Belgium travel guide
Belgium Tourism | Belgium Guide
You're Going to Love Belgium
Belgium is a fascinating country filled with medieval towns, museums and art galleries, not to mention its natural beauty in the forms of caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites, forests and beaches.
What to do in Belgium
1. Enjoy Belgian Cuisine
Moules frites, beer and chocolate are the three food items that bring Belgium to mind. Visit a chocolate museum and don't forget to sample moules frites and beer, especially during the summer months.
2. Visit the Canals of Bruges
A UNESCO listed city, Bruges's canals are a popular touristic point of interest. Take a canal boat and visit the city from the water ways that were once used to transport goods.
3. Discover Belgian Lace
Learn how Belgian lace is made with a visit to the Kantcentrum where there is a museum and knowledge center as well as lace-making demonstrations.
4. Visit Museums and Art Galleries
The Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels is a group of museums dedicated to displaying and preserving the work of Belgian artists from as far back as the early fifteenth century.
5. Explore Castles
Belgium has a number of castles and stately homes to visit. Château de Modave, Château de Buillon and Citadelle de Namur are just three of the ones that are popular with visitors.
When to visit Belgium
Spring and summer (April through September) are the best times to visit Belgium as the weather is pleasant and warm. December is also a good time to take advantage of the Christmas markets.
How to Get to Belgium
Entry Requirements
Visas are not required for visitors with EU/EEA passports, while those holding Australian, Canadian and US passports are able to stay, visa-free, for up to 90 days. Belgium is part of the Schengen Zone, so Schengen nationals can travel to the country freely.
Plane
The major airports in Belgium are Brussels Airport and Antwerp International Airport, which both receive international flights. There is a train from Brussels Airport into the city and a ticket will cost €8.50 ($9.50) one way while a cab into the center of Antwerp will cost €20 ($22).
Train
The Eurostar travels from London to Brussels Midi/Zuid with fares from around €110 ($122) for a return trip to London. There are also train services that run to Belgium from France, Germany and the Netherlands, with Belgium's National Rail Service including connections to cities all over Europe.
Car
It is easy to drive into Belgium from neighbouring countries in Europe. The roads are well-marked and well-maintained.
Boat
Cruise lines stop at Zeebrugge, which is a Belgian coastal town, and there are ferry operators that run services between the UK and Belgium.
Popular airports in Belgium
Popular airlines serving Belgium
Where to stay in Belgium
Luxury hotels and privately-owned guest houses provide accommodation for visitors to Belgium. Smaller towns, such as Ghent and Bruges, tend to house quaint, private hotels in the old narrow streets, while the larger chains, such as Radisson, are on the outskirts. Bed and breakfasts are very popular in Belgium and there are also plenty of aparthotels and self-catering options in the cities.
Where to stay in popular areas of Belgium
Most booked hotels in Belgium
How to Get Around Belgium
Public Transportation
The public transport network in Belgian cities is extensive, with options for trams, metro and buses in Antwerp and Brussels, and tramways in cities such as Ghent and Ostend. All cities have an efficient bus service.
Trains
The national Belgian rail network, SNCB, has an extensive network around the country with regular trains running on a daily basis. There are various fare options depending on your type of travel.
Car
Belgium's road network is efficient and well-connected. Driving is a good way to see the country and cars can be rented from companies such as Europcar, Avis and Sixt from €50 ($55) per day.
The Cost of Living in Belgium
ATMs are located in all towns and cities and all the major credit cards, such as Visa, Amex, and MasterCard, are accepted throughout the country. It is a good idea to have some cash to make payments in the smaller, rural villages.
In a relatively inexpensive restaurant, a meal could cost around €15 ($16) while a three-course meal for two people in a slightly more mid-range restaurant will be in the region of about €60 ($66). At a supermarket or grocery store, a 0.2 gallon of milk costs about €0.97 ($1.10) and a dozen eggs around €2.60 ($2.90).