Belgium’s Background

Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, and Germany occupied it during World Wars I and II. It has thrived over the last half-century as a sophisticated, technologically advanced European state and NATO and EU member. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have resulted in constitutional revisions in recent years affording both areas legal status and autonomy.

What is now Belgium has been in the path of invaders since at least Roman times. For millennia, cities have been devastated and awful battles have fought, not just the last two. A lion statue atop a conical artificial hill overlooks the world-famous Waterloo battlefield, where Napoleon was eventually vanquished. In Flanders, apparently endless rows of white gravestones commemorate four years of WWI suffering. Furthermore, haunting ancient prison camps and various museums respectfully recall those who died in WWII, the later phases of which included Hitler’s lethal ‘Battle-of-the-Bulge’ counter-attack in the Ardennes.

For good reason, Belgium was chosen as the European Union and NATO headquarters: its cuisine and liquor! After all, diplomacy is a business desperate for good food and drinks.

Belgium’s greatest lures are its medieval town centers, which are home to multiple Unesco World Heritage sites and countless superb cafe-bars serving some of the world’s best beers. Stalactite-filled tunnels, post-industrial history, forest-edged kayaking rivers, bucolic chateaux, and sandy North Sea beaches are also available. Cutting-edge museums and beautifully funded galleries depict the tangled history of what has been a furnace of European art, from the Flemish Primitives to Rubens’ sensual nymphs and Art Nouveau’s twisted curves, bizarre surrealism, comic strips, and 21st-century fashion. Belgium is also home to some of the world’s craziest carnivals.

Belgians are passionate foodies who appreciate their country’s cuisine. It’s always wonderful, whether it’s a quick snack like fries (smothered in sauce), a savory dish like mussels, or a sweet dessert-like one of their world-famous waffles. And you can wash it all down with one of the country’s hundreds, if not thousands, of distinct beers. Walking down any random street in Brussels may clog your arteries, but you’ll soon forget about it when you buy another box of Belgium chocolates from one of the many chocolatiers.

“Belgium is a gorgeous nation with a rich history, charm, antique architecture, and, most importantly, delicious cuisine.“

Despite its tiny size, Belgium is a country of dramatic contrasts: linguistic, cultural, and topographical. The majority of the old “art” cities are in generally flat, Dutch-speaking Flanders, enticing visitors with medieval belfries, charming market squares, and step-gabled structures that typically overlook lovely urban canals. These wonderful museums and galleries are close together and easily accessible by public transit. Despite several intriguing post-industrial cities, much of hilly, French-speaking Wallonia is still largely rural. Having your own transportation is useful for going to the region’s stunning caverns, towering castles, and pastoral valleys, where there is endless outdoor enjoyment to be had.

Overall, being active is critical if you don’t want to gain weight while in Belgium. Fortunately, whether you are interested in sports or culture, there is enough to see and do. Visit medieval Ghent or Bruges, hike the Ardennes, learn to play the saxophone in Dinant, learn about the European Union and interact with authorities in Brussels, ponder on the sorrows of war in Ypres and its poppy fields, and cycle from one brewery to the next to work off those calories!

You may believe that this little country has nothing to offer, yet this is precisely why it is attractive, It packs a punc. With one of Europe’s most beautiful canal towns, breathtaking architecture, an enthralling history, and, of course, great Belgian food–most notably Belgian chocolate, Belgian waffles, Belgian beer, and Belgian Frites – no, it was never French.

Belgium's Highlights

Belgium's Hints & Tips

Safety in Belgium

Belgium's Highlights

Belgium's Hints & Tips

Safety in Belgium

Ardennes Bruges Canal Grote Markt Grand Place

When to travel to Belgium?

How to get to Belgium?

Transportation Inside Belgium

Calls & Internet in Belgium

When to travel to Belgium?

How to get to Belgium?

Transportation Inside Belgium

Calls & Internet in Belgium

Top Places in Belgium

Grote Markt

The Grand Place, also known as the Grote Markt, is Brussels, Belgium’s principal plaza. The square is 68 by 110 meters in size and is totally paved. During the Nine Years’ War, during the shelling of Brussels by French soldiers in 1695, the majority of the plaza was devastated. The square’s cultural importance was uncovered in the mid-nineteenth century, and it was extensively rebuilt. It is bordered by lavish Baroque guildhalls of the ancient Guilds of Brussels, as well as two bigger edifices; the city’s Flamboyant Town Hall, and the neo-Gothic King’s House or Bread House structure, which houses the Brussels City Museum.

Atomium

The Atomium is a landmark structure in Brussels, Belgium that was built for the 1958 World’s Fair. It is 102 meters tall and was designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak. Its nine 18-meter-diameter stainless steel-clad spheres are linked in the configuration of a unit cell, which might represent an iron crystal multiplied 165 billion times. The exhibition was place on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau near Laeken. It is now the most popular tourist destination in Brussels, serving as a museum, an art center, and a cultural venue.

Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis is a 61-centimeter bronze sculpture in downtown Brussels showing a nude little boy peeing into the fountain’s basin. It is one of the most well-known icons of Brussels and Belgium. Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, a Brabantine sculptor, created it and had it installed in 1618 or 1619. The existing statue is a reproduction from 1965. The original may be seen at the Brussels City Museum.

Ardennes

The Ardennes are vast forests, rugged terrain, rolling hills, and ridges in Belgium and Luxembourg that stretch into Germany and France. The mountain is a western extension of the Eifel; both were formed during the Devonian Givetian era. The Ardennes’ forests and rivers produced the charcoal that allowed Wallonia’s great industrial boom in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official residence of Belgium’s King and Queen. It is located in the heart of Brussels, Belgium’s capital, however, it is not utilized as a royal home. The current building’s primary core dates from the late 18th century. However, the grounds on which it sits were previously part of the Coudenberg Palace, a Middle Ages palace complex.

3-day Itinerary in Belgium (with extension options)

Day 1

Arrive at Bruges

Beautiful Bruges is renowned as one of Europe’s most beautiful little cities, and some people refer to it as the “Venice of the North.”

Of course, it’s no Venice, but it has its glam with its beautiful canals in its own right, and–despite its touristic reputation and crowds during peak season it still has its charm.

Begin with a canal cruise. The canals of Bruges are very stunning, and like other canals, they are best appreciated from the boat.

Canal excursions in Bruges are inexpensive, and because the canals are narrow, they take place in little boats that are tranquil to ride in–nothing like the massive barge-like contraptions found in Amsterdam.

You will enjoy your canal ride and will be delighted you opted to begin your first vacation to Belgium with one.

Do you want stunning views of the city? Climb the Bruges Belfry. The finest of the best may be had for 12 Euro and a 366-step hike at Bruges’ Belfry.

If you try to photograph the Belfry from the foot of the tower, don’t be shocked if you don’t capture it quite right–the belfry truly leans to the east!

Wander around the charming alleys of Bruges. Bruges is stunning, and strolling aimlessly about town is a wonderful way to spend a day.

The Basilica of Holy Blood, Bruges’ Town Hall, Bruges’ windmills, filming locations from the movie “In Bruges”, and the gorgeous Minnewater Lake are all worth seeing.

There are numerous peaceful corners and great canal vistas to be found along the journey, so have your camera handy!

Where to stay in Bruges, Belgium

From Bruges, Ghent is 20-30 minutes away by train and Brussels is about an hour away by train, so there’s no need to move around if you don’t want to!

Backpacker:
Budget: Hotel Notre Dame
Mid-range: The Black Swan Hotel
High end: Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

Safety in Bruges

This section will be added shortly.

Transportation to and from Bruges

This section will be added shortly.

Day 2

Head to Ghent

Ghent is a student town at heart, full of canals, gorgeous, peaceful nooks, and street art, and is sometimes promoted as a (slightly) more cheap and less-touristy alternative to Bruges.

On the surface, the two cities are pretty similar, but Ghent has a more quirky atmosphere than Bruges’ Disneyland-like scenic splendor. So be sure to see these locations on your visit to Ghent.

Begin by looking at Gravensteen. Gravensteen Castle is the place to go if you want to see a castle that seems like it belongs in a storybook. Gravensteen, which dates back to the 10th century and is located exactly next to one of Ghent’s canals, is a grand and spectacular sight to witness.

After that, proceed to St. Bavo’s Cathedral. The inside of St. Bavo’s Cathedral is stunning, but it is most renowned for housing the Flemish art piece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.

Then admire the Ghent light show. Ghent doesn’t want its enchanted beauty to vanish when the sun goes down–and with a little innovation and some brilliant light displays, it won’t. At night, a string of lights illuminate Ghent, sending beautiful reflections onto the canals below.

Whether you spend the night in Ghent as part of your three-day trip to Belgium or not, we highly recommend staying after dark to view the light displays at their finest!

Stroll through Werregarenstraat in the evening. Werregarenstraat is a street with a vibrant and ever-changing collection of street art that is well worth a brief visit during your three days in Belgium.

You might easily spend the rest of the evening there, perhaps having supper in one of the excellent restaurants.

Day 3

Final day in Brussels

As your three days in Belgium come to an end, go to Brussels for a (literal) taste of the capital city.

Many people consider Brussels to be a dull city, and we can’t say we disagree–especially when compared to Bruges and Ghent.

That being said, it is worthwhile to spend some time investigating it for yourself, and there are some intriguing things to do in Brussels, so we recommend spending half a day seeing the city’s sites and then finishing your vacation to Belgium with a sweet treat–but more on that below.

After breakfast, you should visit the Grand Place (Grote Markt). The only word to describe Brussels’ Grand Place, which is gilded and sparkling, is grandeur.

This is the most iconic of all the locations to visit in Brussels, and a must-see during your 3 days in Belgium!

This square really glows with the gold shining off the tops of the buildings — it is one of the most stunning main squares you’ll see in Europe! It is home to Brussels’ Town Hall, multiple guildhalls, and the King’s House (which now houses the Brussels City Museum).

When you’re done with the square, go to Mannekin Pis and scratch your head. If you search for attractions to see in Brussels, you’ll almost certainly come across Mannekin Pis, the 400-year-old monument of a tiny child peeing into the basin of a fountain.

What makes it so popular? No one has any idea (could have something to do with legends). Nevertheless, it’s a 5-minute walk from the Grand Place and worth seeing for the oddity alone… and to see if the statue is dressed up as anything trending at the moment, which it frequently is.

After that, go on a comic book adventure. If you enjoy Belgian comics, particularly The Adventures of Tintin, don’t leave Brussels without visiting the Comic Book Route!

Brussels is graced with hundreds of murals from popular comic books, and locating them is a fun scavenger hunt.

You cannot possibly have visited Belgium without participating in a Belgian Chocolate Workshop!

What better way to end your vacation to Belgium than with a chocolate workshop–aka the ideal opportunity to consume a bunch of chocolate and figure out what your preferences are… while also leaving with your own handcrafted box?

This popular chocolate course will teach you how to make your own tasty chocolates while also teaching you about the history of Belgian chocolate.

Alternatively, if you don’t like chocolate? Consider taking a beer tour! Many people won’t understand why you don’t enjoy chocolate, but if you’d like a different pleasure, a Belgian beer tour is also a great way to end your three-day trip to Belgium!

Day 4

Departure

If you have 4 or 5 days in Belgium rather than 3, you can easily find more fun things to do in Belgium.

The first addition we would recommend is paying your respects at the WWI battlefields near Ypres. You can visit independently, but a tour adds lots of valuable context.

You could also add on a day trip to Antwerp (be sure not to miss the city’s phenomenal train station, Grote Markt, and Steen Castle!).

Of course, there’s no reason to stray far if you don’t want to! Any one of the cities outlined on this 3-day Belgium itinerary could easily captivate you for more than a day.

Whether you depart on day 3 or choose to stay more, this marks your last day in beautiful Belgium. Stroll around if you still have time and then head to the airport or train station, back home, or to your next destination.

The Most Popular Food in Belgium

Belgian cuisine is often regarded as among the greatest in Europe, with considerable influences from French, German, and Dutch cooks. Indeed, it is frequently remarked that Belgian cuisine is presented in the quantity of German cuisine but with the quality of French cuisine. Although Belgium has been eclipsed by its more popular neighbors, the regional cuisine is enough to tempt any serious tourist to this lovely nation.

Stoofvlees

This sweet and sour steak and ale stew is one of the most popular dishes in the Netherlands, and many families pass down their unique recipes from generation to generation. Beef, rich dark lager, bread, onions, salt, pepper, herbs and spices are common ingredients in most recipes. A long marinating and gradual cooking are essential for the meat’s taste and softness. This meal is traditionally served with frites (French fries), boiled potatoes, noodles, salad or vegetables, and more beer.

Moules frites

About 30 million tons of moules frites are eaten every year in Belgium – that’s 3kg per person! The traditional accompaniment to mussels is frites which the Belgians are believed to have invented back in 1781. Frites are thicker than French fries and very crisp because, like traditional English chips, you fry them twice.

Gentse waterzooi

Gentse waterzooi is a soup-like dish popular across Belgium. The meal is historically cooked using fish like as carp, pike, eel, and bass, although chicken is now more commonly used. The stew is then thickened with eggs, cream, and butter before being served on toasted French bread to soak up the excess.

Crevette grise

Tomate crevette (fresh tomatoes packed with prawn salad), crevette croquettes (garnaalkroket in Dutch), or peeled as a snack with beer are some of the ways they are cooked. Fishermen on horseback used to catch shrimp all over the Belgian coast. This is still done at the seaside community of Oostduinkerke, where the event has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Boulets

Boulets (or meatballs) are a mainstay of Belgian home cooking, and there are several versions available throughout the nation. Balletjes are commonly seen in Flanders wrapped in tomato sauce or Frikadellen-style’met krieken,’ where the meatballs are cooked in butter with Belgian cherry sauce. The dish boulets à la Liégeois is highly popular in the French-speaking area of Brussels.

Belgian Waffles

Waffles are a staple of Belgian cuisine. There are two types of waffles: rectangular and round. The rectangular waffles are less sweet than the round waffles and are covered with chocolate, cream, and other grated fruits. The other variety is smaller and contains sugar crystals, making it sweeter. This may be found practically anywhere, with many regions having a distinct flavor.

What's the Travel Budget for Belgium?

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