Top sights and attractions near Brussels, Belgium. One day outside Brussels

Top Sights Near Brussels

When in Brussels, consider visiting some attractions outside the city as well. Since Belgium is not a big country, it's never a long way to whichever destination you choose. You can go to other important Belgian cities such as Antwerp and Ghent or to the smaller and picturesque port city of Bruges. Just outside Brussels in the municipalities of Anderlecht and Ixelles you'll find a lot of green areas, perfect for playing sports and picnicking. If you're into history, head for Waterloo – the site of Napoleon's last historical battle or the beautiful castles scattered around the capital such as Chateau de Gaasbeek, Chateau de Veves and Chateau d'Annevoie, each with a centuries-long history. If you're rather a sports fan, in Anderlecht, you'll also find the Constant Vanden Stock Football Stadium built in 1917.

Abbey of La Cambre/Ter Kameren

Address: Abbaye de la Cambre 11 Phone: +32 2648 1121 e-mail: eglisedelacambre@hotmail.com


The Abbey de la Cambre, or Abbey of Ter Kameren, is a Benedictine Abbey situated in Ixelles, Brussels, which lies in the picturesque valley between the Bois de la Cambre and Ixelles Ponds. the monastery is home to the Belgian National Geographic Institute and the School for Visual Arts, La Cambre. The abbey was founded in the 12th Century by a noble woman of Brussels named Gisèle, and was given to the nuns of the Cistercian Order. The Wars of Religion destroyed most of the buildings of the monastery complex, but it was successfully rebuilt in the16th Century and remodeled in the 18th Century. Remains of the 14th-century church still exist on the site, from the transitional period following the Gothic splendour.
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Anderlecht

Address: Brussels-Capital Region


Anderlecht is a municipality situated in the Brussels-Capital region, an area well known for its impressive historical and architectural landmarks, including Het Rad and La Roue. The Collegial Church of St Peter and St Guido stand in the centre of the city, with its Romanesque crypt which dates from the 10th Century, one of the oldest in Belgium. An historical museum is situated near the church. The 15th-century House of Erasmus, with its medicinal garden, is also located in Anderlecht, as well as the Cantillon Brewery, a gueuze museum, housed in a working brewery. Anderlecht also boasts a China museum, placed in a convent.
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Auderghem

Address: Rue Emile Idiers 12 Phone: +32 2676 4811
Website: www.auderghem.be/splash.php

Auderghem, or Oudergem, is a municipality in the Brussels-Capital region of Belgium. Together with Watermael and Bosvoorde, the three villages were one until 1794. Then, several troops of the French Revolution separated them in different municipalities. In 1863, Auderghem became an independent municipality. The region is rich with historical and cultural landmarks, including the Abbey of Rouge-Cloître (Red Cloister) and its art centre; the Priory of Val Duchesse (Duchess Dale); the Chateau of Trois Fontaines (Three Fountains); and the Chapel of Saint Anne, which dates from the 12th Century and hosts impressive sculptures and furniture.
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Beersel

Address: Flemish Brabant
Website: www.beersel.be

Beersel is a town located in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, about 12km from Brussels. The landmark of the city is the Kasteel van Beersel (Beersel Castle), a fortified medieval castle built between 1300 and 1310 by Jan II, the duke of Brabant. The castle is set in a wooded area and surrounded by a moat. Beersel is also well known for its cuisine, including boterham met plattekaas en radijzen, a slice of bread with white cheese and radishes served with gueuze beer, and for its mandjeskaas (basket cheese), which is a white cheese stored in small baskets. These specialties can be tasted in the traditional authentic gueuze breweries in Beersel, as well as a restaurant near the castle, which is adorned with dark wood, exposed brick and accents of copper and brass. The town's mausoleum houses alabaster effigies of Henry II of Witthem and his wife, Jacqueline de Glimes, who lived here in the early 1400s.
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Castle of Gaasbeek

Address: Kasteelstraat 40, Vlaams Brabant Phone: +32 2531 0130
Website: .

The Castle of Gaasbeek is situated in the municipality of Lennik, in the province of Flemish Brabant, only 13km from Brussels. The first castle on this site was built in the 13th Century as an outpost for the defense of Brussels. However, in 1388, the castle was destroyed by the Army of the city of Brussels, led by Lord of Gaasbeek, in revenge for the assassination of Everard’t Serclaes. In the 16th Century, the Horne family erected a brick castle over the ruins of the destroyed fortress. In the following centuries, the castle was owned by various noble families. The castle's look today is from the 19th Century, by the architect Charle Albert, when it was in possession of Marquess d”Arconati Visconti. After 1980, the castle passed under control of the Flemish community and houses a vast art collection, which include works of Rubens.
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Castle of Vêves

Address: Province of Namur


The Castle of Vêves stands near the village of Celles, in the province of Namur, Belgium. Castles have occupied this region since the time of Pippin of Herstal, the first mayor of the Austrasia palace to rule as duke and prince of the Franks in the 7th Century. In the 13th Century, the castle was possession of the Beaufort family. Today's 15th-century Castle of Vêves has an irregular pentagon shape, surrounded by six towers of different sizes. Restorations were made on the walls of the courtyard, one of which is lined with timbered gallery of two levels, another of red brick facade in the Louise XV style. The castle's northern front adorns a small cupola containing a clock.
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Château d'Annevoie

Address: Route des Jardins 47
Website: www.jardins.dannevoie.be

The 1627 Château d'Annevoie is a castle situated on the left bank of the Meuse River. In the 18th Century, by order of Charles Alexis de Montpellier, the castle was extended to include a brick wing in Rococo style. The interior of the castle also dates from the 18th Century and hosts a music room and chapel, with stucco work by the Italian Moretti brothers The gardens of the castle were created between 1758 and 1776 by Charles-Alexis de Montpellier, designed by merging Italian elegance with French and English influences. Château d'Annevoie also boasts 50 fountains and 20 ornamental ponds. Since 1696, the Montpellier family has resided at Château d'Annevoie, including today's 10th-generation owner Jean de Montpellier.
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Chateau de La Hulpe and Lac Genval

Address: Walloon Brabant Phone: +32 2653 6404


The 1842 Chateau de La Hulpe, given to Belgium by the Solvay family, is a castle located about 8km from Brussels. Accompanying La Hulpe castle is Lac (Lake) Genval, which boasts a nearby garden with arched hedges and footpaths. A restaurant, with an outdoor patio, is also found on its premises, as well as a museum. The castle can be rented for weddings and other occasions.
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