🇧🇪 Belgium · Places to discover
What to see in Eupen ?
22 places curated by Hozy - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
MAP · OVERVIEW
Eupen is the capital of Belgium's German-speaking Community, an administrative particularity that gives it distinct character: German is spoken here, Belgian beer is drunk, and the Marktplatz architecture recalls Rhineland towns without ever copying Germany proper. The town pulses to the rhythm of its carnival, one of the country's oldest and most serious, and its historic textile industry that shaped the bourgeois houses along the Vesdre.
Spring and autumn offer the best conditions for exploring the region, particularly the nearby Hautes Fagnes Nature Park trails. Two days suffices to grasp the essentials. It's easily reached by train from Liège, then navigated on foot in the compact centre. Don't reduce Eupen to a mere waypoint towards the Fagnes: the town merits lingering for its own sake, not simply as a jumping-off point.
Landmarks & heritage (8)
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAFormer Capuchin Convent of Eupen
Landmark
A 17th-century convent complex partially preserved and integrated into the historic town centre fabric. The enclosure walls and surviving chapel bear witness to this textile town's intense religious past.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SACalvary Chapel, Eupen
Landmark
18th-century chapel perched on the wooded hill above town, accessible via a shaded Stations of the Cross path. The view from the parvis over the Vesdre valley and Eupen's rooftops well rewards the climb.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SABasilica of Saint-Nicolas, Eupen
Landmark
Imposing 18th-century Baroque church dominating the old town, with a classical façade and richly decorated interior. The bell tower offers a clear view over the roofs of Eupen and the Ardennes hills.Museum of the German-speaking Community (Parlamentsgebäude)
Landmark
The parliament of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Europe's smallest recognised linguistic community, offers unique educational guided tours. Understanding how 78,000 German speakers manage their cultural autonomy is fascinating.Church of Saint Mary, Eupen (Marienkirche)
Landmark
A 19th-century neo-Gothic church in the Bergstraße quarter, featuring remarkable coloured stained glass and exceptional acoustics. Summer organ concerts attract music enthusiasts from across the region.Museum of the City of Eupen (Stadtmuseum)
Landmark
Small local museum housed in a fine bourgeois residence, chronicling Eupen's textile and industrial history and its unique German-speaking identity in Belgium. Essential for understanding why this city is so different from the rest of Wallonia.Klötzerbahn – Upper Old Town of Eupen
Landmark
Historic paved shopping street connecting the market square to the old quarters, lined with half-timbered houses and 18th-century façades. This is where you best feel Eupen's distinctive Germanic-Walloon character.Rathaus Eupen (Town Hall)
Landmark
Neo-classical building from the 19th century at the heart of Rathausplatz, seat of the German-speaking Community of Belgium. Its bustling square is the true living room of the town, especially during weekly markets.Nature & parks (7)
Wikipedia (de) - CC BY-SAHertogenwald Estate
Nature
A vast state forest spanning over 4,000 hectares on the outskirts of Eupen, crisscrossed with mountain bike trails and equestrian paths. In autumn, the colours of the beech and spruce forests create scenes worthy of Germanic woodlands.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAVesdre Bridge – Riverside Promenade
Nature
Promenade along the Vesdre running through the heart of Eupen, with old stone bridges and verdant banks. A popular leisurely route for residents between the town centre and residential quarters.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SABarrage de la Gileppe
Nature
Spectacular reservoir lake a few kilometres from Verviers, guarded by a monumental stone lion. The circuit around the lake (14 km) is a classic family hike for Verviers residents at weekends.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAPolleur Bog Nature Reserve
Nature
Active peatland and birch forest a few kilometres from Eupen, traversed by wooden boardwalks. A wild, unspoilt corner where you easily spot grey herons and black woodpeckers away from tourist trails.Kettenis Fishing Pond
Nature
Tranquil body of water in the village of Kettenis, 3 km from Eupen, surrounded by meadows and weeping willows. Local fishermen gather here at dawn, but it is also a peaceful picnic spot popular with families.Vesdre Valley Trail – Eupen–Nispert Section
Nature
A walk along the Vesdre from Eupen town centre to the hamlet of Nispert, passing through wetland meadows and riparian woodland. A 6 km round-trip route popular with local families at weekends.Vesdre Dam (Talsperre Eupen)
Nature
Belgium's largest dam holding 25 million cubic metres of drinking water in the heart of the High Fens. The lake circuit (approximately 14 km) is a local classic for weekend walkers and runners.Viewpoints (2)
Weserberg Viewpoint
Viewpoint
A wooded hill east of Eupen offering a 180-degree panorama of the town, dam and the first ridges of the High Fens. Accessible on foot from the town centre in 20 minutes, it is the preferred spot for local photographers at sunrise.Judenkirchstraße Viewpoint
Viewpoint
One of the least-known viewpoints over the Vesdre valley and surrounding hills, accessible on foot from the town centre in 10 minutes. Locals come here at sunset to enjoy the golden light on the rooftops.Activities (4)
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAHigh Fagnes Nature Centre (Haus Ternell)
Activity
Interpretation centre for peatland ecosystems, with permanent exhibitions on fauna, flora and geology of the High Fagnes. An ideal starting point before hiking to understand what you will see.
Wikipedia (de) - CC BY-SAEupener Brewery (Eupen Brauerei)
Activity
One of the region's oldest active breweries, producing the famous Eupen Pils and a few seasonal beers in the true Germanic tradition. The guided tour followed by a cellar tasting is a must for any beer enthusiast.Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAGeological Trail of Gileppe Dam
Activity
Dam nearby (15 km from Eupen) with a themed trail explaining Ardennes geology, crowned by a monumental stone lion. The view from the dam's crest over the artificial lake and forest is spectacular.Rathausplatz Weekly Market
Activity
Saturday morning market on Town Hall Square bringing together local producers, cheese-makers and bakers from the German-speaking region. This is where you find authentic artisan rye bread and Ardennes cheeses you won't find elsewhere.