Belgium travel guide: plan your trip
Travelling in Belgium means exploring a small, well-connected country by train: historic cities of canals and guildhalls such as Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, a cosmopolitan capital in Brussels and the forests and rivers of the Ardennes. Beer culture, chocolate, fries and Flemish art are all part of the journey.
When to go
April to June and September bring mild weather and fewer crowds, ideal for walking around Bruges and Ghent. July and August are the liveliest months, with busy terraces and beach days on the coast. Autumn colours the Ardennes, perfect for hiking. In December, the Christmas markets of Brussels, Bruges and Ghent add plenty of atmosphere. Rain can arrive in any season, so plan some indoor time.
Where to go
Brussels
The Grand-Place, with its gilded guildhalls, is the place to start. The capital adds the Atomium, Victor Horta's Art Nouveau buildings, the Magritte Museum, the European Quarter and lively neighbourhoods such as Saint-Gilles and Ixelles.
Bruges
Its medieval centre of canals, stone bridges and step-gabled brick houses is remarkably well preserved. Climb the belfry on the Markt, wander through the beguinage and take a canal boat ride in the late afternoon light.
Ghent
More of a student city and less touristy than Bruges, Ghent pairs the Graslei and Korenlei quays with the Castle of the Counts and St Bavo's Cathedral, home to the Van Eyck brothers' Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
Antwerp
A port city with a design streak, Antwerp has a cathedral holding works by Rubens, the painter's house and studio, the MAS museum by the docks and a monumental central station. Its fashion scene and Belgian designer shops are well known.
The Ardennes
In the south, wooded valleys, rivers and stone villages. Dinant on the Meuse below its citadel, Durbuy and Bouillon Castle above the Semois are good stops to combine nature, castles and hearty game dishes.
What to do
Belgian beer culture
Belgium has a deep brewing tradition: Trappist and abbey beers, lambics and krieks from around Brussels and seasonal brews. Each is usually served in its own glass, and many cafés offer long beer lists to explore at a relaxed pace.
Fries, waffles and chocolate
Order fries from a friterie with mayonnaise or another sauce, try mussels with fries, a caramelised Liège waffle and pralines from artisan chocolatiers. Carbonade flamande, a beef and beer stew, is another classic worth seeking out.
The Flemish Primitives
Ghent and Bruges were centres of fifteenth-century Flemish painting. Beyond the Van Eyck altarpiece in Ghent, the Groeninge Museum and St John's Hospital, with works by Memling, showcase this art in Bruges.
The Brussels comic strip route
Brussels is the home of Belgian comics, from Tintin to Spirou and the Smurfs. Dozens of murals of comic characters are scattered around the city for you to spot on foot, and the Belgian Comic Strip Center occupies a Horta building.
Kayaking the River Lesse
In the Ardennes, paddling down the Lesse between cliffs and forests near Dinant is a classic outing. The region also offers caves such as those at Han-sur-Lesse and waymarked trails for hiking or mountain biking.
The Coast Tram
A tram runs along almost the entire Belgian coast, from Knokke to De Panne, letting you hop between wide beaches, dunes and towns such as Ostend and De Haan, with its Belle Époque villas.
Practical tips
- Dutch is spoken in Flanders, French in Wallonia, both in Brussels, and there is a German-speaking community in the east; greet people in the local language.
- Many cities have two names, such as Antwerpen/Anvers, Gent/Gand and Liège/Luik, so keep this in mind when reading train and road signs.
- Distances are short and trains link the main cities frequently, so a single base lets you take many day trips.
- Pack a rain jacket or a folding umbrella: rain is common throughout the year, even in the summer months.
As a couple, family or with friends
Belgium suits a short group trip: base yourselves in Brussels or Ghent, take the train to Bruges and Antwerp, and hire a car only for the Ardennes. With children, the Atomium, the caves at Han and the coast work very well. In Gata you can save ideas and decide together where to stay.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Bruges and Ghent as day trips from Brussels?
Yes. Both are well connected to Brussels by train and easy to see on day trips. Even so, spending a night in Bruges or Ghent lets you enjoy the canals in the evening and early morning, when there are fewer visitors around.
What language is spoken in Belgium?
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Flanders, with Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, speaks Dutch; Wallonia speaks French; Brussels is bilingual. In tourist areas many people also speak English.
How many days do I need for a first trip to Belgium?
Four or five days are enough to see Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp at a good pace. With two or three extra days you can add the Ardennes or the coast. The country is small, so it adapts easily to a long weekend or a full week.
Is Belgium a good destination for families?
Yes. Comic strip murals, the Atomium, chocolate and waffles are big hits with children, and the Coast Tram leads to wide sandy beaches. In the Ardennes there are caves, castles and rivers for family kayaking.
