This Small Town Is One of Europe’s Best-kept Secrets

Located just a 45-minute drive outside of Brussels, Brugelette, Belgium, at just 20 square miles in size, is a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

This small town, which is a municipality of Wallonia, is filled with charming details, history, and wildlife from all over the world. Brugelette is fairly underrated, so you won’t have to deal with overwhelming crowds of people, but not so unknown that you will struggle finding accommodations. In fact, Brugelette is trending, according to online travel agency Hotels.com.

The site’s internal data shows that searches for the town have increased by 140 percent between 2024 and 2025, meaning you’re likely to bump into fellow travelers as you wander through small streets, visit the award-winning zoological gardens, and explore its historic architecture.

There are many things to do in this town, but the first thing on your list should be a visit to Pairi Daiza, widely considered to be Europe’s best zoo. It has also been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide—meaning it is considered a must-visit destination. The zoo gardens, interesting architecture, and it has more than 7,500 animals, and you can actually spend a night at the attraction among the animals. That’s right, you can sleep face to face with Siberian tigers or with an overhead view of polar bears. Adult tickets range between $50 and $57 and can be purchased on the Pairi Daiza website.

Beyond the zoo, you’ll also find Brugelette surrounded by four UNESCO sites that are all part of the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia, considered four of the best preserved mines from the 19th and 20th centuries. Through the mines, visitors can get a glimpse into days gone by and view prime examples of functional architecture from the height of the Industrial Revolution.

For even older historic buildings, consider checking out Château d’Attre and Château de Beloeil. Château d’Attre is a castle that was built in the late 1700s, and largely influenced by French architecture from Louis XV’s era—buildings from this era were characterized by their modest exteriors that deeply contrasted with their lavish interior design. The grounds of Château d’Attre also include a pristinely manicured garden, an artificial rock cave, and a Swiss chalet.  Château de Beloeil, on the other hand, is an 800-year-old castle completely surrounded by a moat. This regal property is still home to the actual House of Lignes, one of the oldest noble families in Europe—but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit. Today, you can tour parts of the home and the building’s gardens.

Whether you want to take a day trip from Brussels or want to pencil a few days on a whirlwind European itinerary, Brugelette has plenty for nature and history enthusiasts, without all the crowds.