Complete Belgium Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
Belgium is a small country in Western Europe with a population of 11 million. It is best known for its beer, chocolate, fries, and varieties of waffles. You will find medieval architecture, gorgeous canals, castles, quirky comics and sculptures, forests of bluebells, ghost towns full of graffiti, and tons of history, including Waterloo. The country receives over 4 million tourists each year. Planning international travel can be overwhelming and time-consuming while working full-time. Use this Belgium travel guide and the following Belgium travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation. The top destinations in Belgium are Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent.
Why Visit Brussels Belgium
Brussels Belgium is unofficially the capital of the EU. It is the home of the European Union Commission and the headquarters of NATO. The city is full of art nouveau, cobblestone pathways, sidewalk cafes, comic book murals, a little boy famous for peeing, frites, waffles, beer, and melt-in-your-mouth chocolates.
READ 100 to Do in Brussels Belgium, a Bucket List City
READ One Day in Brussels, a Detailed Itinerary
Why Visit Bruges
Bruges Belgium has been called an open-air museum and is one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The historic pedestrian-only city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bruges is also nicknamed Venice of the North due to its canals lined by weeping willow trees and white swans. You will find lots of folklore, chocolate shops, and lace boutiques.
READ Top Things to Do in Bruges Belgium During a Day Trip
Why Visit Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city. It is also the world’s diamond capital. Antwerp is gritty and a favorite of the hipster crowd. You will find coffee cafes, second-hand stores, art galleries, and vinyl record shops. In 2019, Lonely Planet awarded Antwerp as a Top 10 City in its Best in Travel awards.
READ A Perfect Day in Antwerp Belgium: Exploring the Highlights in 24 Hours
Why Visit Ghent
Ghent Belgium is a fairytale city full of medieval architecture, cathedrals, belfry, guildhalls, the Graslei, St. Michael’s Bridge, and cobbled streets. Ghent is a college town with a thriving nightlife and has been named one of the UNESCO Cities of Music.
READ One Day in Ghent Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
What You Need to Know When Planning a Trip to Belgium
Where is Belgium?
Belgium is in Western Europe. The country is bordered by the North Sea, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. Brussels is the capital and largest city of Belgium. Brussels is also the unofficial capital of the European Union due to the number of EU institutions in the city.
What is the language in Belgium?
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Dutch (60%) is the most spoken language followed by French (40%) and German (1%). Interestingly, language is a political issue in Belgium. It is important to not speak the wrong language in the wrong area. Brussels is considered a bilingual city, French is the most commonly spoken. Speak Dutch in the northern region of Flanders and German in the province of Liege. English is taught in the school system and spoken by 55% of the population. Similar to France, it is important to at least try to speak the common language before resorting to English. FluentU offers a helpful list of common words and phrases to learn before you travel.
Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?
According to Project Visa, US citizens do not need a visa for a visit up to 90 days in a 6 month period.
What is the currency in Belgium?
The currency in Belgium is the euro. US dollars are not accepted at restaurants, attractions, or stores. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can I use credit cards and ATMs in Belgium?
ATMs are available throughout Belgium. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Belgium and google its location before you travel. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Belgium, you will need a 4-digit PIN from the bank. American Express and Discover may be accepted. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and make purchases in euros. It is always a good idea to carry some cash.
How much should I budget per day in Belgium?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Belgium is $130. Expect to pay $1,815 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When is the best time to visit Belgium?
The high season in Belgium is June to August, expect high prices and crowds. The shoulder season is April-May and September to October. The low season is November through March, crowds are low and temperatures are moderately chilly. Snow is rare in Belgium but rain is common. Christmas Markets are held from November to December and Carnival is held from February to March.
What transportation does Belgium use?
Tram, bus, and taxi are available in Belgium cities. Unlimited transportation cards are available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Brussels also has Uber and a metro system. MoBIB cards are transportation cards for all public transportation systems and domestic train travel within Belgium. They can be loaded for various amounts depending on your needs. Download the SNCB/NMBS app to plan routes and purchase tickets in the country. Belgium is well connected domestically and internationally by rail. Always prepurchase tickets to avoid a surcharge. Eurostar connects Brussels South Station and London in under two hours. Thalys connects Paris and Brussels in under 90 minutes. I do not suggest car rental in Brussels, the traffic jams are incredible. Arrive an hour early when traveling Eurostar or Thalys for passport control.
What kind of adaptor do I need in Belgium?
The plugs in Belgium are type C and E. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection. You will need a converter if you plan to use an electric razor or blow dryer from the US.
What should I pack for Belgium?
The overall clothing style is a casual look in dark colors, jeans are popular. The weather fluctuates in the Spring and Fall, plan to dress in layers. Rain is common, so pack an umbrella. Wear shoes with cushioned soles for walking on cobbled streets.
Is Belgium a safe country for solo travelers?
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Belgium is medium. The risk of mugging is medium and the risk of pickpocketing is high. The terrorist threat in Belgium is high, avoid crowded places, areas, events, or demonstrations. That being said, Belgium is considered safe for women travelers. Dial 112 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What Belgian food do I need to try?
Chocolate, beer, waffles, and fries! Also, steak tartare, boulets liégeoise (meatballs in sauce), mitraillette (fried meat and fries sandwich), anguilles au vert (eels in green sauce), waterzooi (seafood stew),carbonnade (beef stew), moules-frites (mussels and fries), shrimp croquettes, tomaat met grijze garnalen (tomatoes stuffed with shrimp), vol-au-vent (pastry stuffed with chicken and mushrooms), stoemp (mashed potatoes and vegetables), lard balls (Dutch doughnuts or dutchies), rijsttaart (rice tart), and drink jenever (juniper flavored alcohol).
Tips for Traveling in Belgium
- Tipping is not mandatory, yet it might be already added to the bill.
- You need 1 euro to use public restrooms.
- Belgium beer is 7.5 to 10.5% alcohol.
- Bars are open all night, there is no last call.
- Do not steal bar glasses.
- Stay out of the bike lane, it looks like a sidewalk.
- Do not cross streets against the light.
- Signal lights change from green to red, there is no in-between (yellow).
- Many shops are closed on Sunday.
- Many attractions and museums are closed on Monday and Wednesday.
- Belgians have their own sense of humor (think Manneken Pis).
- Belgians do not talk about money.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Belgium
- Take a boat trip through the canals of Bruges.
- Visit the Grand Place in Brussels.
- Tour the chocolate shops in Brussels.
- Visit the Grand Place (Grote Markt) in Antwerp.
- See the graffiti in Doel, now a ghost town.
- Explore Gravensteen Castle and Old Town Ghent.
- Check out the Grote Markt in Mechelen’s Old Town.
- Explore the stone houses and cobbled streets of Durbuy.
- Visit the Hallerbos (Blue Forest) in April or May for the bluebell bloom.
- Enjoy a beer in the longest bar in the world, Leuven’s Old Square.
Check the Belgium Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Interesting Facts About Belgium
- Belgium has 3 languages and none of them are Belgium.
- Mannequin Pis is Belgium’s national symbol and he has hundreds of outfits.
- Belgium holds the world record for the longest period without a government, 589 days.
- Belgians are fined if they do not vote.
- Europe’s first skyscraper was built in Antwerp Belgium in 1928.
- The longest tram line in the world is the Belgian Coast Tram.
- Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world.
- Belgians invented “French” fries.
- Belgium produces over 220,000 tons of chocolate each year.
- You could drink a different Belgian beer for more than 3 years and each beer has its own specific glass.
- Belgium’s beer culture has made the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
- In the 1970s, light beer was served at school lunch.
- The Smurfs are Belgian.
- The world’s smallest city, Durbuy, is in Belgium.
- The oldest shopping arcade in the world is in Brussels, the Galeries St Hubert.
- Belgians created the Big Bang Theory, Body Mass Index (BMI), Imodium, the saxophone, asphalt, and plastic.
- Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto while exiled in Brussels in 1848.
- Belgium’s highway system has so many lights it can be seen from the moon.
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport is the most punctual airport in Europe.
- Belgium was the world’s second country to legalize same-sex marriage.
- The divorce rate in Belgium is the highest in Western Europe.
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