Highlights
Brussels
The Grand-Place, ringed by ornate guildhalls and the Gothic town hall, is one of Europe's finest squares. Beyond it are the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, art nouveau houses, comic-strip murals and the Atomium, a giant model of an iron crystal built for the 1958 World's Fair.
Bruges
A remarkably intact medieval city of canals, brick gables and cobbled squares. Climb the Belfry for views over the rooftops, and see Flemish Primitive paintings at the Groeningemuseum.
Ghent
A lively university city with medieval guildhalls along the Graslei and a castle, Gravensteen, in the centre. St Bavo's Cathedral holds the Van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece.
Antwerp
A port city with a grand railway station, Rubens' house, the Cathedral of Our Lady with his altarpieces, a strong fashion scene and the historic diamond district.
Ypres and Flanders Fields
The rebuilt town of Ypres is surrounded by First World War cemeteries and memorials. Every evening, buglers sound the Last Post beneath the Menin Gate in memory of soldiers with no known grave.
The Ardennes
Wooded hills and river valleys in Wallonia, good for walking, kayaking and cycling. Dinant's cliffside citadel and onion-domed church, and the small town of Durbuy, are popular bases.
Leuven
Home to one of Europe's oldest universities, founded in 1425, with an elaborate Gothic town hall and the Oude Markt, a square lined almost entirely with bars.
Interesting facts about Belgium
- The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax, who was born in Dinant.
- Belgian beer culture is on UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
- Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German, each tied to a different community.
- Hergé, the creator of Tintin, was Belgian, and comic strips are celebrated as the 'ninth art' in Brussels.
- The Manneken Pis statue in Brussels has a wardrobe of hundreds of costumes, which are changed regularly.
Best time to visit
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are the most pleasant times, with mild weather and fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are warmest but busiest in Bruges. Rain is possible in any month. December brings Christmas markets to Brussels, Ghent and Bruges, and the Ardennes is lovely in autumn colours.
Practical information
| Capital | Brussels |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | Dutch, French, German |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112; also 101 police |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Service is included in restaurant prices. Rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service is appreciated but not expected. |
Getting around
Belgium's railway network is dense and frequent, and most cities are within an hour or so of Brussels. Trams, buses and metros serve the cities, and Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent all have good public transport. Bruges and Ghent are best explored on foot or by bike. Driving is straightforward on motorways, but city centres often have low-emission zones and limited parking.
Staying connected in Belgium
Mobile coverage is very good across Belgium, with 4G and 5G widely available in cities and along major routes, and good signal in most rural areas. Coverage can be weaker in parts of the Ardennes. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and many stations. Belgium is in the EU, so EU roaming rules apply for EU plans. Travellers from elsewhere can install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they arrive.
See Belgium eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Belgium
- SNCB: The national railway's app for timetables, live departures and tickets.
- STIB-MIVB: Routes and tickets for Brussels' metro, trams and buses.
- De Lijn: Trams and buses in Flanders, including Antwerp, Ghent and the coast.
- Google Maps: Walking, cycling and public transport directions across the country.