Leopold II had this unusual rail station built as a neo-Baroque monument to the railway age in 1905.See more..
4.5Belfort(7.946 reviews) - Iconic medieval bell tower... don't shy away from the climb! Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers
The most important of Bruges' towers stands 83 metres tall. It houses, amongst other things, a carillon with 47 melodious bells. In the reception area, waiting visitors can discover all kinds of interesting information about the history and working of this unique world-heritage protected belfry. Those who take on the challenge of climbing the tower can pause for a breather on the way up in the old treasury, where the city's charters, seal and public funds were kept during the Middle Ages, and also at the level of the impressive clock or in the carillonneur's chamber. Finally, after a tiring 366 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a breath-taking and unforgettable panoramic view of Bruges and her surroundings.See more..
4.5Basilica of the Holy Blood(5.122 reviews) - Worth a visit Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
This chapel contains a phial that reputedly contains Christ's blood brought back from the Crusades.See more..
4.5Town Hall (Stadhuis)(1.324 reviews) - Worth a visit Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • History Museums
The town hall is Leuven's pride and joy. Moreover, it's one of the best-known Gothic town halls worldwide. It took three architects and thirty years to build it. Leuven's 'Hall of Fame' features 235 statues, which were only added to the façade after 1850. The Saint Peter's Church is located directly opposite the Town Hall. These days the town hall merely has a ceremonial function after the city's administrative services moved in 2009. But you are very welcome to take a guided tour and/or visit the tourist information center if you have questions (situated on the side of the town hall). Daily guided tour The guide will tell you about the construction history of this Gothic gem. You will discover the story behind the 235 sculptures on the façade. Afterwards, you can visit the foyer, the large and small Gothic Hall and the council hall. Re-purposing and restauration A consultancy was appointed for the redestination of the town hall. Construction is expected to last until 2027.See more..
4.5Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle)(1.320 reviews) - Views of the city from the clouds!! Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers
This municipal tower was a symbol of the city's autonomy, begun in 1313 and completed in 1380.See more..
4.5Stadhuis(1.262 reviews) - Remarkable Gothic Hall at Stadhuis Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings
Bruges' City Hall (1376) is one of the oldest in the Low Countries. It is from here that the city has been governed for more than 600 years. An absolute masterpiece is the Gothic Hall, with its late 19th-century murals and polychrome vault. The adjoining historic hall calls up the city council's history with a number of authentic documents and works of art. A multimedia exhibition on the ground floor illustrates the evolution of the Burg Square.See more..
4.5Groot Begijnhof(1.153 reviews) - The jewels of Leuven Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
This serene area use to be the residence of beginjner now converted to be the residence of KU professors, guests and research students. The well preserved houses and garden worth a visit. The area is very quiet and nice for an evening walk. It is located 10 minutes walk from Old Town Hall. Worth a visit as it is an Unesco Heritage.See more..
4.5Town Hall (Stadhuis)(885 reviews) - Beautiful 16th-century Town Hall building at Grote Markt Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
The most impressive building at Grote Markt is Stadhuis (Town Hall), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was designed by Flemish architect Cornelis Floris de Vriendt and constructed between 1561-65. It exudes a blend of Flemish and Italian Renaissance that delightfully adorns the square. The facade is worth viewing at daytime and then again in the evening while it is lit up with lights against dark skies. For those interested in visiting the inside, the ground floor is free to enter and visit from 9am to 6pm according to the Visit Antwerp website. This is also where you can read about and register for various tours that take in other parts of the Town Hall. Seems some tours depend on the time of year.See more..
4.5St. Rumbold's Cathedral(853 reviews) - Incredible beauty, history and views Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
St Rumbolds Catherdral is so impressive and a true feast for the eyes. We loved that there was a small art exhibition on at the time to explore. We also decided to go up the tower - I would definitely recommend this as the views were incredible. The journey up was eased by a few stops to explore the history and artefacts of the cathedral which added interest to the experience. See more..
This huge building with millions book collection is another landmak of Leuven. To visit the library and tower you need to pay for a fee. A huge plaza in front of the library with no obstruction is the best place to take pictures. The surrounding area is restaurants. The building architecture is fabulous. A very place to sit at evening just to admire the huge grand design building.See more..
4.0Gent-Sint-Pieters Railway Station(523 reviews) - Historical impressive trainstation built in 1912 but forever in ongoing renovation Architectural Buildings
This impressive historical train station was built in 1912 and had several and still ongoing renovations. Especially worth visiting is the entrance hall with murals depicting several major cities in Belgium. Because renovation is a lengthy process the walking corridors to the platform are a bit bland and not up to the splendor of the main entrance. Now the station is a blend of historical elements (the tower, the entrance, the older tracks) and added modern elements (the roof over the main entrance). Public transport connections are nearby if you head out the main entrance: tram, bus, taxi are in very near walking distance.See more..
4.5Carolus Borromeus Church(499 reviews) - In many ways this parish church offers more of interest than the Cathedral. Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Visitors are made very welcome to this free to visit this elegant baroque church. Built between 1615 - 1621 by design of the Jesuit order. After the Order ceased the church came under the patronage of the most holy, Charles Borromeus. Worthy of note is that there is no 'Choir' as is the norm in Jesuit religious houses. The nave, high altar, chapels and pulpit are all worthy of inspection.See more..
3.5Royal Museum for Central Africa(434 reviews) - Disappointing Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Architectural Buildings • History Museums
The AfricaMuseum is a centre for knowledge and resources on Africa, in particular Central Africa, in an historical, contemporary, and global context. The museum exhibits unique collections. It is a place of memory on the colonial past and strives to be a dynamic platform for exchanges and dialogues between cultures and generations.See more..
4.0Leuven Train Station(390 reviews) - Brussels Airport to Leuven Train Station Architectural Buildings
The trains depart from Brussels airport Zaventemon quite regularly to Leuven. It's takes 9 minutes to walk to the platform (3) with a train journey of 21 minutes. I had pre-purchased a SNCB (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges) /NRCB (National Railway Company of Belgium) train ticket. With it being a weekend, they offered half-price travel for the day with a return trip from 7 p.m. Friday until Sunday available in 1st and 2d class to any destination in Belgium. 1st class carriages are marked with a yellow stripe above the windows and each carriage is marked with a one or two to signify which class it is. Leuven station is situated in the centre Leuven and is well laid out, with a steady stroll up Bondgenotenlaan towards Saint Peter's Church, the Grote Market and the Gothic town hall.See more..
4.0Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis)(361 reviews) - Architectural Beauty Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
We couldn't go inside and see the beauty. But I must say, the architecture work is really stunning outside. You cant keep an eye off from the Townhall if you are walking in front of this street. Really amazing.See more..
4.5Abdijsite Herkenrode(277 reviews) - Make sure you visit when in Hasselt Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Architectural Buildings
The visitor centre is well-designed and gives a really good insight to the history of the Abbey. The buildings themselves, whilst original, have been through many uses over the years, religious, agricultural and industrial but have now been restored but it is the opportunity to learn about the history that is most worthwhile. For that reason there is problably little for young children to do. The audio guide is available in French, German, Dutch and English and is very easy to use. The gardens were just closing for the season (end-October) and the lady on the desk did not recommend us to pay the extra fee but a glance through the gate suggested they would be worth seeing in the summer. There is a cafe but with a limited selection so don't expect an extensive menu. Use bus 23 from Hasselt to Herckenrode Abdij (hourly) or H1 to Heerstraat (half-hourly), less frequently on Sundays. Then walk about half a mile over the motorway bridge and keep left when the road forks.See more..
A real gem among museums. I rarely see such rooms with all details of epoch. It seems like inhabitants just went out for a minute and would be back. Amazing feeling! And it's free! One thing to check before visit - opening hours. They are very limited.See more..
