Welcome to Liège, the vibrant capital city of the province bearing the same name. This city has a rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural heritage, which make it a must-visit destination in Belgium. Whether you are interested in art and culture, outdoor activities, or just relaxing and enjoying good food and drink, Liège has something for everyone.
Why visit Liège City?
Liège has a lot to offer to its visitors, such as fascinating history, delicious food, and warm and welcoming people. The city boasts a unique mix of old and new, from its coal mines and steelworks to a dynamic commercial center with pedestrian shopping streets, public parks, and beautiful historical buildings waiting to be explored. Besides, Liège is conveniently located in the heart of Europe, which makes it easy to get to from other major cities.
How long to stay in Liege
Liège city has a lot of treasures to explore. You can easily spend several days walking and exploring the city on foot. However, if you plan to visit as much as possible in a short time, you can do so with the help of public transport. No matter how long you plan to stay, Liège will not fail to impress.
Best things to do and see in Liege
Liège has many attractions that you should not miss, such as:
Sightseeing in Liège
Place Saint-Lambert
Lets start the list with the historic Place Saint-Lambert in the heart of Liège. Once the site of St. Lambert’s Cathedral, visitors can still see the remains of the cathedral’s foundations, which are on display at the Archéoforum located underneath the square. The square also features the stunning former Prince-Bishops’ Palace, which now houses the Palace of Justice of Liège and the Provincial Palace, the government building of Liège Province.
Nowadays Place Saint-Lambert is mostly a practical hub for local transportation with a large bus station located in the lower part of the square. It’s also home to the Liège Christmas market in December and Januari.
The palace of the Prince Bishops
The Palace of the Prince-Bishops in Liège is one of the most significant landmarks in the city. It is a grand building that was constructed in the late 16th century to serve as the residence of the prince-bishops of Liège. Today, the palace houses several government offices, including the provincial government and the governor’s office. The palace’s inner court is adorned with Corinthian columns and intricate carvings, and its interior features stunning frescoes, sculptures, and painting
Place du marché
Place du Marché is a vibrant historic square, not far from Place du Saint-Lambert. Whilst the big place du Saint-Lambert lacks coziness due to the busy traffic nearby, Place du Marché makes up for it. The square is surrounded by numerous bars, café’s and restaurants offering a relaxed and lively atmosphere.
Being the oldest square in Liège, it houses 2 important symbols of the city: The Perron fountain and the City Hall. The Perron de Liège, an emblem of the city, is placed on a monumental fountain since the Middle Ages. Its current appearance is the result of its renovation by Jean Del Cour in 1697. Originally, the Perron represented the episcopal jurisdiction, and it was around this monument that the aldermen, the organs of the temporal justice of the prince-bishops, gathered to proclaim their judgment. However, with the rise of the bourgeoisie and the communal authority, the Perron became the symbol of the liberties of the people of Liège, an emblem of the nation and the country of Liège.
Montagne de Bueren
Montagne de Bueren is a steep staircase consisting of 374 steps located in Liège, Belgium. It was constructed in 1881 as a tribute to the 600 brave soldiers who lost their lives while defending Liège against an attack by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, during the 15th century. This staircase is named after Vincent de Bueren, who played a key role in the city’s defense.
Today, climbing Montagne de Bueren is a popular activity among tourists and locals alike, as it offers a challenging yet rewarding climb with stunning views of the city from the top.
Belvédère Liège
After climbing Montagne de Bueren, continue to your right and pass the monument to reach the Belvédère de Liège. This observation deck has the best panoramic view of the city. It’s a lovely place to enjoy the sunset whilst overlooking the city.
Church of Saint Bartholomeus
The Church of Saint Bartholomeus is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and one of the most beautiful churches in Liege. The church was founded between 1010 and 1015 and is one of the oldest buildings in Liège.
Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception
Take a river Ferry
Explore and travel across Liège in a unique way by taking a river ferry. Not only is it a practical way to travel across the city from one part of town to another, it’s also a great way to do some sightseeing. The river ferries run from 8 april up to 5 november. There are 5 stops, including the Historic centre, the city centre, pôle fluvial, Liège Guillemins and Pont de Fragnée. Each stop is served once an hour.
In contrary to what you would expect, they are fairly reasonable priced. The first stop costs 2€, additional stops 1€.
For more information, check the La Navette Fluviale website.
Liège Guillemins Trainstation
Liège Guillemins Trainstation is a modern architectural masterpiece designed by Santiago Calatrava. It is considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world and a must-visit destination for architecture enthusiasts. The station’s stunning design features a massive steel and glass canopy that covers the tracks and platforms.
La Passerelle and the Finance Tower
The area in front of the entrance of the Liège Guillemins Trainstation has been changed a lot in recent years. One of the newest eyecatchers on the skyline of Liège is the Finance Tower. The new pedestrian bridge connects the area with Park de La Boverie.
Parc & Museum de la Boverie
Parc & Museum de la Boverie is a beautiful park that features stunning gardens, a lake, and a museum. The museum showcases a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art from renowned artists from around the world. The park is a great place to relax, have a picnic, or go for a walk.
Royal Opera of Wallonia
The Royal Opera of Wallonia is one of the most important cultural institutions in Liege. The opera house’s stunning architecture features ornate carvings and a stunning auditorium. The opera house hosts a wide range of performances, including operas, ballets, and concerts.
Museums in Liège
Blegny Mining Museum
Blegny Mining Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the history of coal mining in the region. Visitors can take a guided tour of the mine and learn about the lives of the miners who worked there. The museum is a great place to learn about the region’s rich industrial heritage.
Musée de la Vie wallonne
Musée de la Vie wallonne is a museum dedicated to the daily life and folklore of Wallonia. The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including artifacts, photographs, and artwork that depict life in the region over the centuries. Visitors can learn about traditional crafts, agriculture, music, and more.
Archéoforum
The Archeoforum is an archaeological site located underneath Place Saint-Lambert. It covers an area of 3,725 m², making it the largest infrastructure of its kind in Europe. The site showcases archaeological remains from prehistoric times to modern times, including the foundations of the former Saint Lambert Cathedral, the remains of an old Gallo-Roman villa, and ancient traces of prehistoric occupations.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Aquarium Museum
This is a museum that showcases a variety of underwater creatures and plants for visitors to observe and learn about from different angles. The building is located in a historic location right by the gorgeous Meuse river. You can visit any day of the week and make a reservation online, which makes it super convenient.
Just to give you a heads up, the museum has received mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Some visitors have said it’s not quite up to par with other aquariums out there and is a bit old-fashioned. But hey, everyone’s taste is different, so why not go and see what you think for yourself?
Liège Visit Pass
The Liège Visit Pass 48h is a pass that allows visitors to access 13 museums and attractions in Liège for 48 hours at a cost of 18€ per person. The pass includes free entrance to 13 popular museums and attractions + a guided tour around Liège’s historical centre. The Liège Visit Pass can be purchased at any of the participating museums or at the tourist office.
The Liège Visit Pass is different from the Liège City Pass, which is an integrated pass that allows unlimited rail and TEC travel in and around Liège for 1 or 12 months
Shopping in Liège
Les Galeries St Lambert
Opposed to the Palace of the Prince-Bishops, on the other side of the Place Saint-Lambert, Les Galeries St Lambert is a multi-level shopping mall with 40 stores, cafes, and restaurants. Here you can find all kinds of stores, ranging from fashion boutiques to home decor and jewelry stores.
Mediacité
Mediacité is a modern shopping center that features a wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The shopping center’s unique design features a stunning glass roof that allows natural light to flood the interior. Mediacité is a great place to shop, dine, and unwind.
La Batte Market
La Batte Market is the largest market in Liège and takes place every Sunday along the Meuse river. The market features a wide range of products, including fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and crafts. Visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere and sample some of the reg
Travel to Liège
Flights to Liège
Liège has it’s own airport serving direct flights Spain, Turkey, Greece, Morokko, Tunis and Israël. Liège Airport is also an important gateway for Chinese Tourists visiting Europe. However, from most other destinations you’re most likely to land in Brussels Airport Zaventem or Brussels Charleroi Airport and take the train to Liège from there.
Trains to Liège
Liège Guillemins is the major trainstation in the city centre that serves as an international railway hub. There are international ICE Trains and Thalys High Speed trains connecting Liège with Brussels, Paris, Aachen, Cologne, and Frankfurt. Intercity trains are operated by NMBS/SNCB, offering and excellent connection between Liège and countless other towns and cities in Belgium.
- IC trains run several times per hour, connecting Brussels and Liège in less then 1 hour.
- Thalys runs op to 5 direct high speed trains a day, connecting Paris and Liège in 2h15.
- The ICE train to Frankfurt runs 7 times a day, connecting Frankfurt and Liège in 2h20.
For more information check Trains to Belgium.
Liège Tourist Map
A tourist map is always handy to have when exploring a new city, and Liège is no exception. This Liège Tourist Map contains all the popular things to see and do in Liège. Save it to use it on your smartphone as your Liège city travel guide.
Getting around in Liège
Liège is a relatively small city, and it is easy to get around on foot or by bike. There are also several public transport options available, including buses, trams, and trains. Here are some tips for getting around Liège:
- Walking is a great way to explore the city, and many of the top tourist attractions are located within easy walking distance of each other.
- Bikes can be rented from various locations throughout the city, including the V’Liège bike-sharing scheme.
- The TEC bus and tram network is a convenient way to get around Liège and the surrounding areas. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or from vending machines at bus stops.
- La Navette offers cheap affordable river cruises over the Meuse river from April to September. There are 5 stops between the historic centre and Pont De Fragnée. Each stop is served once an hour. Tickets cost 2€ for the first stop, 1€ for any additional stop.
Where to stay in Liège
Liège offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. Here are some of the best areas to stay in:
- City Centre: The city centre is the most convenient place to stay, with easy access to all of the top tourist attractions.
- Outremeuse: The Outremeuse neighbourhood is a charming and affordable area, with plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options.
- Guillemins: The Guillemins neighbourhood is home to Liège’s main railway station and offers a wide variety of accommodation options, including hotels and serviced apartments.
Useful links
Conclusion
In conclusion, Liège is a must-visit destination in Belgium, offering a unique mix of old and new. With its stunning architecture, fascinating history, delicious food, and warm and welcoming people, Liège has something for everyone. Whether you are interested in art and culture, outdoor activities, or just relaxing and enjoying good food and drink, Liège won’t fail to impress.
So, why not plan a trip to Liège today and discover the wonders of this vibrant city for yourself?