A fabulous and exploratory trip through some of the most popular suburban places in Belgium

A fabulous and exploratory trip through some of the most popular suburban places in Belgium

Belgium is a small and highly urbanized country, but it still has some charming suburban areas that are worth visiting. Here are five of them that you can visit:

Waterloo

• Located just 20 km south of Brussels, Waterloo is famous for being the site of the famous Battle of Waterloo, in which British forces and their allies defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815. Today, the site of the battle is a popular tourist attraction, with several museums and monuments commemorating the battle.
  
  In addition to the site of the famous Battle of Waterloo, Waterloo also boasts several interesting museums, including the Waterloo Memorial, which tells the story of the battle, and the Wellington Museum, which is located in the former residence of the Duke of Wellington. The Waterloo Memorial also features a lookout point that offers stunning views of the battlefield.
  
  

Leuven

• Located about 25 km east of Brussels, Leuven is a university city with a rich history and medieval architecture. Among the points of interest are the Grote Markt square, the Town Hall and the Church of St. Peter, as well as the University Library, one of the largest and oldest libraries in Europe.
  
  Known for its rich university history, Leuven boasts a university founded in 1425 and several impressive buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. In addition to the places mentioned above, Leuven is also known for its craft beers, such as Stella Artois, and its famous beer festival, which takes place every year in April.
  
  

Bruges

• About 100 km northwest of Brussels lies Bruges, a beautiful medieval city known for its canals, cobbled streets, and well-preserved architecture. The city boasts several museums, including the famous Groeninge Museum, as well as numerous churches and historic buildings.
  
  In addition to its canals and well-preserved architecture, Bruges is also famous for its high-quality Belgian chocolate. Visitors can sample a variety of chocolates in the city's numerous chocolate shops. Additionally, art lovers can visit the Memling Museum, which features a collection of works by the famous painter Hans Memling.
  
  

Dinant

• Located in the valley of the Meuse River, in the French-speaking region of Wallonia, Dinant is a charming city with an impressive church atop a hill, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Dinant, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It is also famous for its beer, Leffe, and its delicious cheese, Fromage de Montagne.
  
  In addition to the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Dinant, visitors can explore the Castle of Dinant, which dates back to the 11th century, and the cable car that takes you to the top of the hill, where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is located. Additionally, music lovers can visit the Adolphe Sax Museum, which tells the story of the inventor of the saxophone.
  
  

Mechelen

• Located about 30 km north of Brussels, Mechelen is a historic city with many impressive buildings and monuments. Among the places of interest are the Cathedral of St. Rumbold, the Palace of Margaret of Austria, and the old fish market. It is also known for its beer, Gouden Carolus.
  
  

In addition to the places mentioned above, Mechelen is also known for its annual carnival, which takes place in the month of March. During the carnival, the city is filled with parades, music, and dancing. Additionally, food lovers can try the famous "Mechelse Koekoek", a farm-raised chicken from the region that is considered a culinary delight.