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Places to visit near Brussels are teeming with a fantastic mixture of culture, history, and nature, all within an accessible distance of Belgium’s capital. From foreboding medieval towns and fairy-tale-like castles to riverside fortresses and rolling countryside, these places bring more joy to your travels outside the city. Whatever your passion is for Gothic architecture, open-air activities, or cultural-historical landmarks, Brussels’ scenery presents ideal options for day trips or weekend getaways. Explore charming villages, UNESCO sites, and peaceful parks that reveal the multicultural heritage and splendor of the Belgian landscape.
10 Places To Visit Near Brussels
Discover these places to visit near Brussels, from UNESCO heritage sites to forest paradises, ideal for history buffs, nature lovers, and cultural commentators.
1. Ghent
Photo: Johan Mouchet / Unsplash
Ghent is a destination that every travel aficionado, who is passionate about medieval buildings, historic monuments, and a vibrant canal-front atmosphere, must see. This enchanting Belgian city harmoniously weaves its rich history with a bohemian, artistic atmosphere. A highlight is the Gravensteen Castle, a dominant fortress right in the center of the city that offers breathtaking views and an insight into medieval times. Stroll through the quaint Korenlei and Graslei quays, where beautifully preserved guild houses flank the canals, creating a postcard setting. The St Bavo’s Cathedral contains the renowned painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers.
Major Attractions: Gravensteen, St Bavo’s Cathedral, Patershol
Entry Fee: €12 / ₹1200 for the castle
2. Bruges
Photo: Despina Galani / Unsplash
Bruges is one of the most enchanting Places to visit near Brussels, rightly referred to as the “Venice of the North.” Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage city that entices all with its medieval structures, winding canals, and cobblestone streets. A climb to the top of the 13th-century Belfry affords you breathtaking views over the red-tiled rooftops. The Basilica of the Holy Blood, home to a sacred relic, adds spiritual depth to your visit. Wander through Market Square, admire charming chocolate houses, and enjoy a tranquil boat ride through the canals that wind through the city’s ancient heart. From its fairy-tale setting to its thick cultural heritage, Bruges makes a perfect day trip.
Major Attractions: Belfry, Markt & Burg Squares, canal cruises
Entry Fee: €14 / ₹1400 for belfry climb
3. Waterloo Battlefield
Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons
The Waterloo Battlefield is one of the most significant places to see near Brussels for history lovers. This fabled battleground marks the decisive 1815 battle that ended Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign. The Lion’s Mound, a massive monument offering panoramic views of the surrounding fields, stands at the heart of the battlefield. Visitors can climb its 226 steps and imagine the war drama once enacted there. The nearby interactive visitor center re-stages the battle in vivid style using interactive presentations, films, and exhibits. You can also view the Panorama of the Battle, a 360-degree painted masterpiece, and visit the Hougoumont Farm, so crucial to the war.
Major Attractions: Lion’s Mound, museum, battle panorama views
Entry Fee: €17 / ₹1700
4. Leuven
Photo: Pieter Morlion / Wikimedia Commons
Leuven is also one of the most dynamic and multi-cultural tourist attractions near Brussels. World-famous for its world-class KU Leuven University, the city is filled with the energetic zest of youth blended with rich historical heritage. The Gothic-style Town Hall, adorned with hundreds of statues, is worth seeing in terms of architecture. Alongside it stands the University Library, a symbol of perseverance and scholarship, beautifully restored after war damage. Stroll through the peaceful botanical garden, Belgium’s oldest, or go to the bustling Oude Markt which is “the longest bar in Europe,” affectionately named, crammed with cafés and bars to hang out.
Major Attractions: Town Hall, botanical gardens, Stella Artois brewery
Entry Fee: €12 / ₹1200 for brewery tour
5. Namur
Namur is a town of beauty situated at the junction of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. This quaint town is perhaps best known for its rugged citadel on top of a hill, one of Europe’s most formidable fortresses. A trip to the Citadel of Namur offers not only panoramic views across the surrounding valley but also guided tours of tunnels that course underneath the site and computerised displays uncovering its martial past. The lower old town is equally pleasing, with cobblestone streets winding through it, its elegant churches like the Saint-Aubin Cathedral, and its cosy riverside cafés serving local delicacies.
Major Attractions: Citadel, Namur Cathedral, riverside walk
Entry Fee: €10 / ₹1000 for citadel
6. Tournai
Photo: Pierre Doyen / Wikimedia Commons
The town of Tournai is among Belgium’s oldest and a hidden gem for aficionados of architecture and history. Its signature icon, of course, is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral of Notre Dame, renowned for its five magnificent spires and blended Romanesque and Gothic styles. A walkable distance is the Tournai Belfry, Belgium’s oldest, which offers city views from afar. The charming Grand Place is lined with colorful houses, sidewalk cafes, and local shops, perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Tourists can further explore the city’s historic stone bridges, museums, and bustling markets that lay out its rich history. Tournai’s quiet charm and cultural depth make it one of the perfect attractions near Brussels.
Major Attractions: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Belfry, Pont des Trous
Entry Fee: €5 / ₹500 for cathedral
7. Dinant
Photo: Marc Ryckaert / Wikimedia Commons
Approximately 90 minutes from Brussels, Dinant is the most stunning place to visit near Brussels. Situated between the Meuse River and the cliffs of limestone, the charming town offers the perfect blend of culture and nature. Over the town stands the cliff-top Citadel of Dinant, which can be accessed by cable car or panoramic staircase, with panoramas of the town and river valley. Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born in Dinant, and the town has odd saxophone statues dotted about. The onion-domed Collegiate Church of Notre Dame adds to the fairy-tale setting, and riverside cafés serve up the area’s famous Leffe beer.
Major Attractions: Citadel, Collegiate Church, Sax Memorial
Entry Fee: €12 / ₹1200 for cable car and citadel
8. Hasselt
Photo: Bent Van Aeken / Unsplash
Hasselt is a picturesque blend of cultural interest and countryside getaway, famous as Belgium’s capital of gin. A visit to the National Jenever Museum gives an insight into ancient distilling art, topped with tastings of the popular homebrew. To experience it even more hands-on, rent a bike and cycle over to the nearby Bokrijk Open-Air Museum, a huge heritage park that reproduces historic Flemish life in old farmhouses, blacksmith cauldrons, actors clad in period attire, and interactive events. The huge green setting is perfect for family picnics, photography, and leisurely walks. For those interested in culinary heritage, cycling through charming landscapes, or exploring days gone by, Hasselt provides a refreshing and educational day out.
Major Attractions: Jenever tasting, Bokrijk museum, cycle routes
Entry Fee: €15 / ₹1500 for museum
9. Beersel Castle
Photo: Loudumo / Wikimedia Commons
Beersel Castle is one of the most authentic and preserved medieval castles in Belgium and a perfect location for a quick retreat for history buffs. Built in the 14th century, this water castle with fortifications is flanked by a beautiful moat, foliage, and a peaceful park, inviting casual strolls and scenic photography. With its three imposing round towers, drawbridges, and enormous stone walls, the castle transports you back to the knight and feudal lord times. You can stroll through preserved rooms, spiral staircases, and informative displays on medieval life and warfare. The castle typically has theme-driven events, exhibitions, and family activities that enhance its appeal.
Major Attractions: Three towers of considerable height, a moat, and medieval fortifications
Entry Fee: €6 / ₹600
10. Domaine Solvay
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / Wikimedia Commons
Domaine Régional Solvay in La Hulpe is amongst the most serene and scenic places to visit near Brussels. Spanning over a massive estate, the elegant Château de La Hulpe, a castle in French architecture, is set amidst immaculately groomed gardens, serene woods, and green pastures. While the château itself isn’t necessarily open to visitation, the property itself offers limitless walking, picnicking, birding, and seasonal photographing. Honeymooners, families, and outdoorsmen alike will adore strolling down the meandering paths, forest trails, and sculpture-covered lawns. An on-site Folon Foundation museum brings in a note of playfulness with vibrant, whimsical art exhibits and installations.
Major Attractions: Château, forest strolls, manicured gardens
Entry Fee: €8 – 10 / ₹800 – 1000 for the museum in the château
From fairytale castles and Gothic cathedrals to lush forests and riverside towns, the places to visit near Brussels reveal Belgium’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Influenced by medieval kings, Napoleonic battles, and vibrant local traditions, each site offers a unique glimpse into the past. With Belgium’s central location in Europe, neighboring countries like France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg are just a short trip away. Plan your journey with TripXL today.
Cover Photo: Ilnur Kalimullin / Unsplash
