Top Sights and Highlights of Belgium

Passenger cars currently need no vignette or toll to drive in Belgium (see the timeline alongside), one more reason to explore the country's finest spots while you still can. The selection below runs from Flanders' canal towns all the way into the Walloon Ardennes.

Bruges

Flanders' best-preserved medieval city centre: canals, cobbled streets, and the 83-metre Belfry that has towered over the Markt square since the 13th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

📍Right off the E40 (Brussels–Ostend), Bruges exit. Best to park at one of the peripheral car parks and walk or take the shuttle bus into the centre.

Ghent

Less touristy than Bruges, but every bit as beautiful: the Graslei and Korenlei with their guild houses along the water, the medieval Gravensteen castle, and a lively student city all around.

📍Sits at the junction of the E40 and E17. Park at the edge of the city centre and walk into the historic core.

Brussels, Grand-Place

One of Europe's most beautiful city squares: the gilded town hall and guild houses framing the Grand-Place, set within the Belgian capital's surrounding backdrop of art nouveau architecture. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

📍Centrally located at the junction of the E19, E40 and E411, encircled by the ring road (R0). Several car parks are within walking distance of the Grand-Place.

Antwerp

The Grote Markt with its Renaissance town hall and the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, plus a lively port city known for fashion, diamonds and one of Europe's finest railway stations.

📍Directly accessible via the E19 from Brussels or the E17/E34 from Ghent. The centre is largely car-free, so park at the edge.

Bouillon & the Semois valley

One of Belgium's oldest and best-preserved medieval strongholds, perched high above a loop of the Semois river deep in the southern Ardennes, named after Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the First Crusade.

📍From the E411 via Libramont/Neufchâteau and then the N89 or E46. The final kilometres wind their way down to the Semois.

Dinant

The striking collegiate church with its pear-shaped dome is wedged between a rock face and the Meuse river, with the citadel towering high above. Dinant is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone.

📍From Namur via the E411 and then the N92 heading south, which follows the Meuse the entire way.

This selection is a starting point. Want to know more about the status of the Belgian vignette and its expected rollout date? Check the full timeline on our Belgium page.