In Brussels, you can also visit the Comic Strip Museum if that is an interest of yours. It is home to iconic comic drawings and has been honoring the creators of the 9th Art for 30 years.

The Manneken Pis is one of the best known statues of Belgium and you can’t leave without taking a quick pass and photo. You can’t miss it,  there is a line of tourists taking pictures, myself included.

Bruges

Bruges was my favorite city to see on my trip. It’s the cutest little town right next to the water. I took a boat tour and it was a good way to explore the city from another point of view. The buildings are very colorful and I loved walking down the cobblestone streets. Make sure you don’t miss the Market Square. It looks like a scene right out of a Christmas Market to me. 

The Belfy of Bruge is a medieval tower known for its iconic architecture and panoramic views of the city from the top. You cannot miss the view. It’s the best place to watch the sunset, in my opinion. Bruge also has the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum. It’s worth a stop if you love chocolate like I do.

Ghent

Ghent is another city I would recommend stopping in. Ghent is  known for its colorful street art and vibrant nightlife.  It has some great squares and marketplaces that are very unique to the city as well. Don’t miss the Friday Market, which is the center of the city, then you can find a good place to stop and have lunch next to the water. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is at the top of the list for must see’s for many tourists as it has the Altarpiece inside. It’s one of the most famous pieces of art in all of Belgium. Don’t miss the Ghent Belfry,  a UNESCO World Heritage site. The top of the tower has a great view of the city.

If you’re really short on time you can combine a day trip to Bruge and Ghent. You will still see the highlights of both cities in one day.

Antwerp

Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium, one of the world’s greatest seaports. If you’re stopping in Antwerp you should check out the old rail station. Built in 1905, the architecture of the station is absolutely stunning. Next up, the Cathedral of Our Lady which  is the largest Gothic Cathedral in all of Belgium. You could take a tour of the Cathedral and the top of the tower which has a beautiful view of the city. Be prepared for the 515 steps to the top. 

The Rubens House was on the list, but closed for renovations, so make sure you look online before you go. It’s the home and studio of the famous artist Peter Paul Rubens. Antwerp is also home to the Stadsfeestzall, which is the most famous shopping street in the country. Expensive for me, but I liked window shopping. Last don’t miss the Grote Market. It is a historic square filled with cafes, restaurants, street performers and the iconic city hall.

Indulge in Belgian Cuisine

I took myself on a chocolate tour and stopped at about 7 local chocolatiers shops to taste the chocolates.  I bought 3 chocolates from each shop to try. I tried everything from basic milk chocolate,  coffee, caramel, white chocolate cheesecake to the unique flavors such as bay leaves and basil chocolate. 

I of course ate waffles almost every morning. It was amazing. From the street vendors selling waffles to local pastry shops. They did not disappoint. For some reason since it’s the local cuisine I didn’t feel so bad about eating all the sweets. I mean you have to try them while in Belgium, right? Otherwise, how can you compare them to other cities if you don’t try it? I also booked myself a chocolate making class. Which turned out to be  well worth the price. 

Dive into Belgian Beer Culture

There are many different ways to celebrate Belgian Beer Culture. You could join a beer tasting tour or visit a brewery. There are plenty of beer festivals in the city as well.  Make sure you try local specialties like Trappist, Tripel or Dubbel. 

Practical Tips for Visiting Belgium

Best time to visit: spring (April–June) and fall (September–October). I went for a long weekend trip in May. It was perfect. Not too crowded and the weather was cool, but not cold. I just wish I had spent more time there. Four days was not enough for me. You could easily spend a week there.

Languages spoken: Dutch, French, German and English depending on the region. The cities which I visited, everyone I talked to spoke English and I had no problems communicating. For me that always makes things a little less stressful when solo traveling, no language barrier.

The currency in Belgium is the euro. Credit cards are widely accepted, but as always when I travel I have some cash just in case.

Safety: Belgium is extremely safe and I never felt uncomfortable even traveling as a female solo traveler. There were many tourists and locals were very friendly. I usually try to engage with some locals in every city. My first night there, while trying the famous fries with mayo I met some locals who gave me a list of things not to miss, so I had a to do list on day one. It was very helpful.

Conclusion

In my opinion Belgium is a European country you have to add to your list. It has great food, charming cities, friendly locals, easy to navigate and plenty to do. A perfect destination for a solo traveler. My absolute favorite thing I did was my self-guided chocolate tasting tour and it wasn’t too expensive to buy a few chocolates from each store. 

Another underrated country, especially for solo travelers, is Montenegro.