 entrance fee, and joined a 1.5-hour guided tour through rooms filled with paintings, antique furniture, and jewel-toned Doornik tapestries. I strolled the Baroque and Museum Gardens, admired temporary art exhibits, and finished with a cosy meal in the atmospheric café set in the former stables — it was a gorgeous day out!
Location:Flemish Brabant, Belgium | Size: set in 121 acre park | Vibe: romantic, storybook, and quietly grand
13. Damme
Damme also had that magical, storybook-perfect charm — a dreamy rural town with medieval architecture, serene tree-lined canals, traditional windmills, and cobblestone streets that felt almost unreal.
I drove 15 minutes from Bruges along a canal flanked by windmills and spent an afternoon exploring the Town Hall and Church of Our Lady, cruising the peaceful Damse Vaart canal, and visiting the Schellemolen and Damme Mill windmills. I browsed quirky bookshops and strolled through the surrounding countryside.
Location:West Flanders, Northern Belgium | Size: small town ~11,000+ residents | Vibe: peaceful, pastoral, and literary
My personal highlights…
Going on a tour of Hoeke Windmill – it was interesting to see the creaky wooden gears and mechanisms and the large, functional sails that were still moving round!
14. Chateau de La Hulpe
Chateau de la Hulpe felt like something out of dream — built in the 1840s to resemble France’s Loire Valley castles, it sat in the heart of the picturesque Sonian Forest and captivated me with its elegant 19th-century architecture, romantic vibe, and parkland dotted with ponds and sculpted hedges.
I drove 30 minutes from Brussels and spent an afternoon wandering its flower-filled gardens (which were open to the public but sadly the interiors of the chateau were not), admiring the statues, exploring rolling lawns and fragrant rhododendrons, and cycling the scenic forest trails — it was a tranquil escape so close to the city!
Location:Walloon Brabant, Central Belgium | Size: set within ~227 hectares of landscaped parkland | Vibe: refined, romantic, and wonderfully serene
My personal highlights…
The garden sculptures — my favorites were the Les Putti, two delightfully weathered, winged cherubs that looked as if they’d been watching over the garden for centuries!
15. Torgny
Torgny, the southernmost village in Belgium, is often called the prettiest — and I could see why. With its Provence-like charm, ochre stone houses with red tiled roofs, vineyard-friendly microclimate, and lush greenery, it felt like an idyllic rural escape and a true hidden gem!
I drove three hours from Brussels on a road trip to France and spent a peaceful day and night here. I wandered the Réserve Naturelle de Torgny, picnicked by the Semois River, sampled local wines at Domaine de la Garenne, and dined at the cosy La Grappe d’Or before continuing south — it was a wonderfully scenic stop that felt stuck in time!
Location:Wallonia, Extreme Southern Belgium | Size: tiny village ~200 residents | Vibe: sun-warmed, rustic, and almost Mediterranean-feeling
My personal highlights…
Staying at the stylish Gaume Bed and Breakfast, we loved the sleek grey modern rooms and trying Maitrank – an aromatic, light alcoholic apéritif which was a local speciality!
