Tip: the 7 most beautiful towers to climb in the Netherlands and Belgium
Fancy a day out to a nice city in the Netherlands or Belgium? Always a good idea, but extra fun if you are going to do something special, besides strolling and eating and drinking delicious food of course. Climbing a tower for example!
Maybe we will make your choice a little easier with this special tip: the seven most beautiful towers to climb, in the Netherlands and Belgium! A fun way to view everything from above and test your fitness. In which city are you going to the heights?
You will find the Belfry in the middle of Ghent. This tower is located between St. Bavo's Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church. A dragon adorns the spire: the symbol of the city of Ghent. Once at the top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the historic city center. On Sundays there are also markets everywhere in Ghent: flower markets, flea markets, book markets, fish and meat markets. Yes, plenty of markets. Big tip: go during the weekend (because that's the only time they're open). the Blue Kiosk on the Kouter. This cozy (and at the same time chic) aperitif bar serves oysters and champagne all day long.
Or sit down for a delicious Belgian beer or other fresh snack. There are many more besides the Belfry other activities to do in Ghent. Is a visit to this beautiful city already on your wish list?
You will find the Dom Tower in the middle of Utrecht. It has been covered in scaffolding for years, but the restoration work is now almost complete. This way you can admire this iconic tower in all its glory again. From below, but even more beautiful to climb the Dom and see Utrecht from a bird's eye view.
At over 112 meters, the Dom is the highest church tower in the Netherlands. Anyone who wants to climb the tower must climb no fewer than 465 steps. Quite a climb, but definitely worth it! You will find numerous restaurants around the Cathedral, and where we always sit is at Lebowksi, a very nice beer café with many different styles, a very cool decor and a lovely terrace when the sun shines.
Anyone who spends a day or weekend in Leuven should definitely not miss the library tower in Leuven. On the way up you will visit an exhibition about the origins of the Leuven University Library. From the top you of course have a beautiful view of the student city and the area around it.
We conclude with the perfect place for a night out: The Optimist. A cozy café on the Leuven Vismarkt, and with an ever-changing menu. Reservations are not possible at De Optimist, but even when it is busy, you can usually find a seat at the bar.
Perhaps the only Dutch city with a real skyline: Rotterdam. The Euromast offers a beautiful view over the Maas and the many tall buildings in the city. For the real daredevils you can even enjoy the Euromast abseiling! Abseiling is possible every weekend from May to September. You then step over the balustrade at a height of 100 meters and abseil the entire way down, with a view over the Rotterdam skyline.
Tips in Rotterdam we certainly have! So many in fact, that we bundled them into one mini e-guide about Rotterdam.
Oh Brussels, always a good idea! Anyone who visits the City Hall in Brussels will be treated twice as much to a beautiful view of the city. During a panoramic tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the Grote Markt from the balcony of the town hall.
The tour then continues up a spiral staircase. Another steep route, but if you look down on the city from the top of the tower you will certainly not regret it!
There's nothing like Groningen, and certainly not like the Martini Tower. This tower is part of the Martini Church and, like many other towers in this list, is located on the city's Grote Markt. In this tower you will find both a viewpoint at a height of 39 meters and the Clock Attic.
You will find it under the Martini Tower Feith house, and you can actually sit down there at any time: lunch is good, dinner is great and you can also make a reservation for a high tea.
In Antwerp you can climb the Cathedral Tower. In addition to this bell tower, you will also receive a short tour of the Vleeshuis museum during your visit. And see this as a small warm-up, because then follows the workout of no less than 515 steps! After the climb you can enjoy a beautiful view of the center of Antwerp from a height of 90 meters.
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