Belgium Travel Guide
Delicious beers and chocolate, rolling hills, endless walking and cycling opportunities and cozy cities for a city trip. You will find it all close to home, in Belgium. Whether you want a weekend away or a longer holiday, you don't have to get bored in Belgium.
Europe
Dutch, French, German
Euro
Traveling to Belgium
Are you considering visiting Belgium? This small yet captivating country is packed with medieval charm, world-famous chocolate, and a vibrant cultural scene. Start in Brussels, the capital, where you can marvel at the stunning Grand Place, visit the quirky Atomium, or enjoy a plate of mussels and fries in a cozy café. For a trip back in time, explore the medieval streets of Bruges, with its canals and iconic Belfry tower. History buffs will appreciate a visit to the World War I battlefields in Flanders or the stunning town of Ghent with its medieval architecture. Belgium’s blend of history, culture, and culinary delights makes it a perfect European getaway. Read on to learn more about our community's top picks and favorite hidden gems.
Good to know before visiting Belgium
Best times to visit
The best times to visit are late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and festivals are abundant. Summer can be crowded, especially in tourist hotspots like Brussels and Bruges.
Languages
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. In Brussels, both French and Dutch are widely spoken. Knowing a few basic phrases in either language can enhance your interactions with locals.
Public transportation
Belgium has an efficient public transport system, including trains, trams, and buses. The SNCB/NMBS train service connects major cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges. Consider getting a Rail Pass for convenient travel.
Culinary highlights
Belgium is famous for its chocolate, waffles, and beer. Don’t miss trying local specialties like moules-frites (mussels and fries) and the wide variety of Belgian beers. Visit local breweries for tastings and tours.
Activities
What to do during your vacation to Belgium
The best overnight stays in Belgium
Beautiful hidden gems and charming cities in Belgium
The best holiday destinations in Belgium
Belgium is not big, but offers something for every holidaymaker. If you want to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, you should go to the West coast. Here you will find cozy seaside resorts such as Knokke-Heist and Ostend. Walk the beach, shop in the luxury clothing and vintage stores and enjoy a sumptuous dinner in one of the top restaurants. Those who prefer to wander through endless forests and rolling green hills, are looking for the Ardennes. In addition to peace and nature, you will find charming villages and towns in the Ardennes. Durbuy is the smallest city in the world and a must-see, especially at Christmas time. In the Ardennes you will find so many photogenic places that you can enjoy yourself for weeks.
On a city trip in Belgium
The Belgian cities are ideal for a city trip and weekend away. Look for romance in cities such as Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven. For example, stroll through the flea market in the Marolles district of Brussels, take a trip back in time in the Historium Bruges or enjoy a terrace in the "beer capital" Leuven. Browse museums in Antwerp and spoil your taste buds in Hasselt. In Arlon, the oldest city in Belgium, you dive into the history of the city and the country. Every city in Belgium has its own atmosphere and hidden gems.
Discover Belgium on foot or on two wheels
Hiking in Belgium
The Ardennes are very popular with hikers. And that is not surprising: the varied landscape of rolling fields, dense forests and heaths is never boring. The most beautiful walking routes in Belgium are the boardwalk in the swamp area De Hoge Venen and the path along the fairytale river Ninglinspo. For a long walk in the forest, you are in the right place in the area of Durbuy. For an underground walk, visit the largest cave system in Europe. A train will drop you off at the entrance of the Caves of Han, and from there you follow a walking route through illuminated corridors, rooms and halls. You can also enjoy hiking in Belgium outside the Ardennes. Stroll through a sea of blue in April when the hyacinths bloom in the Hallerbos. And at De Panne, on the coast, you walk through the Houtsaegerduinen nature reserve full of rare plants.
Cycling in Belgium
Whether you are looking for nature or culture, in Belgium you will also have a great time cycling. Brave the hills of the Ardennes on an (electric) bicycle, or look for flatter ground in the rest of Belgium. The RAVel network in Belgium consists of roads where you as a cyclist can enjoy the surroundings quietly and safely. Compile your own route from the more than 1400 kilometers of RAVel trails, or follow one of the 45 marked cycling routes. Cycle through history on the Vennbahn, a 125 kilometer long former railway line in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. In the artist village of Watou you cycle from poem to poem. If you want to sit on your bike for several days, you can cycle part of the 1050 kilometer long Maas route. The Belgian part of the route is one of the most beautiful parts of the route, because you cycle close to the Maas and cycle through the Ardennes.
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