Things to do in Lier

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Antwerp

Grote Markt

Grote Markt is located in the center of the old town, is the heart of Antwerp's old town, and is also a representative landmark of the city. It is surrounded by well-preserved historic buildings, collectively presenting a rich medieval and Renaissance urban atmosphere. It was once an important center for commercial activity and public life in Antwerp, witnessing the city's history as it developed into a major European commercial hub through port trade. Whether in terms of architectural art, commercial history, or urban culture, it showcases the unique charm of this historic Belgian city.

No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Belgium

KMSKA - Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

The KMSKA - Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is located in Antwerp, Belgium, serving as an artistic sanctuary that blends classical and modern styles. Built on the ruins of a 16th-century castle, the museum was later designed by architects Jacob Winders and Frans van Dyck in the late 19th century. Its neoclassical architectural style harmonizes perfectly with Antwerp's star-shaped urban layout, showcasing unique artistic charm. The museum houses a collection spanning seven centuries, including paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts—from early Netherlandish art to expressionist works. Visitors can admire masterpieces by artists like Rubens and van Dyck while experiencing the seamless transition between 19th-century and 21st-century museum spaces. With its meticulously designed interiors, the KMSKA offers a rich experience for all visitors, whether art enthusiasts or casual guests, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the boundless allure of art.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Belgium

Atomium

The Atomium stands on the Heysel Plateau in the Laeken district on the northern outskirts of Brussels. This landmark was built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and designed by engineer André Waterkeyn, embodying the era's optimistic vision of scientific progress. It represents an iron crystal's unit cell magnified 165 billion times: nine spheres, each about 18 m in diameter, symbolize the nine iron atoms in the cell, connected by steel tubes to form a giant cubic lattice. The top sphere rises approximately 102 m above the ground. Originally clad in aluminum, the spheres were refurbished with stainless steel shells during renovations from 2004 to 2006, now gleaming silver in sunlight. Initially designed as a temporary pavilion with a six-month lifespan, its popularity led to its preservation, making it one of Brussels' and Belgium's most recognizable symbols today. Visitors can take a high-speed elevator in the central tube, reaching the observation deck in the top sphere in about 20 seconds. On clear days, the skyline of Brussels, the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg, and the Mini-Europe park below are clearly visible. Moving between spheres via escalators in the inclined tubes, guests can explore the ground sphere's permanent exhibition on the 1958 World's Fair, rotating art and design displays in other open spheres, and workshop spheres hosting activities for children. Due to safety concerns, the three outer upper spheres lack vertical support and are closed to visitors, meaning not all nine spheres are accessible. The top sphere also houses a panoramic restaurant, offering dining with views from about 100 m above ground. At night, LED strips along the meridians illuminate the spheres in alternating patterns, resembling electrons orbiting a nucleus, adding a unique steel silhouette to Brussels' nightscape.

No. 4 of Family-friendly Attractions in Belgium

Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp Zoo was founded on July 21, 1843. It is one of the oldest zoos in the world, and it is also the zoo with the largest number and variety of preserved animals in Europe. The total number of animals exceeds 6,000, including about 300 reptiles and 1,700 fish. Of the mammals on display, of particular note are the rare elk and white rhino. The zoo is large, measuring 10.5 hectares (26 acres). On New Year's Day 1983, the zoo was listed as a protected building.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Antwerp

Cathedral of Our Lady

Cathedral of Our Lady is one of the largest Gothic churches in Belgium, founded in 1124. Over the following centuries, the church underwent several renovations and additions, incorporating Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo styles, making it a witness to the long history of Antwerp. Cathedral of Our Lady's north tower towers into the sky, like a finger pointing toward God, and is the symbol and pride of Antwerp. The interior of the church features artistic sculptures and painting exhibitions that are sure to amaze you! Among them, the 14th-century marble statues, 15th-century murals, 16th-century statue of the Virgin Mary, early 17th-century Baroque masterpieces by Rubens, and the 18th-century bell in the north tower are all treasures preserved through history and are well worth seeing.

Sportpaleis

Sportpaleis is a historic yet vibrant multi-purpose venue. Built in the 1930s, it features a classic exterior with clean lines and a wide, domed roof, making it an iconic part of the city skyline. Walking to the venue entrance, you can feel a modern atmosphere: towering glass curtain walls, neat walkways, and busy tram stops intersect, making it clear that this is a hub of urban entertainment. When visitors step into the lobby, they are greeted by open spaces and towering spectator seating. It is equipped with advanced lighting and sound systems, spacious viewing platforms, and hundreds of seats, capable of hosting concerts, sports matches, or large exhibitions. Outside the venue, there are tram stops and parking areas, offering convenient transportation. Inside, there are wheelchair-accessible areas, dedicated entrances, rest areas, and clearly marked passageways to provide convenience for visitors.

No. 6 of Family-friendly Attractions in Belgium

ZOO Planckendael

ZOO Planckendael is a zoo that cleverly blends animal conservation, education, and a relaxing experience, making it perfect for families and nature lovers. Designed as a "five continents" themed structure, the park features multiple circuits representing Asia, Africa, North and South America, Oceania, and Europe. Visitors can follow these circular routes, each starting and returning to the entrance. In the Africa section, visitors can get up close and personal with primates such as bonobos and Barbary macaques. Their exhibits are designed to mimic their native habitats, with climbing trees and areas for movement, allowing the animals to explore freely. The Asia section features families of large animals, including elephants. The Americas section offers enhanced interaction with the animals, allowing visitors to see and touch them up close. The park also features numerous educational programs and feeding schedules, allowing visitors to learn more about animal behavior, conservation, and the status of endangered species through observation and explanations.

No. 8 of Family-friendly Attractions in Belgium

MAS - Museum aan de Stroom

MAS - Museum aan de Stroom is located on the banks of theScheldt River, and is also known as the museum on the water or themuseum by the river. It connects the city and the port via the canal, symbolizing the city's connection to the world. Architectural inspiration It was designed by the Dutch architectural firm Neutelings Riedijk Architects and inspired by the 16th-century Hanzehuis warehouse. The entire building appears to be stacked with square boxes, and a spiral staircase winds around these boxes, offering visitors a new perspective of the city and the port. The museum's exterior walls are made of red sandstone from India, and the curved glass windows are up to 6m high. The 3,000 aluminum hand motifs embedded in the red sandstone make this red tower shimmer in the sunlight. The museum is 60m high, and if you climb to the top floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city. Visitor guide The museum has 10 floors and houses over 370,000 items: the 1st floor is the office area, the 2nd floor is mainly a visible storage exhibition area displaying collections and their history, the 3rd floor is a temporary exhibition space, the 4th and 5th floors are exhibition areas themed on world human exchange, the 6th floor is an exhibition area themed on world port city maritime history, the 7th and 8th floors are exhibition areas themed on life and death, the 9th floor is a restaurant and reception room, and the 10th floor is a terrace viewing area. Some of the museum's collections come from the National Maritime Museum of Belgium, the Ethnographic Museum, and theFolklore Museum.

Provincial Domain Rivierenhof

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Belgium

Grand-Place of Brussels

Grand-Place of Brussels is the urban heart of Brussels and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The square is rectangular, approx. 100 m long and nearly 70 m wide, and is paved with granite. Most of the surrounding buildings were built in the late 17th century and still preserve their original appearance, bringing together a variety of architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, and Louis XIV. One of the striking buildings on the square is the Brussels Town Hall, a typical Gothic building that reached its current scale after multiple expansions and renovations. The top of its spire is decorated with a sculpture of Saint Michael slaying a demon. The building with spires opposite the Town Hall is known as the "King's House" and now houses the Brussels City Museum. The gilded bronze statue of Everard 't Serclaes in a corner of the square is also worth noting; it commemorates the Brussels folk hero Everard 't Serclaes and depicts the scene of his death. Other buildings surrounding the square mostly belonged to historical guilds, and the facade of each guild building is decorated with sculptures of figures revered by the guild or symbolic animals. During the day, you can savor the beauty of the architecture. After nightfall, when the lights come on, the murals and carvings on the buildings shine brilliantly under the illumination, making it a great place for night photography.