Europe
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium
Belgian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Belgium map · historical landmarks in Belgium
Belgium has 16 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 15 cultural and 1 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1998 and 2023. This map of UNESCO sites in Belgium covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Belgian World Heritage Sites range from Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe onwards; Flemish Béguinages was the country's first inscription, added in 1998; Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front) is the most recent, listed in 2023; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations.
5 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Belfries of Belgium and France and Colonies of Benevolence. Start with Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Belfries of Belgium and France and Colonies of Benevolence, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 16
- Cultural
- 15
- Natural
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1998
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Belgium shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
Loading the map…
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- BRUZaventem4 sites
- LILLesquin3 sites
- CRLCharleroi3 sites
- SOBSármellék1 site
- AMSAmsterdam1 site
- OSTOostende1 site
Keep exploring
All 16 sites in Belgium
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| Belfries of Belgium and FranceTwenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed in 2005, as an… | 1999 | Cultural | Twenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed in 2005, as an extension to the 32 Belgian belfries… |
| Colonies of BenevolenceThe transnational serial property is an Enlightenment experiment in social reform. | 2021 | Cultural | The transnational serial property is an Enlightenment experiment in social reform. |
| Flemish BéguinagesThe Béguines were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. | 1998 | Cultural | The Béguines were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. |
| Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)All along the Western Front of the First World War, which stretched for some 700 km from the North Sea to the… | 2023 | Cultural | All along the Western Front of the First World War, which stretched for some 700 km from the North Sea to the Franco-Swiss border, a series of 139… |
| Historic Centre of BruggeBrugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric a. | 2000 | Cultural | Brugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric a. |
| La Grand-Place, BrusselsLa Grand-Place in Brussels is a remarkably homogeneous body of public and private buildings, dating mainly fro. | 1998 | Cultural | La Grand-Place in Brussels is a remarkably homogeneous body of public and private buildings, dating mainly fro. |
| Major Mining Sites of WalloniaThe four sites of the property form a strip 170 km long by 3–15 km wide, crossing Belgium from east to… | 2012 | Cultural | The four sites of the property form a strip 170 km long by 3–15 km wide, crossing Belgium from east to west, consisting of the… |
| Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels)The four major town houses - Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier… | 2000 | Cultural | The four major town houses - Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta - located in Brussels… |
| Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons)The Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes, covering more than 100 ha, are the largest and earliest concentration of ancient… | 2000 | Cultural | The Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes, covering more than 100 ha, are the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe. |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral in TournaiThe Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. | 2000 | Cultural | The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. |
| Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum ComplexThe Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing plant and publishing house dating from the Renaissance and Baroque pe. | 2005 | Cultural | The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing plant and publishing house dating from the Renaissance and Baroque pe. |
| Stoclet HouseWhen banker and art collector Adolphe Stoclet commissioned this house from one of the leading architects of the Vienna… | 2009 | Cultural | When banker and art collector Adolphe Stoclet commissioned this house from one of the leading architects of the Vienna Secession movement, Josef… |
| The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern MovementChosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven… | 2016 | Cultural | Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a… |
| The Four Lifts on the Canal du Centre and their Environs, La Louvière and Le Roeulx (Hainaut)The four hydraulic boat-lifts on this short stretch of the historic Canal du Centre are industrial monuments of the… | 1998 | Cultural | The four hydraulic boat-lifts on this short stretch of the historic Canal du Centre are industrial monuments of the highest quality. |
| The Great Spa Towns of EuropeThis transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien… | 2021 | Cultural | This transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium)… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Belgium
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Belgium?
- Belgium has 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 15 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Belgium?
- Flemish Béguinages was inscribed in 1998. The Béguines were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. In the 13th century they founded the béguinages , enclosed communities.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Belgium?
- Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front), inscribed in 2023. All along the Western Front of the First World War, which stretched for some 700 km from the North Sea to the Franco-Swiss border, a series of 139 funerary and.
- Which sites in Belgium are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 1 of the 16 listings is natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.
- Which UNESCO sites in Belgium are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Belgium.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Belgium?
- The 16 UNESCO-listed sites above are Belgium's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Flemish Béguinages (1998). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Belgian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 16 Belgian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.