Liege is located in Belgium along the river Meuse and often overlooked for Brussels. I had the pleasure of visiting this summer and found that Liege had a lot to offer including amazing food, architecture, history, and art. Travel & Leisure named Liege as one of top places to visit in 2016 – and they were spot on!
Here are my top tips for visiting:
- Arrive by train – Liege is easily accessible by train just a short 2 hours from Paris or 1 hour from Brussels on Thalys, which you can book through Rail Europe. Train travel in Europe is effortless and gives you a chance to explore the scenery through which the train runs, take a nap or even work. WiFi is readily available on the train, the plush seats are luxurious and comfortable and the ride is smooth. Liege-Guillemins station is actually a work of art. You will notice when you arrive that it is strikingly beautiful and a great introduction to the city.
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava
- Currency & Credit Cards –Liege, like the rest of Belgium uses the Euro as their currency. I always try to have local currency before I arrive anywhere just in case finding an ATM can sometimes be tricky. I did not have any issues finding an ATM in Liege – but I would still suggest coming with some Euro’s so you can take a taxi if need be or to purchase street food. Credit cards are widely accepted and if you plan to use them, make sure to turn the travel alerts on for your card and make sure the one you are using is accepted where you are going. You are more likely to find Visa and MasterCard logos than Diners Club.
- Official language is French – there are people who speak Dutch, but French is the primary language. I had about a 50/50 experience in finding people who spoke English.
- Eat the most popular dish: Boulets a la Liégoise (Liege meatballs) – these are hands down the most delicious thing I ate in all of Europe during my stay. Savory and sweet and they come with fries!
- Eating in Restaurants – if you don’t speak French and have no way of truly communicating with your server, I found that all the restaurants I ate at had English written menus. Just ask for an English menu – they will know what you are asking for.
- Where to stay – There are 22 hotels within the city. I stayed at the Crowne Plaza and they are the only 5 star hotel in the city. You will notice from the moment you arrive that this is not like any other hotel. The hotel is based on the former private mansions of de Sélys-Longchamps and the Comtes de Méan, dating from the XVIth century – and you can see the historical touches throughout. The food was amazing, the location was about 10 minutes from the train station and it was an easy walk to town.
Cozy room
View from my room – to another part of the hotel
- Pack walking shoes – the city is not flat and there is a lot of cobblestone. While the city is enjoyable to walk, I would hate to see your feet sore from not packing properly.
Lots of cobblestone
The streets are up and down with hills
- If you have rolling luggage, take a taxi – walking cities is one of the many free luxuries the world offers. However, the cobblestone will kill the wheels on your suitcase.
- Fries come with mayonnaise and ketchup – if you have never had it, you will learn to love it as it is the best way to enjoy these delicious snacks. Give it a try.
- Discover the city and its magnificent architecture – If I am being honest, the city is not very pretty. However, I think it ads character. Not every place in the world is going to be picturesque and as a traveler, you will notice this on your adventures. Each city has something to offer and although I didn’t find the city pretty, the older architecture is outstanding and worth the view.
Symbole De La Liberte
City Centre
I have a thing with doors
Winding streets
Centre of Liege
- Water is not free – In America you can get tap water for free when you dine out. This is not the case is most of Europe, including Liege. That being said, look at the prices for water and if there is something else you would like, its probably a comparable cost +/- slightly.
- Eat all the Liege Waffles – This speaks for itself. You won’t find a better waffle anywhere else. These waffles are made with sugar and caramelized on the top.
Liege Waffle
- Enjoy the art throughout the city – I noticed as I strolled the streets that I found art often. I think it gives the cit character and I enjoy seeing how people put art together in cities around the world.
Art installation
- Visit Prince-Bishops’ Palace – Visually stunning architecture in the Place Saint-Lambert (square in the middle of Liege). The Palace’s first courtyard is open to visitors. Walking around the square you can see just how beautiful the building is.
- Grab a fresh snacks at one of the many vendors in the city – traveling can be hard on your body and it is easy to just eat whatever (I am very guilty of this). However, make sure and eat some fruits and veggies among the other foods you eat.
Grab some bananas so you don’t get a Charley horse
- Drink Peket – this is an alcoholic beverage that is made from juniper berries and comes in many flavors. You can drink it in a shot by itself or try it on fire! I promise its so much fun to drink it flambeed.
Peket
Before they were lit on fire
Grab some to go!
Disclaimer: I was hosted by Rail Europe but as always, opinions are my own.
It’s Belgian fries and not french, perhaps in Belgium the fries was “invented” in the French part of the country??LOL. Anyway we really enjoys the frites…Did not visit Liege as you are right – it isn’t on the map for having a beautiful city. But nonetheless great tips!
Author
Yes they were invented in Belgium lol – and thank God for that because they are the best I have ever had. It has been a debate on whether or not the French or Belgians created the fry – but either way, they did well.
Brilliant post! So informative 🙂
Author
Thanks 🙂
Such a beautiful city! I have always wanted to go back to Belgium since my first trip was just two days in Brussels. These tips are super helpful. I will be revisiting when we plan our trip!
Author
Liege isn’t exactly pretty lol – but glad you think so.
I would totally go to walk around and try all the food! The walking would burn those calories off 🙂
Author
There is definitely plenty of walking in Liege
Very informative post! someday I will visit Belgium
Author
Thanks – I hope you do visit
I lived in Belgium for a while and can definitely confirm it’s not the place for people on a diet. From raffles to pralines to mussels and over a thousand beers there is way too much temptation
Author
lol – I didn’t gain any weight in Europe
Belgium looks so lovely through your photos! I appreciate that they have English menus! So many times I’ve fumbled with google translate without even considering asking for an English menu.
Author
Definitely ask for one – never know who has one in shop
Fries come with ketchup and mayonnaise, I do eat my fries with those condiments too. I guess I’m eating it the correct way then? Lol. Is peket a bit sweet or bitter? I’m guessing it’s sweet since it’s from berries? Looks like my kind of drink. 🙂
Author
Its a sweet drink and some flavors a little tart!
Oh Liege looks like a great city to visit and I have just realised that this might be another place to add to my list of places accessible by train from London to avoid unnecessary flights. I could go via Eurostar and change at Paris or Brussels. Thanks for the inspiration! I would have to make sure I tried the Peket there (a new experience)!!
Author
Its a cool city for sure – I would recommend Rail Europe and take Thalys as it is a high speed train. Only 2 hours from Paris!!
Definitely try the Peket.
I haven’t been to Germany yet, but honestly after reading this post, would come just for the food! Those meatballs and waffles look so good….
I haven’t been to Belgium yet, but honestly after reading this post, would come just for the food! Those meatballs and waffles look so good….
Author
Yassss! I hope you visit
I spent a fair bit of time in Brussels and enjoyed it, but had not heard of Liege! I know the food in Brussels is good, so would love to try those meatballs. The Peket also sounds very interesting.
Belgium is on my places to visit list and now Liege is added to the cities in Belgium that I must visit! It looks like a lovely town and that hotel room does really look cozy!
These are such great tips to know! Belgium is on my European list right now. And ohhh man on those cobblestones. I destroyed way too many shoes when I studied abroad walking around Europe!
You had me at meatballs and fries… and then I saw mayo/ketchup with fries!!! YES please. My friend’s girlfriend lives in Belgium and he said it’s lovely! I’ll have to check it out for myself one day.
Author
The food is definitely amazing!
Mayonnaise and ketchup are the best sauces for fries no doubt! And that belgian waffle looks so good! Great point about the cobblestones, no high heels here! 😀
Author
they are the best on fries! I learned to love it while visiting.
What a beautiful wee city. I love that you’ve picked out the best foods – fries and mayo, yum!
I want to try peket! It looks so yummy and pretty! Belgium is just such a charming country. Those cobblestone streets are to die for!
That looks like very lovely little town ! I have a lot of friends from Belgium I feel like I need to finally visit !