Things to see and do in Liège

Resting along the Meuse River, Liège is one of Belgium’s hidden gems. The lesser-known city is bursting with the same world-class things to do but without the crowds and congestion of other popular Belgian destinations. Liège is the perfect place to immerse yourself fully into Walloon culture, community, and traditions.

With Liège waffles being sweeter and denser than classic Belgian waffles, a weekend away in this Belgian province is bound to leave a good taste in your mouth.

Driving to Liège

Driving to Liège from the LeShuttle Calais terminal takes around 3 hours and 50 minutes. The most direct route takes you via the A16 towards Dunkirk. In Belgium, join the E40 and continue along this before merging onto the E25. As you approach the city, you should follow the signs for the city centre. This route takes you past Ghent and is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey with a hearty Belgian dish in the historic city.

For a more scenic route, take the A25 to pass Lille or the E17 to head to Antwerp before continuing your road trip. 

Things to do in Liège 

There’s no shortage of things to do in Liège – but fitting it all in might be a challenge! To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to explore in the Belgian city.

Landmarks & attractions

With a rich history and striking architecture, Liège is home to an array of unmissable landmarks and unforgettable attractions. 

Montagne de Bueren

If you’re looking for extreme staircases, Montagne de Bueren will not disappoint! This staircase in the city centre is a 374-step incline to the Coteaux de la Citadelle. Built in the late 19th century, the landmark was originally constructed to help soldiers defend the city by letting them quickly move between the city centre and the citadel. How quickly the everyday person climbs the steep 30% incline may be a little different to the times achieved in its military past! But the workout is well worth the trek for the panoramic views you’ll be rewarded with at the summit. The stairs are a perfect photo opportunity, particularly if you visit in October when they are beautifully illuminated during the Liège Festival of Light.

The view at the top is worth the workout at the Montagne de Bueren

Gar de Liège-Guillemins

Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Gar de Liège-Guillemins is one of Liège’s busiest train stations. The high-speed network connects Liège to major cities across Belgium and Europe, including Cologne and Aachen. With journeys to Paris taking just two and a half hours, it’s easy to plan a quick detour to the city of light! 

Aside from its obvious usefulness, the Liège-Guillemins station is a must-see thanks to its remarkable futuristic design. With a stunning glass and steel canopy, the modern building is a testament to the ingenuity of art, engineering and functionality. Architecture buffs and art enthusiasts will find this station to be a destination in itself.

La Boverie museum

A top Belgian tourist attraction in Liège, La Boverie Museum holds a large collection of modern, impressionist and contemporary art. As well as permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts a number of temporary exhibitions to celebrate the works of local and international artists. Previous exhibitions have included titles like “The Anatomy Lesson, 500 Years – The History of Medicine” and “Comic Strip Revolution.”

With the museum set within Parc de la Boverie, a scenic stroll through the park is the perfect way to round off your visit.

La Boverie Museum in Liège

Musee Curtius

In the heart of Liège and on the bank of the Meuse River stands the eye-catching Musee Curtius. The iconic, red-bricked, building that stands at the front of the museum was built in the 16th century and is a wonderful example of Mosan and Renaissance architecture.

Inside, visitors can immerse themselves in more than half a million years of archaeology and recorded history. With permanent exhibitions on the history of weaponry, archaeology, decorative arts, glass, religious art and Mosan art, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained for a few hours. 

Liège Cathedral

Liège Cathedral is a wonderful example of breathtaking Gothic architecture. High, vaulted ceilings, detailed sculptures and kaleidoscopic stained glass windows adorn the interior. The historic site dates back to the 10th century but the building has undergone several reconstructions and restorations in the centuries since.

Behind the pulpit, you’ll find ‘The Lucifer of Liège’ - a sculpture carved by Belgian artist Guillaume Geefs. Interestingly, this piece was commissioned after the original, carved by the artist’s brother, depicted the fallen angel as too beautiful and appealing. The newer, less-distracting sculpture is considered a better representation of this religious figure.

The ‘Lucifer of Liège’ sculpture in Liège Cathedral.

Aquarium-museum de Liège

Just a 20-minute walk from the Curtius Museum, you can plunge into the depths of the ocean. Not literally of course, but at the Aquarium-museum de Liège, where you can discover nearly 250 different species living in a variety of ecosystems. Learn more about the clown fish and long-nosed seahorses in the tropical seawater pools. Or be captivated by the octopus in the temperate seawater area. Brave visitors may even enjoy getting up close and personal with the piranhas in the tropical freshwater pool! Keep an eye out for the carpet sharks in the tropical lagoon – they like to blend in!

In the TréZOOr room, you can learn more about the history of natural science, the art of taxidermy and the impact of global warming.

Museum of Walloon Life

Explore the heritage and history of the Walloon people at the Museum of Walloon Life. In this former monastery, you can discover more about the lives and day-to-day activities of the Wallonian community from the 19th century to the present day. Explore over 100,000 items from tools and toys to objects illustrating Walloon folklore and beliefs.

Puppetry has a long history in Liège and within the Walloon culture overall, so the museum’s puppet theatre is an unmissable stop on your visit.

Parks & outdoor spaces

Liège has plenty of outdoor spaces to relax, recharge and explore! 

Coteaux de la Citadelle 

With over 90 hectares of meadows, parks, woods and vineyards to enjoy, the hillside of the Citadel, Coteaux de la Citadelle, is a breathtakingly beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Strolling through one of the hillside’s many walking trails will take you past more than 60 monuments as well as a wealth of flora and fauna. While climbing to the top of the landscape promises visitors exceptional views of the city and the Meuse Valley. 

Parc de Boverie 

On an island between the Meuse and Dérivation rivers, Parc de Boverie is the perfect spot to picnic between attractions. At its heart is the La Boverie Museum, a beautiful 19th-century building which acts as the green landscape’s centrepiece. Nearby, you’ll also find rose gardens, ponds, sculptures, a playground and the Cyber Tower – a 52-metre high abstract sculpture. A favourite with locals and tourists alike, this is a top destination for dog owners.

A perfect spot to connect with nature. 

Seasonal events & festivals

With year-round attractions and seasonal events, there is plenty to do in Liège. 

Les Ardentes Festival

Europe is unmatched when it comes to unforgettable music festivals and audiophiles will not be disappointed by what Liège has to offer to the music scene. Every July, Les Ardentes Festival showcases artists from a range of genres, including rock, electronic, pop and hip-hop. Previous line-ups have included household names and international acts like Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and the Black Eyed Peas as well as more local and emerging talent.

La Nocturne des Coteaux de la Citadelle

In October, Liège is illuminated by La Nocturne des Coteaux de la Citadelle. The light festival sees no less than 20,000 candles lit across the city alongside glowing art installations, live music and shows. The star of the show is the Montagne de Bueren, which is set ablaze with enchanting patterns of light and shadow. The city doesn’t fall into darkness at the end of the festival though, as the October Fair – the largest fair in Belgium – follows the festival and carries us through to mid-November.

Liège Christmas market

As the oldest Christmas market in Belgium, Liège Christmas market is one of the best to attend to enjoy Wallonian traditions and Belgian delicacies. As well as having over 200 seasonal chalets, the market has a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and a sledge run. You’ll find German specialities, Walloon and French artisans here, so it’s the perfect time to stock up on festive goodies and last-minute Christmas gifts. Don’t forget to leave space for all the chocolates, cured meats, waffles, gingerbreads and local beers you’ll want to fill up on when you get here.

Find cosy stalls and holiday cheer at Liège Christmas market.

Visit Liège with LeShuttle

Start planning your trip to Liège today! With LeShuttle, you can travel to the continent in 35 minutes. And with the drive only taking 3 hours 50 minutes, you can be in the Belgian city in time for lunch - we’d recommend waffles!