© Ghent
Discover Belgium’s
UNESCO heritage sites
UNESCO heritage sites
Belgium boasts remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites, showcasing its rich cultural and historical legacy. Explore medieval architecture in Bruges, the iconic belfries, and art nouveau masterpieces in Brussels. Discover industrial heritage, prehistoric flint mines, and more.
Uncover Belgium’s treasures here!
© Getty Images
Grand-Place
Pay a visit to La Grand-Place while you’re in our capital. The buildings on the cobbled square date back to the 17th Century and give a vivid depiction of what life might have looked like in that time. La Grand-Place in Brussels shows an eclectic mixture of architectural and artistic styles. It shows what a successful trading city Brussels was in the 17th Century.
Find more about Brussels here
© Getty Images
Notre-Dame de Tournai
Listed by UNESCO for its 5 bell towers, its nave and transept of Romanesque style, Notre-Dame de Tournai is a true gem. It gives a vivid representation of medieval architecture and shows some incredible works of art. Its columns are topped with capitals that are all different (over a hundred unique pieces in total!) and at the central choir screen you’ll find a renaissance masterpiece by Flemish sculptor Corneille de Vriendt. Definitely worth a visit!
Find more about Tournai here
© Tournai
Historic town centre of Bruges
The quintessential example of a medieval historic settlement that is part of the UNESCO heritage? Undoubtedly, Bruges. This city has preserved its historic essence as it has evolved through the centuries, with original Gothic structures forming a key part of its character. As a prominent commercial and cultural center of Europe, Bruges fostered connections with various regions worldwide and is deeply linked to the Flemish Primitive painting school.
Find more about Bruges here
© Getty Images
Mons
The only baroque belfry in Belgium deserves all the praise it gets. Mons’ belfry. Built in the late 1660’s, it reaches an impressive 87 metres in height. Have a look once you are at the top: the 49 chiming bells ring out their traditional melody every quarter of an hour… Having survived a few wars and plagues, it now is included in the UNESCO world heritage list.
Find more about Mons here
© Gregory Mathelot
Waterloo
Another candidate for the UNESCO world heritage list is the battlefield of Waterloo. The memorial doesn’t just show you everything you need to know about Napoleon’s battle. It’s also surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills. A good hike up to the top will lead you to the Lion’s Mound, one of the most important monuments in Belgium.
Find more about Waterloo here
© Olivier Cappeliez
Let beautiful Belgium wow you!
The best of Belgium in 3, 6 or 9 days
Get inspired for your next holiday and let us show you a selection of the highlights our country has to offer.
