Famous for its lace, Bruges is often referred to as the 'Venice
of the North' due to its large canal system throughout the town.
Its extensively preserved medieval architecture is something to be
marvelled at, most notably the Church of Our Lady with its brick
spire soaring over 120m into the sky above this picturesque town.
Among its cobbled narrow streets and charming squares lie a host of
Bistros and restaurants, mixed in amid a diverse collection of
museums meaning that there is plenty to see and do around Bruges.
Here, the Belgian Christmas Market is a collection of around 30
traditional stalls selling a variety of gifts and speciality food
and drink. If you're feeling adventurous, slip on some warm gloves
and try out your ice skating skills at the seasonal ice rink
located in Market Square.
For a larger-scale Belgian Christmas Market try Brussels,
Belgium's capital city. Originally a fortress town, Brussels is now
a large metropolis with over one million inhabitants. The
architecture is diverse, ranging from the medieval buildings of the
Grand Place, to post-modern buildings such as the EU Institutions.
Situated around the city you will find plenty of art museums,
including the recently established Magritte Museum and even a
museum dedicated to Belgian comics. Sample some of the specialist
Belgian beers brewed in the region, in particular the famous lambic
style beer which is produced only in and around Brussels. The
Belgian Christmas Market is held in the Place Sainte Catherine and
has a welcoming and warming atmosphere. As well as the seasonal ice
rink, there are plenty of stalls selling arts and crafts and
delicious Belgian food and drink, guaranteeing a successful
Christmas shopping trip.
The largest Christmas Market in Belgium can be found in Liège,
with over 180 brightly coloured stalls stretching out between the
Place du Marché and the Place Saint-Lambert. Illuminated to the
greatest extent with glowing fairy lights and adorned with
Christmas decorations, this Belgian Christmas Market is certainly
worth a visit. Besides the market, Liège is renowned for its
nightlife. Numerous lively pubs and bars are situated within the
pedestrianised zone and are open late into the night.