Bruges

The Tanner's Square and its Tanners' Guildhouse (1630) boast beautiful facades. The Belfry and Halles bear witness to Bruges' grandeur back in the 1th century. The Halles are built in Gothic style and the interior gallery in Renaissance style. The city's charters were kept in this 83 metre high tower and suspended from the bell that was used to warn citizens of any danger. Many pilgrimages to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela set out from Bruges. 

Ghent

The Rabot, with its two round towers is a sliuce gate. The name comes for the French for "closing down", rabattre, which refers to the movement of the beams. A plaque reminds visitors that this is where the people of Ghent defeated the army of the German Emperor in 1488.

The Graslei, which used to be known as the most beautiful street in Europe, was a whaet trading centre. The central house, de Spijker, in Roman style, dates from 1200. Alongside it stands the Guildhouse (1526) and the small house of the Tonlieu that was home to the tax collector (1682)

Leuven

Leuven's town hall was built in the middle of the 15th century to a design by Matheus de Layens. The Gothic architecture is more reminiscent of a reliquary than of a stone emblem of civic pride. The Town Hall's facades are vertically sectioned by niches which stood unoccupied until the 19th century, they now show characters from local history.

Antwerp

Here we find the monumental Renaissance town hall, designed by Cornelis Floris de Vriendt. The brass eagles on the corners symbolise the city's ties with the German Empire. The Square is surrounded by late 16th century Guilhalls which form a splendid backdrop for the fountain of Brabo. This figure, the work of Jef Lambeaux, portrays the legend behind the name of Antwerp. According to the legend, Silvius Brabo finds his way barred by a giant, Antigone, who demands a toll, the Roman hacks Antogone's hand off and throws it (hand-werpen) into the river Scheldt. The land between the Rhine and the Scheldt was thereby freed and received the name Brabant.

Liege

The high and truly imposing Curtius house is a classic example of Meuse Renaissance. It was built between 1600 and 1610 by order of Jean de Corte. He was ennobled by both the Spanish king and the German Emperor, latinized his name into Curtius and invested a great deal of his wealth in charitable works and  in his impressive house. Liege was the most important Belgian centre of armaments manufacturing. Its favourable location on the banks of the River Meuse led to a flourishing arms trade with various European cities.

general information

Kingdom

capital: Brussels

area: 30 500 km2

population: 11 millions

population density/km2: 361

EU member since 1952

National holiday: July 21

national anthem: La Brabanconne

• Belgians eat more chips than anyone else.

• Half the energy used in Belgium is nuclear power. Belgium, with Antwerp as the main centre, accounts for 70% of the world's diamond cutting industry.

• Belgium is the EU country which exports the highest percentage of its production. 

• Belgium is divided into three communities and three regions: the Flemish community, the French-speaking community and the German-speaking community. The regions are Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. 

• Its political architecture is highly complex.

• An average Belgian consumes 8 kg of chocolate per annum and per inhabitant.

Home to Flemish, French and German speaking people, Belgium is a playground where European history and modern lifestyle come together. Stroll around the funky cafes of Brussels for some great hot chocolate or home brewed beer, and step into the stylish world of Antwerp where bars are open 24 hours. Don't miss the gorgeous towns of Bruges, Ghent, Ostend and la Roche-en-Ardenne.

Dinant

The early Gothic Our-Lady church or Collegiate of Dinant is famed for its impressive site against a solid rock wall. The striking, pear-shaped tower, not in the original drawings, also contribute to its renown. Despite damage sustained due to falling rocks and the ravages of war, the church has consistently been restored to its former glory. 

Dinant is also known as the Citadel town, due to the magnificent position of its citadel on a promontory overlooking the town. 

Celles

The fairy-tale Veves Castle, strategically perched on top of a rock in the valley of the Ry (a tributary of the Lesse), is an elegant fortres with several towers. The castle was destroyed in 1466 but immediately rebuilt. The castle is still inhabited by the same family and is still fully furnished today. It gives a good idea of how life must have been in the Middle Ages. 

Brussels

The capital of the European Union is home to many institutions, including the Commission, the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. 30 500 civil servants work in the city, scattered throughout 77 buildings. The Berlaymont is the main seat of the Commission. It stands in Brussels on the Rond-Point Schuman, named after Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the EU.

The Grand Place which every two years (around the 15th of August) is covered by a magnificent carpet of flowers, is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The gothic style City Hall is decorated with 294 statues from the 19th century. The summit of the 96 meters high tower built by Jean van Ruysbroeck (1149) is crowned by a statue of St Michael, the patron saint of the city. All around it, the houses od corporations were rebuilt after the French bombing of 1695. The Maison du Roi was built in the 16th century by Charles V on the former site of the Halle aux pains (Broodhuys in Dutch). It currently houses a museum exhibiting the wardrobe of the Manneken-Pis. 

The Atonium is a huge steel construction with nine spheres representing a molecule of iron. Despite its contemporary look, it was built in 1958 for Brussels' World Fair.

Manneken-Pis is the famous bronze statue fountain of a boy urinating into the water. He is often dressed in costume and his wardrobe now features more than 760 outfits. His very first costume was given to him in 1698 by the Elector of Bavaria.

If your mission is shopping, make for Avenue Louise and Avenue de la Toison d'Or for couture and high-street bargains, or try Rue Antoine Dansaert for unique boutiques Bargain hunters will love Jeu de Balle flea market.

Le Chatelain, just beside the prestigious Avenue Louise, is a charming district where locals spend their summer evenings. At night, go for fancy fare at Comme Chez Soi or go cheap and chic at Le Pre Sale on Rue de Flandre which serves up tasty moules frites.

Isabelle Bajart breathes new life into old clothes by transforming them into line with more recent fashion. Her creations are displayed among the unusual decor (25 rue des Chartreux)

Many business visitors to Brussels stay in hotels on weekdays meaning there are some fantastic deals to be had at the weekend. If you are brave enough to leave it till the last minute, go to the tourist office on your arrival, you might get a five-star hotel next to nothing.

If you are planning a journey via public transport, simply log onto www.stib.be, enter your starting point and destination and you will be told exactly how to get there.

Day trip
Ypres. About 120km from Brussels, the city of Ypres is known for its Grand Place, resplendent Saint Martin's Cathedral, but most of all, for its amazing In Flanders Fields museum which focuses on the lives of soldiers during World War I.

Dinant. Take the teleferique cable car to the citadel and have an aerial view on the city of Dinant. From here you can also book a cruise on the Meuse River and discover some of the most beautiful spots of Wallonia. It is about 90 km from Brussels.