Photographers unite and descend on Belgium! The incredible small country with big personality brims with stunning architecture, cobblestone streets, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and charismatic cities on canals making Venice jealous.  Check out the best photography locations in Belgium.

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Antwerp

Churches, belfries and towers. These types of buildings pack Belgian cities and towns. As a result of construction taking hundreds of years to complete, different periods are represented all over the country from gothic, baroque and rococo. Consequently, the towers of many churches will bear all three different period influences.

Flemish architecture is unique and recognizable. The old buildings lining the streets have stood the test of time and tragedies of wars and plagues. It is astonishing how century-old buildings are still standing and being put to good use. Street photographers, prepare for utopia while in Belgium.

The novel, A Dog of Flanders is the inspiration behind this statue of Nello and Patrasche, the main characters in the heartbreaking story. The people of China and Chow Tai Sing sponsored this work of art located in the square of Antwerp. So beloved is the story of Nello and Patrasche with the Chinese people they chose to honour the duo forever in stone.

Bokrijk

Bokrijk is an open-air museum providing a chance to step back into Belgium’s past. It’s a hands-on way to experience Belgian heritage while taking pictures of Belgian Percherons, windmills and architecture. The chance to capture architecture, live animals and people in period costumes make it one of the best photography locations in Belgium.


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Bruges

The lovely white buildings of the ‘Princely Béguinage Ten Wijngaarde’ were founded in 1245. Béguines no longer live here but it is home to nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried. Be respectful as you enjoy the béguinage as people live here and consider it an area of worship.

Bruges is one of the most famous cities in Belgium. The canals gracing the city proudly bear the nickname of Venice of the North. The canals add a special charm to the city, complementing the Flemish architecture and fabulous medieval structures of days gone by.

Church of Our Lady is as splendid as they come. Housed inside the church are Michelangelo’s world-famous “Madonna and Child” sculpture, innumerable paintings, 13th-century painted sepulchres and the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold. It is superb inside and out.

Brussels

Gorgeous buildings surround the Grand-Place in Brussels. Visit the plaza when the square is covered in a luxurious carpet of 1 million begonias. This spectacle takes place every two years. Plan your next visit to Brussels from August 13-16, 2020 to take in this magical event.

It does not seem right to talk about photography in Brussels and not mention the famous peeing statue of the little boy, Manneken Pis. The rebellious statue boasts more than 900 different outfits which rotate throughout the year. There are a few legends under little Manneken’s belt. One of them is about a savvy little boy. Seeing the dangers of a lit fuse of gunpowder, the little boy took action with his own equipment by defiantly whizzing on the fuse and saving the city from mass destruction. Maybe that is where the famous saying comes from.

The Atomium is a landmark building created for the 1958 Brussels World Fair. It is now a museum featuring different exhibits throughout the year. The structure is a model depicting nine-iron crystal atoms. The structure shines like diamonds in the sun and stands 102 metres high.

Small-Town Travel Tip: (Yes, Brussels is no small town, but I’m the small-town girl) Hey, where’s the picture? The Atomium is protected by Intellectual Property rights by SABAM and photos cannot be reproduced for any type of commercial activity. You can check out Instagram, though!

Ghent

The magnificent Castle of the Counts is a famous landmark. Built in 1180, it is the only medieval castle remaining with an intact moat and defense system. From the top, you can see beautiful views of the town square.

Ghent also has numerous canals deserving your attention and photography skills.

My favourite place to photograph in Ghent was Saint Bavo’s Abbey. I could have stayed there all day and taken pictures of this oasis in the city. It was so quiet and there was nobody there but us. The ruins of Saint Bavo’s Abbey exude history. The Abbey was founded in the 7^th century to convert the inhabitants of Ganda to Christianity. Also, the oldest wall in Ghent still stands here.

Mechelen

Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral was built in the 13^th century. This striking church is a survivor of bombings, raids and even fires. Still, the phenomenal structure stands.

The béguinages in Belgium will steal your heart. If street photography is your thing, you simply must visit Mechelen. You will find yourself snapping capture after capture of the medieval buildings where béguines lived and thrived. They even had their own brewery and it is still in operation today. The Het Anker brewery located in the large béguinage has delicious beers, whiskeys and tours. Dating back to 1369, the brewery is one of the oldest in Belgium.

Mechelen’s first home to the béguines was the small béguinage, founded in 1256. Béguines were single women who chose a life of solitude. For many of them, their husband’s departed for the Crusades and never returned. Therefore, the women formed their own communities and supported each other in order to survive.

Waterloo

Napoleon was defeated on the plains of Waterloo. The iconic Lions Mound overlooks the fields where the battle took place. Ascend to the top of this famous monument for a 360-degree view of the lovely Belgian countryside. Imagine what used to be a bloody battlefield, filled with smoke and the stench of gunpowder and death. Now a carpet of farmer’s fields, the plains are the picture of peace and tranquility.

Best Photography Locations in Belgium

The raw beauty of this tiny country in Europe is a photographer’s dream. Most importantly, Belgium is a photographer’s paradise not only because of its exquisiteness but because of the intriguing history of the region. The history is what makes the locations of this resilient country make your photos come alive and you will visualize yourself time and again walking the streets with new discoveries around every corner. See more Belgium photos and fuel your wanderlust. “Who lives sees, but who travels sees more.” – Anonymous

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.