belgium tourism facts

Whether you’re looking for a weekend break or a longer trip, Belgium has a lot to offer to tourists.

If you enjoy walking, sports and the outdoors, the Ardennes , which are the green heart of Belgium, are your place to go. If you prefer the beach or enjoy cycling, you will not be able to resist the call of our seaside !

Our prestigious art cities are magnificent, even if you are not a fan of history, architecture or culture.

Belgians love gastronomy . They love good food and will invite you to taste their special beers and cheeses and obviously also their chocolate, bonbons, endives, beef stew, speculaas and the like. And the fries are simply legendary.

But above all, Belgium is a place of fun: it has a very vibrant cultural scene (exhibits, concerts, festivals, theatre, dance, etc.) and its night live is one big celebration.

Adressen en websites

• Visit.brussels Website: https://visit.brussels
• Visit Flanders Website: http://www.visitflanders.com
• Wallonia Tourism Website: http://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/

• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ›
• Leisure Travel

Travel and tourism in Belgium - Statistics and Facts

Tourism in belgium during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, domestic tourism in belgium, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Belgium 2019-2022

International travel receipts in Belgium 2010-2020

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism: share of GDP in the EU-27 and the UK 2019-2022, by country

Destinations

Popular outbound holiday destinations from Belgium 2019-2020

Related topics

Recommended.

• Cruise industry Belgium
• Travel and tourism in the Netherlands
• Travel and tourism in Europe
• Inbound tourism in Europe
• Outbound tourism in European countries

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of GDP in the EU-27 and the UK 2019-2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Belgium 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic International travel receipts in Belgium 2010-2020
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium 2019-2022, by country

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in Belgium in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Share of travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in European Union member countries (EU-27) and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Belgium 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in Belgium in 2019 and 2022 (in 1,000 jobs)

International tourism receipts in Belgium from 2010 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium 2010-2022

Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium from 2010 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium 2019-2022, by country

Number of tourist overnight stays in Belgium from 2019 to 2022, by country of origin (in 1,000s)

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in Belgium 2017-2021
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Belgium 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Belgium 2008-2020, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of international arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium 2009-2022
• Basic Statistic International tourism spending in Belgium 2019-2022

Leading inbound travel markets in Belgium 2017-2021

Leading inbound travel markets in Belgium from 2017 to 2021, by number of tourist arrivals (in 1,000s)

International tourist arrivals in Belgium 2011-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals in Belgium from 2011 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Belgium 2008-2020, by region

Number of international tourist arrivals in Belgium from 2008 to 2020, by region (in 1,000s)

Number of international arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium 2009-2022

Number of international arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium from 2009 to 2022 (in millions)

International tourism spending in Belgium 2019-2022

International tourism expenditure in Belgium in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Overnight domestic tourist trips to Belgium 2010-2018
• Basic Statistic Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium 2000-2012
• Basic Statistic Domestic arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type
• Basic Statistic Domestic overnight stays in Belgium 2020, by accommodation type
• Premium Statistic Main purpose of domestic travelers staying in accommodation in Belgium 2020
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Belgium 2019-2022

Overnight domestic tourist trips to Belgium 2010-2018

Number of domestic overnight visitors in Belgium from 2010 to 2018 (in millions)

Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium 2000-2012

Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium from 2000 to 2012 (in millions)

Domestic arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type

Number of domestic tourist arrivals in Belgium in 2019 and 2020, by type of accommodation (in 1,000s)

Domestic overnight stays in Belgium 2020, by accommodation type

Number of domestic overnight stays spent in Belgium from 2019 to 2020, by accommodation type (in million)

Main purpose of domestic travelers staying in accommodation in Belgium 2020

Distribution of domestic travelers staying in accommodation in Belgium in 2020, by traveler type

Domestic tourism spending in Belgium 2019-2022

Domestic tourism expenditure in Belgium in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Popular outbound holiday destinations from Belgium 2019-2020
• Basic Statistic Number of outbound trips made from Belgium 2012-2019
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound trips from Belgium 2019, by mode of transport
• Premium Statistic Outbound travel expenditure in Belgium 2010-2018

Leading outbound holiday destinations from Belgium in 2019 and 2020 (in 1,000 trips)

Number of outbound trips made from Belgium 2012-2019

Number of outbound overnight trips from Belgium from 2012 to 2019 (in 1,000s)

Number of outbound trips from Belgium 2019, by mode of transport

Number of outbound trips from Belgium in 2019, by mode of transport (in 1,000s)

Outbound travel expenditure in Belgium 2010-2018

Value of outbound travel expenditure in Belgium from 2010 to 2018 (in million euros)

Accommodation

• Premium Statistic Accommodation industry revenue in Belgium 2020 by type
• Basic Statistic Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation Belgium 2009-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourist arrivals in accommodation in Belgium 2019-2020, by origin
• Basic Statistic Tourist arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type
• Premium Statistic Number of overnight stays in Belgium 2022, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of overnight stays in Belgium 2019-2022, by accommodation type

Accommodation industry revenue in Belgium 2020 by type

Annual revenue in the accommodation industry in Belgium in 2020, by accommodation type (in 1,000s euros)

Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation Belgium 2009-2022

Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation in Belgium from 2009 to 2022 (in millions)

Tourist arrivals in accommodation in Belgium 2019-2020, by origin

Number of tourist arrivals in accommodation in Belgium in 2019 and 2020, by origin (in 1,000s)

Tourist arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type

Number of tourist arrivals in Belgium in 2019 and 2020, by type of accommodation (in 1,000s)

Number of overnight stays in Belgium 2022, by region

Number of overnight stays in Belgium in 2022, by region (in millions)

Number of overnight stays in Belgium 2019-2022, by accommodation type

Number of overnight stays in Belgium from 2019 to 2022, by accommodation type (in millions)

• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Belgium 2013-2028
• Premium Statistic Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Belgium 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in Belgium 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Expenditure on international tourism in Belgium 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic International tourism receipts per capita in Belgium 2001-2029
• Premium Statistic Real total consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in Belgium 2014-2029

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Belgium 2013-2028

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Belgium from 2013 to 2028

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Belgium 2014-2029

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Belgium from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Number of international tourist arrivals in Belgium 2014-2029

Number of international tourist arrivals in Belgium from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Expenditure on international tourism in Belgium 2014-2029

Expenditure on international tourism in Belgium from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

International tourism receipts per capita in Belgium 2001-2029

International tourism receipts per capita in Belgium from 2001 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Real total consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in Belgium 2014-2029

Real total consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in Belgium from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

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Welcome to Belgium! We're delighted that you have chosen us for your next holiday.

Discover our surprising regions and let yourself be seduced by all Wallonia, Brussels & Flanders has to offer.

Select your destination and start your discovery. Have a great trip!

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• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Terrain
• 1.3 Climate
• 1.4 Electricity
• 4 Other destinations
• 5.1 Entry requirements
• 5.2 By plane
• 5.3 By train
• 5.5 Carpooling
• 5.7 By ship
• 5.8 From France
• 5.9 From Germany
• 5.10 From the Netherlands
• 6.1 By train
• 6.2 By bus and tram
• 6.3.1 Car hire
• 6.4 By thumb
• 10.2 Tipping
• 11.1 General rules
• 11.2 Specialities
• 11.3 International
• 12.3 Jenever
• 13.1 Budget
• 13.2 Hotels
• 16.1 Pickpocketing and other crimes
• 16.2 Racism
• 16.4 Alcohol and drugs
• 17 Stay healthy
• 18.1 Mobile

A low-lying country in the Benelux , Belgium ( Dutch : België , French : Belgique , German : Belgien ) sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. It marries the historical landmarks for which the continent is famous with spectacular modern architecture and rural idylls. Its capital, Brussels , is home to the headquarters of the European Union .

Although Belgium is a relatively wealthy country, it is also one of the most politically complex countries in the world. Differences in language and culture between Flanders (the Flemish-speaking portion) and Wallonia (the French-speaking portion) have led to several far-reaching reforms, and this continuing antagonism makes Belgian politics so complex that even ordinary Belgians aren't able to make sense of what's truly going on. Despite all this, the two halves form a country that contains some of Europe's most attractive and historical cities, and is a true 'must-see' for any visitor to the continent.

Understand [ edit ]

Lying on the North Sea coast, Belgium's immediate neighbours are France to the south-west, Luxembourg to the south-east, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north.

Belgium is a densely populated country trying to balance the conflicting demands of urbanization, transportation, industry, and commercial and intensive agriculture. It imports large quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactured goods, mostly to the EU.

Visit Belgium provides tourist information for the country.

History [ edit ]

Belgium is the heir of several former Medieval powers, and you will see traces of these everywhere during your trip in this country.

After the collapse of the Carolingian Empire in the 9th century, the territory that is nowadays Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, was part of Lotharingia, an ephemeral kingdom soon to be absorbed into the (German) Holy Roman Empire; however, the area of Lower Lotharingia remained intact in the feudal empire: this is the origin of the Low Countries, a general term that encompasses present-day Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

The widely autonomous fiefdoms of the Low Countries were among the richest places in Medieval Europe and you will see traces of this past wealth in the rich buildings of Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, Tournai, Mons, etc. These cities progressively fell under the control of a powerful and ambitious family: the Dukes of Burgundy. The whole realm of the dukes extended from the Low Countries to the borders of Switzerland. Using wealth, strategy, and alliances, the Dukes of Burgundy aimed at reconstituting Lotharingia. The death of the last duke, Charles the Bold, put an end to this dream. However, the treasures of the Dukes of Burgundy remain as a testimony of their rules in Belgian museums and landmarks.

The powerful Habsburg family then inherited from the Low Countries. Reformation is the reason that Belgium and the Netherlands were first taken apart: the northern half of the Low Countries embraced Protestantism and rebelled against the Habsburg rule, while the southern half remained faithful to both its ruler and the Catholic faith. These two halves roughly correspond to present-day Belgium and the Netherlands.

Belgium was called the Austrian Netherlands, then the Spanish Netherlands, depending on which branch of the Habsburg ruled it. The powerful German emperor and Spanish king, Charles V, was born in the Belgian city of Ghent and ruled from Brussels. Many places in Belgium are named after him, including the city of Charleroi and even a brand of beer. Every year, the Brusselers emulate his first parade in their city in what is called the Ommegang.

Belgium was briefly a part of the Napoleonic Empire. After Napoleon's defeat, a large Kingdom of the Netherlands was created, comprising the whole of the Low Countries. However, the religious opposition still remained and the split was aggravated by political differences between Belgian liberals and Dutch aristocrats. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 after a short revolution and a war against the Netherlands.

It was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II and has many war graves near the battle zones; most of them are around Ieper (in English, archaically rendered as Ypres , with Yperite another name for mustard gas due to intensive use there in WWI). It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Terrain [ edit ]

Flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, wooded hills and valleys of Ardennes Forest in southeast.

Climate [ edit ]

Temperate; mild winters with cool summers. Generally rather rainy, humid and cloudy. Belgium's average annual temperature in the decade between 1976 and 2006 was 10 °C — a somewhat meaningless measure for non-meteorologists.

Electricity [ edit ]

Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230 V and 50 Hz. Outlets are CEE7/5 (protruding male earth pin) and accept either CEE 7/5 (Grounded), CEE 7/7 (Grounded) or CEE 7/16 (non-grounded) plugs. Older German-type CEE 7/4 plugs are not compatible as they do not accommodate the earth pin found on this type of outlet. However, most modern European appliances are fitted with the hybrid CEE 7/7 plug which fits both CEE 7/5 (Belgium & France) and CEE 7/4 (Germany, Netherlands, Spain and most of Europe) outlets.

Travellers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and all the other countries using 230 V and 50 Hz, which use different plugs, simply require a plug adaptor to use their appliances in Belgium.

Travellers from the US, Canada, Japan and other countries using 110 V 60 Hz may need a voltage converter. However, some laptops, mobile phone chargers and other devices can accept either 110 V or 230 V so only require a simple plug adaptor. Check the voltage rating plates on your appliances before connecting them.

Regions [ edit ]

Belgium consists of three regions, listed from north to south:

Cities [ edit ]

Belgium has a very high rate of urbanization and has an astonishing number of cities for such a small territory

• 50.85 4.35 1 Brussels — Belgium's capital and the unofficial capital of the EU. Nice historic centre and several museums of interest. One of the most multicultural cities in Europe.
• 51.216667 4.4 2 Antwerp — Belgium's second largest city, with a giant cathedral, medieval streets and artistic heritage, and a great place for fashion.
• 51.216667 3.233333 3 Bruges — one of Europe's wealthiest cities in the 14th century, it is touristy yet still very authentic, medieval and quiet at night, with small guest houses and family businesses greatly outnumbering chain hotels.
• 51.05 3.733333 4 Ghent — once one of Europe's largest cities, now a perfect mixture of Antwerp and Bruges: a cosy city with canals, yet with rich history and lively student population.
• 50.883333 4.7 5 Leuven — a small city dominated by one of Europe's oldest universities. Beautiful historic centre and a lively nightlife.
• 50.633333 5.566667 6 Liège — second largest city of Wallonia, along a wide river, industrial cityscape with hiking and resorts in the nearby hills, it has a very strong, independent character and an exciting night-life.
• 51.016667 4.466667 7 Mechelen — a small medieval city with a nice historic district around the cathedral.
• 50.466667 4.866667 9 Namur — capital of Wallonia , at the confluence of Sambre and Meuse with the Citadel.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 50.866667 4.466667 1 Kraainem — a municipality with a rich industrial history on the outskirts of Brussels with many historical landmarks.
• 50.816667 4.5 2 Tervuren — known for its proximity to the lush Sonian Forest, its parks, and royal summer residence.
• 50.933333 4.383333 3 Grimbergen — known for the beer with the same name, risen to worldwide fame, but still produced in its abbey.
• 50.266667 4.916667 5 Dinant — small city in a stunning natural setting, a popular spot for adventure sports such as canoeing and rock-climbing, best visited in winter
• 50.783333 4.116667 6 Pajottenland — also called the "Tuscany of the north", is a green region west of Brussels, consisting of rolling hills, meadows, small villages and castles. Home of the Geuze beer and great for hiking, biking, and horse riding tours.
• 50.4925 5.864167 7 Spa — the hot water treatments of the spa town that gave its name to all spas in the world has drawn visitors for centuries.
• 50.85 2.883333 8 Ypres , 50.85 2.733333 9 Poperinge and surrounding villages — destroyed during World War I, this former military stronghold is marked by memorials and cemeteries.
• 51.1644 4.1391 10 Sint-Niklaas — known for its market square (the largest in Belgium), its annual balloon festival and nearby scenery along the river Scheldt.

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Belgium is a member of the Schengen Agreement . See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

• There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats entering the Schengen Area. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• A visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.

In Belgium, non-EU/EFTA visa-free visitors are permitted to work without the need to obtain any further authorisation for the period of their 90-day visa-free stay. This is an exception to the general Schengen rules that does not extend to most other Schengen countries.

By plane [ edit ]

Brussels Airport ( BRU  IATA ), also known as Zaventem due to the town in which it is mainly located, is Belgium's main airport. It is not located in Brussels proper, but in surrounding Flanders . The airport is the base of the national airline Brussels Airlines . Other full-service airlines use BRU, as well as budget carriers such as Ryanair , Vueling and TUIfly Belgium .

There is a train ( €5.10 ) running every 15 minutes to Brussels centre taking 25 minutes, some of them continuing to Ghent , Mons , Nivelles , and West Flanders and bus lines number 12 and 21 ( €3 at the vending machine/ €5 on board) every 20 to 30 minutes to Place Luxembourg (European Parliament district). The bus stops at NATO and Schuman (for the EU institutions) on its way to the centre. There are also two trains per hour to Leuven , taking 13 minutes. A taxi to the centre of Brussels costs around €35 - cheaper if booked in advance. Taxis bleus: +32 2 268–0000, Taxis Autolux: +32 2 411–4142, Taxis verts: +32 2 349–4949.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport ( CRL  IATA ), about 50 km (31 mi) south of Brussels, mostly serves low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair and Wizzair . You can get to Brussels Gare du Midi on a coach in about an hour ( €13 one way, €22 return). If you're going to any other part of Belgium, buy a combination bus+train ticket via Charleroi Sud train station from the TEC vending machines outside the airport for at most €19.40 one-way.

However, if you are really stuck, it is not unusual for taxi drivers to take credit cards. The price of a taxi ride to Brussels is a set fare (approximately €85 as of Jan 2020) and you can check with the taxi driver if they will accept your credit card or not.

Antwerp Airport ( ANR  IATA ) has some business flights, including CityJet 's reasonably priced link to London City airport. Other airports include Oostende, Liège and Kortrijk, but they only handle freight and charter flights.

Flights to airports in neighbouring countries might be worth considering, especially to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport which has a direct rail link to Brussels , also making stops at Antwerp and Mechelen .

Liege Airport ( LGG  IATA ) is located near the city of Liege. A small airport served only by TUIFly , a low cost airline. It has between 5-10 daily mainly from Spain, sometimes to Greece and Morocco. It suffers from very poor transportation options to the city of Liege: there is a bus number 57 running several times a day bus, it goes to the train station of Liege-Guillemins, this bus only runs during the week. Another option is to take bus number 53 or 85 which sometimes go via the airport to the city centre, approx. 30 minutes. TEC buses have no special prices for Liege Airport and will cost €3.50 per person.

Taxis will cost around €25 .

By train [ edit ]

There are direct trains between Brussels and:

• Luxembourg (normal trains, running every hour). All public transport in Luxembourg is free, though you will still need a ticket for the Belgian portion. It takes around 2 hr 30 min from Luxembourg to Brussels, 3 hr from Luxembourg to Liege.
• Lyon , Bordeaux, Paris-CDG airport and many other French cities (TGV operated by SNCF ).
• Aachen , Amsterdam , Cologne , Lille , London , Paris , Rotterdam ( Eurostar ). If you're going to another Belgian city, the "any Belgium Station" ticket includes local transport in your Eurostar ticket. Depending on the distance this may work out cheaper than getting a separate ticket. Passengers travelling from the UK to Belgium go through French passport/identity card checks (done on behalf of the Belgians) in London before boarding, rather than on arrival in Belgium; allow 90 minutes before your timetabled departure to clear these controls. Passengers travelling from all other stations to Brussels are within the Schengen Area.
• Frankfurt , Cologne (ICE operated by Deutsche Bahn )

There are hourly intercity trains from Brussels via Antwerp to Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The intercity services run from Brussels to Amsterdam via Mechelen, Antwerp, Rotterdam, The Hague and Schiphol. The other direct connection to Amsterdam is the expensive Eurostar (book well in advance for reasonable fares). Alternative is to catch a train from Brussels or Antwerp to Roosendaal (NL), where connecting intercity trains to Rotterdam and Amsterdam are available. Passengers travelling to Belgium from the Netherlands will need to buy their tickets at the NS Internationaal desk or website which are different from the ones that sell tickets for domestic trains. NS Internationaal also sells Eurostar tickets at the same prices as seen on the Eurostar website.

International trains connect with domestic trains at Brussels' Gare du Midi/Zuidstation, and with all ICE and some Eurostar tickets, you can finish your journey for free on domestic trains. For all high-speed trains, you need to book in advance for cheap fares, either online or using a travel agency. There are no regularly scheduled sleeper trains anymore.

You might want to check the TGV connections to Lille too. The trains from the rest of France to Lille are more frequent and usually cheaper. There is a direct train connection from Lille Flandres to Tournai and Kortrijk. If your TGV arrives in Lille Europe, it will take a 15-min walk to the Lille Flandres railway station.

Plan your trip with the Deutsche Bahn timetable . It has all domestic and international connections across Europe.

Smoking is not allowed on Belgian trains.

The train fare for passengers 65+ travelling within Belgium is often capped at €6 and is valid for same-day return but such a fare may require travel only after 09:00.

By car [ edit ]

Major European highways like the E19, E17, E40, E411 and E313 pass through Belgium.

Carpooling [ edit ]

The cheapest way to get to Belgium ( €3 /100 km (62 mi)) from anywhere in Europe - if you are a little flexible and lucky - is usually taxistop . Many rides are also offered on BlablaCar .

By bus [ edit ]

You can get to Belgium from all over Europe on Flixbus coaches. International buses have stopovers in Antwerp , Brussels North Station , Leuven & Liege .

There are bus companies serving the Bosnian diaspora, which provide a cheap and clean way of getting to the other side of the European continent. Semi tours runs three times per week from various destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgium and the Netherlands, off-season about €132 for a return ticket.

By ship [ edit ]

Calais and Dunkirk (France), a short drive from western Flanders, receive dozens of ferries a day from Dover in England. The overnight ferries to Zeebrugge from Hull were axed in 2021, though ferries still run from Hull to Rotterdam (Netherlands), which has good road and rail access to northern Flanders.

From France [ edit ]

• There are domestic Belgian trains that terminate in Lille (station Lille-Flanders ).
• Between the De Panne terminus of the Belgian railways (and the coast tram – Kusttram ) and the French coastal city of Dunkirk, there is a bus line run by DK'BUS Marine . It is also possible to take a DK'BUS bus which goes to the closest possible distance of the border and then cross it on foot by walking on the beach and arriving at a convenient station of the Coast tram, such as Esplanade .

From Germany [ edit ]

• You can take a bus between the train stations of Eupen (Belgium) and Aachen (Germany) which is quite fast and less expensive than doing the same trip on an international train ticket.
• If your destination in Belgium is further away from the border, you can take the local train from Aachen to Welkenraedt and then change to the InterCity-train connecting Eupen with Oostende , passing by Leuven , Brussels , Ghent and Bruges . The trip from Aachen to Brussels takes less than two hours.

From the Netherlands [ edit ]

• Apart from being a peculiar result of ancient European history, the town of Baarle (formally Baarle-Hertog in Belgium and Baarle-Nassau in the Netherlands) is a possible change point, since the town's main bus stop Sint-Janstraat is operated by both Flemish (Belgian) and Dutch buses.
• The Flemish (Belgian) company De Lijn operates a border-crossing bus between Turnhout in Belgium and Tilburg in the Netherlands, both of which are termini in the respective country's railway network.
• There's a bus (line 45) operated by the Flemish (Belgian) company De Lijn going between the train stations of Genk (Belgium) and Maastricht (the Netherlands). There is another bus (line 20A) departing from Hasselt , going to Maastricht . A train connection is being built.

Get around [ edit ]

Being such a small country (300 km as its maximum distance), you can get anywhere in a couple of hours. Public transport, when fully functioning, is fast and comfortable, and not too expensive. Between larger cities, there are frequent train connections, with buses covering smaller distances. A useful site is Smart Mobility Planner , which has a door-to-door routeplanner for the whole country, covering all forms of public transport (including train, bus, subway and tram).

A look on the map may suggest that Brussels is a good starting point to explore Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Namur and Leuven on day trips. Antwerp is popular among those who want to be in a cosmopolitan place, and Ghent is tops with those who like a good mix of open-minded provincialism. Liège is beautiful, but too close to Germany to be a good base for day trips. Mechelen is considered boring by tourists, but has a very good youth hostel next to a train station with trains to everywhere else every 30 min.

To do some local sightseeing, especially in Flanders, a lot of infrastructure is available for cycling. Bikes can be rented virtually everywhere. In the country side of Wallonia, mountainbikes are available, and rafting is popular along the border with Luxembourg.

• Belgiantrain.be journey planner . Use the official journey planner operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium to find train itineraries and prices ( updated May 2016 )

Most of Belgium is well connected by train, run by Belgian Railways [dead link] ( NMBS in Dutch and SNCB in French) with most of the main routes passing through Antwerp, Namur or Brussels. This is where you'll arrive on international trains, and both can be reached by train from Brussels airport or by coach from Antwerp or Charleroi airport. Transfers are very easy. All ICE and some Eurostar tickets allow free same-day transfers by domestic trains to any other Belgian station.

The trains are punctual and mostly modern and comfortable.

Normal fares on Belgian trains are cheap compared to Germany or the UK, and there are no seat reservations. 2nd class fares don't go higher than €21.30 for the longest domestic trips (one way). 1st class costs 50% extra. Trains can get very full during rush hour, so you might need a 1st class ticket to get a seat at those times. In the train station, you can pay with cash or credit card. Return tickets are 50% cheaper at the weekend.

Most tickets are sold for a designated route on a designated day, so you can take any train on the day of your ticket. There is no extra validation when you step on a train.

You can buy tickets and plan your journey via the website , app , vending machines, ticket counters and on the train. If you want to buy a ticket on the train, you have to warn the train conductor. Avoid buying tickets on the train, as you will have to pay an extra €7 per ticket. Many smaller stations don't have ticket counters anymore, and if there are, they are not open very often. In every station, there is at least one vending machine. If ticket counters are closed and vending machines don't work, no supplement will be charged on the train if you address the issue to the conductor.

You can pay with cash and credit card. You can also pay with PayPal via the website or app. Contactless payments are accepted in most train stations and at some vending machines. As for paying cash at vending machines, they only allow coins, no paper bills. Not buying a ticket can result in a fine up to €225 .

A cheap option if you're planning several train trips is a Go Pass [1] for travelers under the age of 26, which gives you 10 single 2nd class trips (including train changes if necessary) for €59 . It's valid for a year and can be shared with or given to other people without any restrictions. If you're 26 or older, you can use the Rail Pass . This costs €96 for 2nd class or €146 for 1st. When using these passes make sure you have filled in an empty line by hand before you get on the train. The train conductor can be very picky when the pass is not correctly filled in. However, if you address train station staff before boarding, they will be glad to help you. It is also common practice to ask other people on the platform to use their pen when you do not have one. Senior Citizens can use the Senior Ticket - return rail travel to any destination throughout Belgium for €7.80, starting from 9 a.m. on weekdays (or anytime during the weekend). At 1st class the ticket costs €16.60.

The cheapest option if you travel during Belgian school holidays, for people under 26, is a Go Unlimited pass for €19 per week or €31 a month (only during July and August). This pass allows you to hop on and off any NMBS/SNCB train in 2nd class on any (national) route. You will need a personal MoBIB card for this pass. You can buy this for €5 , only at a manned ticket office. The school holidays are the summer break (two months: July and August), autumn break (the week of November 1), Christmas break (two weeks encompassing both Christmas and New Year's Day), spring break (one week at the end of February - beginning of March), Easter break (two weeks around Easter). The exact dates of the last two holidays vary every year.

If you're visiting a certain event or concert, be sure to check if your train travel isn't already included in the ticket. Some major festivals and concerts like Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop or I Love Techno include train travel in the ticket price. For visiting special places like theme parks or museums, inform for the option ' B-Excursions '. That way you buy your entrance ticket and train ticket in one at the train station. This always is low-priced, normally resulting in normal entrance ticket price plus €4-5 for travel. The desk agent will surely point you out the details.

There are IC-trains (InterCity), L-trains (local, stops at every station), P-trains (extra trains during rush hour) and S-trains (serve suburbs of big cities). For tourists, IC-trains or ICT-trains (tourist trains) are the best option since they are faster, more frequent and more comfortable. You should only use L-trains and S-trains if your destination is not served by an IC-train. L-trains and S-trains tend to be less crowded though, except during rush hour. S-trains are mainly meant for commuters in nearby areas, but can also be used for some in-town trips. As an example, the journey Ghent-Bruges takes 25 minutes on an IC-train and 42 minutes on an L-train, but costs the same.

Train schedules usually change around December 10. Those changes are usually limited to introducing a few new train stations and adding a few regular lines. No lines have been discontinued in a very long time. Here, you can find a map of Belgian railways and stations .

By bus and tram [ edit ]

Buses cover the whole country, along with trams and metro in the big cities. Most routes cover short distances, but it is possible to go from city to city by bus (e.g. FlixBus). However, this is much slower and only slightly cheaper than taking a train. There is also the Kusttram , running along almost the whole Flemish seaside from France to the Netherlands—definitely worth a trip in the summer.

Within cities, a normal ticket for one zone never costs more than €2.50 , and there are various travelcards available. Local transport is provided by different companies: STIB/MIVB in Brussels. De Lijn in Flanders and TEC in Wallonia, and, outside Brussels, they don't accept each other's tickets. Tickets are cheaper when bought at ticket machines.

Most tourists will not need the bus companies, as it is much more user-friendly to take trains between cities and go on foot inside them. Only Brussels and Antwerp have a subway, but, even there, you can make your way around on foot. The historic center of Brussels is only about 300 m (980 ft) by 400 m (1,300 ft) long. Antwerp is much bigger, but a ride on a horse-pulled coach gives a better view than the subway.

Belgium has a dense network of modern toll-free motorways, but some secondary roads in Wallonia are poorly maintained. Signs are always in the local language only, except in Brussels , where they're bilingual. As many cities in Belgium have quite different names in Dutch and French, this can cause confusion. For example, Mons in French is Bergen in Dutch; Antwerp is called Antwerpen in Dutch and Anvers in French; Liège in French is Luik in Dutch and Lüttich in German, and so on. This even applies to cities outside Belgium; driving along a Flemish motorway, you may see signs for Rijsel , which is the French city of Lille or Aken , which is the German city of Aachen . Exits are marked with the word Uit (out) in Flemish areas, Sortie in Walloon areas and Ausfahrt in German-speaking ones.

Drivers in Belgium should also be aware of the "priority from the right" rule. At road crossings, traffic coming from the right has the right of way unless otherwise indicated by signs or pavement markings. You're most likely to encounter such crossings in urban and suburban areas. Observant visitors will notice a lot of cars with dents along their right sides! Drive defensively and your car will avoid the same fate.

In Belgium the motorway signs are notoriously inconvenient, especially on secondary roads. There is no uniformity in layout and colour; many are in bad state, placed in an awkward position or simply missing. A good roadmap (Michelin, De Rouck, Falk) or a GPS system is recommended. Belgium is one of the few countries to solely use the European E numbers on major routes.

As well as fixed-speed cameras on motorway and secondary roads there are also average-speed cameras that run for a good number of miles on motorways around major cities.

Car hire [ edit ]

Some hire cars come equipped with sat nav but it's a good idea to request this when you book your car. It's probably the most reliable way to get from A to B in Belgium. This way you will get to see some of the sites of Belgium, as flat as it may be, but architecture in the towns is something to be admired. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how clean the towns and villages of Belgium are. Drive through on any afternoon and you will see people caring for the street in front of their homes - a real, backdated village community feel.

Speed traps are positioned along roads frequently and drunk driving of only small amounts comes with serious penalties, such as €125 on the spot fine for 0.05 per cent and 0.08 per cent. Over that amount of alcohol in your system and you face anything up to 6 months imprisonment and loss of driving licence for 5 years.

By thumb [ edit ]

The best place for hitchhikers. Just ask for a lift! Having cardboard signs with towns' names on it can really help to get a quick lift.

• Leaving Brussels: Heading south (e.g. Namur) get to the underground station named 'Delta'.

Next to it you have a huge 'park and ride' and a bus stop. Hitchhiking near the bus stop should get you a ride in less than 5 minutes during traffic hours.

• Heading to Ghent/Bruges: Good spot near the Shopping Mall called 'Basilix' in Berchem-ste-Agathe. You can reach this place with the bus N°87.

An alternative spot to go to the north is in Anderlecht, near the Hospital Erasme/Erasmus (Metro station Erasme/Erasmus.)

• Heading to Liège/Hasselt: Take the pre-metro to the station 'Diamant' in Schaarbeek. When leaving the station you should see a lot of outgoing cars just below you. Just walk and follow the roadsigns mentioning 'E40'. You should arrive in a small street giving access to a road joining the E40 (the cars are leaving a tunnel at this point). Just hitchhike on the emergency lane at this point, in the portion near the tunnel. Cars should still be riding slowly at this point and see you are visible to them, so it's not that dangerous.
• Leaving Louvain-la-Neuve (University) to Brussels (north) or to Namur (south), stand at the roundabout next to exit/entrance "8a" near to "Louvain la Neuve-centre" road signs. Quick lift guaranteed. Avoid exit 7 or 9, since they have far less traffic.

See [ edit ]

Mostly known for its key role in European Union administration, the small nation of Belgium might leave you surprised by its rich and gorgeous heritage. It boasts a number of fascinatingly historic cities packed with medieval and Art Nouveau architecture and famous for their long traditions in arts, fashion and fine dining. If you've seen the best of them, the Belgian countryside offers anything from sandy beaches to the densely forested hills and ridges of the Ardennes .

Brussels , the country's vibrant capital, is a modern world city with a highly international character. It combines massive post-modern buildings in its European Quarter with impressive historic monuments, such as the World Heritage listed Grand Place , surrounded by guildhouses and the Gothic town hall . There's Laken Castle and the large St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral , dedicated to the cities patron saints. The Royal Palace is a more recent but no less grand structure. One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Atomium , a remarkable steel structure and remnant of the 1958 World's Fair. And yet, with all those magnificent sights at hand, many travellers' favourite is a tiny bronze fountain in the shape of a peeing boy: the curious Manneken Pis . The Walloon Brabant province, a few kilometres south of Brussels, is certainly worth a visit. There you can visit the Lion's Mound in Waterloo or the beautiful Villers Abbey in Villers-la-Ville.

Perhaps the most popular of the Belgian cities is Bruges . Much of the excellent architecture that arose during the towns Golden Age, roughly the 14th century, remains intact and the old centre is a valued UNESCO World Heritage Site . Among its most prominent landmarks is the 13th century belfry , where the carillonneur still rings the bells on a daily basis. With countless other noteworthy monuments, Bruges is a highly popular destination and get a bit overcrowded during holidays. And then there's Ghent , which in ages past was one of the wealthiest cities in northern Europe. Although larger and much busier than Bruges, its excellent medieval architecture can definitely compete. Its beguinages, belfry and former cloth hall are World Heritage Sites. Or visit Antwerp , the country's current place to be as it is a hotspot of the Belgian fashion, clubbing, arts and diamonds scenes. Nevertheless, the city's timeless old centre is right up there with the others, boasting the countries most stunning cathedrals . Other pleasant cities with good sights include Leuven , with the oldest Catholic University still in use and Liège .

In Wallonia, don't miss the city of Mons which has been the Cultural Capital of Wallonia since 2002. In 2015 the city had the honour of being the Cultural Capital of Europe. Mons is the largest and most important city in the Province of Hainaut, of which it is the administrative and judicial centre. One of its primary aims, however, has been to safeguard its heritage to better share it with the growing numbers of tourists to the area. Three major masterpieces, the Belfry, the Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes and the Doudou, all of which have been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, can be found in and around Mons.

For hiking, biking and camping, head to the rugged hills of the Ardennes with their tight forests, caves and cliffs . They are home to wild boar, deer and lynx and hide a number of friendly villages, lots of castles and a few other notable sights. The impressive caves of Han-sur-Lesse , the castle of Bouillon and the modern Labyrinth of Barvaux are some of the best picks. The city of Namur makes a great base from where to explore the Ardennes and has some fine sights itself too. The city is beautifully located along the rivers Meuse and Sambre and from the ancient citadel you'll have a great view over town.

The Belgians brought forward a good number of world famous masters of art, and their love for arts is still today reflected in the range of fine arts museums. The Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten in Antwerp are just a few excellent examples. However, the Belgians love museums, with over 80 of them in the capital alone. Besides arts, they display anything from history and folklore to industry and technology. As some of the worst fighting of both World Wars took place on Belgian territory, there's also a large number of memorials and museums dedicated to those dark times, along some humbling military cemeteries.

Do [ edit ]

• Mons International Love Film Festival : yearly festival of cinema (February)
• Ritual Ducasse of Mons : Doudou is the popular name for a week of collective jubilation that takes place in Mons on the weekend of the Trinity each year. There are four key moments: The Descent of the Shrine, The Procession, The Ascent of the Car d’Or and The Battle called Lumeçon (Trinity Sunday).
• Ethias Tennis Trophy : one of the better matches in the world. (October / Mons)
• Ommegang : a parade in Brussels that celebrates the beginning of the reign of Charles V of Habsburg. It takes place on the stunning cityscape of the Grand Place and involves thousands of stunts in period costume.
• Zinnekeparade : the yearly celebration of the Brusseler's spirit - the theme changes each year and involves costumes & chariots made by volunteers and locals.

• Graspop Metal Meeting . Yearly heavy metal festival held in the town of Dessel, in June.  

• Carnaval de Binche . Three days in February the town of Binche is transported back to the 16th century for one of the most fantastic festivals of the year. Highlighted by music parades and fireworks, the climax of this event is when the Gilles appear on the Grand Place and throw oranges to the spectators. This infamous festivity has been classified as part of the world's cultural heritage by UNESCO along with its renowned Gilles.  
• Rock Werchter . End of June, beginning of July, Werchter .  
• Dour festival . "European Alternative Music Event" - 12–15 July 2007 - Dour .  
• Pukkelpop . Mid- August  
• Atomium built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair (Expo ’58), it is a 102 metre tall representation of an atomic unit cell. More precisely, it is symbolic of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Nine steel spheres 16m in diameter connect via tubes with escalators 32 m long.
• Gentse Feesten . 2nd half of July. Huge, ten day long street festival in the historical centre of the city of Ghent. The biggest street festival in Europe, with theatre, music in all genres, techno parties, and so on - Gentse Feesten  
• Activiteiten Gent & Antwerpen , Rerum Novarumlaan 132 ( Merksem ), ☏ +32 475 696 880 . Great boat tours around Ghent and Antwerp.  
• 24 hours cycling, Louvain-La-Neuve Louvain-La-Neuve is in the Wallonia not far from Brussel, it's a small pedestrian city created in the 60s for the French-speakers students. Every year, in October, they organised a bicycle competition. Actually, the course is a pretext to enjoy the event... And to drink beers. This party is one of the most important consumption of beers of the whole Europe.
• Belgian Beer Tour Belgian Beer Tour is a tour operator specialising in tours of Belgium breweries. It offers a great way for beer lovers to visit their favourite breweries and discover new ones. The tours cover a wide range of beers and appeals to connoisseurs and amateurs alike.
• TomorrowLand , De Schorre, Boom .  
• Flowercorso Loenhout , Loenhout Centre . one of the largest flower corsos of Belgium. With the title of Royal Corso their theme cars and floats are totally covered with over flowers and go up to 80 feet length. Every year, start of September €2-8 .  

Talk [ edit ]

Belgium has three official languages at the federal level: Dutch , French and German . However, one will quickly notice that the Belgian versions of these languages possess a few idiosyncrasies:

• Flemish Dutch is not always easy to understand for other Dutch speakers. A lot of words used in Flanders would be considered "archaic" even in former Dutch colonies. Furthermore, Flemish Dutch is a lot less guttural than its northern counterpart.
• The French spoken in Belgium, whilst marked by distinct annunciations and intonations, is mostly intelligible to the average French person, and younger generations in urban areas like Brussels tend to speak with a relatively standard French accent. Nevertheless, some "rural" accents can come off as harsh to the casual listener, especially those in and around Charleroi and eastern Wallonia. Anglicised words are also used more often than in France or Quebec.
• The German spoken in Belgium is nearly identical to Hochdeutsch (standard German) but, not unlike Flemish, it does incorporate antiquated words and idioms. German-speaking Belgians also speak a lot more slowly than Germans.

Although Belgium has three official languages, that does not mean that all of them are official everywhere. The official language of Flanders is Dutch and the official language of Wallonia is French. Brussels' official languages are Dutch and French (though French is more commonly spoken) and German is the official language in nine municipalities in Wallonia ( Eupen and its surroundings).

Virtually all Flemish people are bilingual in both Dutch and French, whereas the Walloons are typically monolingual and don't speak any Dutch. Even though German is an official language, less than 1% of the population understands it fluently and you're unlikely to find speakers of the language outside the German-speaking community.

English is usually spoken and understood at a basic level throughout Belgium, but don't expect everyone to be comfortable expressing themselves in it, even younger generations. As an international city, Brussels is one of the most English-friendly cities in Europe; nearly everyone working in the tourism sector can speak it at an advanced level, and most locals have daily exposure to it. English is fairly prevalent in Flanders, as their education system bears some similarities with the Netherlands; however, some people may not be as fluent as expected. In contrast, English is not widely spoken in Wallonia though it is still possible to find English speakers in tourist areas.

Language is a highly sensitive issue in Belgium, and it's possible to accidentally speak the 'wrong' language for the situation. Refer to the section on ' Respect ' for more.

A very small number of inhabitants of Wallonia, particularly the older generations, still speak the Walloon language. This language, while not official, is recognised by the French Community of Belgium as an "indigenous regional language", together with a number of other Romance (Champenois, Lorrain and Picard) and Germanic (Luxembourgish) language varieties. On the flipside, Italian is rather commonplace in Wallonia due to immigration. (At least 10% of Walloons can trace their origins back to Italy.)

Due to its international status, Brussels is home to a myriad of other languages; in addition to English being widespread, it is possible to find people who speak Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, etc.

In Belgium, foreign films and TV shows are available in their original language with French and Dutch subtitles in Flanders and Brussels cinemas and in the Dutch-language TV channels. Only children's TV shows and movies are dubbed.

In Wallonia, all movies and TV shows have a dubbed version in French or German and selected foreign films/TV shows have an original language version (marked with a "VO" in the cinema listing or in the case of TV shows, can be accessed through the remote control).

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

Belgium uses the euro , like several other European countries . One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.

All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on the reverse, expressing the value, and a national country-specific design on the obverse. The obverse is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design of the obverse does not affect the coin's acceptability.

Tipping [ edit ]

Tipping in Belgium is not usually done as service charge is always included. However, you may tip as a sign of appreciation. Usually, this is done by paying in bank notes with a total value slightly higher than the price of the meal and telling the waiter/waitress that they can keep the change.

Items [ edit ]

• Belgian chocolate : A long tradition has given Belgian chocolate a superior refinement process that is recognized worldwide.
• Laces in Bruges
• Designer fashions in Antwerp
• Jewelry in one of Antwerps many jewelry shops
• Belgian comic books and related merchandising, especially in Brussels

Eat [ edit ]

Belgians like to eat. Belgium is famous for its good cuisine and people like to go to restaurants frequently. The best description for Belgian food would be " French food in German quantities".

General rules [ edit ]

• As anywhere else in the world, avoid the tourist traps, where the touts are trying to get you in the restaurants. You will get average to bad quality food for average to high prices, and, at busy times, they will try to get rid of you as soon as possible to make space for the next customer. A good example of this is the famous "Rue des Bouchers/Beenhouwersstraat" in Brussels in this picture.
• Belgium is a country that understands what eating is all about and can be a real gastronomic paradise. You can have a decent meal in just about every tavern, from small snacks to a complete dinner. Just pop into one of those and enjoy it.
• If you want to eat really well for not too much money, ask the local people or the hotel manager (that is, supposing he does not have a brother restaurant-manager) to give some advice for a good restaurant. Not a bad idea is to find a restaurant or tavern a little bit outside of the cities (if advised by some locals) they are usually not too expensive but deliver decent to high quality food. And ordering the specialties during the season will be both beneficial for your wallet and the quality of the food.
• Quality has its price: since the introduction of the euro, the price for eating out in Belgium nearly doubled. Expensive food like lobster or turbot will always cost a lot of money at any restaurant. But you can also find some local and simple dishes, rather cheap and still very tasty (such as sausages, potatoes and spinach). Normally a dinner (3 dishes) will be around €30-50 depending on your choices of food and restaurant. And for cheap, greasy food, just find a local frituur , also called a frietkot or friterie , it will be the best Belgian Fries you'll have had in ages. However , when you are in such a frituur, it may be best to avoid snacks (other than the fries themselves, and the rich choice in sauces that comes with them), which are generally fried and made out of low-quality scrap meat. Do NOT order a cheeseburger or hamburger in such a place! The so-called burger which you would get if you do, is especially notorious for being fried and containing a mixture of low-quality meat.

Specialities [ edit ]

A number of dishes are considered distinctly Belgian specialities and should be on every visitor's agenda.

Mussels are a firm favorite and a side-dish of Moules et frites/Mosselen met friet (Mussels with French fries). The traditional way is to cook them in a pot with white wine and/or onions and celery, then eat them up using only a mussel shell to scoop them out. The top season is September to April, and as with all other shellfish, do not eat the closed ones. Belgium's mussels always come from the nearby Netherlands. Imports from other countries are looked down on.

Balletjes/Boulettes are meatballs with fries. They will either be served with a tomato sauce or with the sauce from Liège, which is based on a local syrup. For this reason they will often be introduced as Boulets Liégeois.

Frikadellen met krieken are also meatballs, served with cherries in a sauce of cherryjuice. This is eaten with bread.

Stoemp is mashed potatoes and carrots with bacon and sausages. It is a typical meal from Brussels.

Stoofvlees (or Carbonade flamande) is a traditional beef stew and is usually served with (you have guessed it already) fries.

Witloof met kaassaus/Chicons au gratin is a traditional gratin of chicory with ham and a cheesy bechamel sauce, usually served with mashed potatoes or croquettes.

Konijn met pruimen : rabbit cooked in beer and dried plums.

Despite the name, French fries ( frieten in Dutch, frites in French) are proudly claimed as a Belgian invention. Whether or not this is true, they certainly have perfected it — although not everybody agrees with their choice of mayonnaise over ketchup as the preferred condiment (ketchup is often considered to be "for kids").

Every village has at least one frituur/friterie , an establishment selling cheap take-away fries, with a huge choice of sauces and fried meat to go with them. The traditional thing to try is friet met stoofvlees , but remember the mayonnaise on it .

Waffles ( wafels in Dutch, gaufres in French) come in two types:

• Gaufres de Bruxelles / Brusselse wafels : a light and airy variety. These are often topped with powdered sugar, and sometimes other toppings such as whipped cream or even fruits for a big dessert.
• a heavier variety with a gooey center known as Gaufres de Liège / Luikse wafels . These are often eaten without toppings as a street/ take-away snack while shopping and therefore can be found at stands on the streets of the cities. Shops aimed solely at tourists will try to put toppings like whipped cream on this type of waffle rather than the Gaufres de Bruxelles/Brusselse wafels, but this is not usually done by Belgians.

Last but not least, Belgian chocolate is famed around the world. Famous chocolatiers include Godiva, Leonidas, Guylian, Galler, Marcolini and Neuhaus, with Godiva, Leonidas and Neuhaus being official suppliers of chocolate to the Belgian royal family. In nearly all supermarkets, you can buy the brand Côte d'Or, generally considered the best 'everyday' chocolate (for breakfast or break) among Belgians.

International [ edit ]

As a small country in the centre of western Europe, the cuisine is influenced not only by the surrounding countries but also by many other countries. This is also emphasized by many foreigners coming to this country to make a living here, for instance by starting a restaurant. You can find all types of restaurants:

• French/Belgian: A traditional Belgian restaurant serves the kind of food you will also find in the best French restaurants. Of course there are local differences: at the coast (in France as well as in Belgium) you have a better chance of finding some good seafood, like mussels, turbot, sole or the famous North Sea shrimp. In the southern woods of the Ardennes (remember the battle of the Bulge?), you are better off choosing game or local fish like trout.
• English/Irish: There are Irish bars and pubs everywhere and Belgium is no exception, try the Schuman area of Brussels for more Irish pubs than you can shake a stick at. There is also an English pub just off of Place de la Monnaie in central Brussels.
• American: There are McDonald's or lookalikes in most towns. The Belgian variety is called "Quick". You may also find a local booth serving sausages, hot dogs or hamburgers. Try it: the meat tastes the same, but the bread is much better. Ketchup in this region is made with less sugar (even the Heinz brand). Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Subway also have establishments, but you won't find Burger King. There are no real American restaurants, although there is an American bar on the Toison d'Or in Brussels that serves food.
• Italian: Roughly 500,000 people in Belgium are Italian or have Italian heritage, and ties have been historically close between Belgium and Italy, so finding a tasty pizza or mouth-watering pastas is not difficult, especially in Brussels and Wallonia.
• Mexican: Only in the cities and rather costly for only medium quality. ChiChi's (near Bourse) serves Mexican American food but would not be considered a good value by American standards. ChiChi's uses reconstituted meats.
• Chinese: They have a long tradition of restaurants in Belgium. Rather cheap, but an acceptable quality.
• German/Austrian: Maxburg in the Schuman area (next to Spicy Grill) makes a good schnitzel.
• Greek/Spanish/Italian: Like all over the world, nice, rather cheap, with a good atmosphere and typical music (Greek: Choose meat, especially lamb) (Spanish: Choose paella and tapas) (Italian: Choose anything).
• Japanese/Thai: You usually find them only in the cities and they are rather expensive, but they give you great quality. The prices and the quality are both satisfying in a concentrated cluster of Thai restaurants near Bourse station. Avoid Phat Thai though if you don't want disruptions - as they let pan handlers and flower pushers enter and carry out their "work".
• Arabic/Moroccan: Rather cheap, with a great variety of local dishes, especially with lamb; no fish or pork or beef.
• Turkish: Rather cheap, with a great variety of local dishes, especially with chicken and lamb and also vegetarian dishes, dishes with fish are rare; no pork or beef.
• Belgium offers a wide selection of other international restaurants.

Drink [ edit ]

For party-minded people, Belgium can be great. Most cities are close to each other and are either large urban areas (Brussels, Antwerp) or student areas (Leuven, Liège, Ghent), etc. In this little region, you will find the most clubs, cafés, restaurants per square mile in the world. A good starting point can be places with a strong student/youth culture: Leuven around its big university, Liège in the famous "carré" district, etc. You can expect a wide variety in music appreciation, going from jazz to the better electronic music to even some solid heavy metal bars. Just ask around for the better clubs and there you will most likely meet some music fanatics who can show you the better underground parties in this tiny country.

The government has a mostly liberal attitude towards bars, clubs and parties. They acknowledge the principle of "live and let live". As long as you don't cause public disturbance, vandalize property and get too drunk, the police will not intervene; this is also one of the main principles of Belgian social life, as drunk and disorderly behaviour is generally considered offensive. Of course, in student communities this is more tolerated, but generally, you are most respected if you party as hard as you like- but with a sense of discretion and self-control.

Officially, drugs are not allowed. But as long as you respect the aforementioned principles, you are not likely to get into serious trouble. Beware though, that driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is not tolerated and traffic laws are strictly enforced in this matter. Especially in the weekends on main roads, you have a good chance of being stopped for an alcohol check.

Water [ edit ]

Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Belgium, but most restaurants do not serve it. Hot spring or some other mineral water is typically served and costs about €2 per bottle. Spa is like bru and chaudfontaine a very famous water brand.

Beer [ edit ]

Belgium is to beer what France is to wine; it is home to one of the greatest beer traditions in the world. Like other European countries in medieval times, beers were brewed in a huge variety of ways with many different ingredients. In addition to the standard ingredients of water, malted barley, hops and yeast, many herbs and spices were also used. This activity was often done in monasteries, each developing a particular style. For some reason, uniquely in Belgium many of these monasteries survived almost into modern times, and the process was handed over to a local commercial brewer if the monastery closed. These brewers would often augment the recipe and process slightly to soften the taste to make it more marketable, but the variety survived in this way. These beers are called Abbey beers and there are hundreds and hundreds with a range of complex tastes unimaginable until you've tried them.

The Trappist label is controlled by international law, similar to that of Champagne in France. There are only six Trappist Abbeys in Belgium that produce beer qualified to be called Trappist . In order to carry the Trappist label, there are several rules that must be adhered to during the brewing process. The beer must be fermented within the walls of the abbey, the monks of the abbey must be involved in the beer-making process, and profit from the sale of the beer must be directed towards supporting the monastery (similar to a non-profit organization).

Belgium offers an incredible diversity of beers. Wheat / white beers (with their mixture of barley and wheat) as well as Lambic beers (sour-tasting wheat beers brewed by spontaneous fermentation) originated in Belgium. For the non-beer lovers, lambic beers are still interesting to try, as they are often brewed in fruity flavors and don't have a usual beer taste. Several well known mass-produced Belgian beers are Stella Artois, Duvel, Leffe, Jupiler, Hoegaarden. The names given to some beers are pretty imaginative: e.g. Verboden Vrucht (Forbidden Fruit), Mort Subite (Sudden Death), De Kopstoot (Head Butt), Judas and Delirium Tremens.

Warmly recommended are also Kriek (sweet and sour cherry beer) and, for the Christmas season, Stille Nacht (Silent night).

Plain blond draughts (4%-5.5%): Stella Artois, Jupiler, Maes, Cristal, Primus, Martens, Bavik.

Trappist ales (5%-10%): Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Westmalle.

Geuze: Belle-Vue, the lambic Mort Subite (Sudden Death), Lindemans in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw , Timmermans, Boon, Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen, Oud Beersel, Giradin, Hanssens, De Troch.

White beers: Hoegaarden, Dentergemse, Brugse Witte.

Jenever [ edit ]

The city of Hasselt is well known in Belgium for its local alcoholic beverage, called jenever . It is a rather strong liquor, but it comes in all kinds of tastes beyond your imagination, including vanilla, apple, cactus, kiwi, and chocolate. Hasselt lies in the east of Belgium, and is about one hour away by train from Brussels and 50 minutes from Antwerp. Trains go two times an hour from Antwerp.

Pubs [ edit ]

Pubs, or cafés , are wide spread. They all have a large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic, hot and cold beverages. Some serve food, others don't. Some might be specialised in beer, or wine, or cocktails, or something else. Smoking in pubs is forbidden by law.

Sleep [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• Couchsurfing . has a lot of members in Belgium  
• Vrienden op de fiets . If you are travelling in Flanders by bicycle or by foot, there is a list of 260 addresses where you can stay at private homes with bed and breakfast for no more than €18.50 per person per night, although you must also pay €9 for membership of this scheme.  
• Hostelling International (Flanders & Brussels) ( Vlaamse Jeugdherbergen ). This is the Flemish HI association with 19 hostels, one of which is in Brussels. ( updated May 2023 )
• Hostelling International (Wallonia & Brussels) ( Les Auberges de Jeunesse ). This is the Wallonia-Brussels HI association with ten hostels, two of which are in Brussels. ( updated May 2023 )

Hotels [ edit ]

Belgium has many fine hotels. Capital Brussels has countless rather expensive business hotels catering to the European Union's bureaucrats, and while you can usually get a good room for under €100 , prices can spike if there's a big EU shindig in town.

Learn [ edit ]

The different stages of education are the same in all communities:

• Pre-school ( kleuteronderwijs ; enseignement maternel ): -6 years
• Primary school ( lager onderwijs ; enseignement primaire ): 6–12 years
• Secondary school ( secundair onderwijs ; enseignement secondaire ): 12–18 years
• University ( universiteit ; université )
• Polytechnic ( hogeschool ; haute école )

Education is organized by the regions (Dutch-speaking Flanders on the one hand, French and German speaking Wallonia on the other) and the small federal district of Brussels has schools run by both the Flemish and Walloon authorities. Both states recognize independent school networks, which cater to far more students than the state schools themselves. Most Flemish students go to a Flemish Catholic school. However, every independent school needs to follow the official state curriculum, and Catholicism in Flanders has long been extremely liberal anyway.

Work [ edit ]

Having one of the highest labour taxes in Europe, Belgium is struggling to reposition itself as a high-tech country. In that struggle, Flanders is far ahead and much wealthier than Wallonia, in contrast to the previous decades, where Wallonia's steel industry was the main export of Belgium. Highly skilled people will have the most chance to find work, and knowing multiple languages (Dutch, French, English and perhaps German) is almost a standard requirement. Interim offices providing temporary jobs are flourishing in a search to avoid the high labour taxes.

Belgium has one of the highest tax rates in the world. An employer who pays a salary about €1500 a month actually pays another €1500 or more in taxes. Where does this money go to? It goes to social security. People only pay a small charge for healthcare, for example. And the budget for education, arts and culture is enormous. The budget for defense is however very tiny.

Although Belgium is undesirable for building wealth, it's a good place for someone who already is wealthy to reside because there is very little capital gains tax (some forms of capital gain is not taxed at all).

Stay safe [ edit ]

With the notable exceptions of certain major urban areas like Brussels (mostly the northern and western sections of the region), Antwerp (the southern neighbourhoods), and Walloon cities bordering France (Mons, Mouscron), Belgium is a very safe country. Tourists will feel perfectly fine by taking basic precautions, like not flashing expensive jewelry or avoiding poorly-lit streets. If you ever fall victim to crime, the emergency phone number in Belgium (fire, police, paramedics) is 112 .

Pickpocketing and other crimes [ edit ]

Violent crimes are generally uncommon in Belgium, but as with much of Europe, petty crimes like pickpocketing do occur, mostly in Brussels and more touristy cities like Bruges and Antwerp.

Aggravated assaults have occurred sporadically throughout the years, but they rarely involve tourists. Brussels and other major cities have seen a surge of assaults against women

Racism [ edit ]

As a country marked by continued waves of immigration, Belgium is one of the world's most multicultural nations. However, there are still rural areas with much fewer immigrants and certain types of skin tones can still attract unwanted attention.

People of North African or Middle Eastern ancestry in particular may attract violent stares and resentment from older generations in rural areas and wealthier sections of Brussels and Antwerp . With all that said, Belgians - especially younger ones - are noticeably more welcoming towards Muslims and immigrants than other Europeans, and public expressions against Islam and non-whites are swiftly condemned.

People who are recognisably Jewish, such as men who wear kippot, have also experienced harassment and worse, and should check on current conditions for Jews before they go. This especially applies to Brussels.

LGBTQ [ edit ]

By many measures, Belgium is one of the most - if not the most - LGBTQ-friendly nations in the world. Some of Europe's biggest gay prides happen here, and Brussels has one of the world's most lively gay scenes. However, attacks against gays and lesbians are not uncommon in large cities and rural areas.

Alcohol and drugs [ edit ]

Possessing small amounts of marijuana is punishable by a fine. You may get into more serious trouble for smoking weed in public.

As the undisputed land of beers, Belgium has long had a reputation for drunk behaviours, and the country had one of the world's highest alcohol consumption per capita. This rate has, however, dropped significantly since the early 2010s, and public intoxication is nowhere nearly as common as it used to be. Nevertheless, it remains an issue in certain areas.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

In the winter, like most other European countries, only influenza will cause you a considerable inconvenience. No inoculations are needed to enter or leave Belgium.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium.

As one of Europe's most densely populated countries, Belgium suffers from serious air pollution. This applies for both urban and rural areas.

Connect [ edit ]

Belgium has a modern telephone system with nationwide cellular telephone coverage, and multiple internet access points in all cities, free in most libraries. Also in multiple gas stations, NMBS/SNCB train stations and diners on the highways there is Wi-Fi available.

• Many cafés offer free Wi-Fi nowadays, but don't write it on the door for whatever reason...
• if you can't find any you can always fall back on Quick , McDonalds , Lunch Garden , Exki , Carrefour Planet or Starbucks which all offer free Wi-Fi.

Belgium has some of the slowest internet speeds in Western Europe.

Mobile [ edit ]

Belgium uses the GSM standard of cellular phones (900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) used in much of the world except parts of the Americas. There are three main companies (Proximus, Orange and Base, and a large number of MVNOs) offering wireless service. The country is almost totally covered.

It is no longer possible to buy anonymous prepaid SIM cards in Belgium as a result of new Belgian anti-terror legislation. Buying a SIM card in advance from Mobile Vikings now requires name and address registration. If you stay for some time, buy a pre-paid cell phone card that you can use in any phone that supports the GSM standard on the 900/1800 MHz bands. With these cards, incoming calls and SMSes are generally free. You can get SIM cards for the three main companies in dedicated phone shops.

All networks provide UMTS and HSDPA (3G) mobile internet coverage, and are rolling out a 4G network, mainly in the big cities.

Respect [ edit ]

Giving tips in bars or restaurants is virtually unheard of, even in larger cities. Doing so does shows that you were satisfied with the service given, but you are absolutely not obliged to do so. Depending on the total, a tip of €0.50 to €2.50 is considered generous.

Belgians in general are very proud of their comic book artists. The "Belgian school of comic books" is hailed as a national point of pride. There are dozens of beautiful yet expensive merchandise items, and the Belgians are fond of them. A plastic figurine of a comic book character or a special artwork of a hailed comic book artist would be a perfect gift for your Belgian friends and in-laws, for example.

Try to show appreciation for some of the things made in Belgium. For instance, French fries, beers, comic books, chocolate, and the like. Inquiries about them will be welcomed and appreciated by the vast majority of Belgians.

As a rule of thumb, do not speak French in Flanders or Dutch in Wallonia . Even if you're looking to practice your language skills, try not to speak the "wrong" language in the wrong region, as this can sometimes be considered to be offensive. Like with many countries, the best option is to ask first if someone speaks English or French in Flanders, or Dutch/English in Wallonia. Although you will generally find many more French speakers in Flanders than Dutch speakers in Wallonia, the former may not, for political reasons, want to speak French to you. The latter are unlikely to know more than a few Dutch phrases they learnt at school. English as a second (or third) language is more prevalent in Flanders and Brussels. Some people won't hesitate to either dismiss you or at worst give an icy response, if you speak the "wrong" language in the wrong area.

This doesn't apply to the German-speaking areas (as the German-speaking community is an observer in the Flanders-Wallonia dispute) and Brussels. As a tourist, it's better to communicate in English as it's considered to be the "diplomatic" language of the country.

The Flanders-Wallonia dispute and the possibility of Belgium partitioning are highly controversial, emotional issues and should be avoided. You should avoid discussing them where possible.

As with many countries in Europe, Inquiring about someone's salary or talking about your own is uncommon and in conversation is a great way to make someone feel uncomfortable. Similarly, discussing personal, political, or religious convictions are no-go areas until you're better acquainted with someone.

Do not tell the Walloons (and most of the people of Brussels) that they are French. Most Walloons, despite speaking French, are not and do not consider themselves French. And, for similar reasons, do not tell the Flemish (and also the people of Brussels) that they are Dutch. Most Flemings, despite speaking Dutch (Flemish), are not and do not consider themselves Dutch. The same applies to the 75,000 German-speaking Belgians, who have a heavy historical background with their neighbour Germany.

Generally speaking, Belgians tend to keep to themselves and those they are most familiar with; it is not uncommon to meet people that live within 5km of their place of birth deep into adulthood, and as a result outsiders may feel as if Belgians are aloof and unfriendly. This definitely applies to Brussels (with its hustle and bustle) and Flanders (where people are definitely more reserved than their Walloon counterparts). Making friends with locals will take time, but it will be worth it.

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Discover Belgium

General information.

Situated between France and The Netherlands, the Kingdom of Belgium is often called the Essence of Europe. Stunning architecture decorates quaint cobblestone squares. Incredible cuisine is found in a wide range of restaurants. Brussels is one of the world’s great cosmopolitan capitals, home to both the European Union and NATO. A flatland crisscrossed by canals in the north, Flanders is proud of its medieval art cities of Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. To the south in Wallonia, find the rolling hills of the Ardennes, countless castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai. Energetic and carefree, Belgium is undeniable as a country of welcoming connoisseurs.

Discover Belgium through our stories

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Scenic, historic, hiking and nocturnal routes!

Flemish coast journey

Beautiful views on the world’s longest tram line.

Flanders’ natural splendor

A tour of the most beautiful Flemish parks.

Flanders: a tale of two cities

A few Flemish cultural gems – by bike.

Flanders, a state of the arts

Ensor2024, Beaufort24 & Bruges Triennial overwhelm.

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Enchanting Wallonia.

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Europe is a magical place. From ancient castles to picturesque waterfalls, much of the scenery looks like it could be straight out of a fairytale. In fact, much of Europe’s best literature, collections of short stories and iconic European fairytales are inspired by real places. Explore them for yourself to turn the stories of folklore into your reality.

Flanders’ modern grandmaster

In the footsteps of Ensor in Ostend.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

With a past as storied as Europe’s, it’s impossible not to take in some history while on your trip. Find out more about UNESCO World Heritage Site in the European territory.

Exploring the Historic Charm of Belgium

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19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Belgium

Written by Jess Lee Updated Mar 30, 2022

Belgium may be small but it's packed full of sights.

UNESCO-acclaimed sites in the capital city of Brussels range from 14th-century guildhalls surrounding the elegant Grand Place to the early 20th-century Art Nouveau townhouses of Victor Horta.

Bruges is a major attraction for tourists, with its perfectly-preserved medieval streets rimming tranquil canals that lure flocks of travelers each year.

Although Bruges is by far Belgium's most popular place to visit, plenty of other towns in the country – particularly Ghent and Mechelen – retain excellent architectural examples from the Middle Ages as well.

This small nation has been right at the forefront of Europe's history, with many of the continent's most important events played out across its countryside.

It was in Belgium that Napoleon met his match at the battle of Waterloo, and during both the First and Second World Wars, Belgium found itself thrust into the frontline.

The World War I battlefields of Ypres are now important pilgrimage sites and today are among the country's top things to do.

Whether you're here for the ancient or modern history, Belgium provides a huge chunk of European heritage within a bite-sized piece of land.

Find out what to do while you're here with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in Belgium.

1. Grand Place, Brussels

2. the canals of bruges, 3. the battlefields of flanders, 4. the belfry of bruges, 5. ghent's gravensteen and old town, 6. basilica of the holy blood, bruges, 7. meuse valley, 8. mechelen old town, 9. ghent's canals, 10. waterloo, 11. grand place (grote markt), antwerp, 12. semois valley, 13. mons old town, 14. st. peter's church, leuven, 15. castle of vêves, 16. raversyde atlantikwall, 17. cathedral of saint bavo, ghent, 18. antwerp's art museums, 19. horta museum and town houses.

La Grand Place (also known as De Grote Markt), is rimmed by finely preserved guildhalls and other grand buildings that showcase Belgium's vernacular architecture at its best.

One side is dominated by the ornate medieval town hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Grand Place was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding representation of late 17th-century architecture.

The square is busy with tourists and locals at all times of year, but especially in August of alternate years, when the center is filled with the 75- by 24-meter flower carpet, made up of more than 700,000 cut begonias.

Tip: You'll get the best full view of the beautiful designs from the balcony of the town hall.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Brussels

Bruges began on the banks of the river Reie, and as it grew, so did a series of waterways connecting it to the Zwin estuary and the North Sea.

Today, the canals are beautiful reminders of Bruges history, and taking a sightseeing cruise along them is one of the most popular ways to explore the city.

Sightseeing boat trips, departing from five docks, dotted along the main canal in the central city, run half-hourly from March to November (and less frequently in the depths of winter) with trips winding down the length of the main canal.

This is one of the best opportunities to get photos of both Bruges' famous canal-side terraced house architecture and some of its finest buildings.

Tours run rain or shine, and umbrellas are provided by the tour boat operator when it's raining. No reservations are taken for the public sightseeing boat tours – you simply turn up at the dock and buy your ticket as you board.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bruges

For many visitors, Belgium's role on the front line of World War I, and in particular the Battlefields of Flanders around Ypres are the main reason for a journey here.

Not only important historically, the battlefields are a major pilgrimage site. The preserved trenches run for kilometers around the town of Ypres, while this area is also scattered with vast cemeteries for the thousands of soldiers who died here.

The Tyne Cot Cemetery (British) and Langemark's German War Cemetery are both solemn reminders of the brutal fighting that took place here during the Great War.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ypres

Among the most recognizable sights in Belgium, this beautiful belfry (officially known as Belfort met Beiaard) dominates the main square of Bruges.

Dating from the 13th century, this medieval era tower is attached to a building that once functioned as the main town market hall and has been wonderfully preserved, allowing visitors a real taste of the architectural might of the Middle Ages.

Climbing the 366 winding and narrow steps of the belfry to the observation deck, which sits at 83 meters high, is one of the most popular things to do for tourists in Belgium.

Once at the top, the views of church spires and steeple-roofs provide one of the country's best-known panoramas.

Official site: https://www.museabrugge.be

This hugely impressive fort was once the grand home of the counts of Flanders, who took their inspiration for castle-building from the bulky castles the Crusaders built in Syria.

Today, Gravensteen is one of Europe's best surviving examples of a moated fortress and has been incredibly well-preserved.

Its strong and impressively thick and high walls soar up from the waters of the river Lieve right in the middle of the old town of Ghent, rising above the rooftops of the surrounding streets.

Inside, the vast arched halls and chambers contain exhibits of medieval life, but it's the castle's architecture itself that is the real star of the show. Climb up the staircase to the roof for panoramic views across town before strolling through Ghent's charming stone-paved streets.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ghent

If you're only going to visit one church in Bruges make it this one. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is not only impressive for its blending of Romanesque and late Gothic architecture but also for the sacred relic kept inside.

The upper chapel is home to the famous vial for which the church takes its name; said to contain a drop of Jesus Christ's blood that was brought back to Belgium after the Second Crusade.

The interior of the church is a dazzling riot of gild work that was completed in the 16th century and provides ample reason for a visit even if you're not interested in holy relics.

The Meuse Valley , south of Brussels, is one of the best places to get a feel for Belgium's rural heartland.

The Meuse River offers Belgium's most scenic river trip opportunities, with dense forest countryside interspersed with hilltop craggy castle and fortress ruins, and little waterfront towns backed by limestone cliffs.

Head to either the towns of Namur or Dinant to plan your river trip. Both these small centers act as gateways to this region.

The Meuse Valley is also home to a host of hiking and cycling trails for travelers who want to add some activities into their holiday.

Its monuments may not be as famous as those in visitor favorite Bruges, but Mechelen's old town area is a great place to capture a sense of medieval Belgium, with plenty of gabled architecture and fine old buildings still in situ.

The central Grote Markt is bordered by some exceptionally fine buildings including the Town Hall and Lakenhall, while the impressive Sint-Rombouts Cathedral with its tall clock tower rises up just behind.

Away from the main square, a stroll through the center will also reveal plenty of typical guild house architecture that history fans are sure to want to see.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Antwerp

For easy sightseeing while in Ghent, simply take to the water.

Several companies offer sightseeing trips (both public and private options) upon Ghent's waterways, which wind through the city's medieval old town district, passing by the famed guildhall facades that line the canals, its medieval harbor, and some of Ghent's monasteries and churches.

Most canal cruise options are either 40 minutes or one hour. Departures are regular throughout the day, from approximately March through November, with fewer departures during winter.

As well as the sightseeing cruises, a couple of companies offer kayak rental, so you can explore the canals at your own speed.

Yes, history fans, it is that Waterloo; the place where Napoleon was defeated in the famous battle.

Today, the countryside where the battle once roared is a bucolic landscape of agricultural fields, but an artificial hill rises up from the surrounding flatlands with a memorial lion sculpture atop the summit to commemorate the day when Napoleon's army was finally stopped.

From the top, there are excellent views across the countryside. For anyone interested in the history of Belgium and of greater Europe, Waterloo remains an important stop on the itinerary.

Right in the core of Antwerp, sits the town's wonderful Grand Place (also known as the Grote Markt), which contains some of Belgium's finest examples of guild house architecture with their typical steeple-roofed shape.

The Town Hall here is a well-preserved example of 16th-century construction, and the interior is worth viewing for its collection of paintings that show Antwerp's history.

The guild houses that still rim the plaza are the major reason to visit the Grote Markt though.

Among the best facades are the Coopers' House and Grocers' House but all of them are well-preserved examples of this Belgian-style of architecture.

A nature-lover's delight, the Semois Valley provides a needed dose of lush countryside after all that historic rambling through Belgium's cities and towns.

Here, in the southern corner of the country, the winding Semois River cuts through farmland overlooked by gently undulating forest-clad hills. It's Belgium's prime hiking territory and also a good place for riverboat trips following the sinuous curves of the river.

Villages such as Membre, Laforet, and Alle offer good accommodation options, from mid-range guesthouses to camping within the region.

To see the valley at its prettiest come in spring, when the wildflowers bloom.

The old town of Mons is a delight to explore.

At the center is the Grand Place, a main square graced by a variety of typically ornate buildings that span a 400-year period, dating from between the 15th and 18th centuries, yet still retain a sense of symmetry.

In particular, the Toison d'Or House (1615) and the Chapel of St. George (1604) are architectural highpoints.

Away from the Grand Place, the old town hides many more sightseeing opportunities.

The UNESCO-listed bell tower on the hill above town and the Church of Sainte-Waudru with its interior crammed full of artistic and religious relics are two of the most important attractions.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mons (Bergen)

With its pointed arch windows and sheaf pillars, St. Peter's Church is one of Belgium's best preserved examples of Brabant Gothic style.

The church sits right in the heart of Leuven on the town's main square or Grote Markt.

As well as the church's splendid 15th-century architecture, inside, art-lovers will find an extra treat. The choir and the ambulatory are home to a museum dedicated to religious art, where some of the finest Flemish paintings illustrating biblical scenes are shown.

In particular, the Baroque carved pulpit and Dirk Bouts' painting of the Last Supper are worth a visit.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Leuven

This fairy-tale-style medieval castle, flanked by round towers and with interiors decorated in a sumptuous 18th-century style, is one of the Namur province's top tourist attractions .

The architecture of the present-day Castle of Vêves (Château de Vêves) dates back to the 15th century, as the previous 12th-century castle was destroyed by fire. This hilltop position, though, which easily guarded the main route between Dinant and Rochefort, has been the site of a fortified building since 670 CE.

The castle is renowned as Belgium's most well-preserved example of medieval castle architecture.

The castle is on the edge of the village of Celles and is easily accessed from both Dinant and Namur.

Official site: https://chateau-veves.be/en/

In Ostend, the historic site of Raversyde Atlantikwall is set amid a large nature park of woodland, grassland, and coastal dunes.

Inside is the Atlantikwall war bunker complex. It is one of the best preserved segments of the German defensive line, which ran along the coast of occupied Belgium during WWI and WWII.

The Atlantikwall complex here consists of the WWI Aachen Battery and the WWII Saltzwedel-neu Battery with a series of tunnels, passageways, and artillery positions set amid the coastal dunes.

Also within Raversyde Atlantikwall is the archaeological site of Anno 1465, which includes reconstructed houses from the medieval fishing village of Walraversijde and a museum about the history of the site.

Official site: www.raversyde.be

This majestic cathedral with its high Gothic choir and Romanesque crypt showcases the best of religious architecture in Belgium and is Ghent's most outstanding tourist attraction.

Although the soaring building, with its harmonious stained glass windows, is a highlight in itself, most people come here to see the famous artwork that graces the interior; specifically the Flemish masterpiece known as The Altar of Ghent.

Once you've viewed the painting though, don't miss the mammoth crypt under the cathedral, which contains important tombs and some beautiful wall paintings.

Once home to the acclaimed painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), the port city of Antwerp is a major destination for art fans.

The palazzo-style house where Rubens lived and worked from 1610 onwards is now the Rubenshuis museum, which contains both a large collection of paintings by the artist and exhibits on his life (which also included several stints of serving as a diplomat) and his artistic style.

The house is a tourist attraction itself with its tranquil manicured garden; courtyard; and ornate Italianate facade.

As well as the permanent Rubens collection, the Rubenshuis also hosts a program of temporary exhibits.

The Antwerp Museum of Modern Art is also in the city and holds a world-class collection of contemporary art from both Belgian and international artists.

Victor Horta was the most influential architect and designer of the early 20th-century style known as Art Nouveau.

Several of his stunning buildings survive in Brussels and now constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Begin at the Horta Museum, located in his former home and studio, which have been preserved as he designed them, with the original stained glass, mosaics, wood work, and decorations.

Horta was a pioneer in this artistic revolution that maximized and diffused natural light and incorporated themes from nature in its sinuous curves. Horta's aesthetic included attention to every detail of construction and decoration, from the design of the house to its furniture and even the decoration on hinges and doorknobs.

The two joined buildings of his house and studio show Art Nouveau at its height, and his four major town houses – Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta – are also included in the UNESCO site.

Address: 23-25 rue Américaine, Saint-Gilles, Brussels

Official site: www.hortamuseum.be/en

More on Belgium

87 fun facts about Belgium that’ll blow your mind

August 24, 2023 | Posted in: Belgium

Looking for some fun facts about Belgium? You've come to the right place!

There's much more to Belgium than beer, chocolate, and waffles. This treasure trove of Belgium facts is proof of that.

Note: this list only contains facts. I created a separate list with famous Belgians. So no worries, I didn't forget about Adolphe Sax.

Listed below are the top fun facts about Belgium.

• Belgium independent in 1830. Belgium's independency was declared in 1830. It's located in Western Europe and consists of three federal regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussel.
• Belgium has another official name and a king. The official name is “Kingdom of Belgium” and King Philippe of the Belgians is the monarch.
• Belgium has 3 official languages. These are Dutch, French, and German.
• Spa came from Belgian city. The city of Spa, Belgium is located in the province of Liège.
• Napoleon defeated at Waterloo. Waterloo is a city in south of Brussels,
• Brussels hosts diplomats. Brussels and Washington D.C., hosts the most of diplomats and press correspondents of all the countries in the world.

1. Belgium independent in 1830

Belgium became an independent country in 1830. It's located in Western Europe and consists of three federal regions: Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south, and Brussels in the center.

2. Belgium has another official name and a king

Its official name is the “Kingdom of Belgium” and King Philippe of the Belgians is the current monarch.

3. Belgium has 3 official languages

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Contrary to what many people think, Flemish is not a language. It's a dialect cluster or simply the way people from the Northern part of Belgium – Flanders – speak Dutch.

4. Spa came from Belgian city

One fun fact about Belgium many people don’t know about is that the word “spa” comes from the Belgian city of Spa, located in the province of Liège. Spa is world-famous for its many natural mineral springs, and over time the name of the city became synonymous with any health resort with therapeutic baths, hot springs, or wellness treatments.

5. Napoleon defeated at Waterloo

Napoleon was defeated in Waterloo, a city south of Brussels.

6. Brussels hosts diplomats

Looking for some interesting facts about Belgium? Brussels, together with Washington D.C., has the highest number of diplomats and foreign press correspondents in the world.

7. Big agricultural fair held in Belgium

The largest agricultural, forestry and agri-food fair in Europe, the Foire de Libramont, is held in Belgium.

8. Belgium has many castles

Belgium is the country with the most castles per square kilometer in the world. A famous example is the Gravensteen in Ghent.

9. Belgium's high income taxes

Belgium has some of the highest income and social contribution tax rates in the world. For single people without children, it has the highest income tax rates.

10. Famous Belgian comics

Three famous Belgian comics are Tintin, The Smurfs and Lucky Luke.

11. The Snorks are Belgian

The Snorks are also Belgian.

12. First international football in Belgium

The very first international football game was played in Brussels in 1904.

13. Football still popular in Belgium

Football is still one of the most popular sports in Belgium.

14. Belgian king briefly dethroned

In 1990, the Belgian king Baudouin was dethroned for 36 hours. He was against the abortion law that the government wanted to pass, so they dethroned him, signed the law, and made him king again.

15. Belgium's long government formation

Little weird Belgium holds the world record for the longest government formation in history. The country was without a government for 541 days and then it took another 200 days to divide the highest 65 administrative jobs.

16. Belgium has the most translated books

The most translated books in the world, after the Bible, are those about Inspector Maigret by author Georges Simenon from Liège.

17. Belgium got a TV in 1953

Television was introduced in Belgium in 1953 with two channels, one in Dutch and one in French.

18. Education compulsory until 18 in Belgium

Another interesting fact about Belgium is that it's one of the rare countries where education is compulsory until you're 18 years old.

19. Belgium has two living kings

Aside from Spain, Belgium is the only country in the world to have two living kings. Current King Philippe's father Albert continues carrying the title “king” after his abdication.

20. Antwerp is diamond capital

Antwerp is the world's diamond capital, as over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through there. There are lots of diamond stores outside Antwerp's central train station.

21. Brussels airport big on chocolate

Brussels International Airport is the world's largest chocolate selling point.

22. Belgium's early newspapers

There are a lot of interesting things about Belgium when you look at its history and culture. For example, the country can claim to be the place where the world's two first printed newspapers were printed – both in 1605. One was printed in Strasbourg, and the other (the Nieuwe Tijdingen) was printed by Abraham Verhoeven in Antwerp in northern Flanders.

23. First Belgian car made

The first Belgian car, called the Vincke, was built in 1894. Automobiles Vincke produced a handful of models until it stopped production in 1905.

24. Belgium's highest point

Signal de Botrange (694 m) is the highest point in Belgium.

25. Belgium's lowest point

The North Sea is the lowest point in Belgium.

26. Belgium has long tram line

The Belgian coastal tram, which stretches for 68 km, is the longest tram line in the world. It opened in 1885 and operates between De Panne and Knokke-Heist, which is from the French border to the Dutch border.

27. Belgium's first railroad

The first railroad on the European mainland opened in Belgium in 1835. It connected Brussels and Mechelen.

28. Belgium's first gay PM

Belgium had the first openly gay Prime Minister in Europe. His name is Elio Di Rupo.

29. Ghent hosts big festival

Ghent hosts the biggest cultural festival in Europe, the Gentse Feesten. It's a great event if you don't mind the crowds.

30. Belgium has equal pay

Belgium has the lowest salary gap between men and women in the EU.

31. Belgium's translated authors

The two French-speaking authors who have been the most translated are both Belgian: the comic book author Hergé and George Simenon, an author mostly known for his detective novels. The Hergé Museum is located in Belgium as well.

32. Famous billiard balls from Belgium

80% of billiard players use the Aramith pool balls made in Belgium.

33. Belgians invented fries

Belgians invented fries (and a ton of other delicious things). That's that. Why everyone insists on calling them French fries is beyond me ;-)

34. Leuven is oldest university city in Belgium

Leuven has the oldest university city in the Low Lands.

35. Belgium's tallest building

The tallest building in Belgium is the Zuidertoren (“South Tower”) in Brussels.

36. First stock exchange in Belgium

The first stock exchange building was built in Bruges.

37. Belgium has big fruit region

Haspengouw is the largest fruit region in Western Europe and the second largest one in all of Europe after South Tyrol.

38. Music tape invented in Belgium

The music tape was invented by the Belgian department of Philips in Hasselt in 1963.

39. Peter Pan inspiration buried in Belgium

George Llewelyn Davies, the adopted son of the Scottish “Peter Pan” author James Barrie and the direct inspiration for the character of Peter Pan, was buried in Belgium.

40. Belgium hosts sand sculpture festival

Belgium hosts the world's largest sand sculpture festival.

41. Big music festival in Belgium

Tomorrowland is the world's largest Electronic Dance Music festival and festivals in Belgium are a really big deal.

42. Belgian founded New York

New York City was founded by the Belgian Pierre Minuit (1589-1638). He bought the island of Manhattan in 1626 from its original inhabitants.

43. Belgium's uranium for US bomb

Belgium supplied the Americans with the uranium that was used for the atom bomb they dropped on Hiroshima. It came from Congo, at that time a colony of Belgium.

44. Origin of “Belgium” is Roman

The name “Belgium” dates back to the Romans. They called their province in the north of Gaul Gallia Belgica after its previous inhabitants, the Celtic and German Belgae.

45. Belgium imports lots of coffee

Small Belgium is the sixth largest importer of coffee with 4.3 million bags/year.

46. Belgium has 800 kinds of beers

Over 800 kinds of beer are made in Belgium. Some claim it's over 1,000 kinds

47. Belgium's first beer academy

The world's first beer academy opened in Herk-de-Stad, in the province of Limburg, in 1999.

48. Belgium famous for chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most famous Belgian things and pralines are a typical Belgian specialty. They were invented by Jean Neuhaus in Brussels in 1912, and they're still one of the most famous chocolate brands around.

49. Lots of chocolate from Belgium

Belgium produces over 220,000 tonnes of chocolate each year.

50. Belgium banned cluster bombs

The Kingdom of Belgium was the first country in the world to ban cluster bombs.

51. Belgium pioneered digital IDs

Belgium was the first country in the world to issue electronic passports complying with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and, along with Italy, was the first to issue electronic ID cards in March 2003.

52. Voting is compulsory in Belgium

Belgium is one of the few countries in the world with compulsory voting.

53. Belgium has world's largest ship lift

The world's largest ship lift is the counterweight lift of Strepy-Thieu (73.15 m high) in the Belgian province of Hainaut.

54. Belgium's first skyscraper

Europe's first skyscraper was built in Antwerp between 1928 and 1932. It's called “De Boerentoren” (“Farmer's Tower”) and is still the second-tallest structure in the city, after the Cathedral of Our Lady.

55. Brussels sprouts from Belgium

Brussels sprouts have been grown in Belgium for over 400 years. Brussels sprouts is considered one of the most popular Belgian food.

56. Belgium grants many citizenships

Belgium grants the largest number of new citizenships per capita in the world.

57. Belgium's oldest shopping arcades

The Galeries St Hubert in Brussels opened in 1847, which makes them Europe's oldest shopping arcades. They're located just one street away from the famous Grand Place.

58. Belgium has large court

The Law Courts of Brussels is the largest court of justice in the world. It has a built land area of 26,000 m2 at ground level, which makes it bigger than the Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome (21,000 m2).

59. Belgium produces many bricks

Belgium produces the greatest variety of bricks in the world.

60. Belgium's large Masonic temple

The largest Freemason temple on the European continent is the Great Temple in the capital of Brussels (at 79, Rue de Laeken).

61. Large brewer located in Belgium

Anheuser-Busch, the largest beer brewer in the world, is located in Belgium. Belgium is famous for its beer and has hundreds of different kinds of beer.

62. Belgium's influential scientists

Belgium produced some of the world's most influential scientists in the 16th century, including Gerardus Mercator, the famous cartographer, and the anatomist Andreas Vesalius.

63. Belgium's many comic artists

Belgium has more comic bookmakers per square kilometer than any other country in the world (even Japan).

64. Belgium's smallest city claim

Durbuy dubs itself the smallest city in the world. Although it now has less than 500 inhabitants, it was granted the rank of city in medieval times, which it hasn't lost since then.

65. Belgium has high art collector density

The Kingdom of Belgium has the highest density of art collectors of any country.

66. Neanderthal skulls found in Belgium

Neanderthal skulls were first discovered in the Belgian village of Engis (a suburb of Liege), in 1829, although the name comes from the Neander Valley in Germany (the site of a later find in 1856).

67. Belgium's first city charter

In 1066, Huy became the first European city to receive a charter of city rights, making it the oldest free city on the continent.

68. Oil painting invented in Belgium

Belgian painters are credited to have invented oil painting in the 15th century. It's unsure who exactly the inventor was, but scientists presume it was Jan van Eyck.

69. Brussels founded in Belgium

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, was founded in the 13th century.

70. Charles V born in Belgium

Charles V of Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain (and colonies), Naples and Sicily, and ruler of the Burgundian territories, was born and raised in Ghent, with French as his first language.

71. Belgium's bigger royal palace

The royal palace of Brussels is 50% longer than Buckingham Palace.

72. Many festivals in Belgium

There is no other country in Europe with as many street and music festivals all year round as Belgium.

73. First casino in Belgium

The Belgian city of Spa had the first casino in Europe.

74. Belgium has dense rail network

Belgium has the densest rail network in the world with 4,078 kilometers of track.

75. Most cable TV in Belgium

Belgian households have the highest percentage of cable TV in the world, at 97%.

76. First lottery held in Belgium

The world’s first recorded lottery took place in Belgium. It was held to raise money for the poor.

77. Belgium's fast car

The only Belgian race car, the Vertigo, once held the Guinness World Record for fastest acceleration from 0-100km/h in 3.266 seconds.

78. Belgian company helped build Burj Khalifa

Besix, a Belgian construction company, was one of four contracted to construct the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

79. Famous racetrack in Belgium

The Belgian Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps is the longest and the second oldest F1 Grand Prix Circuit still in use.

80. Belgium has tallest horse

The tallest living horse is a Belgian Gelding Horse. His name is Big Jake and he's 210.19 cm tall (6 feet and 2,75 inches).

81. Early National Geographic photo from Belgium

The first natural-color picture in National Geographic Magazine was of a flower garden in Ghent. This was in July 1914. The photo was printed on page 49.

82. Only lunar art is Belgian

Fallen Astronaut by the Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck is the only piece of art on the Moon.

83. Belgium's long “bar”

The longest “bar” in the world is Leuven's Oude Markt. It has around 40 cafés on one square.

84. First aerial bombing in Belgium

Luik/Liège was the first city in the world to get bombed from the sky by a German zeppelin.

85. Many heritage sites in Belgium

Belgium has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

86. Belgium proposed Euro name

The name for the Euro currency was proposed by Belgium, as was the design for the € symbol.

87. Brussels hosts NATO and EU

The capital of Brussels is home both to NATO and the European Union.

I've done some thorough research compiling these fun facts about Belgium, but it's always possible that I missed something. Are there other facts about Belgium that you think I should've mentioned? Let me know in the comments below!

What are the most historical facts about Belgium?

Listed below are the most historical facts about Belgium.

• Kingdom of Belgium. Kingdom of Belgium is the official name of Belgium.
• Belgium has 3 official languages. Belgium's official languages are Dutch, French, and German.
• Waterloo was defeated in Napoleon. Waterloo, was the Belgian city that Napoleon was finally defeated.
• The word “Spa”. The word “Spa” comes from the city of Spa in Belgium.
• Belgium banned cluster bombs. The Kingdom of Belgium was the first country in the world to ban cluster bombs.

How did Belgium got it's name?

Belgium got its name from the Belgae, one of the early Celtic tribes that settled in the region. The Belgae lived in the northern part of Gaul, which the Romans conquered around 100 BC. When the Romans organized the region as the province of Gallia Belgica, they derived the name from the Belgae people. Centuries later, the territory that became Belgium was still called the Low Countries or the Netherlands. But after the Southern Netherlands seceded from the Northern Netherlands in 1830, the new nation was called Belgium, reviving the old Roman name.

What language do they speak in Belgium?

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Dutch has a dialect known as Flemish, is spoken by about 60% of Belgians, mostly in northern Flanders. French is spoken by about 40% of the population, mainly in southern Wallonia. Only about 1% of Belgians speak German, in a small community bordering Germany. The capital Brussels is officially bilingual, with both Dutch and French spoken. Most people in Brussels now speak French as their first language. But Belgium's language communities often overlap, with bilingualism common in border regions.

What is the symbol of Belgium?

The national symbol of Belgium is the Belgian lion. It appears on the Belgian coat of arms and on the flag, where it is shown in profile view facing the hoist. The black lion on a yellow field has been associated with Belgium for centuries, originally used by rulers of Flanders. It represents strength, courage, and nobility. The lion is depicted on Belgian coins and stamps, and at monuments and public buildings around the country. For Belgians, it is a powerful symbol of nationhood and independence.

Why should you visit Belgium?

Belgium is a country with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage. It offers a wide range of attractions and experiences for visitors. Belgium has something for everyone, plenty of historic sites and marvelous architecture to delicious cuisine and small pretty cities. Belgium is a destination worth visiting, whether you're interested in exploring medieval castles, tasting world-famous chocolates or experiencing the lively atmosphere of Brussels. So, if you're looking for a unique and memorable travel experience, Belgium should definitely be on your list.

What are some things to do in Belgium?

Listed below are some things to do in Belgium .

• Have a waffle: Indulge in the delightful experience of tasting Belgian waffles, such as the Liège and Brussels waffles.
• Visit a castle: Explore the abundance of castles in Belgium, with more per square kilometer than any other nation. A visit to the renowned Gravensteen in Ghent is a must.
• Have a beer and visit a brewery: Immerse yourself in Belgium's extensive beer culture by trying unique brews and visiting breweries like the Halve Maan in Bruges.
• Visit a beguinage: Discover the tranquil beguinages, historical communities of women, which offer a glimpse into Belgium's rich cultural heritage.
• Commemorate the World Wars: Pay tribute to the history and sacrifices of the World Wars by visiting significant sites and memorials.

What are the best Belgian food to try?

Listed below are some of the must-try Belgian food to try.

• Mussels: Moules-frites is a classic Belgian dish of mussels and fries. The mussels are commonly steamed in white wine with ingredients like shallots and parsley, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal.
• Fries: Belgian fries, a point of national pride, are uniquely double-fried for a soft inside and crispy exterior. The best place to enjoy them is at genuine “friteries” or “frietkots”.
• Meatballs: Belgian meatballs, known as “boulettes”, are often made with a mixture of beef and pork. They are typically served with a rich tomato sauce and accompanied by fries.
• Flemish Stew: Also known as “carbonade flamande”, this hearty stew features tender beef cooked in beer, along with onions and spices. It's a comforting dish that pairs perfectly with a Belgian beer.

What are the best Christmas markets in Belgium?

Belgium hosts some of Europe's best Christmas markets, with cities across the country offering festive markets that attract millions of visitors each year. The best Christmas markets in Belgium include:

• Brussels Christmas Market.  The huge Winter Wonders market transforms the Grand Place into a sparkling winter wonderland from late November to December. Over 200 chalets sell gifts and decorations, plus there are fairground rides, an ice rink, and light shows on the beautiful historic buildings.
• Bruges Christmas Market. Bruges Christmas Market makes the most of the city's medieval charm. Located in the main Markt square beside the Belfry, it offers traditional crafts, food, and ice skating. Bruges' “Winter Glow” illuminates landmarks and canals, creating a magical atmosphere.
• Ghent Christmas Market. Ghent Christmas Market is an authentic, lively Christmas market has over 150 stalls showcasing international food and gifts. It features a ferris wheel and skating rink overlooking the picturesque old town.
• Antwerp Christmas Market. Antwerp Christmas Market is a 100-stall market that stretches across central squares and has a skating rink, rides, and music performances.
• Leuven Christmas Market. This compact market hosts 140 stands selling crafts and food, plus concerts and a candlelight parade. It has a cozier student vibe.

The Christmas markets in Belgium are quite popular and offer a festive atmosphere. There are plenty of options to explore and enjoy the holiday spirit in Belgium. Abundant lights, festive vibes, traditional eats like waffles and glühwein, plus activities for all ages.

What are the most popular cities in Belgium?

Listed below are the most popular cities in Belgium .

• Brussels. Brussels is the capital and largest city in Belgium. It is a major center for international politics, culture, media, and cuisine. Brussels has ornate medieval and baroque architecture and hosts the headquarters for the European Union and NATO. Brussels has lively Christmas markets starting in late November.
• Bruges. Bruges is a picturesque, well-preserved medieval city crisscrossed with canals. It is sometimes called the “Venice of the North.” Bruges is renowned for its belfry tower, medieval architecture, and churches. Bruges hosts magical Christmas markets throughout December.
• Antwerp. Antwerp is Belgium's second largest city and a major port city. It has an impressive Gothic cathedral, ancient streets, and is a center for fashion and diamond trade. Antwerp has popular Christmas markets starting in late November.
• Ghent. Ghent is filled with medieval towers, buildings, bridges, and cathedrals. It has famous Christmas markets in mid-November through December.
• Leuven. Leuven is a vibrant university city with a historic town center and Gothic-style buildings. Leuven has Christmas markets starting late November.

What are the most famous Belgian people?

there are quite a few notable Belgians who have made their mark in various fields. Listed below are the most famous Belgians :

• René Magritte: A renowned surrealist artist known for his thought-provoking paintings, such as “The Son of Man” and “The Treachery of Images.”
• Audrey Hepburn: Although born in Belgium, Audrey Hepburn became an iconic actress and fashion icon, starring in classic films like “Breakfast at Tiffany's” and “Roman Holiday.”
• Eddy Merckx: Considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time, Eddy Merckx has won numerous prestigious races, including the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.
• Hergé: The creator of the beloved comic series “The Adventures of Tintin,” Hergé's work has captivated readers of all ages with its engaging storytelling and distinctive art style.
• Jacques Brel: A highly influential singer-songwriter, Jacques Brel's emotionally charged songs, such as “Ne me quitte pas” and “Amsterdam,” have left a lasting impact on the music world.

These are just a few examples of the many famous Belgians who have achieved international recognition in their respective fields.

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Roger kumps says

Beste Sofie, Ik heb net ” Belgium facts that’ll blow your mind” gelezen. een prachtige verzameling van feiten. Maar wat is nr 1 ? In punt 46 ben jij waarschijnlijk even vergeten dat jij in het Engels aan het schrijven was : 46. The world’s first beer academy opened in Herk-de-Stad, in de province of Limburg, in 1999. (In de province… Maar verder niets dan lof,

Roger Kumps

Hey Roger, Ik zat met wat websiteproblemen vandaag en blijkbaar is hier iets misgelopen: de hoofding en het eerste feit waren verdwenen, waardoor alles er blauw ging uitzien. Opgelost nu! Met die provincie was ik inderdaad even de kluts kwijt. Dat bloggen in twee talen, het is soms toch wat :-) Bedankt om het op te merken! Zonder je comment had ik het waarschijnlijk niet zo gauw gezien.

Ik heb je telefoonnummer uit je comment gehaald. Dat zet je best niet publiek op het internet.

Ik las onlangs dat alle europeanen afkomstig zijn van belgen. Dat blijkt uit dna analyse. Dat lijkt mij toch een belangerijk feit die niet in de lijst staat, evenals de uitvinding van bakeliet, e.a.

Bedankt voor je comment. Dat artikel las ik ook, maar deze post dateert van voor het verscheen. Het lijkt me ook nogal straf, dus ik denk dat ik nog even afwacht tot ik dat toevoeg :-)

Ik ben zeker dat er nog een heleboel andere dingen niet in staan. Voor zo’n jong landje hebben we best al wel wat op ons palmares staan. Altijd fijn dus als lezers zoals jij iets kunnen toevoegen. Dankje daarvoor!

Zalig, ook: de pil (dr janssen), saxofoon. Rolschaatsen, de deurbel, doen het altijd goed in het buitenland ;-) Top!

Die komen in mijn lijstje over bekende Belgen dat al half klaar staat ;-)

Alice Austin says

Hallo Sofie, Heb je eraan gedacht om Raf Simons bij jou lijstje te zetten van bekende Belgen? In 2012 bekwam hij creative director bij Dior, France. Hij heeft al verschillende heel succesvolle shows gedaan in Parijs en andere landen. Er is ook een documentary gemaakt over hem: Dior and I. Je kan meer over hem lezen op google. Beste groetjes, Alice

Dat is een geweldige toevoeging! Bedankt, Alice :)

Hallo Sofie, Bedankt voor de snelle aanpassing. Ik doe dit alleen om je te helpen, Misschien kon er het Groot Begijnhof van Leuven aan toegevoegd worden. Toch wel uniek en het best bewaarde begijnhof van België. Ik heb heel wat informatie over het Groot Begijnhof. Naar welk emailadres kan ik het sturen.

Deze comment heb ik precies gemist. Het Groot Begijnhof is inderdaad uniek, maar het is geen grootste, oudste, … in iets, waardoor het niet echt op deze lijst thuis hoort. Ik ben wel van plan er een aparte post aan te wijden. Ik woon namelijk op een kwartiertje fietsen van dat begijnhof:) Je kan me altijd mailen via het contactformulier hier op de website, of via sofie [at] wonderfulwanderings [dot] com

Veerle Isabelle says

Dag Sofie en Roger,

Belgie heeft de begijnhoven uitgevonden, waarvan die van Kortrijk (1242) de eerste is. Dus in dit opzicht zou die van Leuven misschien genoemd kunnen worden denk ik, als de mooist en best bewaarde van Belgie. De meeste begijnhoven, zo niet alle, zijn bovendien elk UNESCO* – “for a reason” dus ;). Ook het concept achter de begijnhoven (evenals die van de godshuizen en die bijv. ook naast de belforten uniek zijn aan Belgie), is zeer mooi en een van de redenen waarom Belgie een diep-humanistische natie is. (Samen met F en in tegenstelling tot Nederland.)

Durbuy is inderdaad niet de kleinste town, maar kleinste city ter wereld, zoals de expat hierbeneden of hierboven (?) zegt (ik weet niet waar mijn post zal komen). Anders heeft het geen enkele betekenis en is het zogezegd maximaal “cute”. Vergeet niet dat Belgie even klein is als Nederland en vergelijkbaar met Zwitserland (Zwitserland zelfs ook met vergelijkbaar aantal inwoners). Belgie is overigens in alle andere opzichten dan geografische, groter dan Nederland. Er ziin ook veel andere landen in EU die kleiner zijn dan Belgie. Dat continu zogezegde faire zelf-kritisch erkennen dat je klein “bent”, wat ik Belgen overal zie doen, is slecht voor de reputatie van Belgie, m.i., en leidt tot tal van misverstanden, overal op het internet, en waarschijnlijk ook ver daarbuiten…

Met vriendelijke salut,

Veerle Isabelle

* Dat de UNESCO organisatie direct alle begijnhoven of alle belforten tot UNESCO heeft benoemd, wil niet zeggen dat Belgie maar 11 UNESCO sites heeft. Dit zijn er veel en veel meer, in al die Belgische steden. Efficientie van UNESCO wil niet zeggen dat Belgie architectonisch minder waard wordt ;) Belgie heeft een zeer, zeer rijk architectonisch patrimonium en historie en cultuur in het algemeen. :)

Hey Veerle,

Bedankt voor je uitgebreide comment! Ik plaatste eerder al een artikel over het begijnhof van Leuven, alsook over de UNESCO-sites van België, waarin meerdere van de punten die je aanhaalt genoemd worden:-)

En je hebt volledig gelijk: we moeten verdorie fier zijn op wat we wel hebben! :-)

Mooie lijst – nuttig voor wanneer ik aan mede-expats wat over Belgie probeer te vertellen :)

Klein detail, voor fact 63 is het misschien niet slecht te vermelden dat het over stadsrechten gaat, anders heeft het niet echt veel betekenis. En fact 13, ik denk niet dat (officieel) Boudewijn tegen de wet was, maar dat hij de wet niet kon tekenen voor morele redenen. Maar ik wil geen polemiek opstarten hierover ;)

Veel succes nog!

Bedankt voor de toevoegingen! Hij kon inderdaad de wet niet tekenen wegens morele redenen… omdat hij er moreel tegen was ;-)

geert ooms says

Vergeet zeker volgende zaken niet : Grootste brouwer ter wereld – Inbev Kant productie ….. Zie je vandaag nog steeds aan de talloze lingeriewinkels overal in Belgie Beiaards

Hey Geert, Supertoevoeging over InBev! Kant en beiaarden op zich zijn geen feiten, maar ik zal er eens opzoekwerk naar verrichten!

Ook golf is van oorsprong uit onze contreien en dus niet Schots zoals algemeen wordt aangenomen.

Och? Dat moet ik eens opzoeken! Dankje voor de toevoeging:)

Leuke oplijsting! Wat ik nog zou toevoegen is dat de Saxofoon ook een Belgische uitvinding was door Adolf Sax.

Cheers, Niels

Dankje, Niels! De saxofoon heb ik gehouden voor mijn lijstje met bekende Belgen, dat volgende week gepubliceerd wordt:-)

The leader of the very first crusade was Godefroy de Bouillon, a Belgian town built around the Semois river in the province of Luxembourg.

True! I hadn’t thought of him. I remember visiting Bouillon as a kid and my dad would always say we were going to the city of “Godfried van Soep met Balletjes” (Godefroy of Soup with Meatballs). I guess the “Bouillon” made him think of soup:)

Adolf Sax from Dinant invented the saxophone. The Dutch Revolt which ended with the independence of the Netherlands started in Ghent in 1577. Belgium was the second country in the world to industrialize after the UK. You may want to add something about the port of Antwerp’s importance over the years. Also, your fact about Bruges and the stock market isn’t correct. There was a hotel Beurs where the traders met in front of, the building wasn’t built for them. Also, I think Antwerp had the first market and then Bruges. You may need to look that up. Also, you forgot about the Ninja Turtles that were invented in Belgium. Oomegang festival in Brussels is one of the largest meidival shows in Euorpe. There are other folk festivals in Belgium that are worth listing. Antwerp was the port of departure for thousounds of emmigrants leaving Europe for America.

Thanks for all the additions! I included Sax in my list of famous Belgians, instead of here. Besides that, it’s, unfortunately, impossible to include everything and I focused on things that were the biggest/oldest/whatever-est and not just worth mentioning, because otherwise the list would have become endless:). I knew I’d miss quite a few facts as well, but that’s okay, because I love that now everyone is adding their own facts!

Hi Diane, Just wanted to let you know that I’ve checked and the Ninja Turtles are, unfortunately, not Belgian :-)

Mannequin comes from the French word mannequin, which had acquired the meaning “an artist’s jointed model”, which in turn came from the Flemish word manneken, meaning “little man, figurine”.

België is de bakermat van de

duivensport… https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duivensport

Wapens!… https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrique_Nationale_de_Herstal

Dankje! Mannequin is a nice addition:)

Nadechda says

This is such a wonderful list. I didn’t know half of the things on there!! I’ve had people say to me:”Belgium, what do you guys have besides chocolate and beer”. I always get very patriotic when someone says something like that so this list is going to be useful. Thank you so much. Sax and all the wonderful painters would have been nice on there too but then again your list is much more creative than anything I would have come up with. Nice job

Hey Nadechda,

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. I actually included the famous Belgians in a separate list, that you can find here :-)

Barcelence says

You can allways say Belgium enslaved the Congo territory and made a fortune out of it.

It was actually King Leopold who enslaved the Congo and claimed it has his private property. Only later did the Belgian government made him give it up and did it start exploiting the country and its people.

Fred Hartwell says

The worlds best and most famous bicycle racer is Belgian Eddie Mercx!

True! I’ve made a list of Famous Belgians as well, but I haven’t included Eddy Mercx yet. It’s not that I hadn’t thought about him. It’s just that I’m not a big sports person and if I start adding cyclists and football players, where does it end ;-)

Yvan Verbesselt says

Hello Sofie,

Very nice compilation of belgian facts. I’m looking forward to read your compilation of famous Belgians. Just in case you didn’t list him, I’ d like to mention Leo Baekeland, the inventor of bakelite. Thank you for your initiative. Yvan

Baekeland is on there! Have a look” :-)

Corinne says

I love your work !

Are we Belgians not famous for our weapon industry as well? And copper ?

Thanks Corinne!

We are, although I haven’t immediately found record numbers on those. I didn’t add anything to the list that wasn’t like a first or best, or oldest, as otherwise it would have become endless:)

Tim UrbanDuniya says

Can’t wait to come to Belgium myself next year!! :D

Yaaaaaaay! :D

Jonathan says

Nr 60 klopt niet, Nemo33 was het diepste zwembad tot 5 juni 2014, toen zijn we die titel kwijtgeraakt aan een zwembadje in Italië.

zie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemo_33

Verdorie seg :-) Ik pas het aan. Bedankt voor de correctie!

Bruno De Naegel says

Hey Sofie, frieten werden niet uitgevonden door de Belgen ! het waren Franse vissers die bij hun vangst de kleine onverkoopbare visjes in olie bakten om zelf iets vers en voedzaam te kunnen eten. In bepaalde seizoenen werden zelfs de kleie vissen verkocht. Aardappelen bewaarden vrij lang en werden toen als alternatief meegenomen, in stukken versneden en in olie gebakken. Zo weet je meteen waarom frieten ‘french fries’ heten in het Engels. België is bekend om zijn frieten omdat wij ze lekkerder maken door ze twee maal te bakken in olie.

Hey Bruno, waar heb je dat gevonden? Ik las op meerdere plaatsen hetzelfde over de visjes, maar dan dat de techniek reeds in de 17e eeuw gebruikt werd door vissers in Dinant en Namen. De verschillende teksten die ik las spraken over het “ontstaan” van de friet in de 18e eeuw in Frankrijk, maar reeds in de 17e eeuw in “België. Het zou me niet verbazen als ze gewoon twee maal “uitgevonden” werden. Tot het onweerlegbaar bewezen is, zijn ze voor mij Belgisch :D

Fijne lijst! Ontbreekt (tenzij mijn geheugen me nu al in de steek laat): het justitiepaleis in Brussel was bij opening het grootste openbare gebouw ter wereld!

Hey Toon, dankjewel, en dankje voor de bijdrage:)

Renilde says

Dag Sofie, wat een leuke lijst, gefeliciteerd! Kan ik erg waarderen want ik woon al 23 jaar in het buitenland. Ik begrijp je nr. 33 niet goed (ben zelf afgestudeerd aan deze Alma Mater) Leuven bestond echter als stad al en kreeg dan van de paus het recht om een universiteit op te richten in 1425 (de hertog had verkozen om in Brussel te gaan wonen, de Leuvenaars wilden dit compenseren door een universiteit en dat is ook gelukt). Maar dit is ver van de oudste Europese universiteit… Dus hoe wil je dit punt maken?

Hey Renilde, Dankjewel! Ik ben zelf ook afgestudeerd in Leuven:) En je hebt gelijk! Het is de oudste universiteit van de Lage Landen. Bij deze verbeterd!

Samantha says

TINTIN!! I didn’t know it came from Belgium, but I read the comics all the time as a kid. Good to know!

Yesssss! We’re a comic land:)

Ook Spanje heeft 2 koningen op dit moment aangezien Juan Carlos de titel “koning”heeft behouden na zijn aftreden ten voordele van zijn zoon Felipe VI, analoog met wat er in België gebeurd is bij de troonsafstand van Koning Albert.

Je hebt gelijk! Ik pas het aan:)

Alexandra Delbaere says

1 klein ‘foutje’ in de lijst: Tomorrowland is geen techno festival maar een EDM (Electronic Dance Music) festival. Techno is een subcategorie van EDM en is een genre dat maar op een heel klein deel van het festival gespeeld wordt. Verder boeiend! Veel dingen die ik zelf niet wist over m’n eigen land ;)

Ik pas het aan! Zo’n kenner ben ik niet:)

What a great list! You must have had lots of work with it. I live in Belgium for 15 years now, but still learned some new facts…

It took quite some time to put together, indeed :D I’m glad you like it! Where are you from originally?

I’m from Lithuania, but, as mentioned, Belgium is my home now. Glad I found your blog, looks inspiring!

Rebecca says

Super fijne lijst heb je hier seg! Ik heb een jaartje in Oostenrijk gewoond voor mijn studies, en dus vele internationale vrienden gemaakt. En zoals de meesten kenden zij enkel België van het bier, chocolade en de wafels.

Nu kan ik ze eindelijk een lijstje geven (in het Engels) met heel wat interessante feiten!

Dankjewel Rebecca, dat is fijn om te lezen! Hahaha, deel dat lijstje maar rond… en geef ze een reep chocolade erbij. Kunnen ze die eten terwijl ze het doornemen :D

Kristen Sarah says

This is so interesting! It’s *the* perfect article for anyone who is about to visit and wants to know some inside information before going!

Thanks so much Kristen! Glad you like it:)

I read your list and loved it as a young girl I lived in Belgium and loved every minute. I lived in Antwerpen, Ghent and Leuven.. The were people amazing and the food I miss every day. I even spoke Dutch fluently but after 37 years I don’t speak it so well anymore. Thanks for a visit “Home”.

Oh, how wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it here! Did you know: I live in Leuven and my mom’s name is Sonia, with an “i”, but still! :D

Sonia Reniers says

Hallo Sofie , Echt eine schöne, lehrreiche, arbeitsintensive Liste die Sie zusammengestellt haben! Ich heiße auch Sonia und wurde in Diest geboren und in Lummen (Nähe Hasselt) aufgewachsen. Vor 35 j dann mit der Familie nach Deutschland. Welchen Stellenwert hat Brüsseler spitze und die tolle Möbeln welche in näheren europäische Länder so beliebt sind? Außerdem der größte Hafen in Antwerpen? Nur so eine Idee, weiß nicht ob das zu größte, älteste etc.gehört. Aber tut gut hier soviel noch über mein Land zu sehen und zu lesen! !!! Vielen Dank für Ihre Mühe! ! ! Freue mich auf weitere Beiträge! Ganz liebe grüße aus meckenheim bei Bonn

Thanks for your comment, Sonia! I’m sorry but I only understood half of it and Google translate didn’t really help :D

Wie könnte ich da helfen liebe Sofie? ?leider ist mein flämisch nicht mehr so perfekt. Finde es toll mit wieviel Herzblut Sie das hier machen! Danke schön dafür! Alles Gute und ich gebe mir mühe zu helfen. Ganz liebe grüße aus Deutschland.

Greetings back from Belgium! :)

Dag Sofie! de Philips-fabriek in Hasselt lag in de jaren 80 aan de basis van de ontwikkeling van de CD-speler! Toch ook een weetje om een beetje trots op te zijn!

Absoluut! Bedankt voor je bijdrage :-)

DarthMikey8 says

These facts of Belgium are very helpful, thanks! I’m doing a writing and a research report on it. Hope you have a good day!

You’re welcome!

Very interesting! The only thing I noticed is that Durbuy actually claims to be “la plus petite ville du monde” so it’s actually a city not town.

You’re right! Bad translation on my part :-)

cool i wish i could eat waffles and chocolate there!

Hope you will someday! :)

Iolanda Barreira says

The saxophone was also invented in Belgium by Adolphe Sax

Yes, I listed that in my post about famous Belgians :)

As an answer to your fact about “french fries”. They are indeed Belgian Fries. French doesn’t refer to the country of France but to a format to cut vegetables in. The term “french” is not used frequently anymore in traditional cuisine, that’s why people think french fries refer to France instead of Belgium. A more modern word for this cutting would be to cut your vegetables “julienne” altough this is thinner then the Regular fry.

Still I really enjoyed your facts!

Kind Regards Amber

Oooh this is great info! Thanks so much for sharing this, Amber.

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20+ Belgium Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go

Last Updated: July 6, 2023

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With a reputation upheld by the wonders of excellent beer, fine chocolates, world-class waffles, and most importantly: the invention of fries, Belgium is one of those countries that you (and your taste buds) can adore easily from afar.

But for the lucky ones who have a chance to see Belgium for real – there’s are many, many things you need to know.

While it’s easy to imagine Belgium as a whimsical comic strip of treats and delights, the reality can catch first time visitors off-guard, with many cultural quirks and easy tourist mistakes that can jade even the most optimistic of travellers.

Truthfully, it took me a while to fall for Belgium. With Brussels as my only point of reference on my first ever backpacking trip, I found myself caught in enough common traps that I wasn’t sure I’d ever visit again.

But now, a decade (and six visits later), I can safely say Belgium is an amazing country to visit…. you just need to be prepared.

So, in this post I’ll be sharing all THE must-know Belgium travel tips to ensure you love it on your first try. And first fry. I hope you find these Belgium tips useful!

Save this list of Belgium Travel Tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Understand Belgium’s two main regions

First thing’s first, it’s important that you understand one of the more unique features of Belgium: the clear divide between its two main areas: Flanders in the North and Wallonia in the South – each with their own language.

Flanders is the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, so this is where they speak Flemish, or the local variation of Dutch… and Wallonia is the French-speaking part of Belgium, with the exception of a tiny part which speaks German.

So, while the official languages of Belgium are Flemish, French, and German, you’ll find that it’s more that different regions have different predominant languages, and not that everybody speaks all three all the time.

Brussels, the capital, is kind of the exception to this – it is officially considered bilingual so French and Flemish are both spoken, although from personal experience people definitely speak more French there.

Why is this important to know as a traveller? Well, you’ll encounter each of these official languages depending on where in Belgium you visit, so be sure to research for your destination so you know which language to say hello and thank you in… although English is also very widely spoken.

2. Beware that most places have a different name in French and in Flemish

Given these different languages, one of the most important things you need to know as a visitor is that destinations in Belgium will have different names in French and Flemish.

This can get especially confusing when you’re at train or bus stations, because both names be used, plus the names themselves are sometimes different to the English names that we know.

Take Antwerp for instance – we know it as Antwerp in English, but in Flemish it’s Antwerpen, and in French it’s Anvers.

Similarly, Leuven in French is Louvain, Ypres in Flemish is Ieper, and my personal favourite, de Haan is Le Coq.

Now most of the time the names are similar enough that you can logic your way through the situation, but in stressful scenarios like breathlessly running for a train, this additional hurdle can mean the difference of catching your train, or missing it as you stress and cry.

So, remember to learn the names of all your destinations in both Flemish and French. Here is a helpful table for some of Belgium’s more visited cities:

NOTE: This Belgium language tip also applies to train stations, so for example Bruxelles-Midi is actually the same station as Brussel-Zuid.

3. Don’t spend all your time in Brussels

One of the most fatal mistakes that first time visitors make in Belgium is they only visit Brussels.

Allow me to indulge in some aggressive through-the-screen shoulder shaking. Do not. I repeat… do not. Limit your Belgium trip to just Brussels.

Brussels is a big city with common ‘big city’ issues to match, from pickpockets and crowds to not-so-desirable areas. While it has a lot of unique museums and attractions to offer those who dig deeper, many first timers (myself included) will find it pretty boring to visit for more than a day or two.

So, I’d recommend adding smaller Belgian cities to your itinerary so that you’re better able appreciate the country’s charm: Bruges , Ghent and Antwerp are all great picks for 2-3 days, while Dinant and Leuven are great one day wonders.

Of course, there’s also plenty of natural beauty in Belgium like around the Ardennes that flies under most tourist radars.

All that to say, if there’s one single Belgium tip that stays with you from this post, let it be that there is MUCH more to see in Belgium than Brussels!

4. That said, if you do go to Brussels, do it properly

Brussels is often named among the most disappointing cities in Europe, and while I did agree with this claim once upon a time, I now find it kind of unfair.

The issue with Brussels (in my opinion) is that most visitors flock to the wrong places. Manneken Pis for instance is often billed as THE must-see attraction of the city, but in reality it’s a tiny little statue that takes less than 5 minutes to see.

Instead, where Brussels shines is the many, many unique museums and quieter neighbourhoods more removed from the tourist centre.

I do have a full article with Brussels tips if you want more pointers, so be sure to give that a read and see other mistakes to avoid.

5. Plan your trip for shoulder or off-season

Now in terms of when to visit Belgium, I would recommend going in shoulder season or even off-season, just because a lot of the best places to visit are cities, which are usually enjoyable no matter the weather.

Summer season can get really busy with both international and domestic travellers, so for the least crowded experience, I would avoid the peak summer months from July to August.

Plus, your chocolate won’t melt as quickly, so there’s that too.

6. Plan your trip for quirky Belgian Festivals

If you’re really struggling to decide when to visit Belgium, I’d recommend looking into festivals and folk events to attend.

One of the most amazing things about Belgium is that it has a ton of unique cultural folk celebrations you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

There’s this one TikTok account I’m obsessed with called @LunaDiscoversBelgium with tons of videos showcasing these, but some of my favourites include:

• Giant omelette day in Malmedy : Every year on August 15, they literally make a giant omelette out of 10,000 eggs and dish it up for the public so everyone can have a piece.
• St Niklaas Peace Festival: Every year in the first weekend of September, they release hot air balloons in all sorts of unique shapes from the city centre.
• Aalst Carnival : An annual three day event in February where they go all out with crazy floats and costumes.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning the Brussels Flower Carpet which takes place every 2 years and covers the main square in a giant carpet made out of flowers. How magical.

7. Take advantage of Belgium’s many train discounts

I’m a huge advocate for travelling around Belgium by train over renting a car for a few different reasons – first off, Belgium is incredibly well connected by train, and second, train travel here is astoundingly affordable, largely thanks to a number of enticing discounts.

Here are some to look out for:

Youth Ticket (Formerly Go Pass 1) : A ticket for those under the age of 26 that allows you to buy a single train ticket for €7.10 to any destination in the country. This is way cheaper than paying full-price!

Standard Multi (Rail Pass): Gives you 10 trips to use over the course of a year for €96, and these trips can be transferred to other people in your party, so this can be an easy way to save money if you’re travelling in a group. Also available as the Youth Multi (for those under 26) which is even cheaper.

Weekend Ticket: If you plan your day trips or side trips for a weekend, you can actually save 50% off your fare with a weekend ticket, which is valid for return trips that leave after 7pm on Fridays and return before Sunday.

Discovery Tickets: Give you 50% off your return train ticket, so long as you’re using it to visit an attraction that’s on their list. Similarly, you can use Bravo Tickets which give you 50% off if you’re going to one of the concerts or festivals on their list.

8. Take note of Belgium’s most beautiful train stations

Besides the amazing deals, another reason to take the train is simply that some train stations in Belgium are obscenely good looking.

Antwerp station for instance is considered one of the most stunning train stations in the world (can confirm), and Liège also has a cool station that was featured as Xandar in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

9. Beware that cities have multiple train stations

Of course, don’t be fooled by the great deals and beautiful aesthetics – the Belgian train system can have its confusing moments too.

For instance, big cities often have multiple train stations, and if you’re not careful, you might get them mixed up (like I sadly have!) and miss your train.

Brussels for instance has three stations: Nord/Noord, Centrale/Centraal and Midi/Zuid, all of which are alternatively known by their French and Flemish names.

Similarly, Antwerp has a Central Station and a South station.

So remember, there’s often multiple stations, and you should research which ones are actually the closest to where you need to go.

10. Remember: They’re Belgian Fries, Not French Fries

Alright, now let’s move onto some very important Belgium food and drink tips.

We’ll start with one that may save your life, because Belgians take this one seriously. So repeat after me: always always remember that when it comes to fries (AKA Frites), never call them French fries because they are, in fact…… *dramatic pause* Belgian.

The legend goes that it was actually American soldiers during WWI that mistakenly named them French fries, because they didn’t realize they were in Belgium and not France. We’ve gotten a lot more geographically savvy since then, so don’t make that mistake!

PS: The defining characteristic of these Belgian fries is they’re deep fried twice in animal fat. As such, vegans and vegetarians should know that traditional Belgian fries are not actually vegetarian, although there will almost always be a place where you can find a veggie-friendly option, so be sure to look that up in advance.

PPS: Getting sauce with your fries is non-negotiable. Mayonnaise is a common sauce but most places will have more adventurous options as well, although I’d advise against just getting ketchup because that’s boring.

11. DIY your own chocolate tour around Belgium

Now another important Belgium tip? Shovel as much chocolate into your mouth as you possibly can.

Belgian chocolate has a tasty reputation worldwide, and when you’re lucky enough to be this close to choco-magic, you have to take advantage.

Now, the cool thing about Belgian chocolate shops is you don’t necessarily need to buy a whole box of chocolates – you can literally just get one or two pieces so this is a super fun way to sample chocolate from a bunch of chocolatiers without committing to a box.

NOTE: While going to different cities, be sure to also look for unique chocolate products in each place. Often chocolatiers will do fun chocolates that pay homage to their city in some way, like in Antwerp where there’s chocolate diamonds because of their diamond industry, along with severed chocolate hands based on a popular local legend.

12. Know the difference between waffle types

Next up – waffles! Of course I would dedicate a whole section of Belgium travel tips to waffles. I’m only human.

Now, while I know that waffles seem like an impossible thing to mess up, there are a few important must-knows to ensure you have the BEST possible waffles of your life during your Belgium trip.

So, here’s what you need to know: in Belgium, there are two main kinds of waffles:

• Brussels style waffle: Rectangular, fluffier waffles usually served with toppings like whipped cream and fruit
• Liège style waffle: Round, denser waffles studded with caramelized sugar, best consumed on their own

This is an important distinction because often you’ll come across touristy places that entice you with colourful displays of waffles, including Liège waffles topped with tons of fruit, which is a big waste in my opinion because they’re so good on their own.

So, if you see a place that sells them like that (usually to attract tourist eyeballs), you can deduce it’s probably not the most authentic.

Another red flag is when they have signs like this:

13. Learn the basics of Belgian beer

True story: I used to hate beer until I tried it in Belgium. Beers in this country are unreal, but there’s a few things you should know to enjoy them properly.

First – beware that some Belgian beers can be really strong. Stronger than you’re used to. Indulge accordingly.

Second, know they take their beers so seriously, they’re often served in their own special glass, which I love.

Next, know that Belgian beers are diverse and complex. Unlike Germany where they have a purity law that restricts what ingredients can go in beer, Belgians are always down to experiment, so there’s truly a type of beer for everyone, which is what makes beer tasting in Belgium so much fun. That said, if you haven’t found one you like yet, don’t give up!

Lastly, I would advise prioritizing beers you’ve never heard of. While it’s tempting to go for the big name Belgian beers you already know (e.g. Stella Artois or Leffe) during your trip, the most exciting thing about being in Belgium is you have access to all these unique beers you don’t have back home… so be sure to experiment a bit!

14. Give regional Belgian dishes a try

And of course, while Belgium is well known around the world for its signature snack foods and beer, we need to give a shoutout to other Belgian dishes as well.

Belgian food done right is comforting, hearty, and irritatingly delicious.

Here are a few of my favourites dishes:

• Vol au vent: A creamy meat stew served in a crispy pastry
• Carbonnade Flamande: A rich beef stew made with beer
• Moules-frites: Mussels with fries, another popular (and self-explanatory) treat consisting of shell-on mussels served in a tasty broth, alongside crispy fries. Plus if you play your cards right you can say you had mussels in Brussels!
• Boulets à la Liégeoise: Juicy meatballs in a sweet/savoury sauce, served with a hearty helping of Belgian fries.

15. Carry coins for the bathroom

Another important Belgium travel tip involves public toilets.

Public bathrooms in Belgium are quite rare to be honest, and they usually require a small payment of 50 cents to a euro.

According to this one very angry Reddit thread , you sometimes even need to pay for the toilets at movie theatres (?!??!)

… So, all that said, be sure to have some coins on you so you don’t get caught out.

16. Be sure to also have at least a 1 euro coin too for museum lockers

I noticed in Brussels especially, a lot of the museums there were really strict about me bringing a regular school-sized backpack in, and said I had to leave it in a locker.

Most of these lockers require a one euro deposit that you get back, so just make sure you have that coin on you.

17. Look out for museum free days

One of the best ways to save money in Belgium is by scoping out free days in advance for major museums.

In Brussels for example there’s a lot museums free on the first Wednesday and first Sunday each month.

Antwerp has a similar thing for the last Wednesday of the month.

Liège also has some free museums on the first Sunday.

So if you’re looking to save some money, be sure to look into whether your destinations have these deals.

18. Save money on attractions by purchasing attraction cards or city passes

And if you can’t time your visit to coincide with free museum days, another great way to save big on attractions in Belgium is by purchasing attraction cards that give you access to multiple attractions for one set price.

Now, these are usually only worth it if you plan to visit a LOT of paid attractions, but I do think in museum-heavy cities like Brussels, it’s almost always worth it if you plan to see a lot.

I’ve personally used the Brussels card before and found it to be excellent value. If you’re big into museums like I am, then definitely look into it.

19. Be wary of Google Maps opening hours

Now ahh, for one of the more frustrating quirks from my Belgium travels.

It may just be bad luck, but on most of my trips in Belgium, I’ve encountered inaccurate hours listed on Google Maps and pretty much once a trip I would show up somewhere just to find it unexpectedly closed.

So, be sure to check on official websites whenever possible rather than just relying on Google Maps for hours.

20. Beware of bikes & bike lanes

Much like in the neighbouring Netherlands, Belgians travel a lot by bike.

This therefore means many bike lanes, and (if you’re a clumsy, inattentive tourist like me) many opportunities to get run over by an angry Belgian on a bike.

So, while you’re walking, just take note of your surroundings and make sure you’re not accidentally walking in a bike lane. It happens way more often than you think.

21. Pack a rain/windproof jacket

Belgian weather is notoriously moody, so no matter when you visit, I would advise packing a light rain jacket with a hood, just to ensure you have something in case the weather unexpectedly turns (which it often does).

22. Prepare for Belgian humour

Lastly, I have to say that Belgians have a quirky and unique sense of humour. The fact that a tiny statue of a peeing child is their #1 tourist attraction is a testament to that. As are the accompanying statues of a peeing dog and girl, as well as the country’s giant intestine shaped hotel.

All that to say, come to Belgium for the beer, the waffles and the fries, but stay for the weird quirky stories and jokes.

The amount of times I’ve come across obscure lore while researching Belgian attractions is numerous, and it always makes visiting places a lot more fun.

Here are a few of my favourites:

• This infamous turf war involving nose-shaped candies in Ghent
• The many, many times that the Mannekin Pis in Brussels has been kidnapped then returned
• This brutal tale behind Antwerp’s name (which in Dutch, originates from the phrase ‘Throwing hands’)
• This Ghent bar that takes one of your shoes as a deposit for their most coveted glasses because they kept getting stolen

I hope this list of Belgium Travel Tips was helpful!

Quite frankly, if you made it this far, you deserve some kind of medal! This was a VERY long list of tips for Belgium, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

2 thoughts on “20+ Belgium Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go”

Your review and tips about Belgium were written too late for me. I travelled there June 16 to 21 this year(2023). I enjoyed reading what you wrote.

Interesting insights into Belgium! I never knew that two different languages are used in this country. I am surprised to know that we have to pay to use public toilets in theatres.

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27 Interesting & Fun Facts About Belgium (That You Probably Didn’t Know)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 30, 2024

Belgium is an interesting country that’s been shaped by many different influences. Best known in the world for its waffles, chocolate, and beer, Belgium is as fascinating and as diverse as its food and drinks!

In this article, I want to show you a lighter, fun side of this beautiful country that I now call home . Some interesting facts and fun things that you probably didn’t know about Belgium.

So here are some of the typical things that make Belgium unique. Things that Belgium is famous for, but also some weird facts that you probably never heard of. Some of these facts and habits might seem very strange at first sight, but once you get to know and love this country, you cannot imagine it any other way.

Scroll down to learn more about Belgium and the Belgians!

READ ALSO: Belgium Travel Guide

In random order, here are all kinds of fun and interesting facts about Belgium:

1. Belgium can function without a government

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. We have a King and 6 governments – a federal government and 5 regional governments. Belgium has proven time and again that the country can function without a federal government.

Once, it took 589 days for a government to be formed and people found it totally acceptable. Some things just take time, they say. Others argue that it is actually even better this way because we don’t have any new tax increases during the period that it takes to form a government.

Update: During the most recent government formation in 2019-2020, Belgium broke its own previous world record. This time, it took 652 days for a federal government to be formed in Belgium.

The reason for this is that political views are very different in Flanders and Wallonia. So the political parties that get the majority of votes in one region don’t necessarily have a related counterpart in another region.

2. There is no Belgian language

Belgium has three official languages and none of them is called Belgian . People speak Dutch, French, and German in different parts of the country.

In the Dutch-speaking schools, kids start to learn French in the 5th grade at the latest. So the majority of Flemish people also speak French. Whereas the schools in Wallonia don’t have obligatory lessons of Dutch, so very few French-speaking people from Wallonia can communicate in Dutch.

Most Flemish people also speak English. Kids often learn English from the TV long before they learn it at school. It’s not the case in the French-speaking part of the country because all their TV programs are dubbed.

How do you say ‘hello’ in Belgium? As already mentioned, Belgium doesn’t have one single language. If you want to say ‘hello’ or ‘good day’ in French, you say ‘salut’ or ‘bonjour’. In Dutch – ‘hallo’ or ‘goedendag’.

How do you say ‘thank you’ in Belgium? If you want to say ‘thank you’ in Belgium, you say ‘merci’ (French) or ‘dank je/ dank u wel’ (Dutch).

3. Belgians are crazy about football

Belgium’s football team is called the Red Devils and the whole country colors red when there are any major football events. When this article was first published, the Belgian national team was number 1 in the world on the FIFA ranking and the country was as united as never before.

Football (soccer) is the only thing that can unite all Belgians and make them forget all the differences and disagreements, even if for a short while.

During any major football events, you’ll see people wearing all kinds of football-related accessories, cars are decorated with flags and devil horns, and you can see Belgian flags hanging out of the windows all over the place.

4. There are tens of different types of Belgian waffles

You can find more than 30 types of different waffles in an average Belgian supermarket (yes, I counted). But most Belgian waffles in Belgium don’t taste anything like Belgian waffles in the U.S.

The two most popular types of waffles that you’ll find for sale at tourist places are Brussels waffles and Liege waffles. The Brussels waffles are airier and not as sweet, whereas the Liege waffles are very thick, rich, and full of pearl sugar.

The ‘Belgian waffles’ that you find abroad are usually somewhat similar to the Brussels waffles.

5. Belgians are a bit snobbish about chocolate

As far as Belgians are concerned, Belgium has the world’s best chocolate . And even I’m an ‘adopted’ Belgian, I have to agree with them on this one.

Giving foreign chocolate as a present might be taken as an insult by Belgians. After all, they are the ones who have the very best chocolate in the world.

The truth is that Belgian chocolate is very good; much too good actually, and they are absolutely right to be proud of it.

6. Belgian national symbol is a peeing boy

The Belgian national symbol is a peeing boy, Manneken Pis of Brussels. Or is it just the symbol of Brussels? Nobody will be able to tell you this anymore, because the little fellow is an inseparable part of the country!

The bronze statue dates from the 17th century, but according to archives, there was a similar fountain here in the 14th century already.

Usually, he is not dressed and foreigners always find it amusing. But the little guy also has hundreds of different costumes for all kinds of occasions and somebody takes the trouble of changing his clothes two to three times a week.

If you are interested, you can learn all bout Manneken Pis and see a part of his impressive wardrobe at the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum in Brussels.

Interesting to know: According to a legend, a boy stopped a fire from spreading in Brussels by peeing on it. The city was saved and the little peeing boy became its symbol. However, this is just one of the many legends and the reality is probably quite different – you can read all about it via the link below!

LEARN MORE: The Story of Manneken Pis in Brussels

7. Belgium is the land of music festivals and parades

Belgium has some of the best music festivals in the world. Tomorrowland, Rock Werchter, I Love Techno – these are just a few examples of music festivals attracting thousands of people from all over the world.

In addition, Belgians love parades. There are so many traditional parades all over the country! Some of them happen every year, but there are also traditional historic or religious parades that only take place every so many years.

We have the annual Aalst Carnival parade, the triennial Cat Parade in Ypres, the septennial Lady Virga Jesse parade in Hasselt, the Horse Bayard of Dendermonde that takes place every 10 years, and many, many others.

Especially in summer, Belgium turns into one huge festival terrain. There’s always music and so many fun events everywhere you go.

8. Belgians invented the ‘French’ fries

Belgians say that they invented French fries. And to give them credit, the fries in Belgium are indeed better than in France (or anywhere else for that matter).

You can find the world’s best fries at no more than 5 minutes driving distance from pretty much anywhere in the country. Every little village has at least one ‘fritkot’ – a kiosk or a van serving Belgian fries.

You probably heard that Belgians eat fries with mayo . As strange as it might sound, it’s absolutely delicious! It has become my absolute favorite Belgian food and it wouldn’t occur to me to eat fries with ketchup ever again.

9. There are over 1000 different types of beer brewed in Belgium

You can drink a Belgian beer every day for 4 years and never have the same beer twice.

There is some uncertainty about the exact number of different Belgian beers. But according to most sources, there are at least 1,000-1,200 original Belgian beers brewed in Belgium.

On top of that, there are many different types of beers under the same name. That explains why you can find a café that serves more than 1,700 different Belgian beers in Brussels (look for Café Délirium).

10. Every Belgian beer has a matching glass

Every single Belgian beer has its own special glass . I have difficulties imagining how a café can store over 1,000 different kinds of Belgian beer with their matching glasses, but somehow they do.

We are just an average half-Belgian family and our basement is filled with all kinds of different beer glasses. We hardly ever use most of them, but – to my Belgian husband – it would be unthinkable to serve a beer in the wrong glass.

So we have all kinds of different glasses that match my husband’s favorite beer types.

11. Smurfs come from Belgium

Belgium is world-known for comic strips . The most famous are probably the Smurfs, Tintin, and Lucky Luke.

There are more than 800 registered Belgian comic series!

Pretty much everyone I know here in Belgium owns hundreds of comic strip books. It’s one of the first books that our kids started to read and it’s also the first thing they always look for at a school library.

12. Belgian highways are lit at night

Belgium’s highways are lit at night. I am so used to it by now that I only understand how spoiled we are when they switch the lights off or when we travel to other countries.

As I’m updating this article, I have to say that these days, some parts of the highways remain dark during the least busy hours of the night. However, most Belgians find that it’s too dangerous and don’t agree with these ‘savings’.

READ ALSO: Is Belgium Safe?

13. Belgians love to talk about the weather

You can make friends in Belgium just by talking about the weather . Really. Belgians are obsessed with the weather and so you always have an easy conversation topic available.

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t rain all the time in Belgium, but we do get a fair bit of rain. In any case, enough to give us something to talk about. And if we get an exceptionally dry year, as it’s happening more and more recently, there’s just so much more to discuss…

So if you meet a Belgian for the first time and are looking for a way to start the conversation, just say something about the weather.

READ ALSO: What It’s Like to Visit Belgium in Winter

14. Belgians love to cook (& to eat)

Cooking books top book bestsellers lists in Belgium for years. Belgians love to cook. And to eat. Belgians love the Burgundian lifestyle, fine food, and drinks.

If you are going for dinner at a restaurant in Belgium, count at least 2-3 hours. Nobody likes to rush through dinner and restaurants don’t even expect to seat tables more than once in the same evening.

15. Belgians love to shop

Belgian favorite pastime is shopping or going to the seaside. An ideal weekend is spent in Knokke, the posh seaside resort with many luxury boutiques on the Belgian coast.

Come weekend and Belgians flock to shopping malls and seaside resorts. If you don’t like the crowds, stay away from these places on weekends and public holidays.

16. Every Belgian wants to own a house

Belgians say that they are ‘born with a brick in their stomach’ . All self-respecting Belgians try to buy or build a house as soon as they can.

17. Belgians dream of a B&B in Southern Europe

The ultimate Belgian dream is to retire at 50 and run a B&B in the South of Europe. Many Belgians move to Provence in southern France or to Spain, buy a house, turn it into a small B&B, and only come back to Belgium when they need some serious medical care.

18. Legal drinking age in Belgium is 16

Yes, you read this right. In Belgium, you are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages from the age of 16.

However, this only applies to ‘light’ drinks such as beer, wine, or champagne. For strong drinks, you have to be at least 18 years old.

19. Money topics are taboo

Belgians are pretty open and will talk about pretty much anything, except money. Children usually don’t have the slightest idea of what their parents earn.

If there is one money topic that Belgians love to talk (complain) about, it’s taxes. And there’s a good reason for that – see below.

20. Belgium has some of the highest tax rates in the world

Belgium has one of the highest personal income tax rates in the world. If you earn more than 13,250 EUR per year, you pay 40% tax. From about 40,000 EUR per year, income tax is 50%.

In addition, you have to pay social security taxes of 13.07% and communal taxes that, depending on where you live, can be as high as 9-10%.

So it’s not uncommon for Belgians to pay 60-65% tax on their income.

21. Belgians make flower carpets

Belgians make carpets from flowers and they are really good at it.

If you visit Brussels in mid-August on the even years, don’t miss the Brussels Flower Carpet !

22. Santa Claus doesn’t come to Belgium

Belgian children don’t get their presents from Santa Claus, but from Sinterklaas or St. Nicholas. He comes by boat from Spain around mid-November, takes a tour of schools and shopping malls in the following weeks, and brings presents to all the ‘good’ kids on the 6th of December.

Sinterklaas travels on a white horse and with the help of Black Peters enters the houses via the chimney. Kids put their shoes at the fireplace on the evening of December 5. They also leave some carrots and sugar for the horse and drawings for Sinterklaas.

Here you can read more about the Sinterklaas celebration in Belgium .

23. Belgium has the world’s smallest city

Belgium has some beautiful historic cities, like Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, or Leuven. In addition, we have many smaller towns, but there is one that Belgians are particularly proud of – Durbuy.

Durbuy prides itself on being ‘the smallest city in the world’. It’s not really a city, rather a very small (and picturesque) town, with a population of just about 500 people.

However, Durbuy’s location and position were pretty significant in the past. In the early 14th century, the Count of Luxembourg gave the town the rank of the city.

24. Belgians co-invented the World Wide Web

When talking about the things that Belgium is famous for, people often forget that we have great universities and lots of scientists in Belgium. Here’s just one example – the invention of the World Wide Web (www).

Belgian computer scientist Robert Cailliau together with his English colleague Berners-Lee, invented the hypertext system for accessing documentation, which eventually led to the creation of the World Wide Web.

Can you imagine that? There would be no internet without Belgians. 🙂

25. You have to pay to use a bathroom in Belgium

One of the things I just can’t get used to here in Belgium is that you have to pay when you want to use a bathroom . Most bathrooms at shopping centers, petrol stations, cinemas, etc. now charge 0.5-1 EUR for a visit.

Often, you also have to pay for bathrooms at restaurants, especially in busy places in city centers. Luckily, most of them make an exception for their customers.

So it’s always a good idea to carry some small change in your pocket in Belgium.

26. Saxophone was invented by a Belgian

Did you know that the saxophone was invented by a Belgian named Adolphe Sax? He was born in the small city of Dinant and if you visit the city today, you’ll see saxophones everywhere.

Also some of the world’s most famous painters were Belgian: Rubens, Ensor, Magritte, Delvaux, van Eyck… to name just a few.

27. Belgian cities often have two different names

Belgium is multicultural and multilingual to its core and you will notice it in all kinds of details every single day. I’m not even talking about tens of different nationalities living together, this is about Belgium and Belgians.

Here is my favorite example and something that took me many years to get used to – the same city will have different names in Flemish, Walloon, or German-speaking parts of the country.

So Belgium is a place where it’s very easy to get confused and lost while driving around. Don’t look for ‘Liege’ road signs if you are on a highway in Antwerp, because the sign will say ‘Luik’. And when you finally manage to get to Liege, you will need to look for ‘Anvers’ in order to find your way back to Antwerp.

I still remember the first time I got lost in Belgium (this was before the times of GPS). I had a map with me, but road signs were pointing to places that were not on the map. I ended up driving around for several hours.

I remember asking people for directions and they looked at me as if I was from another planet. I was asking for directions to Mons while the signs were showing ‘Bergen’ and it was less than 30 minutes drive from where I was! It took me several weeks to realize that Gent is actually the same place as Gand.

Here are some examples of Belgian town names (some translations are quite similar, but some don’t even resemble the original):

• Bruxelles = Brussel = Brussels
• Antwerpen = Anvers = Antwerp
• Gent = Gand = Ghent
• Mons = Bergen
• Tournai = Doornik
• Mechelen = Malines
• Kortrijk = Courtrai
• Namur = Namen
• Ieper = Ypres
• De Haan = Le Coq
• Braine-l’Alleud = Eigenbrakel
• Jezus Eik = Notre-Dame-au-Bois

And in case you wonder, even the country name itself is different in all three official languages: België (Dutch), Belgique (French), Belgien (German).

Belgium FAQ

Here are some additional facts that you may want to know about Belgium:

Belgium is world-famous for its chocolate, waffles, beer, and its national football team, the Red Devils. Belgium is also home to NATO headquarters and to the EU Commission and European Parliament. Brussels is often referred to as the capital of the EU.

The majority of people in Flanders speak English very well. It’s not always the case in Brussels or in Wallonia. However, as a tourist, you should have no problems finding someone who speaks English to help you out.

Yes, Belgium is one of the richest countries in the world. According to Allianz Global Wealth Report 2020, Belgium ranked as the 11th richest country in the world by net financial assets per capita.

Among others, Belgium’s high taxes are used to finance the healthcare system, education, and social security programs. For example, we have excellent and very affordable healthcare, school costs are low, and university studies are very affordable (the biggest cost is renting a place to live).

The cost of living in Belgium is relatively high, but still very affordable compared to many other Western European countries. For example, real estate is much more affordable in Brussels than in Amsterdam, Paris, or London.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Brussels

So here are some weird and fun facts about Belgium. As you can see, it’s a unique country, very multicultural yet authentic and true to its values. It’s a great place to live and a wonderful destination to visit.

If you are planning a trip to Belgium, make sure to check out our post with a suggested Belgium itinerary for 3 or 4 days .

I also strongly recommend visiting our favorite Belgian town, Antwerp. Here you can read about the best things to do in Antwerp and some of our favorite secret places in Antwerp that most tourists never see. Check it out!

More travel inspiration for Benelux:

• Netherlands: Best Day Trips in the Netherlands
• Luxembourg: Best Day Trips in and Near Luxembourg
• Best Things to Do in Brussels
• Where to Stay in Brussels
• Most Popular Hotels in Brussels
• Best Things to Do in Antwerp
• Hidden Gems of Antwerp
• Is Antwerp Worth Visiting
• Where to Stay in Antwerp
• Best Things to Do in Bruges
• Bruges Christmas Market
• Bruges Belfry Tower
• Top Sights & Attractions in Amsterdam
• Tips for Visiting Amsterdam
• Where to Stay in Amsterdam
• 1 Day in Amsterdam
• 2 Days in Amsterdam
• 3 Days in Amsterdam
• 4 Days in Amsterdam
• Best Day Trips from Amsterdam
• Best Christmas Markets in Belgium
• Amsterdam at Christmas
• Belgium in Winter
• Amsterdam in December
• Best Theme Parks in Belgium
• Antwerp with Kids
• Planckendael Animal Park

If you found this post interesting, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Diki Khiangte

Monday 26th of February 2024

Hi Jurga thank you for providing us information about Belgium it’s very interesting & informative i really enjoyed reading about the fun fact as i had been experienced pay toilet at the mall and another at train station 😊 Also never experienced such weather like this before !

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Ha ha, what's wrong with the weather? The sun is shining and it's the warmest February we ever had. The rain, well, we have plenty of that too... :)

Sunday 25th of February 2024

I am a Belgian myself, and I have to admit that i actually don't like mayo on my fries at all. Most of us do, but I think its disgusting! Ketchup is way better :)

Ha ha, you could be friends with one of my kids - he's on the 'ketchup camp' too :).

Wednesday 17th of January 2024

Is there much discrimination in Belgium, inasmuch as the boy urinator appears to be black skinned?

Thursday 18th of January 2024

Hi Ed, I'm not sure I understand your question or what it has to do with the color of a bronze sculpture. Following this reasoning, all the famous people whose sculptures are made of bronze were brown/grey. :) Plus, Manneken Pis is a positive character - you can read his story here. As for discrimination, things are evolving and we have a very multicultural society so that helps a lot. In fact, Belgium has one of the most open societies I know of, together with the Netherlands. To answer your question in short, yes, there is some discrimination (where not?). But things are also rapidly changing and younger generations already have a totally different attitude toward people of different backgrounds than their grandparents did.

Juan Gamboa Fernandez

Tuesday 28th of November 2023

Hi! This article really helped me for my school project. I don't think I trust you with the mayo bit, though.

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Ha ha, you'll just have to come over to Belgium and give it a try ;).

Cody Garcia

Friday 6th of October 2023

A peeing boy is weird but facinating. LOL

Tuesday 10th of October 2023

When you think of it, there's nothing weird or fascinating about it. It's the most natural thing, isn't it? :)

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53 Fun Belgium Facts

This article may contain affiliate links. This means we receive a small commission whenever you book or purchase something through our links (at no extra cost to you!). You can find more information in our disclaimer .

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN SOME FUN BELGIUM FACTS?

We believe that checking out all these Belgium facts will give you a great idea of what this fascinating country is all about!

After reading our article you will see there is definitely more to Belgium than chocolate, beer, and waffles.

Even not all Belgians, us included, know these Belgium fun facts we listed. Some of these facts are funny, historical, or even a bit weird.

We hope you enjoy learning more about Belgium, our unique country.

So, let’s go and see if you know any of these fun facts about Belgium!

Funny Belgium facts

1) a peeing boy is the national symbol of belgium.

Yes, it is true the National Symbol of Belgium is a peeing boy and is called ‘Manneken pis’ in Dutch. This bronze fountain sculpture is located in Brussels and is 55cm in height.

It is one of the Belgium interesting facts for many reasons!

There are many stories or legends about the origins of this statue but no one knows for sure why it was made or who the model was.

Manneken Pis has been around for centuries, with the first recorded mention of it in 1451.

There are many replicas of this famous statue around the world including Canada, China, and even Japan!

2) Our National symbol isn’t naked all the time

Manneken Pis has his own collection of clothes, so he isn’t naked all of the time. He doesn’t have 2 outfits, one for winter and one for summer but believe it or not he has one thousand different costumes!

3) Manneken Pis Museum

Have you seen photos of the Mannekin Pis in different costumes? One of the interesting facts Belgium has is the Mannekin Pis’ wardrobe!

Where to keep all of his outfits? Indeed, a museum. In the permanent exhibition in the Brussels City museum you can check out a big part of his wardrobe.

4) Are there other urinating statues in Brussels?

Weirdly enough the answer to that question is yes. ‘Manneken pis’ isn’t the only urinating statue in Brussels.

If you walk around the city you will find several others like ‘Jeanneke pis’ and ‘ Zinneke pis’. Jeanneke pis, is a girl squatting and urinating on a stone.

Zinneke pis or ‘het Zinneke’ is a statue of a dog peeing against a marker. Zinneke is a dialect word for the people of Brussels.

5) Lots of parades happening in Belgium

When you think of Carnaval, you think of Rio de Janeiro. But in the city of Aalst, Carnaval comes pretty close to its Brazilian example.

It is one of the interesting facts of Belgium you should try to experience during your visit.

In Aalst, Carnaval is a part of the city and a part of life.

Not only in Aalst you can celebrate and watch parades. For example the festival of Binche (Unesco), Beselare Witch parade, Festival of the Cats (Ypres), Procession of the Holy Blood (Bruges), and many more are very famous and are visited by people all over the world.

6) Home to world-known festivals

Belgians for sure like to party! The famous Tomorrowland festival is located in Boom, Belgium. It is an electronic dance music festival and one of the most famous in the world.

Other big festivals are Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Dour Festival and Lokerse Feesten. These festivals attract people from all over Europe (and even the world) each year.

7) Football crazy

The Belgian Red Devils, our national football team, have played in the FIFA World Cup final once. They lost against Argentina by 1-0 (in 1986).

But, the Red Devils were very close to winning the World Cup in 2018. In the semi-final, they lost against eventual winner France by 0-1.

In the last couple of years, you can feel the popularity of the Red Devils growing. For example, in 2018 people put Belgian flags all over their houses and cars.

It is one of the most interesting facts on Belgium that never happened before on that scale!

Lots of shops sell flags and other Belgian merchandise to show their support for the Red Devils.

During the World Cup or other big matches, people also come together to watch the matches in public places such as bars and restaurants.

The whole country seems to be one united nation when the Red Devils are playing!

8) Small country, big football players

More than 382 football players from Belgium have played in the premier league! Such as Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.

9) Cycling in Belgium

Belgians not only love football but cycling as well. The most famous Belgian cyclists are Eddy Merckx, known as ‘The Cannibal’, and Tom Boonen. They both have won the Tour de France multiple times.

Every year there are many different cycling races, but the most famous one is Tour de France. It starts in Brussels every odd year.

The tour de Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) is also a very famous race in Belgium.

10) Saint Nicholas

In Belgium, we celebrate Saint Nicholas on the 6th of December. Saint Nicholas is a Catholic saint who was born in what is now Turkey.

He was famous for his generosity and for giving gifts to children. Nowadays, Santa Claus is based on the legend of Saint Nicholas.

On the night of December 5, children put their shoes by the chimney and hope that Saint Nicholas will fill them with sweets and gifts (if you have been a good kid) overnight!

11) Smallest town in the world

Durbuy is the smallest town in the world, being only 156 km² in size! It is located in the province of Luxembourg and has a population of only 1,600 people.

The region is full of nature and infused with facts about Belgium’s history, with fortresses, monasteries, and churches dotted about.

12) Hooray for rain

Ah the Belgium weather, is something that gets discussed a lot. Yes, it rains a lot in Belgium, but we aren’t in the top 10 of the rainiest countries in Europe.

The average rainfall is around 700-800 mm per year. But, on the plus side, Belgium does have some beautiful sunny days too! Thanks to this, Belgium has a very diverse landscape.

From the Ardennes with its forests and hills to the sandy beaches of Ostend and the flatlands of Flanders, there is something for everyone!

In the last few years, the climate in Belgium has been changing a lot, with lots of heatwaves and very dry months.

Climate change is visible in Belgium, just like it is everywhere else.

13) Keyboard fact

France and Belgium are the only European countries that use an AZERTY keyboard, the rest of world uses QWERTY (except for a few of francophone African countries).

14) Money money money

The euro is the most visible example of European integration: it is used by over 341 million people each day, making it the second most-used currency in the world.

The designer of the euro coin is Luc Luycx, a graphic Belgian designer of the Belgian Royal Mint. The design on the euro coins’ common side depicts a vision of Europe, rather than a map of Europe.

15) We take our French fries seriously

French fries are a yummy invention of the Belgians. There is a big debate going on about who invented this delicious dish but it is invented by Belgians and not the French.

The word ‘French’ in French Fries isn’t linked to France but means how the potato is cut into parts in a particular way.

In Belgium you will find french fries everywhere, no matter whether you are in a village in the suburbs or a big city.

Around every corner, you will find a ‘frituur or frietkot’ where you can either take out or eat in and enjoy your fries with mayo or carbonade sauce.

And yes, there is even a fries museum!

The ‘Frietmuseum’ is located in Bruges, here you can learn they are made and the secrets to making them perfectly crispy.

Belgians are also the largest fries consumer in the world. Each person eats about 25 kilograms of French fries per year. Discover more about facts about Belgium food here!

16) Belgium breweries

You can taste a Belgian beer every day for a whole year and you still won’t have tasted them all!

With more than 1,500 beer brands and over 700 unique taste profiles, Belgian beer diversity has something for everyone. Discover the best Belgian beer for you here .

From light Pilsners to dark Trappist beers, fruity lambics to sour geuzes, the local brews come in all colors, flavors, and alcohol percentages.

So whether you prefer high or low fermentation, they’ve got you covered!

17) Belgian beer makes the perfect gift

Lots of the Belgian Beers are sold as a gift set. This way you can taste a variety of beers without having to buy them all individually. You can buy them in supermarkets or specialized shops.

The gift sets often include the correct beer glass as well, because each beer has its own glass.

If you want to learn more about beer, there are lots of beer tours and tastings you can do.

Most of the big breweries offer tours, like InBev in Leuven (Stella Artois) and Duvel Moortgat in Breendonk (Duvel).

18) Longest bar in Europe

The longest bar in Europe is located in Leuven Belgium! It is called ‘De oude markt’, which means the old marketplace.

At the Oude Markt, you can discover around 40 catering businesses in one location.

If you grab a chair you might never know in which bar or restaurant you’re actually ordering because everything is so close to each other.

It’s no surprise that the Oude Markt is Leuven’s main meeting place, especially during the summer when the numerous terraces quickly fill up.

Interesting Belgium facts

19) how old is belgium.

The first thing you might not know about Belgium is that it’s a relatively young country. It only became an independent country in 1830!

Before that, it was part of various empires and kingdoms, including the Roman Empire, the Habsburg Netherlands, and France.

20) Belgium and the Royal Family

Belgium is a Monarchy and is officially called, the Kingdom of Belgium. In 1831 it was decided that Leopold I, would become the first King of the Belgians.

Leopold I wasn’t elected by the people but was appointed by the great powers of Europe at the time.

The current King of Belgium is Filip, who ascended to the throne in 2013 after his father Albert II abdicated.

The King isn’t announced as The King of Belgium, like in many other monarchies, but The King of the Belgians.

The fact that Belgium is a Monarchy isn’t very popular with everyone and there are regular calls for Belgium to become a republic by opponents.

Nevertheless, most Belgians are proud of their King!

21) Abortion became legal in Belgium but the King wasn’t supportive

In 1990, King Baudouin of Belgium was deposed for 36 hours. He opposed the government’s planned abortion legislation, so they dethroned him and passed the bill before restoring him to the throne.

22) Home of the Royal family

The Royal family’s main residence is the Royal Palace of Laeken and not the Royal Palace of Brussels.

The Royal Palace of Brussels is mainly used for representative or administration purposes and for hosting guests.

Summer is the only time, as a visitor you can enter and explore the building. The Palace of Laeken, located in the Brussels municipality of Laeken and is much bigger with a size of 20 hectares. The Royal Greenhouse is open to the public in spring .

23) Belgium has legendary city walls

In Belgium, five of the country’s medieval city centers have still well-preserved city walls. UNESCO has designated them as World Heritage Sites.

They are Bruges’, Ghent,’ Antwerp,’ Brussels,’ and Leuven’s historic town cores.

23) We proved that Belgium can survive without a government for a very long time

Belgium has the world record for the longest time without a government. Not something we are necessarily proud of but let us explain what happened.

Belgium is made up of six different governments, one federal and five regional authorities.

Because Belgium follows a parliamentary system, members of the federal government – which is made up of the Prime Minister and his cabinet – are chosen from the parties that make up the coalition government.

There will be no federal administration if no coalition is formed. During the government formation in 2010 and 2011, Belgium didn’t have a government for 541 days! A world record at the time.

When there was no government, a caretaker administration led the country until elections were held.

This was a topic of lots of jokes obviously, and even some people found living in our country easier and cheaper without a government.

You think this can only happen once, but oh no we broke our own world record. Because between 2019 and 2020 it took 652 days until the politicians agreed on a formation.

24) Most parliaments of the world

Belgium is the only country in the world with 6 parliaments. And they all meet in the same building! In each community and region, there is its own parliament and administration.

Belgium should have seven parliaments and governments: three communities, three regions, and one federal government in theory.

However, we only have six parliaments and governments: the Flemish Parliament governs both the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region, while the Flemish Government rules over both of them.

25) Belgian Citizenship

If you want to become Belgian, it will take you at least 5 years. Most countries have a waiting period of around 3 years before you can apply for citizenship, but in Belgium, it is required to have lived here (have a residence) for 5 years – and that’s if you meet all the other requirements like for example be able to speak one of the official languages.

26) Is Belgian the official language of Belgium?

There isn’t a language called Belgian or there isn’t even one language in Belgium. There are three! The three official languages are Dutch, French, and German.

Having three official languages, you must be asking yourself, “So, what are the people from Belgium called if they know French, German, and Dutch?” Hmm.

In total, around 11 million people are living in Belgium, with 7 million speaking Dutch, 3 million speaking French, and 1 million speaking German.

At school in Flanders, you start learning French at quite an early age (the 5th grade).

In Wallonia, learning Flemish isn’t obligatory. That’s why many Flemish people can understand and talk French, but not the other way around.

So even among Belgians, it isn’t always easy to communicate, and sometimes more convenient to speak English.

27) Belgium isn’t a tax-friendly country

If you don’t like taxes then you probably won’t like Belgium either. We are not the biggest fan of taxes ourselves, but unfortunately, it’s a necessary evil.

The highest income tax bracket is 42% and if you earn more than €40.000 it’s as much as 50%!

And that’s not even including all the other little taxes they deduct from your salary each month, such as health insurance, pension, etc.

There are many different kinds of taxes in Belgium! Corporate taxes are less high, with a maximum tax rate of 25%.

Despite the high cost of living in Belgium, there is no shortage of housing, we have a good healthcare system, and if you are unemployed you will be able to ask for a monthly allowance, there is an affordable education system, and so on.

These factors make Belgium a great place to live!

28) We talk a lot but…

Belgians don’t like to talk about finances or income. So if you ask someone how much they earn in a year, you will most likely not get an answer or a very vague one.

It is one of the Belgium cultural facts to keep in mind during conversations about finances.

I don’t know why we don’t like to talk about that subject, maybe because Belgians are very private or we don’t want to brag. But this is something that foreigners find quite odd and even impolite!

29) You can drink water from the tap

The tap water in Belgium is clean and safe to drink. We have an excellent water infrastructure and the water is controlled regularly.

So there is no need to buy bottled water, but if you want to we have our own mineral water brand called Spa.

30) Recycling

Belgium has some of the most lenient laws on recycling in Europe- almost three-fourths of all residential waste is reused, recycled, or turned into compost.

Recycling is taken very seriously in Belgium and there are restrictions on it. You have to put your trash into different receptacles and if you don’t follow protocol there could be severe fines.

In certain areas, the garbage collectors will even check through your rubbish to see if it was sorted properly!

31) Belgian Railway Network

Belgium has a very old railway network, the second oldest in the world. It started operating in 1835 between Brussels and Mechelen, making it the first passenger railway service in continental Europe.

The first part of the high-speed rail line between Brussels and London opened in 1997 and is now operated by Eurostar.

The Belgian Railway company is called NMBS of Belgian Train. Not everyone in Belgium is positive about the Belgian trains.

You can easily book your ticket online, but there are many delays and tickets are quite expensive.

32) Belgians love to shop

The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a covered, glazed shopping arcade in Brussels that opened in 1847. Being the first of its kind in Europe, this gallery is still one of the most elegant around and spans approximately 200 meters.

Not only does being indoors protect you from adverse weather conditions, but it also allows sunlight in thanks to the glass rooftop while keeping the rain out.

You’ll find an array of prestigious stores like jewelers and chocolate shops, restaurants and bars, as well as a theatre and cinema.

33) Visit the Belgian cost by tram

The Belgian coastal tram line, which measures 68 kilometers in length, is the world’s longest tram line. It began operations in 1885 and runs between De Panne and Knokke-Heist along the coast of Belgium. The line is operated by the De Lijn company.

34) Port of Antwerp

Belgium is home to the second largest port in Europe, Antwerp. The Dutch city of Rotterdam is the only European port that is larger than Antwerp.

Every year, about 14,000 ships carrying more than 200 million tons of cargo arrive at and depart from the port of Antwerp.

35) Belgian sweet tooth

If you love chocolate, you will love Belgium! There are around 2,000 chocolatiers in Belgium and they produce around 700,000 tonnes of chocolate every year.

The first trace of chocolate in Belgium was in 1635. It was only possible to buy this delicacy if you were very rich.

One of the most interesting facts about Belgium chocolate is the popular way of chocolate consumption in the country. The most common consumption of chocolate at that time was in chocolate drinks.

In 1912 the first chocolate praline was invented by Jean Neuhaus.The most famous Belgium chocolate brands are Cote d’Or, Callebaut, Godiva, Neuhaus, Galler, and Leonidas.

35) A few chocolate facts

An average person in Belgium eats around 6 kg of chocolate per year. And I can’t blame them!

If I had to guess where they sell the most chocolates, my guess would be in the tourist center of Brussels.

But boy am I wrong! The Belgian Chocolate House is not only the biggest chocolate store in the world, but it’s also duty-free because it is located at Brussels Airport.

36) The diversity of Belgian waffles

We talked about beer, chocolate en fries but what about Belgian Waffles? It was the Vermeersch family who started selling them on the streets of Brussels in the early 1960s. First it was called the Brussels Waffle but afraid that nobody would know where Brussels was back then they started to call it the Belgian Waffle.

Nowadays, you can eat waffles all over Belgium, and there are several kinds of waffles made in Belgium. The two most popular ones are the Brussels Waffle and the Liege Waffle. The Brussels waffle is light and rectangular with squares in the middle, the Liege waffles have more of an oval shape and contain chunks of pearl sugar.

You can get them with lots of different toppings like whipped cream and strawberries is a very famous combination

37) Do Belgians eat waffles in the morning?

In Belgium we don’t eat waffles as breakfast, it’s more like an afternoon snack. But thanks to the American pilgrims back in the day, who discovered the Belgian waffles at the world fair of 1964, the Belgian waffle became very popular in the States and is now eaten as breakfast there.

38) Belgium and its Michelin Stars

Another food fact, is Belgium has the 4th most Michelin-starred restaurants per person in the world. It has more Michelin star restaurants than Germany and Spain.

The most famous Michelin starred restaurants are ‘Hof Van Cleve’ (by Chef Peter Goossens) and ‘Zilte’ (by Chef Viki Geunes). So fine dining in Belgium is something you should experience when you’re visiting!

39) Belgium is filled with home cooks

If you’re looking for a Christmas present, the most popular Belgian present is definitely a cook book. I’m guessing that in every household in Belgium there is at least one cookbook of Jeroen Meus on their bookshelf. Jeroen Meus is vary famous he even has his own tv cooking show!

40) What’s a popular Belgian dish?

A popular Belgian dish is Mussels and Fries. The French call it Moules-frites, the Dutch Mosselen met friet. This dish is usually served with a mayonnaise or garlic sauce. The Mussels are prepared with wine and celery although you can also order other varieties.

You can find this dish everywhere in Belgium, but the best place to eat mussels is definitely at the Seaside.

41) Belgium, the birthplace of a well-known Hollywood actress

When you say Breakfast at Tiffany’s you probably think about the movie with Audrey Hepburn. And did you know that this famous actress was born in Belgium?

Audrey Hepburn was born in Ixelles, Brussels on 4 May 1929. She only lived in Belgium until WWII, then the family fled to Holland.

42) Glitter and glamour

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And what do you think of when I say Diamonds? Most people will say Antwerp. And they are right! The city of Antwerp is the world capital of diamonds. 85% of the world’s uncut diamonds and 50% of all cut diamonds pass through Antwerp every year.

Close to the central station of Antwerp, you can find the Diamond District where most of the diamond trade takes place, and where you can buy diamonds at many different stores.

43) Belgium and the connection with the two World Wars

Belgium played a part in two world wars and being a small country, it has been invaded many times throughout history. The last time this happened was during WWII when Hitler wanted to conquer Europe. As part of his strategy, he invaded Belgium on his way to France.

Many World War sites can be found throughout the country.

44) Importance of Brussels

Brussels is the administrative, commercial, and financial center of Belgium and hosts most national government services and institutions. In addition to serving as a regional metropolis, Brussels also acts as an international center.

Since becoming the headquarters of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and the EU (European Union).

45) Life expectancy in Belgium

Belgium ranks at the 24th place on the Life Expectancy World Ranking. According to the latest WHO data published in 2021 life expectancy in Belgium is 81.7 for the total population. If we look more in detail, males have a life expectancy of 79.2 years, and females 84 years.

46) Same-sex marriage

In Belgium, same-sex couples have been able to marry since the first of June 2003.

A law permitting same-sex marriages was passed by the country’s Senate in November 2002 and approved by the Chamber of Representatives one month later.

It went into effect after King Albert II gave his approval.

47) Our educational system

Education in Belgium is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 18. It is free for all children between the ages of 2 and 18, whether Belgian citizens or not. The educational system in Belgium is bilingual (French-Dutch).

There are three types of schools in Belgium: subsidized public schools, subsidized free schools, and community schools. There aren’t many other countries where you are obliged to go to school until the age of 18.

48) Brussels sprouts: love them or hate them

These little cabbage-like vegetables are a big part of Belgian cuisine. They were first cultivated in the 16th century in the Brussels region of Belgium and got their name from the city. It is a common joke in Belgium, when someone asks what are we having for dinner?

You answer with ‘spruiten’ (flemish word for Brussels Sprouts), because most kids (and even adults) don’t like them. They have a very bitter taste, but I learned that there is a genetic reason why you love or hate them.

The presence or absence of the TAS2R38 gene determines a person’s ability to taste PTC. And PTC is the chemical responsible for the taste of bitterness.

49) The Atomium, another national symbol of Belgium

Did you know that the Atomium, a famous landmark in Brussels, is actually the shape of the crystallized molecule of iron but 165 billion times magnified?

So far over 420.000 people visited the Atomium in 2023. The Atomium was built for the Expo in 1958, and was meant to be demolished after the Expo was finished. But luckily for us, they decided to keep this monument!

50) Comic books and Belgium

Do Lucky Luke, Tintin, Suske & Wiske, Nero, the Smurfs, Blake & Mortimer, Kiekeboe, Gaston La Gaffe ring a bell? Those are a glimpse of the many Belgian comic book characters that are world famous.

The most popular is Tintin, created by Hergé. In total, more than 200 million copies of Tintin have been sold worldwide.

=> Fun fact: Belgium has more comic strip creators per square kilometer than any other country in the world, with over 700 comic strip authors!

51) The end of Napoleon’s rule

The defeat of Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 put an end to French rule in Belgium, and the country became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

However, Belgian nationalists revolted against Dutch rule during the 1830s, and in 1831 Belgium became independent.

The monument of the lion of Waterloo is located on the site of the Battle of Waterloo, in present-day Belgium.

The monument is a lion sculpture sculpted from bronze. It was commissioned by King William I of the Netherlands to commemorate the Belgian soldiers who fought in the battle and can be visited by tourists.

52) Important historical moment of Marx

A lot of things happened in Belgium. Such as Marx writing his Manifesto. In 1848, Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto while he was living in Brussels.

He used a tract Engels had written for the League in 1847 as a model. Once Marx finished the work, he sent it to London and the League immediately adopted it as their manifesto.

53) UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium

Belgium is home to 15 World Heritage Sites which are all listed as cultural heritage sites. 

• Belfries of Belgium and France (1999)
• Flemish Beguinages (1998)
• Historic Centre of Brugge (2000)
• La Grand-Palace (1998)
• Major Mining Sites of Wallonia (2012)
• Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (2000)
• Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (2000)
• Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai (2000)
• Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex (2005)
• Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (2007)
• Stoclet House (2009)
• The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)
• The Four Lifts on the Canal du Centre and their Environs, La Louviere and Le Roeulx (1998)
• The  Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021)
• Colonies of Benevolence (2021)

What are 5 interesting facts about Belgium?

An average Belgian eats 6 kg of chocolate per year. Belgium is home to very famous soccer players and cyclists. There are more than 1000 different beers in Belgium and has the most comic book authors per sq kilometer. And last but not least French fries are a Belgian invention.

What is Belgium famous for?

Chocolate, diamonds, headquarters of NATO, and French fries. Belgium is also famous for its comic book characters, such as Tintin and Lucky Luke. And of course, the Atomium! You can read more about more about the famous people, places, and food here .

What 3 things is Belgium famous for?

Chocolate, beer, and waffles are some of the most famous things which Belgium is famous for.

What is Belgium’s nickname?

The nickname Belgium has is “The Battleground of Europe”, which we would rather not be reminded of. Otherwise, our country does not have any nicknames. Most Belgian cities have nicknames for their citizens. For example, citizens of Mechelen are called ‘Maneblussers’ (moon extinguishers).

What is Belgium’s famous food?

Mussels with French fries, Belgian Sprouts, beef and beer stew (Carbonnade flamande – stoofvlees), and Belgian waffles.

What food did Belgium invent?

French fries, waffles, and pralines. Endive and sprouts are foods that are originally cultivated in Belgium.

What is Belgium’s national dish?

There is no such thing as a national dish in Belgium, as we have so many different dishes which are all equally delicious! However, if we had to choose, it might be mussels with French fries.

What is the most popular sport in Belgium?

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Belgium. However, cycling is also very popular, as Belgium has produced many great cyclists over the years.

What’s unique about Belgium?

Although Belgium is a small country, it is very diverse. We have Dutch-, French- and German-speaking regions, which all have their own customs and traditions. We have a rich history and culture, and our food is definitely something to write home about!

What are 3 fun facts about Belgium?

Belgium has 3 official languages, we invented a lot of food that isn’t healthy (such as waffles and French fries), and we hold the world record of not having an official government.

What is the national flower of Belgium?

The Red Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is the National Flower of Belgium . This flower is associated with Belgium because of its important role in the country’s history. During World War I, the fields of Flanders were covered in red poppies, which grew abundantly in the disturbed soil. The poppies came to symbolize the sacrifice of the soldiers who died in the war.

Wrapping up this Belgium facts list

So there you have, some interesting facts about Belgium. Despite being a small country, it has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture. I hope you enjoyed learning about this fascinating country!

Let us know if you have any more facts about our pretty cool country!

BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES  

Getting to Belgium : Fly into one of the main international airports : Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.

Getting Around : For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here . If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars , they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.

Accommodation : Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.

Guided tours : Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.

Babs Rodrigus is a travel addict at heart and loves to explore her home country Belgium and the rest of the world – preferably with her wife and kids. She’s all about showing you the most mesmerising spots in this tiny European country and making you see how great it truly is.

When she’s not travelling, Babs loves to read, write, eat chocolate (hey, Belgian remember) and sing Frozen songs with her daughter.

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Must-see attractions in Brussels

11 March 2022

Are you a first-timer in Brussels? Don’t worry, then: you're in good hands. We've put together a list of must-see attractions for you. This way, you can discover our capital through its best-known and most valuable treasures. An excellent introduction to the city!

An absolute must: the Grand Place, and the neighbouring galleries

Visiting Brussels without spending some time in the Grand Place is simply unthinkable. Here you’ll see the town hall (one of the most beautiful in the country), the Maison du Roi , which is home to the Brussels City Museum, and a series of private houses built at the end of the 17th century. The architectural richness of this square is simply overwhelming.

Just a stone's throw away from the Grand Place are the Royal Galleries , one of the oldest covered galleries in Europe, as beautiful by day as by night.

Manneken Pis: it’s not the size that matters

Since the 15th century, the  Manneken Pis  sculpture has adorned one of the public fountains that supply the city with drinking water. Over time, this wee little man became a kind of mascot, with the people of Brussels seeing him as a symbol of the local temperament, a unique combination of mischievous, irreverent and droll. A much coveted symbol, since the present statue is a copy. The original, which has been stolen several times, is now safely housed in the Brussels City Museum . Nearby, you can discover the vast wardrobe of Manneken Pis at the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum.

Comic Strips in the streets: the Comic Strip trail

Brussels is the undisputed capital of the comic strip. The ninth art can be found everywhere, in shops, galleries, flea markets, festivals and more. And since 1991, the city's walls have been gradually covered with frescoes that pay tribute to the authors and their many heroes. You can turn down a street and come face to face with Tintin , Cubitus, Billy and Buddy , Blake and Mortimer or Corto Maltese . In all, there are more than 80 murals immersing locals, visitors and tourists alike in the wonderful world of comics.

An 18th century masterpiece: the Royal Quarter

The Place Royale, which was built on the ashes of the Coudenberg Palace , has retained its historical function as the “executive power district”. You’ll find the Royal Palace , the “office” of the Belgian King, at the Place des Palais, bordering the Place Royale. Opposite is the Parc de Bruxelles or Royal Park. The streets bordering the park are also part of the same neoclassical ensemble. For instance, on the other side of the park, you will see the  Palace of the Nation , the seat of the Belgian Parliament. At the Place Royale, with the statue of Godfrey of Bouillon at the centre, you’ll discover the Church of St. James on Coudenberg that resembles a Greco-Roman temple and a series of similar, harmonious mansions.

Culture with a view: the Mont des Arts

The Mont des Arts is the junction between uptown and downtown Brussels and offers a delightful view in all seasons. Below, you can sit in the sumptuous gardens that lead to the statue of Albert I. The “knightly king” faces his love, Queen Elizabeth, whose statue stands on the small Place de l'Albertine on the other side of the road.The Mont des Arts is home to the KBR , the country's main library, and the KBR Museum , which houses the library of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Archives & Museum of Literature (AML). On the other side of the Mont des Arts you’ll find the Brussels Congress Centre Square . Within walking distance you’ll also find major museums and cultural institutions such as Bozar , the BELvue museum and the Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM), to name but a few.

Spotlight on the masters: the Royal Museums of Fine Arts

As beautiful from the outside as it is from the inside, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is a treasure trove of art. In fact, it is the most visited museum in Brussels. Its pluralised name reflects the fact that it contains several sites, covering a variety of periods and themes. Near Place Royale, you can visit the Old Masters Museum , dedicated to European painters from the 15th to the 18th centuries, and the popular Magritte Museum . Not far away, in Ixelles, you can admire the Wiertz and Meunier museums.

The Marolles district: authentic and diverse

This district is arguably the most authentic part of Brussels. Here, you can often still hear the Brusseleir dialect being spoken. The Marolles have it all, from traditional cafés to trendy bars, family-run establishments to stylish new art galleries. Place du Jeu de Balle is the beating heart of this quarter, where the " Vieux Marché ", a gigantic flea market, is held every day.

When size does matter: the Palace of Justice

The colossal Palace of Justice was inaugurated in 1883. It was designed by the architect Joseph Poelaert, and towers over the working-class district of the Marolles at a location where, for centuries, death sentences were carried out. At the time of its construction, this monument of 40,000 m2 of usable space was the largest building ever built and it’s still one of the largest courthouses in the world today. However, restauration works have tarnished its visual spectacle since the 1980s, to the point that scaffolding had to be erected to ensure the renovation... of the scaffolding already in place! (currently not accessible)

The Atomium: the landmark

Created for the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium with its 9 balls represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times!  (It is often mistakenly thought to represent an atom, but in fact each ball represents an atom of iron). The significance of this construction is to celebrate scientific discoveries and breakthroughs. Inside, you will find exhibitions and, most importantly, a stunning view of the Brussels-Capital Region from the top ball. Only a short walk away, embark on a tour of all Europe’s wonders in miniature, thanks to  Mini-Europe . Design lovers won’t want to miss the  Design Museum Brussels  only a stone’s throw away, born following the Atomium’s acquisition of a private collection.

A cultural crossroads: the European Quarter

Far from being a neighbourhood of grey and austere offices, the European Quarter combines European institutions with community life, parks, museums and more. In this district, you can attend plenary sessions in the Parliament's hemicycle and learn more about the Union thanks to the Parlamentarium , the House of European History and Experience Europe . You can also stroll through Léopold Park , a green space that recalls the days when the bourgeoisie moved in en masse from the bustling heart of the city. The district is also a landmark for fans of contemporary and Art Nouveau architecture.

Triumphal splendour: the Cinquantenaire

Built in 1880 to celebrate Belgium's 50th birthday, the Cinquantenaire attracts locals who appreciate its formal garden , history buffs who visit the Art & History Museum , car fans who flock to Autoworld and curious minds who are amazed by the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History . The latter, an often underestimated attraction, also offers access to the arches for a 360° panoramic view of the city.

Once upon a time: the Institute of Natural Sciences

The Institute of Natural Sciences tops the list of the world's best dinosaur museums, which is hardly surprising given that it houses Europe's largest dinosaur gallery. With rooms covering all aspects of life on earth, the evolution of human beings, urban species and the creatures of the seabed, the Museum has something for visitors of all ages. You can even take a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific institute to which it belongs.

The Horta House: quintessential Art Nouveau

Between 1898 et 1901, the architect Victor Horta built Horta House , which consisted of two buildings: his office and his personal home. This prolific pioneer of the Art Nouveau style was responsible for many architectural gems in Brussels. In his own house, which has been converted to a museum, you’ll find all the hallmarks of the Art Nouveau style. The house, now a museum, is one of the many Art Nouveau gems dotted along the streets of the capital .

The Koekelberg Basilica: house of the holy

Legend has it that the idea of building a national basilica in Brussels came to King Leopold II after a visit to the construction site of the Sacré-Cœur in Paris. The construction of the basilica started in 1905, only to be completed in 1970. Some see it as the largest Art Deco church in the world, others as an excessive and ostentatious folly. We’ll let you decide for yourself.

Brussels’ culinary specialities

Brussels waffles, stoemp, waterzooi… the capital of Europe’s culinary specialities are a must when you visit the Brussels-Capital Region.

The best places to eat chips in Brussels

Check out all our addresses!

The best places to buy chocolate in Brussels

As the capital of chocolate, Brussels is full of shops where you can buy this delicious speciality.

Top 10 best spots for prawn croquettes in Brussels: edition 2023

Shrimp croquettes are veritable icons of Belgian gastronomy, and are a real “must” when you visit Brussels.

Our itineraries

Are you done visiting the must-see attractions? The exploration continues. Visit our itineraries page for a more profound introduction to Brussels through its quarters or by various themes.

10 must-visit Art Nouveau houses and mansions in Brussels

Along the streets of Brussels, numerous houses and mansions bear witness to the emergence and blossoming of the iconic Art Nouveau style.

UNESCO heritage in Brussels

Qu’est-ce que le Taj Mahal et les Pyramides d’Egypte ont en commun avec la Grand-Place et d’autres lieux exceptionnels à Bruxelles ? Ils sont tous reconnus par l’Unesco. Bruxelles est admirée pour la richesse de son patrimoine, témoignage de son histoire quasi millénaire, ce qui n’a pas échappé à l’UNESCO, l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture.

Brussels' top 10 museums and attractions

Are you coming to Brussels and need some inspiration for your visits? Join us to discover the capital's unmissable museums and attractions, thanks to our list of the most popular, in terms of visitor numbers.

Top 10 masterpieces to discover with the Brussels Card

Discover our top 10 masterpieces to behold in Brussels with the Brussels Card.

Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Belgium - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Belgium due to  terrorism.

Country Summary : Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Belgium. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting, music, and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Belgium.

If you decide to travel to Belgium:   

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Belgium.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from  the Schengen area . The 12-page U.S. emergency passport is not valid for visa-free entry into Belgium.

2 pages minimum

Not required for stays under 90 days

10,000 Euros or equivalent

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy brussels.

27 Boulevard du Régent (the Consular Section is at 25 Boulevard du Régent) B-1000 Brussels Belgium Telephone:  +(32) (2) 811-4000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(32) (0) 2-811-4000 Fax: +(32) (2) 811-4546 Email:  [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Traveling Through Europe : Belgium is a party to the Schengen Agreement. If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting or visiting a Schengen country review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket .

Visit the  Embassy of Belgium  website for the most current visa information.

The Government of Belgium does not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid travel document for visa-free entry into Belgium. If traveling on this emergency passport, you may be refused boarding and/or entry by immigration officials. Only direct transit through Belgium for a destination in the United States is permitted with an emergency passport. You should check entry requirements of any other country of destination to make sure the emergency passport is accepted for entry.

HIV/AIDS RESTRICITONS:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Belgium.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs regulations on our website.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad, including possible attacks in Europe. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, rudimentary IEDs, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, concerts, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Parks/festivals
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and airports/scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

• Low-level street crime including robberies, smash and grab car robberies, purse snatchings, stealing electronics, and pickpocketing is common, particularly in major cities, in public areas such as restaurants, the Brussels metro at night, buses/trams, and all train stations. Thieves often operate in teams, by bumping into or shoving the target, especially in crowds. Be alert to distractions.
• Theft from vehicles is common. Always drive with your windows up and the doors locked, as thieves sometimes target cars stopped at traffic lights. Thieves may smash the window and grab valuables. Use parking garages when possible, and if you must use street parking, look for a spot near a street light. Do not leave anything visible on the seats, floor, or dashboard.
• Theft of bags on trains has increased, particularly the Brussels-Amsterdam route. Thieves often target light bags placed overhead. Keep bags with cash, valuables, and travel documents close to you, rather than in the overhead shelf on trains.
• Carry only a minimal amount of cash, credit cards, and necessary personal identification. 
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches.

Demonstrations   occur frequently . They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 

• Police routinely monitor protestors and demonstrations.
• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• Monitor the  Embassy website for demonstration alerts.  

International Financial Scams: U.S. citizens have lost tens of thousands of dollars in scams in Belgium. See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for more information.

• Common internet scams include confidence schemes, in which friends, family, or others receive a message that a U.S. citizen traveler is stranded in Belgium and in need of funds to pay for customs fees.
• U.S. citizens in the United States who have been victimized by Internet crime should report it to the  Internet Crime Complaint Center .
• Check ATMs or other machines for skimmers or removeable readers. When possible utilize bank ATMs. In bars and restaurants, have the card swiped in front of you and do not let it be taken away.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 101 . For all other emergencies, please dial  112 . Contact the U.S. Embassy at  +(32) (2) 811-4000 . Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

The Belgian Commission for Financial Assistance to Victims of Intentional Acts of Violence  provides financial compensation, under specific circumstances, for victims of crime and for those who have suffered injuries and consequent losses caused by such incidents. The Commission also provides for dependents or immediate family members of homicide victims. For more information, contact the Commission by phone at  32-2-542-7208; 32-2-542-7218; 32-2-542-7224; 32-2-542-7229, or 32-2-542-7244;  by e-mail at  [email protected]  or  [email protected] ; or visit the  Ministry of Justice website  (French and Dutch only).

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States 
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passpor

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Belgium.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Belgium, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different than in the United States.

• Belgian law requires that any  new  building with public or community space must be accessible for persons with disabilities.
• Many existing buildings as well as public transportation systems are less adapted to individuals with disabilities.
• General information on the accessibility of tourist accommodations, public transportation, museums, and other tourist facilities can be found on official tourism sites for Belgium’s three major regions:  Brussels ,  Wallonia , and  Flanders .

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

High-quality medical facilities and services are widely available in Belgium. The large university hospitals can handle most medical problems. Equivalents for most, but not all, U.S. medications are available through local pharmacies with a prescription from a Belgian physician. The responsiveness of emergency services is also generally excellent.

For emergency services in Belgium, dial 112.

Ambulance services are widely available.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on overseas insurance coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the  Belgian Federal Public Health Service  to ensure the medication is legal in Belgium.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Belgium’s road network is generally well-built and maintained.
• Adequate lighting exists on major highways, but on rural roads it is often insufficient or nonexistent.
• Roadside assistance and information on road conditions are available in English from Touring Mobilis, telephone 02 286-3040. Belgian police will also provide information on road conditions, telephone 02-642-6666.
• Emergency services are efficient and responsive. For police emergencies, dial 101 by phone within Belgium. For all other emergencies, dial 112.

Traffic Laws:

• Traffic coming from the right generally has priority at uncontrolled intersections, even if coming from a smaller street.
• The  maximum speed limit on Belgian highways  is 120 kilometers (72 miles) per hour but is not always posted.
• The  maximum speed in urban areas  is 50 km (30 miles) per hour, but in central Brussels it is 30 km (19 miles) per hour.
• While Belgian authorities strictly  enforce speed limits , many Belgians still drive significantly faster than the posted limit. Claiming ignorance of the speed limit may not prevent you from getting a significant fine for speeding, and your vehicle may be impounded if you can’t pay the fine on the spot. Automated radars with cameras are common and violators are issued citations through the mail.
• Belgian police also conduct  breath analysis checks for alcohol use , particularly at night and during major holidays. The legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is .5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood (.05 percent Blood Alcohol Content).
• You must use your seat belt  while driving in a vehicle.
• Bicycling  is very common in Belgium, for both recreational and more traditional transportation purposes. Wear helmets at all times and follow vehicle travel rules (stopping at lights, crosswalks, etc.). Follow bike paths when available.

Public Transportation:  Brussels and most major cities of Belgium have extensive and efficient public transportation systems. Trains, buses, and ferries connect Brussels with other major cities in Belgium and with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. Traveling by train is considered to be safer than driving.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of the  Belgian national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Belgium’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Belgium’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Brussels Airport Delays: Travelers have experienced significant delays at passport control at Brussels airport, during both arrival and departure.  We recommend outbound passengers check with your airline to find out their cutoff time for check-in and seek your airline’s recommendations on how to mitigate potential passport control delays.

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Belgium should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Belgium .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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The 15 best things to do in Belgium, from chocolate to comics to castles

May 26, 2022 • 10 min read

Enjoying a coffee or beer on a bustling city terrace is great pleasure in any of Belgium’s charming cities © Alena Veasey / Shutterstock

Belgium is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. This unpretentious country – ofter overlooked in favor of such neighbors as France or England – is rich in both food and culture, boasting world-renowned beer, superb street snacks, and sublime sweets. But there’s so much more to discover than just fries and chocolate (though under no circumstances should you miss out on those standbys).

From some of Europe’s oldest architecture, fabled peeing statues, and castles galore to more niche attractions that take travelers off the beaten path, these are 15 of the best things to do in beguiling Belgium.

Stop for a drink – or two – of domestic craft beer at a local pub

Belgian beer is renowned around the world for a reason. The country boasts more than 300 active breweries that make everything from monk-produced Trappist beer to natural-focused gueuze and fruit-forward lambic offerings. Bars and pubs across Belgium usually have a large selection of craft beers available on tap and in bottles – though you’ll want to remember that most Belgian beers have a higher alcohol percentage than you might be used to, with most domestic beers starting at 6% ABV.

The absolute best spot to stop for a drink of Belgian beer is the Délirium Café in Brussels. The no-frills pub offers over 2000 different local and international beers with extremely knowledgeable bartenders who are always more than happy to guide you through the abundance of different local options.

Grab a spot on a terrace and enjoy a coffee

With numerous buildings dating as far back as the thirteenth century, Belgium has some of the oldest architecture in Europe outside of Italy and England. The country takes advantage of its gorgeous and well-preserved buildings and squares with an abundance of outdoor seating, giving travelers and locals a front-row seat to contemplate and appreciate Flemish Renaissance and Renaissance Revival architecture.  Markt square in Bruges and the Grand Place in Brussels are two of the most architecturally stunning spots in the country, and both abound with charming sidewalk terraces. 

Indulge in fungus-focused fine dining at the Café des Spores in Brussels

Mushroom fiends should consider making a reservation at the Café des Spores in Brussels. This unique French-focused restaurant specializes in all things fungus and mushrooms – all the way down to the dessert menu, which includes items like wood-ear mushrooms with salted caramel figs and cheesecake made with dried porcini mushrooms. The bustling restaurant is spread out across two floors, with tables tucked into intimate nooks and crannies throughout the space. 

Treat your sweet tooth to some world-famous Belgian chocolate

It’s an unwritten rule that travelers with even the slightest sweet tooth cannot visit Belgium without stopping for a couple bites of chocolate. Belgian chocolate is justly acclaimed – especially the country’s take on praline and raw chocolate. One of the most popular chocolate makers in the country,  Pierre Marcolini  offers decadent and high-end sweets and bonbons at its many outposts. Neuhaus is an excellent option for praline lovers; the 165-year-old brand is said to have invented praline and continues to use the oldest praline recipe in the country.

Snack on sweet or savory street waffles

Belgian waffles are another one of those indulgent treats that travelers with a sweet tooth (and even those without one) have to try at least once. Belgian waffles are thicker, with extra-deep pockets that make the perfect vehicle for filling with chocolate and other goodies if you’re so inclined – though they’re just as good with a simple sprinkle of sugar.

You’ll almost always be no more than a stone’s throw away from street vendors selling waffles, especially in city centers and near main tourism hubs. Some of the best waffle vendors to look out for are House of Waffles in Bruges and the Wafelhuis Van Hecke in Antwerp.

Explore the dozens of museums and galleries across the country

Over a thousand museums throughout Belgium range from art and history museums to war memorials and special-interest collections catering to vintage automotive lovers and dinosaur enthusiasts.

Standouts include the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels, home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur bones in Europe. More than 30 fully intact iguanodon dinosaur skeletons were discovered in a coal mine at Bernissart in 1878, and have since found a permanent home as the a centerpiece of this museum’s exhibits.

Travelers interested in fashion and style should sashay to the ModeMuseum , a fashion-focused institution in the design capital of Antwerp featuring a whirlwind history of contemporary style with a major emphasis on Belgian designers.

Refuel with Belgian fries – and don’t skimp on the dipping sauces

There’s something about that first bite steaming hot Belgian fries that’ll make you swear off the likes of McDonald’s and Burger King forever. Belgian fries are double-cooked to order, making them extra crispy and satisfyingly starchy. Most fry stands also offer an overwhelming selection of dipping sauces to choose from. We recommend starting with the classic sauce andalouse , a mouthwatering combination of mayonnaise, tomato paste and roasted peppers.

Narrowing down the best spots for fries can easily cause a heated debate; ask any local and they’ll probably tell you something different. Nonetheless, Frit Flagey in Brussels almost always has a line snaking down the block. Don’t let this deter you, though: the line moves fast and the constant flow of traffic means both fries and sauces will always be fresh. 

Snap a photo with the Manneken Pis landmark in Brussels

Although it’s slightly off-putting and even inappropriate, the Manneken Pis  (the “little pissing man”) in Brussels is one of the most well-known landmarks in the entire country. The bronze fountain sculpture of the peeing boy is supposed to represent the folk humor for which Brussels is famous, and was originally erected in the 1600s (although a replica replaced the original in 1965).

Note that the landmark fountain is only about five minutes from the Grand Place and as such is almost always packed with tourists trying to snap a selfie or group photo. The best time to visit is in the early morning if you want to beat the crowds and examine the statue up close.

Looking for more cheeky fountains and sculptures to add to your selfie bucket list? The Jeanneke Pis is the slightly lesser-known female counterpart, about eight minutes north of the original fountain. The ​​Het Zinneke (Zinneke Pis) was erected in 1998 and depicts a urinating dog. 

Visit the wonders of the past and the future at the Atomium

Originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, the Atomium is both a cultural center and museum that somehow manages to capture both the past and the future at the same time. The 335ft(102m)-high structure was designed to look like an oversized atom, with stainless steel–clad spheres connecting with long aluminum tubes.

While the unique, gravity-defying structure is fascinating to admire from the outside, it’s even more impressive on the inside. The tubes and spheres make up a series of rooms, elevators and walking paths that showcase the history of the Brussels World’s Fair, including the exact displays and attractions that visitors would have seen more than 60 years ago. The highest sphere is home to the Atomium Restaurant. It’s well worth reserving time for a drink by one of the windows, where you’ll have one of the best views of Northern Brussels as well as a bird’s-eye view over the whimsical Mini Europe amusement park below.

Spend the day on the Belgian waterways

Exploring Belgium by boat is one of the most relaxing ways to see the sights and sounds of its cities, and a must-do if you’re planning a visit to Bruges or Ghent . Both towns have picturesque and justly famous canals, with plenty of options available for travelers looking to experience the city by water. 

Most boat tours are about half an hour in length and relatively cheap (about €10/US$10.70 per person)/ Same-day, on-location bookings are extremely easy to come across, as long as you don’t mind waiting. We recommend booking in advance to avoid any unnecessary queuing.

Pay a visit to one of Belgium’s thousands of castles and châteaux

With thousands of castles dotted all over the countryside, Belgium has more of them per square foot than any other country in the world – and many are open to receive visitors. The medieval Bouillon Castle in the Ardennes is one of the oldest in the country, dating all the way back to 988. The fortress sits atop the walled city of Bouillon with spectacular views of the canals below.

Get all medieval at the Gravensteen 

The Gravensteen is another famous example of medieval Belgian architecture. Located in Ghent, the storied structure was originally the home of the Counts of Flanders and has more recently functioned as a cotton factory, a court and even a prison, before opening to the public as a local attraction. You’ll want to book your spot ahead of time as reservations sell out quickly – and make sure to pick up a headset before setting off on your self-guided tour. The audio tour was written and recorded by a local comedian and is nearly as interesting as the structure itself.

Search for bric-a-brac and knickknacks at an open-air flea market

Belgium has a huge and passionate flea-market and vintage-shopping culture. This literal treasure trove of a country is a bargain- and antique-lovers dream, with most cities boasting open-air markets every weekend and many weekday mornings.

If you can only make time for one shopping excursion, make it Brussels’s  Place du Jeu-de-Balle Flea Market , where you’ll find vendors hawking retro trinkets, secondhand designer wares, and antique furniture and home decor every day of the week from morning until late afternoon. 

Take a tour of an authentic beguinage

Historically authentic beguinages only exist within Belgium and the Netherlands, which is why visiting one of the architectural complexes is an essential part of a Belgian itinerary. Built to house beguines, religious women who did not take formal vows or retire from society, some of these complexes date to the 13th century, with several having been named Unesco World Heritage Sites. Their exterior architectural ensembles were enclosed by walls or ditches with gates that would open to the public during the day, while the interiors were made up of churches, houses and green spaces.

The Old Saint Elisabeth Beguinage in Ghent is one of the most striking in the country thanks to its colorful facade, car-free cobblestone streets and reputation as the “holy corner.” This space of religious tolerance has three different churches in one square: one Anglican, one Orthodox and one Protestant.

Explore comic-book culture

From Tintin to the Smurfs, Belgium is responsible for some of the most famous comic-book characters of all time. There are plenty of ways to explore the history of comics culture, especially if you’re spending time in Brussels. The free self-guided comic-book walking tour will allow you to explore many of the comic-book murals within the city (we recommend picking up the official comic route handbook at a Brussels tourism office to get the most out of the experience), while the Comics Art Museum pays tribute to the country’s comic-book artists past and present.

Make time to commemorate the world wars

Belgium was heavily involved in both World War I and World War II, and as the seat of NATO and the EU the country continues to take international security and military history seriously. There are dozens of war memorial landmarks and museums throughout the country; the most popular site is  Flanders Fields , the battleground at which, staggeringly, that more than a million soldiers from 50 different countries were estimated to have been wounded or killed in action during WWI.

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Israel agrees not to invade Rafah until consulting with US, Biden admin official says

Israel has said it will not invade the border city of Rafah in southern Gaza until officials have spoken with U.S. leaders about their concerns, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday.  

“They've assured us that they won't go into Rafah until we've had a chance to really share our perspectives and our concerns with them,” Kirby said during an interview on ABC's “This Week” on Sunday.   

Israel in recent days appeared poised to launch an invasion of the area, where more than one million Palestinians civilians are sheltering and which Israel says is the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza. The international community has long warned Israeli leaders of the massive humanitarian toll of targeting the area.  

President Joe Biden argued in March that an attack of Rafah would be a “mistake” but more recently said that the U.S. and Israel have a “shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah.” 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is slated to visit Israel this week, and Kirby said negotiating a 6-week ceasefire in the war will be at the top of his agenda. The U.S. is pushing for an arrangement that would allow for the flow of additional humanitarian aid into Gaza as well as the release of Israeli and Palestinian hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 

Blinken is required to report to Congress next week on whether Israel’s claims that it is using U.S. weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law are credible. 

But multiple senior state department officials have advised Blinken that they don’t believe Israel’s assertions that it is abiding by international law are "credible or reliable," according to reporting by Reuters . 

In a memo, the officials cited eight examples of Israeli military actions that the officials said raise "serious questions" about potential violations of international humanitarian law. Some officials disagreed with their colleagues, according to the outlet.

But the examples included repeatedly striking protected sites and civilian infrastructure; "unconscionably high levels of civilian harm to military advantage"; taking little action to investigate violations or to hold to account those responsible for significant civilian harm and "killing humanitarian workers and journalists at an unprecedented rate," according to Reuters.  

Humanitarian workers have been killed by Israeli airstrikes while delivering food and medicine to people in dire need. 

In recent days, the U.S. military has begun constructing a floating pier off the coast of Gaza that will receive shipments of food and other humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.  

Kirby said on Sunday that the pier will take two or three weeks to construct and “will help increase the volume of aid that's getting into Gaza.”  

However, he added that “nothing can replace the ground routes, and the trucks that are getting in.” 

“What we're hoping is that after six weeks of a temporary ceasefire, we can maybe get something more enduring in place,” Kirby said. “We want to see an end to the conflict as soon as possible.” 

Contributing: Dan Morrison, Joey Garrison, Tom Vanden Brook USA TODAY; Reuters  

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Deep Beneath London, Onetime Bomb Shelters Will Become a Tourist Attraction

Used for spying, a phone exchange and more over the years, a semi-secret web of tunnels in central London could open to the public in 2027.

By Claire Moses

Reporting from 98 feet below street level in London

There’s a locked door on the eastbound platform of the Chancery Lane station of the London Underground. The door is unassuming, sturdy and white.

Behind it is a wide set of stairs leading to a roughly mile-long maze of tunnels built in the 1940s that were first intended to serve as a World War II shelter and later used for espionage, the storage of 400 tons of government documents and telecom services.

Welcome to the Kingsway Exchange tunnels, set roughly 100 feet below street level in the center of London, sprawling beneath the Underground’s Central Line. Soon they could enter a new chapter: Angus Murray, the owner of the complex, who bought the tunnels last summer, has applied for planning permission to the local authorities together with the architecture firm WilkinsonEyre to turn the tunnels into a tourist destination that could handle millions of people a year.

Mr. Murray’s London Tunnels is planning to invest a total of 220 million pounds (about $275 million) on restoring and preserving the tunnels, as well as adding technology for art installations and other attractions. Mr. Murray hopes to open the complex in 2027, and said that it would be able to host temporary art exhibitions, fashion shows and more.

At the moment, entering the tunnels requires riding a small elevator tucked behind a side door in an alleyway off a wide street in central London. (Visitors to the attraction would use a different, bigger entrance, Mr. Murray said.)

When the elevator doors open, you step into a World War II-era tunnel — one of 10 civilian shelters proposed by the British government after the beginning of the Blitz, the eight-month bombing of London by the Germans that started in September 1940. The tunnels were never used as shelters. By the time they were completed in 1942, the Blitz was over.

During the Cold War, the British government instructed its telephone department, which later became British Telecom, to set up a secret communications system in the tunnels that could survive a nuclear attack. The famous hotline between the Kremlin and the White House ran through the complex, according to the project’s website. Some of the phone exchange’s equipment in the tunnels still survives today, even though it hasn’t been used since at least the 1980s.

“The idea was that it would provide a degree of protection,” said Martin Dixon, a trustee for Subterranea Britannica , a charity that documents and tries to preserve underground spaces.

“If the Cold War had turned into something more serious, it would have allowed communications on some level to continue,” Mr. Dixon, who joined Subterranea Britannica about 40 years ago, said.

The tunnels under the Chancery Lane station of the tube are more than a mile long and in some places have a diameter of almost 25 feet. Those dimensions make them among the largest sets of tunnels built for people in a metropolitan city, Mr. Murray said.

“They have a fascinating history,” he said.

For a group of Post Office and telecoms workers in the decades after World War II, the tunnel complex became a workplace, some aspects of which have survived. In one room, the stuffy smell of an old carpet is inescapable. Another still holds the remnants of a canteen. Yet another has fake windows framing images of nature as decorations. There are still offices, as well as rooms where workers could spend the night.

Some parts of the tunnels are lined with fake walls, and doors with nothing behind them. The effect is not unlike watching a scene from the dystopian Apple TV+ show “Severance .”

A bar where postal workers could drink is also still there, and Mr. Murray said he hoped to revive it and make it London’s deepest underground bar.

The tunnels’ communication operation became obsolete in the 1980s, and in 2008 British Telecom put the tunnels up for sale . BT employees used to go down into the complex up until the 1990s to inspect for fire safety and other conditions. The tunnels were otherwise vacant.

Many details of the new attraction still need to be ironed out, but Mr. Murray said the cost of the experience would probably be in the same price range as that of other major tourist sites in London. (The Tower of London’s entry fee is about $40, and Westminster Abbey’s is about $36.)

Mr. Dixon, of Subterranea Britannica, said he was excited about the prospect of the Kingsway Exchange turning into an attraction — provided it’s safe and the history is preserved.

“I’ve seen thousands of underground spaces, from the mundane to the spectacular,” he said. The Kingsway Exchange is particularly interesting, he added, because of all the different functions it had. “It played its part in World War II, and was ready to play its part in the Cold War.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses