Discover the Best of Belgium: 19 Top-Rated tourist churches and monasteries to Visit
Our guide features 19 can’t-miss tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium for your next adventure. Explore the best of Belgium with our list of top-rated tourist churches and monasteries. For thrill-seekers, we’ve compiled 19 exciting tourist churches and monasteries. Journey through Belgium and discover 19 fascinating tourist churches and monasteries with unique stories.
Information about Belgium
Belgium is a European country located between Germanic and Latin Europe, and it is one of the founding members of the European Union. The country hosts many international and European institutions such as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. It is a relatively small country with an area of approximately 30,000 km2 and a population of about 11 million. It is one of the culturally and linguistically diverse countries in Europe, as its population speaks several languages, including Dutch, French and German. As for its capital and largest country, it is the beautiful Brussels, which is frequented by tourists from all over the world. Belgium is famous for its three natural regions, which are divided into the coast, the central region with high altitudes, and the third region, which is an area dotted with wildlife and forests. In all of these areas, you will be able to find many rivers such as the Platypus River, lakes and amazing caves that make this country a haven for nature lovers and those looking for calm and relaxation. This country is also distinguished by its mild climate, which is cold in winter and warm in summer, so it is preferable to visit it in the summer if you like outdoor activities.
A list of the best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
Looking for the best tourist churches and monasteries spots in Belgium? Our curated list features the most exceptional destinations, meticulously selected by our team, and based on the experiences of fellow travelers. Start planning your next adventure with us.
1- Church of Our Lady
Church of Our Lady – The Church of Our Lady in Bruges dates mainly from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The church tower, with a height of 122.3 meters, is the tallest building in the city and the second tallest brick tower in the world (the tallest is St. Martin’s Church in Germany). In the choir-yard behind the high altar are the tombs of Charles the Bold, last Duke of Burgundy, and his daughter, Marie, Duchess. The church’s large fresco adorns the church’s most famous treasure in the world, a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child created by Michelangelo around 1504.
Place address: Church of Our Lady Bruges, Mariastraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
2- Saint Michael s Church
Saint Michael s Church – St. Michael’s Church is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The construction of the current church began in 1440 and ended after two phases separated by a long break. During the first phase, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the western part of the building, including the tower, was built. And the nave and the three-aisled aisle, and this was completed in 1530, and the construction of the church building began in 1566, then due to religious conflicts, construction not only stopped, but looting and destruction occurred, and part of the church was demolished in 1579 by the Calvinists, and it contains The church has a rich neo-Gothic interior, including altar and pulpit, and is decorated with neoclassical Rococo statues and many Baroque paintings from the 18th century.
Place address: Saint Michael’s Church, Ghent, Sint-Michielsplein 4, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
3- Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste
Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste – The Church of Saint Jean-Baptiste (Saint John the Baptist) is a beautiful church tucked away in a quiet location in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The church is an excellent representation of the French Baroque style of the 17th century and contains a lot of Italian influence in the facades of the church. The church was designed by Luc Luc Fayd’herbe, who was a student of Rubens, winged archangels adorn the arch crossings above the large galleries, and the interior contains an ornate pulpit as well as a collection of paintings by the famous artist Van Loon.
Place address: Béguinage church, Place du Béguinage 2062, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
4- Saint Andrew’s Church
Saint Andrew’s Church – In the early 16th century, the Augustinian brothers built St. Andrew’s Church in the famous St. Andrew’s Quarter, which today is the beating heart of Antwerp’s fashion industry and is one of the city’s most important monuments. Inside you can see famous Baroque altarpieces and 17th-century artwork such as the memorial to the Queen of Scots, Mary Stuart.
Place address: St. Andrew, Augustijnenstraat, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
5- Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church
Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church – The Collegiate Church of St. Waltrude is a Catholic parish church in the Belgian city of Mons. It was named in honor of St. Waltrude. Today, it is a tourist and religious destination for tourists from all over the world. According to the Wallonia Heritage Register, its construction began in 1450 and was completed around 1506.
Place address: Pl. du Chapitre, 7000 Mons, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Belgium
6- Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral
Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral – St. Rumbold’s Cathedral, which dates back to the thirteenth period, and is one of the most impressive churches, due to its interior designs and stone carvings, on the walls and columns, with stained glass windows, which allow sunlight to sneak into the building charmingly, in addition to the presence of a group of Statues of Christ and a number of saints and sacred Christian religious symbols.
Place address: Onder-Den-Toren 12, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
7- National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg
National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg – This church ranks fifth among the largest churches in the world, and it is famous for containing Catholic domes with two large towers, and inside there are two museums that organize different annual exhibitions suitable for all ages, and you can climb to the top and enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from the top of the church on the city of Brussels, and the church also includes A restaurant that provides visitors with delicious snacks and drinks while they wander inside the large church.
Place address: National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg, 1083 Bruxelles, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
8- Saint Martin’s Church
Saint Martin’s Church – The main church in the city of Kortrijk, the Church of St. Martin, which dates back to the medieval period, so it appears in its details and interior decoration, Gothic architectural designs, from arches and stained glass windows, in addition to the wooden pyramidal roof, and the church is intended for many individuals to worship and contemplate its architectural beauty .
Place address: Jozef Vandaleplein, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
9- Saint Elisabeth Church
Saint Elisabeth Church – The Church of St. Elisabeth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 1234, the church bears the name of Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, and her life was depicted on the neo-Gothic pulpit, and some parts of the church originated in the thirteenth century, when it was founded Service in it, and in the seventeenth century the church underwent a major reconstruction and restoration process, assuming the Baroque style complete with a distinctive element, so it is a distinctive and prominent archaeological place and it is recommended to visit it.
Place address: St Elisabeth Church Ghent, Belgium, Begijnhofdries, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
10- St. Paul’s Cathedral in Liege
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Liege – St. Paul’s Cathedral in Liege, is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites dating back to the medieval period, and the cathedral is gaining great popularity with local visitors and tourists, due to its unique architectural beauty, whether in its external facade, designed in the Gothic style, or the internal inscriptions and decorations On columns, walls, and even windows.
Place address: Place de la Cathédrale 6, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
11- Collegiate Church Saint Gertrude
Collegiate Church Saint Gertrude – The Church of Saint Gertrude is one of the oldest and most sacred buildings in the city, dating back to the year 1046 AD. With prayer, and at the top of the church tower there is a unique octagonal bell.
Place address: 1400 Nivelles, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
12- Notre Dame du Sablon
Notre Dame du Sablon – Notre Dame de Sablon is a late Gothic church in the upscale Sablon district. The original church dates back to 1304 AD and was funded by the Association of Christians. Upon completion of the church, Christians used it as a place of worship. Later, the church was used by kings. Including Emperor Charles V. Until the late 1700s, the church was a cemetery for wealthy society figures, whose private funerals were held in the church. This church is distinguished by its majestic architectural character, in addition to its colored windows, its large altar, and its towering columns.
Place address: Église catholique Notre-Dame-du-Sablon, Rue des Sablons, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
13- Église Sainte-Catherine de Bruxelles
Église Sainte-Catherine de Bruxelles – The Catholic Church of St. Catherine is located in the city of Brussels, and it is one of the most wonderful, beautiful and largest churches in it. St. Catherine’s Church has a distinctive architectural character, as it is inspired by Victorian architecture. It’s an amazing place with lots of statues, big columns, and a beautiful altar. The most important feature of this church is the light shows that are presented on its walls on holidays. Visit it with family or friends and enjoy seeing it and taking your souvenir photos.
Place address: Pl. Sainte-Catherine 50, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Squares and fields in Belgium
14- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Tournai
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Tournai – Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai, one of the largest, largest, and most luxurious monuments in the city, as it is considered an architectural gem dating back to the medieval period, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, from the inside, the Romanesque style appears in the nave designs, while the place for the choir follows the Baroque style , with five towers rising to the top with vaulted domes, stained glass windows, and other wonders that people can explore and contemplate when they visit the place.
Place address: Place de l’Evêché 1, 7500 Tournai, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
15- Sint-Niklaaskerk
Sint-Niklaaskerk – The Church of St. Nicholas, one of the important historical and archaeological monuments of the city, is known for its large high tower, with a strange and distinctive design, 158 meters high, which provides charming views of the city and the surrounding area from its balcony, and the church with its inner courtyard built of limestone, with a unique design Baroque, draws a beautiful architectural painting, which visitors enjoy watching.
Place address: Appelmarkt 6, 8630 Veurne, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
16- Kasteel van Oostkerke
Kasteel van Oostkerke – The Church of the Virgin Mary, one of the distinctive monuments in the city, which has a unique architectural style, stands out in the front façade of the building, through the arches and stone columns, to the stained glass windows, which allow the sun’s rays to infiltrate, creating charming natural lighting on the inner hall, In which the mihrab with stone statues and artistic drawings is located.
Place address: Spegelsweg 2, 8340 Damme, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
17- Saint Nicholas Church
Saint Nicholas Church – The Church of St. Nicholas is one of the oldest and most famous monuments in the city of Ghent. Its construction began in the early twelfth century as a replacement for the old Romanesque church. Construction continued through the rest of the century in the local Gothic style. Here you will see the blue-gray stone from the Tournai region, and the only large tower above The crossing, and the finely designed towers at the corners of the building, the central tower, which was partly funded by the city, served as a lookout point and carried the city bells until the nearby Ghent belfry was built.
Place address: Saint Nicholas’ Church, Cataloniëstraat, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
18- Place Saint-Lambert
Place Saint-Lambert – Saint-Lambert Square is located in the city center of Liege, Belgium; This square includes many prominent historical and tourist attractions such as the St. Lambert Cathedral building and the Palace of Justice, in addition to a bus station; Residents and tourists go to this square to get acquainted with these landmarks and to stroll with their loved ones and friends in its wonderful areas, in addition to taking beautiful memorial photos.
Place address: Pl. Saint-Lambert, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Belgium
19- Église Saint-Christophe
Église Saint-Christophe – St. Christopher’s Church, is one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in the city, dating back to 1722, when it was built by order of King Louis XIV. Since that time, the church has undergone many stages of restoration, especially the interior mosaics that cover an area of 200 square meters, represented by The Apocalypse panel of glass and gold squares, which added to the church’s distinction and beauty.
Place address: Place Charles II, 6000 Charleroi, Belgium
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Belgium
Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the unique and fascinating region of Belgium. From its stunning natural wonders to its rich cultural heritage, Belgium is a destination that promises to leave you awe-inspired and enriched. We encourage you to take your time and immerse yourself in the local culture, learn about the history and traditions of the region, and connect with the people who call it home. Remember that every journey is a personal one, and your experience in Belgium will be different from anyone else’s. So, don’t be afraid to follow your instincts, take a detour, and explore the unknown. As you journey through Belgium, we invite you to embrace the unexpected and discover the hidden treasures that await. We hope that our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels, happy exploring, and until next time!