In a Liège of its Own | Liège, Belgium
About Liège
Not high on the list of must-see destinations for many students studying abroad, or really for many tourists visiting the European continent, Liège is a city often overlooked. With hidden gems and known landmarks dating back to the medieval era, a grand 374-step staircase, and its own signature style of waffle (gaufre if you’re fancy), Liège is a city in a league of its own, and, as the third most populous city of Belgium, it proves to be a day trip destination with no shortage of things to do or see… even on a Sunday, when most businesses in the region are closed for all or part of the day.
Our time in the city
Going into the day with no concrete plan and only a rough list of a few attractions that caught our attention in the quick google search that constituted our “research” before booking the brief bus ride from Maastricht to Liège, we were hoping that the city would deliver just that: an abundance of things to see and do in a short time.
Stumbling upon landmarks serendipitously in our galavanting (that’s what my dad would call our mostly-aimless wandering), we could not have been more pleased. Even more, there was something about how the day just seemed to fall together that made it all the better. From uncertainly making our way through the less than ideal area of town where the bus dropped us off to excitedly climbing a winding road past a grand palace on our way to the top of the city staircase, the day had the kind of upward trajectory we could only dream of.
When we finally found ourselves out of time in Liège, we were beyond pleased with our ability to accomplish everything we had hoped for and more. Between the Belgian culinary classics (waffles and fries), the charming city streets, and the energetic street market, we took advantage of everything that our five hours allowed, and having walked ten miles, our feet were sore and we were looking forward to the idea of propping up our feet on the couches of our communal dorm living rooms back in Maastricht.
What not to miss
Now, reflecting back on our busy day in Liège, the highlights can’t be confined to a list of destinations and activities, but nonetheless, there are some things you just shouldn’t miss while in city.
Mentioned a couple times in this post already, it should come as no surprise that Montagne de Bueren tops this list. Perhaps the most famous landmark in Liège, this staircase boasts panoramic city views with the added bonus of a great workout. Find your way to the top by climbing the winding road through the nearby neighborhood like we did for a stroll through some off-the-beaten-path cobblestone streets lined with adorable homes and a little added exploration.
On our way to the famed city steps (one of the only landmarks that we actively sought out), we turned the corner to be confronted by the grandiose facade of the Palais des Prince-Eveques, the Palace of the Prince-Bishops. While I am only just now learning its name for the purpose of writing this post, an embarrassing testament to the lack of research that went into this day trip, the palace left a lasting impression, as its beauty stunned from all sides.
While we did not go inside the Palace, something that is available via guided tour, we did enter the famed St. Paul’s Cathedral, a piece of Liège heritage dating back to the thirteenth century. With the cathedral’s facade under plastic tarp and scaffolding wraps, it took us a moment to realize that we were in fact in the right place to begin with, but once we stepped inside, we were amazed. The stained-glass work and adorned ceilings made the visit worth it, even for those like me who aren’t huge church people.
That’s not to say that the outside of the cathedral was a complete wash… I mean, the landscaping of the square right outside the cathedral doors made for a pretty special scene all on its own.
However, the best part of the trip was much less of a specific destination and much more an exciting experience. The Sunday market (Marche de la Batte) provided an energetic contrast to the mostly quiet and liesurely morning we had elsewhere in the city. While the rest of the city felt like a ghost town, with most restaurants, cafes, and businesses closed for the day, the market buzzed with excitement and energy as people strolled past vendors offering everything from discounted fashions to live farm animals (seriously, I can’t make this up).
What to know before you go
Even though our largely unplanned day (luckily) turned into a wonderful experience that has found its way near the top of my list of experiences abroad so far, there are some things that I wish I would have known about prior to intentionally getting a little lost in the city of Liège. Particularly, two things would have come in handy in order to avoid a few of the mistakes and frustrations we ran into along the way:
Know the business hours. While Sundays in Liège are great for experiencing the street market, be ware that not many other businesses will be open, especially if you plan on visiting in the earlier hours of the day.
Research the neighborhoods. While I personally find it valuable to experience all kinds of neighborhoods and refrain from sticking to the tried and true tourist traps, there were times when I felt mildly uneasy, having stumbled upon areas of town that might not have been the most conducive to two unassuming, young, foreign women wandering aimlessly in search of breathtaking views and/or coffee. That’s not to say I wouldn’t walk through these areas of town again— I absolutely would, but it never hurts to be informed of when you should be a little more alert.
