Having a beautiful Instagram feed is most certainly a first world problem, yet let’s face it, a lot of us are concerned about the pictures we share on social media. No need to deny it. So, when we are visiting a city or a country, we want to at least visit a couple of snap-worthy places so we can share the pictures with our followers. It can sometimes be a bit tricky to come across these spots, so Fujifilm made our life a little easier.
A company specializing in photography sharing their most Instagrammable spots in Belgium? Tell me more, tell me more, like when can we leave? Whether you are visiting Belgium for only a few days or you live here and want to discover your country from a new angle, you cannot go wrong with these five aesthetically more than pleasing places.
1. Peace monument, Ghent
First of all: if you have not yet had the pleasure to visit Ghent, you are missing out on something great. The city bursts with typical Belgian beer bars and trendy little shops, all of that in a décor that is quite hard to beat. The capital of the province of East Flanders is also great to discover by bike and while you are doing so, feel free to make a detour through the Gentbrugse Meersen. This park and nature reserve is worth a visit on its own, yet the peace monument is what it is all about. This eight meter tall monument, which represents an abstract peace flag, is an absolute gem for photography lovers. As if that was not enough, you can also climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the park.
2. Le Tombeau du Géant, Bouillon
The tomb of the giant has been a classic amongst Instagrammers for a long time but, it is true, you cannot go wrong with a classic. In the south of Belgium you will find this strange looking hill, surrounded by the Sambre river. It almost looks like it was made by some kind of powerful human force, yet believe it or not, it is completely natural. If you are not afraid of a little walk or bicycle tour, you can enjoy the view from the hill across the river and take your time to portray this beauty in all its glory.
3. Port Authority Building, Antwerp
This building is fairly new to the Antwerp skyline, as it was completed in 2016. It acts as a government building, more precisely as the new headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority, and was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. What makes the design so special is the fact that it consists of two parts: the lower and oldest part, which used to be a fire station, and the upper and newest part, a diamond-like structure. You can enjoy the view from the other side of the Scheldt and at night, when the sun is setting, this is a perfect place to capture the beautiful color palette of the sky, which is then mirrored in the water and the building itself.
4. Quartier Saint-Jacques, Nivelles
If you prefer medieval architecture above the more modern styles, the Saint-Jacques quarter in the Walloon city of Nivelles is just your cup of tea. The winding streets, lined with the smallest and cutest little houses, once welcomed pilgrims on their way to Compostela in Spain. If you want to perfect your urban photography-skills, this might be the place to be. A little further you will also find the Parc de la Dodaine, a beautifully landscaped park speckled with artwork.
5. The kidnapping of Europe, Galmaarden
If you are a bit of a history-lover, you most certainly know about the legend on which the name Europe was based. Zeus, the Greek supreme deity, is said to once have fallen for the charms of the Phoenician princess Europa. He then took the form of a white bull, kidnapped her while she was picking flowers and took her to the island of Crete. There, he showed himself as the deity he truly was and raped her. She later gave birth to two sons, Minos and Rhadamanthys. The statue in Galmaarden, made by artist Koenraad Tinel, portrays this abduction amidst the Flemish fields. A strange sight, yet therefore even more appealing.
