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The 6 best cities in Belgium

Easily accessible by train

Belgium is a small country, but there is so much to see and do. You will find beautiful cities full of culture, history and great places to relax. Whether you are looking for a historic city, a bustling place or a charming town just across the border, you will find it here. These cities are easily accessible by train. Discover nice cities in Belgium and enjoy an unforgettable getaway!

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Visit the most beautiful places in Belgium: Our 6 tips

1. Mechelen

Mechelen is situated between Brussels and Antwerp. This city has a lot of history and beautiful buildings such as the Sint-Rombouts Cathedral and the Grote Markt. It is a nice place to go with the family as there are fun activities such as Technopolis and the Planckendael Zoo. Mechelen is also an ideal place to enjoy good food and relax on a terrace. You can combine culture and fun for the whole family.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Mechelen:

With Intercity Brussels: within 2.12 hours
With Eurostar: within 1.47 hours

2. Leuven

Leuven is a real student city. It has an old center with beautiful buildings such as the City Hall and St. Peter's Church. The Old Market is known as 'the longest bar in the world' and is a pleasant place with many cafes. Here you can really experience the lively atmosphere of Leuven. In addition to the vibrant student life, Leuven also offers beautiful walks along the river Dijle.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Leuven:

With Intercity Brussels: within2.49 hours
With Eurostar: within 2.19 hours

3. Tournai (Doornik)

Tournai is not only a nice city but also one of the oldest cities in Belgium. This beautiful city is known for its magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the cathedral, you can enjoy art and history in Tournai's many museums. Remember to also visit the Pont des Trous, a medieval bridge over the Scheldt. Tournai is the perfect city for lovers of culture and history.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Doornik:

With Intercity Brussels: within 4.50 hours
With Eurostar: within 3.42 hours

4. Namur (Namen)

Namur is the capital of Wallonia and is located on the Meuse and Sambre rivers. It is a charming city with an impressive citadel that you should definitely visit. From the citadel you have a great view over the city and its surroundings. Namur is a quiet city with pleasant squares and cafes. It is a good place for a walk through history, with plenty of nature nearby.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Namur:

With Intercity Brussels: within 3.48 hours
With Eurostar: within 3.36 hours

5. Ostend

Ostend is a beautiful Belgian coastal town. Here you can enjoy a wide beach and beautiful walks along the promenade. The city also has a lot to offer in terms of culture, such as Mu.ZEE and Fort Napoleon. Ostend is a good choice for a day by the sea, with lots of fun activities and a relaxed atmosphere.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Oostende:

With Intercity Brussels: within 3.50 hours
With Eurostar: within 3.09 hours

6. Dinant

Located on the Meuse River, Dinant is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. The city is famous for its citadel, which is perched on a cliff. From here you have a great view of the city and the river. The main photo in this article was taken in Dinant. Dinant is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. You can visit his museum or take a scenic boat ride on the Meuse River. Dinant is ideal for a leisurely day out.

Travel time from Amsterdam to Dinant:

With Intercity Brussels: within 4.44 hours
With Eurostar: within 4.14 hours

Which nice Belgian city will you discover first?

To Belgium by train

Travel to Belgium easily and comfortably by train. For a direct connection, you can choose with Eurostar or Intercity Brussel.

With Eurostar

Eurostar is the high-speed train for daily connections between the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

With Intercity Brussel

Intercity Brussel is the international train that runs 16 times a day to and from Belgium.

Tip!

The earlier you book, the cheaper the train ticket .

Intercity Brussels becomes Eurocity Direct and EuroCity from 15 December

From 15 December 2024, the name and route of Intercity Brussels will change. The fast train to Brussels will soon be called Eurocity Direct. In addition to the Intercity, there will also be an extra train to Belgium, EuroCity. Until that date, you can continue to travel on the current trains.
More information about the new trains between the Netherlands and Belgium

Intercity Brussels

Intercity Brussels is the international Intercity that runs to and from Belgium 16 times daily.