Explore Belgium
Discover historic cities, magnificent architecture, beautiful medieval streets, famous food, lively squares, and diverse cultures across Belgium.
DISCOVER BELGIUM
Belgium may be one of Europe’s smaller countries, but it offers an impressive mix of historic cities, medieval architecture, beautiful squares, canals, local food, and distinct regional cultures.
Brussels combines grand historic buildings with the atmosphere of a modern European capital, while Bruges feels completely different with its canals, cobbled streets, and remarkably preserved medieval centre. Antwerp brings together history, fashion, art, and one of Europe’s major ports, while Liège offers a more local experience in the French-speaking region of Wallonia.
Belgium’s compact size is one of its biggest advantages for travellers. Cities are relatively close together and the railway network makes it easy to explore several destinations during one trip.
Here you’ll find my experiences in Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Liège, along with practical travel tips and useful information to help you plan your own trip to Belgium.
PLACES I’VE VISITED IN BELGIUM
Explore the places I’ve visited in Belgium, from the grand historic squares of Brussels and medieval streets of Bruges to the vibrant city life of Antwerp and the riverside character of Liège.
Brussels
Belgium’s capital, known for its magnificent Grand Place, historic architecture, lively streets, famous chocolate, waffles, and multicultural atmosphere.
Bruges
A beautifully preserved medieval city filled with picturesque canals, cobbled streets, historic buildings, charming squares, and storybook scenery.
Antwerp
A lively port city combining impressive historic architecture, fashion, art, shopping, beautiful squares, and a vibrant atmosphere along the River Scheldt.
Liège
A characterful city in eastern Belgium, known for its historic streets, lively squares, riverside setting, local food, and distinctive Walloon culture.
BELGIUM TRAVEL GUIDE
Everything you need to know to plan your trip to Belgium, from the best time to visit and travel costs to transport, accommodation, food, and practical tips.
BEST TIME TO VISIT BELGIUM
Belgium can be visited throughout the year, but April to June and September to October are particularly good periods for sightseeing.
Spring brings longer days, milder temperatures, and colourful parks and gardens. Early autumn can also be comfortable for exploring cities on foot while avoiding some of the busiest summer periods.
July and August usually bring the warmest weather, but popular destinations such as Brussels and Bruges can become much busier.
Winter is colder and daylight hours are shorter, but Belgium’s historic cities can be especially atmospheric during the Christmas season, when festive markets and decorations appear in many city centres.
Rain is possible at any time of year, so carrying a lightweight waterproof jacket or umbrella is a good idea.
HOW MUCH DOES BELGIUM COST?
Belgium is not one of Europe’s cheapest destinations, but its compact size and good public transportation make it possible to travel without spending heavily on taxis or rental cars.
A budget traveller might spend around €75–€125 per day, excluding international travel, by choosing hostels or inexpensive accommodation, using trains and public transport, and mixing restaurants with bakeries, supermarkets, and casual food.
For a more comfortable trip with a private hotel room, restaurants, intercity trains, and paid attractions, around €150–€300+ per day is more realistic.
Accommodation in central Brussels and Bruges can become expensive during weekends and busy periods.
Booking accommodation early and travelling outside peak dates can help reduce costs.
Because Belgian cities are relatively close together, you can also stay in one city and make day trips rather than changing hotels every night.
GETTING TO BELGIUM
Belgium is extremely well connected with neighbouring European countries.
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the country’s main international airport and provides connections to destinations across Europe and beyond.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is another important airport, particularly for low-cost European flights, although it is located considerably farther from central Brussels.
Belgium is also very easy to reach by train.
High-speed and international rail services connect Brussels with cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, and other European destinations.
International coaches provide another option and can sometimes be cheaper than trains.
Belgium’s central European location makes it particularly easy to include as part of a trip through France, the Netherlands, Germany, or Luxembourg.
GETTING AROUND BELGIUM
Belgium has an extensive railway network, and travelling between the major cities is straightforward.
Trains connect Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Liège, and many other cities and towns.
Because the country is relatively small, journey times between major destinations are often manageable, making day trips practical.
Within Brussels, you can use the Metro, trams, and buses, while other Belgian cities have their own local bus and tram networks.
Historic centres such as Bruges are best explored on foot.
A rental car is generally unnecessary if you’re mainly visiting cities. Public transport avoids the hassle of parking and traffic while allowing you to travel directly between city centres.
A car becomes more useful if you want to explore rural areas and smaller destinations that are less convenient by public transport.
WHERE TO STAY IN BELGIUM
The best place to stay depends on which cities you plan to visit.
In Brussels, staying around the historic centre provides easy access to Grand Place and many major attractions. Areas slightly outside the centre can offer better value while remaining well connected by public transport.
In Bruges, staying within or close to the historic centre allows you to experience the city early in the morning and evening, when many day visitors have left.
In Antwerp, accommodation around the historic centre or within easy reach of Antwerpen-Centraal station can be convenient for sightseeing and onward travel.
In Liège, staying around the centre provides easy access to restaurants, shopping streets, and many of the city’s attractions.
If you’re planning several day trips, Brussels can work well as a central base because of its railway connections.
FOOD IN BELGIUM
Food is one of the highlights of visiting Belgium.
The country is famous internationally for Belgian waffles, chocolate, fries, and beer, but Belgian cuisine offers much more than these well-known favourites.
Traditional dishes include moules-frites (mussels with fries), carbonnade flamande (a Flemish beef stew), and a variety of regional meat and seafood dishes.
Belgium also has a strong bakery and café culture, making it easy to find pastries, sandwiches, and inexpensive meals during the day.
Chocolate shops are everywhere in tourist areas, particularly in Brussels and Bruges.
Belgian fries are traditionally served with a wide selection of sauces and can be an inexpensive snack or quick meal.
Each region has its own food traditions, so trying local specialities as you travel between cities is part of the experience.
MONEY AND PAYMENTS IN BELGIUM
Belgium uses the Euro (€).
Credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, shops, and tourist attractions.
Contactless and mobile payments are also common.
Carrying a small amount of cash can still be useful for markets, small businesses, public toilets, or occasional situations where card payments aren’t available.
ATMs are widely available in cities.
If you’re using a foreign bank card, check whether your provider charges foreign transaction or cash withdrawal fees.
If an ATM or payment terminal offers to convert your payment into your home currency, check the exchange rate carefully before accepting.
STAYING CONNECTED IN BELGIUM
Getting online in Belgium is straightforward.
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants, railway stations, airports, and many public places.
Visitors can purchase a Belgian or European SIM card or use an eSIM for mobile data.
Mobile coverage is generally strong in cities and populated areas.
Having mobile data is particularly useful for checking train schedules, navigating between railway stations and accommodation, finding restaurants, and using maps.
If you’re making several day trips, keeping the Belgian railway website or transport app accessible on your phone can make planning much easier.
IS BELGIUM SAFE FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS?
Belgium is straightforward to explore independently, particularly because of its extensive railway network and walkable historic centres.
As in other popular European destinations, normal precautions are important.
Keep your phone, wallet, passport, camera, and other valuables secure around busy railway stations, crowded public transport, nightlife areas, and major tourist attractions.
Brussels is a large capital city, so the atmosphere can change considerably between neighbourhoods. Pay attention to your surroundings, particularly when walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas.
Busy stations such as Brussels-Midi can attract large numbers of travellers, so keep an eye on your luggage and personal belongings.
The European emergency number 112 can be used for emergency services in Belgium.
VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, so entry requirements depend on your nationality.
British citizens travelling with a full British citizen passport can generally visit Belgium and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism and certain other permitted activities.
Passport validity requirements also apply, so check your passport before travelling.
European border procedures are changing, including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the planned ETIAS travel authorisation system. Requirements and implementation arrangements can change, so always check the latest official information before your trip.
Visitors with other passports may require a Schengen visa depending on their nationality and circumstances. Always confirm the latest entry requirements before travelling.
WHAT TO WEAR IN BELGIUM
Belgian weather can be unpredictable, so layers are useful throughout much of the year.
During summer, lightweight clothing is suitable for warmer days, but bringing a light jacket is sensible for cooler evenings or rainy weather.
Spring and autumn can bring a mixture of sunshine, rain, wind, and cooler temperatures, so a waterproof jacket and layers are useful.
Winter can be cold and wet, requiring a warm coat and suitable footwear.
Comfortable walking shoes are particularly important in historic cities such as Brussels and Bruges, where you may spend hours exploring on foot and encounter cobbled streets.
A compact umbrella can also be useful throughout the year.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED IN BELGIUM?
For Brussels alone, around 2–3 days gives you enough time to explore the major attractions and different parts of the city without rushing.
Bruges can easily be visited as a day trip, although staying overnight gives you more time to experience the city after many day visitors have left.
With 5–7 days in Belgium, you can comfortably combine Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and another destination such as Liège.
With 7–10 days, you can travel more slowly and add smaller cities and towns without constantly moving between hotels.
Belgium’s compact size means you don’t need a long trip to experience several different destinations.
FINAL TIPS FOR VISITING BELGIUM
Take advantage of Belgium’s railway network rather than limiting yourself to one city.
Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Liège each have a noticeably different atmosphere, and travelling between them gives you a much better sense of the country.
Spend time beyond Brussels’ Grand Place. The square is spectacular, but exploring surrounding streets, neighbourhoods, markets, cafés, and local restaurants gives you a broader experience of the capital.
In Bruges, arrive early or stay into the evening if possible. The historic centre can become busy with day visitors during peak periods.
Don’t leave Belgium without trying some of its local food. Chocolate, waffles, fries, and traditional dishes are all part of the experience.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate Belgium because of its size. The short distances between cities make it one of the easiest countries in Europe for combining several very different destinations in a single trip.
READY TO EXPLORE BELGIUM?
From the grand squares of Brussels and medieval canals of Bruges to Antwerp’s vibrant streets and the distinctive character of Liège, Belgium offers historic architecture, incredible food, beautiful cities, and plenty to discover. Start planning your trip and experience it for yourself.
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