Exploring Liège, Belgium

City Hall is another stunning building in Liège. While this quintessential Belgian structure isn’t as old as some others in the city––it dates to the early 1700s––it’s worth adding it to the itinerary. Liège town hall is near some of the other attractions, such as  Montagne de Bueren, so you’d likely stroll past it and not realize what you’ve missed. (Hopefully, now you wont!) Also called “La Violette,” the town hall alternates brick and limestone and is a gorgeous representation of Baroque architecture. City Hall is on Place du Marche (more on this later) and across from Le Perron, a monument representing Liège’s freedom.

The Liège-Guillemins train station is at the opposite end of Liège’s architecture spectrum. Designed by famed Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava––also responsible for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City and countless other iconic structures around the globe––this modern station is made of concrete, glass, and steel. The Liège-Guillemins station provides easy access to and from Brussels, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, so if you’re traveling around Europe, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll use this station. Don’t ignore the view from the station, either.

Go to Amon Nanesse and La Maison du Peket bar

Meatballs in rabbit sauce (no rabbit involved) might not be food that strikes a chord when you think of dining in Belgium, but at Amon Nanesse – La Maison du Peket, this is the dish to eat. I traveled with my friend Danielle, the creator of the Style and Beauty Doctor, and since we had heard so much about the Le Boulet, she had to have them, and I had a taste. Oh my––these meatballs are so different from any I’d ever tasted, yet so delectable. I’m accustomed to Italian meatballs, but these had a sweet, flavorful sauce that set them apart from the Swedish meatballs we had eaten in Stockholm just days earlier. Basically, I’m saying, if you go to Liège, go to Amon Nanesse and order the meatballs. And did I mention the accompanying frites? Yum. You’ll thank me later.

And while you’re at La Maison du Peket….Peket is the local alcoholic beverage to try while you’re staying in Liège, and the House of Peket is the place to do it. Made with juniper berries, the eau de vie or the region’s version of gin is often enjoyed on the rocks, sometimes flavored with fruit, or mixed with Coca-Cola.

Experience Place du Marche.

Place du Marche is at the heart of Liège and is the place you’ll probably find yourself in the evenings.

Meander through this lively town center where you’ll stumble upon a bevy of bars, restaurants, and taverns. In summer, locals sit outside with their food and drink, conversing and people-watching. The area bustles all day long, but can be especially buzzy late at night, as gay bars, nightclubs, and cabarets come to life. Liège is not a sleepy town!