Brussels may be the obvious gateway into Belgium, but the Travel Off Path team has recently been reporting this once popular city has lost its luster — and largely without notice.
While it’s true most travelers are still crossing through Brussels at one point or another, it’s being used as a springboard to other Belgium gems rather than a the highlight of one’s trip.
Tourism is rising across the country, but our local source claims there are 5 newfound hotspots reeling in vacationers as they crave new experiences, all while avoiding Brussels’ dwindling appeal due to high prices, growing eyesores with its lack of cleanliness, and most notably a spike in violent crime.
Our new Safety Index tool reveals travelers are exploring Brussels with their head on a swivel, scoring just 70/100.
With that said, we’re excited to reveal some true shockers worth your while. Here are the 5 Belgian cities travelers are actually visiting: (in alphabetical order)
Antwerp: The Hip Cousin To Brussels
If fashion, arts, music, and culinary masterpieces are your vibe, Antwerp is just the place.
It’s becoming, dare we say, Belgium’s trendiest city. Featured by TimeOut, Antwerp is the country’s second largest city, but up until 2025 was largely overlooked in favor of Brussels.
That’s all changed.
Coming here feels cool, while Brussels has borrowed an edgy persona from places like .
Ironically, Antwerp also beat out prior winner Marseille for the coolest neighborhood in the world, as their very own street art-laden Borgerhout district came in second place for 2025.
Antwerp is officially a trendsetter. Nearly 3 million people visited this trendy city last year, proving Antwerp is no longer flying under the radar.
Bruges: Truly One Of Europe’s Most Underrated Escapes
Call us Miss Cleo if you want, but we called it before Belgium’s tourism statistics were release.
We said in mid-March that the best Brussels alternative was in fact Bruges, more quaint, safe, and walkable compared to the sprawl of Belgium’s capital.
Bruges has often been dubbed a Venice alternative, but it’s even more known for mesmerizing medieval townscape (which is UNESCO-protected)…and chocolate.
And waffles too, of course. Why not combine both?
Don’t waffle in your decision about coming here, though. Bruges is a rare place that feels storybook without feeling fake with Starbucks everywhere.
Ghent: Belgium’s “Venice”
We know what you might be thinking: “Oh great, another fake Venice destination that falls short”.
No, that would be Fort Lauderdale — a far cry from Venice no matter how many gorgeous waterways.
Ghent, though? It lives up the hype, oozing romance and charm at every turn with its scenic canal front and center.
Both Bruges and Ghent commonly swap monikers as the “Venice of the North” and the “Venice of Belgium”.
Tomato, tomahto if you ask us.
The bottom line is Ghent is beginning to draw a crowd for good reason, and that is it’s the kind of place where boat rides, Gothic landmarks, and cobblestone streets all come together without feeling overhyped.
Leuven: Belgium’s Top Hidden Gem Is Losing ‘Secret’ Status
Belgians and beer go hand in hand — literally.
Factor in a major university and now it’s a full-fledged party town that nobody seemed to know about except students and few locals in the know.
Now, it’s one of Belgium’s most visited destinations by international visitors.
Why?
Because it’s always a great time for a night out on weekends and it just so happens to be drop-dead gorgeous.
I mean, Leuven it is the birthplace of Stella Artios after all. 🍻
Yes, more tourists are trickling in, but there’s no way you’ll see the level of foot traffic like any other city listed thus far, making a crowd-free escape except for bar-tops and classrooms.
Mechelen: Dare We Say Belgium’s Mechelen Star?
Clinging onto its ‘hidden gem’ label like Leuven, Mechelen is yet another canal-laden city but more reminiscent of Holland’s small towns than another lazily dubbed “Venice”.
While not as name-brand as Stella, Mechelen’s Het Anker brewery anchors the town’s beer scene, a huge draw for both tourists and locals alike.
Not to mention its spacious Old Town always easy and enjoyable to navigate as outsiders are still discovering this place.
Out of all of Belgium’s waterfront towns, Mechelen may be the most untouched in terms of tourism, making strolls along the Dyle one of the highlights of your trip and the perfect base to book your stay.
Better yet, we weren’t just being cute with words. Mechelen has some great restaurants like Tinèlle, not just beer.
Plus, it’s much more wallet-friendly overall than Brussels.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
