Belgium travel guide: where to go and how to plan it
Belgium is small, and the trains between its main cities take under an hour, so a short trip can cover a lot. Most visitors base themselves in Brussels, Bruges or Ghent and travel between them by day. The one thing to know: the country is divided by language, with Dutch in the north and French in the south, so signs and city names change as you cross it.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start with Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. They sit close together on the same rail lines, and between them they give you a capital, a medieval canal town and a livelier university city.
- How long
- Three days covers two of the cities well. Five days covers all three with time for Antwerp or Leuven. A week lets you add the Ardennes or the coast.
- Best time to go
- May to September has the longest days and the most open terraces, and the crowds that come with them. April and October are quieter and still pleasant. Winter is gray and often wet, but the Christmas markets are worth the cold.
- Getting around
- Trains. The national operator is SNCB (NMBS in Dutch), and the main cities are linked by frequent services. You rarely need a car, except for the Ardennes and small villages.
- Money
- The euro. Cards and contactless are widely accepted, and Bancontact is the local debit scheme. Carry a little cash for market stalls and small cafes.
- Book ahead
- Weekend rooms in Bruges, the main museums in Brussels and Ghent, and any evening at a well-known restaurant. Rooms get scarce around Christmas and on summer weekends.
Best cities to visit in Belgium
Brussels
The capital and the best first stop: a grand central square, comic-strip murals, major art museums and a strong beer and chocolate scene. It suits anyone who likes a real city with a few big sights.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Bruges
A small, well-preserved medieval town of canals and cobbled lanes, easy to walk in an afternoon. It suits couples and first-timers who want the postcard version, though it is busy by day.
Give it 1 to 2 days
Ghent
A medieval center with a young population, castle, canals and lively evenings, usually with fewer tour groups than Bruges. It suits people who want history and an easy atmosphere together.
Give it 1 to 2 days
Beyond the cities
Antwerp
Belgium's second city, known for fashion, diamonds and a big old port, about 40 to 50 minutes by train from Brussels. It works as a day trip or an extra night.
Leuven and Mechelen
Two smaller towns between Brussels and Antwerp, each about 20 to 30 minutes from Brussels by train. Leuven is a university town with a lot of cafes; Mechelen is quiet and easy to walk.
The Ardennes
Wooded hills and river valleys in the south, such as the area around Durbuy, with walking, kayaking and small villages. Trains reach some towns, but a car makes it much easier.
The Belgian coast
A long sandy coast with a coastal tram running its length, from towns such as Ostend. It is mainly a summer trip, about an hour or so from Bruges and Ghent by train.
Belgium itineraries
- Three days: Brussels and Bruges
Spend two nights in Brussels and one in Bruges, or the other way round if you prefer a quieter pace. The train takes about an hour. Use the first day for the central square and museums, the second for a slow morning and the canals, and leave Bruges for the last evening when day-trippers have gone.
- Five days: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges
Two nights in Brussels, one in Ghent and two in Bruges. The hops are each under an hour by train, so you lose little time. Add a half day in Antwerp on the way back if you have energy.
- A week: cities plus the Ardennes
Do the five-day loop, then take the train south for two nights in the Ardennes. Hire a car for the last stretch, or base yourself in a town with a station and use local buses. Return to Brussels for the flight home.
Best time to visit Belgium
Spring and early autumn are the best times for a city break. The days are mild, the terraces are open and the main sights are less crowded than in July and August. Summer is warm rather than hot, but it can rain at any time of year, so pack a light waterproof whatever the month.
Winter suits a shorter trip. It is cold, damp and dark early, but Christmas markets run in the main cities from late November, and museums and cafes make good shelter. If you want to see the Ardennes at its best, plan for late spring through early autumn.
How to get around Belgium
- TrainsSNCB (NMBS in Dutch) runs the national network, with frequent trains between Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp. Buy tickets in the app or at machines, and check which Brussels station your train uses, because the city has three main ones.
- Rail passesSNCB sells a Standard Multi ticket, valid for ten single journeys between any two Belgian stations. It can save money if you take several trips, and it can be shared. Compare it with single fares for your plan before you buy.
- Local transportBrussels has a metro, trams and buses. Ghent and Antwerp have trams, and Bruges is small enough to walk. A contactless card or the operators' own apps usually work for tickets.
- DrivingNot needed for the main cities, where parking is expensive and many centers limit cars. It is useful in the Ardennes and for small villages. Roads are good, but traffic around Brussels and Antwerp is heavy at rush hour.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Belgium. Each city guide has its own list.
- Rooms in Bruges and Brussels4 to 8 weeks ahead
Weekends, summer and the Christmas season fill up, and the best-placed rooms go first.
- Major museums and timed entries1 to 2 weeks ahead
Popular museums and towers sell timed tickets, and the best slots go on busy days.
- Well-known restaurants1 to 3 weeks ahead
Small dining rooms are often full on weekends, so reserve for the evenings you care about.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. Belgium is in the eurozone.
- Cards and cashCards and contactless are widely accepted, including Visa, Mastercard and the local Bancontact. Carry some coins for toilets, market stalls and small cafes.
- TippingService is included in restaurant prices. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is common but not expected.
- Tourist taxesSet by each municipality, so they differ from city to city. Brussels charges a per-room, per-night tax, while Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp charge per person, per night. Your hotel will say whether it is included in the price.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and E sockets, 230 volts, as in most of continental Europe. Bring an adapter.
What to skip in Belgium
- A day trip to Bruges at midday
The middle of the day is the busiest. Arrive early, or stay a night so you have the lanes to yourself in the evening and morning.
- Tourist waffle and chocolate stands next to the main sights
They charge more for average products. Walk a few streets away to a bakery or chocolate maker with a proper shop and a queue of locals.
- Trying to see everything in two days
Pick two cities and see them properly. Belgium looks small on the map, but the best parts are slow ones, like cafes and canals.
Belgium: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Belgium?
Three days is enough for Brussels and one other city. Five days gives you Brussels, Ghent and Bruges without rushing, and a week allows the Ardennes or the coast as well.
What are the best places to visit in Belgium?
Brussels, Bruges and Ghent are the most popular for a first trip. Antwerp and Leuven are good additions, and the Ardennes suits walkers and anyone who wants a quieter stretch.
Is Belgium good for a short city break?
Yes. Distances are small, trains are frequent and the cities are walkable. A long weekend works well, especially for Brussels plus one other city.
What is the best time to visit Belgium?
April to June and September to early October are the best for weather and fewer crowds. July and August are busier, and Christmas is popular for the markets.
Do I need a car in Belgium?
Not for the main cities, which are linked by trains. A car helps in the Ardennes and for small villages that trains do not reach.
Is Belgium expensive?
It is mid-range for western Europe. Hotels in Bruges and Brussels can be pricey at weekends, but eating simply, such as frites, bakery lunches and set menus, keeps costs down.
What languages are spoken in Belgium?
Dutch in the north, French in the south and Brussels, and German in a small eastern area. English is widely understood in cities and tourist places.