Overview
Belgium is a diverse and culturally rich country located in the heart of Western Europe. Despite its relatively small size, Belgium is renowned for its medieval cities, grand architecture, world-famous chocolates, beers, and strong artistic heritage. Home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, Belgium combines international importance with historic charm, offering visitors everything from picturesque canals and Gothic squares to vibrant cities and beautiful countryside. Belgium is also exceptionally well represented on UNESCO’s World Heritage lists. turn332search3
This destination is part of the Europe Cluster, a curated region showcasing histoic cities, cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and some of the world’s most rewarding travel experiences.
Best Time to Visit
The best months to visit Belgium are April to October, when temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing, city breaks, cycling, and outdoor events.
Spring brings colourful gardens and fewer crowds, while summer offers festivals and vibrant city life. Early autumn is particularly attractive thanks to mild temperatures and beautiful landscapes.
Getting Around
Belgium has one of Europe’s most efficient transport networks.
Visitors can use:
- High-speed trains
- Regional rail services
- Trams
- Metro systems
- Local buses
- Cycling routes
- Rental cars
The country’s compact size makes it easy to explore multiple destinations during a single trip.
Safety and Local Etiquette
Belgium is a safe and welcoming destination. Normal precautions are generally sufficient.
Visitors should:
- Respect local customs and multilingual communities.
- Be aware of personal belongings in busy tourist areas.
- Follow cycling regulations.
- Respect historic monuments and cultural sites.
- Observe local recycling and environmental practices.
Food and Water
Tap water is safe to drink.
Belgium is famous for:
- Belgian chocolate
- Belgian waffles
- Moules-frites
- Flemish stew
- Fries
- Artisan cheeses
- Belgian beer
The country is widely considered one of Europe’s leading gastronomic destinations.
Day Trips and Excursions
- Brussels — the capital city, known for the Grand Place, museums, and European institutions.
- Bruges — a beautifully preserved medieval city often called the “Venice of the North.”
- Ghent — famous for canals, historic buildings, and a lively cultural atmosphere.
- Antwerp — renowned for fashion, diamonds, art, and architecture.
- Dinant — a picturesque town along the Meuse River.
- Ardennes — a region of forests, hills, castles, and outdoor activities.
Essence of Belgium
Belgium combines medieval heritage, cosmopolitan cities, exceptional cuisine, and cultural diversity within a remarkably accessible country. Dutch, French, and German influences coexist across different regions, creating a unique national identity. Whether exploring historic town centres, enjoying local gastronomy, or discovering world-class museums, visitors encounter a destination rich in history and character.
Highlights in Belgium
- The magnificent Grand Place in Brussels is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The medieval city of Bruges is famous for its canals, Gothic architecture, and remarkably preserved historic centre.
- The vibrant city of Ghent combines stunning medieval buildings with a lively modern atmosphere.
- The cosmopolitan city of Antwerp is known for diamonds, fashion, art, and the legacy of painter Peter Paul Rubens.
- The dramatic cliffs and riverside scenery of Dinant provide some of Belgium’s most beautiful landscapes.
- The forested Ardennes region offers hiking, cycling, castles, and outdoor adventures.
Visitors can also enjoy breweries, museums, castles, historic battlefields, river cruises, and exceptional culinary experiences.
Visited places:
La Louvière
Trazegnies
- Belgium is home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.
- Brussels is the capital city and one of Europe’s most important political centres.
- The country’s official languages are Dutch, French, and German.
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Belgium is internationally famous for chocolate, beer, waffles, and fries.
- The medieval cities of Bruges and Ghent are among the country’s most visited destinations.
- Belgium has 16 UNESCO World Heritage properties.
- The country is ideal for rail travel, with excellent connections between major cities.
- The destination is safe and visitor-friendly; normal precautions are generally sufficient.
- Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the country.
- The official currency is the Euro (€).
- Respect historic monuments, local traditions, and multilingual communities when visiting.
Belgium enjoys a temperate oceanic climate, characterised by mild tempeatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year.
- Spring (March to May) — mild temperatures and blooming parks and gardens.
- Summer (June to August) — pleasant weather, generally ranging between 18°C and 28°C.
- Autumn (September to November) — comfortable temperatures and colourful scenery.
- Winter (December to February) — cool conditions, with temperatures typically ranging between 0°C and 8°C.
Rain is possible in any season, so a waterproof jacket is always useful.
Today:
Visiting Belgium top cities
Visiting Belgium top citiesI spent a week in Brussels in 1971, visiting it again 20 years later just to have lunch.
In my third visit the objective, differently from all other occasions, was not Brussels but Mons.
All the cheap hotels in Mons were full for the dancing event where we should participate, so I booked a hotel in La Louvière and rented a car.
That allowed me to travel a bit in the region, visiting also Charleroi and Trazegnies.
Not outstanding, but interesting.
Belgium became a regular destination when one of my sons started to work in EU.
It was a pleasure to enlarge the visits to Leuven, Ghent and Brugge.
Brussels
I must confess that my first visit to Brussels left me somewhat disappointed with the city. Subsequent visits have corrected this image, allowing me to add new and surprising points of interest to each visit. My current records about Brussels are already extensive and very comprehensive, but I still have more to publish.
Bruges
I knew that Bruges was one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, but several constraints forced me to postpone the visit, which finally happened. I was unlucky with the day, which was sad and gloomy, so, despite the charm of the visit, I was promised to return on a sunny day.
In any case, the time was well spent, and the long and pleasant boat trip complemented the many kilometers walked in the city well.
Visit Ghent
My visit to Ghent was very short (as much as possible), but I managed to explore the most exuberant part of the city and see some of its main attractions. It was wonderful, as the crowds with whom I had to share space everywhere attest.
Visit Leuven
Of the three Belgian cities that I decided to visit from Brussels, Leuven was the last, as I was already aware of the greater tourist impact of the other two. Its greater modesty was confirmed, but the city center is splendid, full of life, not to mention the student atmosphere, and it provided me with an extremely pleasant visit.
Visit Charleroi
Tourism was not the main reason that took me to Charleroi. I had signed up for a world dance championship taking place in Mons and could only find a vacant hotel in La Louvière, so the dispersion “invited” me to take a walk.
Charleroi was the most interesting city nearby, and it turned out to be an opportunity. The stress of the upcoming competition was not the best for a careful appreciation, but it was a pleasant visit to a city that, although not a tourist must, still has its charm.
Visit Mons
Ironically, after just a few months of learning dance sports, I was enrolled in a world championship to be held in Mons. It was an opportunity to get to know and experience the city, although, as expected, dance took precedence over tourism. Although it is not a very big city, I was able to appreciate all that it has to offer.
La Louvière
UNESCO Heritage
Trying to discover the most interesting points to see in La Louvière, I was surprised by a UNESCO Heritage complex of four hidraulic lifts. It’s better to give space to UNESCO to justify their choice:”The four hydraulic boat-lifts on this short stretch of the historic Canal du Centre are industrial monuments of the highest quality. Together with the canal itself and its associated structures, they constitute a remarkably well-preserved and complete example of a late-19th-century industrial landscape. Of the eight hydraulic boat-lifts built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the only ones in the world which still exist in their original working condition are these four lifts on the Canal du Centre.”
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