Belgium things to see and do

Once the playground of European aristocracy, the city, beaches and promenade of Ostend possess a faded elegance of days gone by. Visit the restored Mercator Navy ship and dine on fresh shrimp at the daily fish markets.

Flanders’ ‘second capital’ is the most dynamic of the northern cities. Famed for its diamond processing, the city is also home to the second-largest harbour in Europe and exposure to numerous nationalities has made it cultured and open-minded. Visit one of the world’s oldest zoos, a one-of-a-kind collection of Antwerp-resident Peter Paul Rubens’ masterpiece paintings, and shop ‘til you drop along the Meir.

Belgium’s capital is compact, but boasts myriad personalities thanks to its hotch-potch mix Eurocrats, locals and immigrant Congolese, Turkish and Moroccan neighbourhoods. From the UNESCO-listed Grand’ Place and cheeky Mannaken- Pis peeing statue, to the gleaming EU buildings and hip Ixelles district there’s always plenty to explore. Keep and eye out for Belgium’s famous begijnhofs − pious communities founded in the 13th century as sanctuaries for the many women left widowed by the Crusades.

No trip to Belgium would be complete without sampling moules frites (mussels with chips/ French fries). A summer speciality, often served with a light mustard dipping sauce, these plump seashells are best when washed down with a refreshing white beer such as Hoegaarden.

As the best-preserved medieval city in Europe, UNESCO-listed Bruges is a must-see. Early traders weaved their way through its many canals and it’s still the best way to see the city and its legendary historical sights. Numerous canal-boat operators line the banks.

Billed as ‘Bruges without the tourists,’ Ghent boasts almost as many waterways and historic buildings, as well as the ‘buzz’ provided by its university students. Must-sees are the 15th-century painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Sint-Baafskathedraal, the Graslei canal, and the foreboding city-centre medieval Gravensteen castle.

Some of the most important − and most tragic − conflicts of WWI took place in Belgium. Half a million soldiers lost their lives on the battlefields and in the trenches along the Western Front. There are numerous military cemeteries and memorials in the region commemorating those, of all nationalities, who fell in battle. Almost all can be visited, and although it’s possible to see them independently, a booked tour with a qualified history guide is much more rewarding. The historical centre for this region is Ypres, the last major town to remain under Allied control. Its main sites are the Menin Gate and the dynamic In Flanders Fields Museum, where visitors can discover personal mementoes of soldiers, and learn about major events and aspects of the war such as the first gas attack, the Christmas Truce of 1914, and No Man's Land.

Antwerp has long enjoyed a sparkling reputation as the world's diamond centre, and visitors can discover the city's prominence at the Diamant Museum (www.diamantmuseum.be). The venue features gem cutters and polishers at work, as well as outlining 400 years of history.

From Brussels’ Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts − the best-stocked art gallery in Europe − to the hyper-modern Musée Hergé celebrating all things Tintin in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium is brimming with first-rate museums.