Belgium: Small Country, Massive Appetite
Medieval canals, the world’s best beer, and more chocolate than you can carry home. Your Belgium trip starts here.
Belgium punches so far above its weight it’s almost unfair. It’s roughly the size of Maryland, and somehow it fits three languages, two completely different cultural regions, and arguably the best food scene in Europe into that tiny footprint.
The north is Flanders. Dutch-speaking, flat, full of canal cities that look like they were designed for Instagram before Instagram existed. Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp. The south is Wallonia. French-speaking, hilly, surprisingly rural. Forests, castles, and brewery towns where monks have been making world-class beer for centuries.
And then there’s Brussels, sitting right in the middle, being the capital of basically everything. Belgium, the EU, NATO, and the unofficial waffle capital of the world. This guide covers how to see all of it without overspending or overcomplicating things.
1 hr
From the UK
May–Sep
Best time
Dutch / French / German
Main language
EUR (€)
Currency
See Belgium in 30 Seconds
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Best Time To Visit
Because it’s a year-round destination, the best time to visit Belgium depends on your own personal tastes.
The country boasts warm summers (June to August) that aren’t too hot and are packed with cultural events and festivals. Those are the peak months for visitors, who come to enjoy the plentiful sunshine and take advantage of summer holidays taking place across Europe.
You’ll also find pleasant weather in the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) seasons, with mild days and cool nights. The crowds are much thinner than you’ll find in the summer and prices are lower.
There’s also a plenty of Christmas festivities you can enjoy in November and December, as well as Carnival in February and March. The winter months are generally quieter and offer great value, though Christmas markets and Carnival do cause a sharp increase in crowds.
What To Expect
13°C
- Temperature
Capital: Brussels
Language: Belgium has three official languages, Flemish (Dutch), French, and German. You’ll often see signs in both French and Flemish.
Currency: The official currency of Belgium is the Euro (EUR). $1 USD is equivalent to 1.09 EUR and £1 is 0.82 euro. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You shouldn’t have any trouble using your credit card when visiting Belgium. However, keep in mind that many people prefer cash when it comes to small purchases. There are ATMs in all Belgian cities and towns, and you’ll usually find them near gas stations, shopping centres, and bus and train stations. Most places also accept Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Plugs: Power plugs are type E, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter as they make everything so much easier.
Safety: Belgium is a safe country to visit. Petty crime does exist as in most countries, so don’t carry too much cash and keep an eye on your bags.
Useful tip: Eat local – By eating at restaurants serving traditional cuisine, you’ll keep your food expenses low.
Never ever: 1. Don’t Trust the Crosswalks. Unless you’re trying to cross the street at a spot that’s governed by a traffic light or sign. 2. Don’t TIP, its already on your bill.
Belgium Travel Guides
From Bruges’ canals to Brussels’ Grand Place and Wallonia’s rolling hills. Everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Belgium Cost?
Belgium’s not the cheapest spot in Europe, but it’s nowhere near the most expensive either. Here’s what to actually expect.
🎒
Backpacker
~€55 / £47 / $63
- Hostel dorms from €25/night (£22 / $29)
- Frituur chips and supermarket meals
- Walk everywhere + public transport
- Free museums on first Wednesdays
🍜
Mid-Range
~€120 / £103 / $138
- Budget hotels and Airbnbs from €80/night (£69 / $92)
- Cafés, brasseries, and local restaurants
- Train between cities + tram within them
- Beer tastings, boat tours, museum passes
🏨
Upscale
~€250+ / £215+ / $288+
- Boutique hotels from €180/night (£155 / $207)
- Michelin-starred restaurants and fine dining
- Private guided tours and luxury experiences
- Spa hotels in the Ardennes
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: €25–45/night (£22–39 / $29–52)
- Campsite: €15–35/night (£13–30 / $17–40)
- Budget hotel: €80–140/night (£69–120 / $92–161)
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: €100–200/night (£86–172 / $115–230)
- Boutique hotel: €150–250/night (£129–215 / $173–288)
- Luxury hotel: €300+/night (£258+ / $345+)
City Travel
- Bus/tram/metro single ride: €2–2.50 (£1.72–2.15 / $2.30–2.88)
- Day pass (De Lijn/STIB): €7–8 (£6–6.88 / $8.05–9.20)
- Uber short trip: €8–15 (£6.88–12.90 / $9.20–17.25)
Long Distance
- Train Brussels–Bruges: €15–20 (£12.90–17.20 / $17.25–23)
- Train Brussels–Ghent: €10–15 (£8.60–12.90 / $11.50–17.25)
- Train Brussels–Antwerp: €8–12 (£6.88–10.32 / $9.20–13.80)
- Car rental per day: €35–60 (£30–52 / $40–69)
Eat Cheap
- Frituur (chip shop): €4–6 (£3.44–5.16 / $4.60–6.90)
- Supermarket lunch: €5–8 (£4.30–6.88 / $5.75–9.20)
- Waffle from a street stand: €3–5 (£2.58–4.30 / $3.45–5.75)
- Coffee: €2.50–4 (£2.15–3.44 / $2.88–4.60)
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant main: €15–25 (£12.90–21.50 / $17.25–28.75)
- Moules-frites at a brasserie: €18–25 (£15.48–21.50 / $20.70–28.75)
- Belgian beer at a bar: €3–6 (£2.58–5.16 / $3.45–6.90)
- Tasting menu fine dining: €80–150+ (£68.80–129+ / $92–172.50+)
Budget Fun
- Bruges canal boat tour: €10–14 (£8.60–12.04 / $11.50–16.10)
- Museum entry (average): €8–15 (£6.88–12.90 / $9.20–17.25)
- Ghent Altarpiece viewing: €12.50 (£10.75 / $14.38)
- Free walking tour (tip-based): €0–10 (£0–8.60 / $0–11.50)
Big Experiences
- Bruges chocolate workshop: €35–50 (£30–43 / $40–58)
- Belgian beer tasting tour: €40–70 (£34.40–60.20 / $46–80.50)
- Battlefield tour Ypres/Flanders: €45–80 (£38.70–68.80 / $51.75–92)
- Hot air balloon over Bruges: €200+ (£172+ / $230+)
Tips for Saving Money in Belgium
🚆 Get a Rail Pass — If you’re hitting 3+ cities, a Belgian Rail Pass (10 rides for ~€92) saves serious money versus buying single tickets.
🍟 Eat at Frituurs — Belgium’s chip shops are everywhere and a cone of proper Belgian frites costs €3-4. Skip the tourist-trap restaurants for lunch.
🎟️ Museum First Wednesdays — Several Brussels museums offer free entry on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. Plan around it.
🚶 Walk the Cities — Bruges, Ghent, and central Brussels are all compact enough to cover on foot. You genuinely don’t need transport within them.
🛒 Hit the Supermarkets — Colruyt, Delhaize, and Aldi are everywhere. Grab lunch supplies and save €10-15 per day compared to eating out.
🍺 Drink at Locals’ Bars — Skip the Grand Place and main square bars (tourist markup is brutal). Walk two streets back and prices drop by half.
📱 Get an eSIM — Roaming fees add up. An Airalo eSIM gives you data coverage across Belgium for a fraction of what your UK provider charges.
🎫 City Cards — The Brussels Card and Bruges City Card bundle museums, transport, and discounts. Worth it if you’re doing 3+ attractions in a day.
🕐 Travel Off-Peak — Visit in April, May, or October. Accommodation is 20-30% cheaper than July/August, and the cities are far less crowded.
💳 Use a No-Fee Card — Belgian ATMs can charge withdrawal fees. A card like Wise or Revolut avoids conversion charges entirely.
Getting Around Belgium
Good news. Belgium is tiny and the train network is excellent. Getting between cities rarely takes more than an hour.
Tram, Bus & Metro
Brussels has a metro, trams, and buses (STIB network). Ghent and Antwerp have trams (De Lijn). Bruges is small enough that you probably won’t need any of it. Buy a contactless day pass and you’re sorted.
✅ Cheap with day passes
✅ Brussels metro covers the whole city
❌ Bruges doesn’t really need it
Car Rental
You don’t need a car for Flanders. The trains handle it. But if you want to explore the Ardennes, the Wallonian countryside, or do a day trip to Dinant or Durbuy, a car opens things up considerably. Parking in city centres is expensive and restricted though.
✅ Freedom for rural areas
✅ Access to the Ardennes
❌ Pointless in Bruges/Ghent/Brussels
❌ Parking in cities is pricey
Eurostar (from UK)
London St Pancras to Brussels Midi in under 2 hours. It drops you right in the centre of the city. From Brussels you’re connected to everywhere else by domestic train. Honestly one of the most civilised ways to travel in Europe.
✅ City centre to city centre
✅ No airport security hassle
❌ Book early or prices climb fast
Train (SNCB/NMBS)
Belgium’s train network connects basically every city you’d want to visit. Brussels to Bruges is about an hour. Brussels to Ghent is 35 minutes. Brussels to Antwerp is 45 minutes. It’s reliable, reasonably priced, and the stations are usually central.
✅ Fast and frequent connections
✅ Weekend return tickets are half price
❌ Can get crowded on Friday evenings
Long-Distance Bus (FlixBus)
FlixBus connects Brussels to Amsterdam, Paris, and beyond for very little money. Within Belgium though, the train is almost always faster and not much more expensive. Use buses for international connections, not domestic trips.
✅ Dirt cheap for cross-border routes
✅ Brussels–Amsterdam from €10
❌ Slower than trains within Belgium
Cycling
Belgium is flat (at least in Flanders). Bruges practically begs to be explored by bike, and both Bruges and Ghent have easy bike rental options. Brussels is getting better for cycling but it’s still not Amsterdam.
✅ Bruges is made for it
✅ Cheap rental options everywhere
❌ Brussels cycling infrastructure is patchy
Which Is Right For You?
City hopping in Flanders
Train. Every time.
Exploring the Ardennes
Rent a car for a day or two
Coming from London
Eurostar to Brussels Midi
Tight budget, heading to Amsterdam
FlixBus from Brussels
Quick Tips
📅
Book Eurostar Early
Prices start around £39 but jump fast. 6-8 weeks out is the sweet spot.
💳
Get a Rail Pass
10 journeys for ~€92. Way cheaper than single tickets if you’re moving around.
🚶
Walk the Centres
Bruges, Ghent, and central Brussels are all under 3km across. Save the transport money.
⏰
Weekend Returns
SNCB offers 50% off return tickets on weekends. Travel Saturday or Sunday and save.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?
If you’re from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or most other Western countries, no. Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, so you can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date, and it has to have been issued within the last 10 years.
One thing to know: the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is rolling out across Schengen borders and is expected to be fully operational by April 2026. This means biometric checks (fingerprints and a photo) on your first entry. It’s free and automatic, but budget a few extra minutes at the border during the transition period.
ETIAS (a pre-travel authorisation similar to the US ESTA) is expected to launch in late 2026. Once it’s live, you’ll need to apply online before travelling. It costs €7 and is valid for 3 years.
Is Belgium safe for tourists?
Yes. Belgium is consistently rated as a safe country for travellers. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risk is pickpocketing in busy tourist areas, particularly around Brussels Midi station, the Grand Place, and on crowded trams. Keep your valuables close, don’t flash expensive gear, and you’ll be fine. The Belgian police presence in tourist zones is generally visible and reassuring.
How many days do I need in Belgium?
You can see the highlights in 4-5 days. A common first-timer itinerary would be 2 days in Brussels, a day trip to Ghent, and 1-2 days in Bruges. If you want to add Antwerp or explore Wallonia and the Ardennes, stretch it to 7-10 days. Belgium is small enough that you can base yourself in Brussels and day-trip to most places by train.
What's the best time to visit Belgium?
May to September gives you the best weather. Summers are warm but rarely scorching (20-25°C is typical). Spring (April-May) is gorgeous and less crowded. Autumn brings colour and lower prices. Winter is cold and grey but the Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent are genuinely worth visiting for. Carnival in Binche (February/March) is a UNESCO-listed event and totally unique.
Is Belgium expensive?
It’s mid-range by European standards. Cheaper than Switzerland, Norway, or the UK. More expensive than Spain, Portugal, or Eastern Europe. A budget traveller can manage on around €55/day (£47/$63). Mid-range travellers typically spend €100-130/day (£86-112/$115-150). The biggest costs are accommodation and eating out. Beer, however, is absurdly cheap for the quality you’re getting.
What language should I use in Belgium?
Depends where you are. Dutch (Flemish) in the north (Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp). French in the south (Wallonia) and in Brussels (which is officially bilingual but leans French in practice). There’s also a small German-speaking community in the east. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially in Flanders. Belgians tend to appreciate even a basic “dank u” or “merci” depending on which region you’re in.
Do I need travel insurance for Belgium?
Strongly recommended. The UK’s GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) covers emergency treatment in Belgium on the same terms as Belgian nationals, but it doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing treatment, lost luggage, cancellations, or theft. A proper travel insurance policy fills those gaps. Hospital care in Belgium is good but not free for visitors beyond what the GHIC covers.
What's the best way to get around Belgium?
Train. Belgium’s national rail network (SNCB/NMBS) connects every city worth visiting and journeys rarely take more than an hour. Brussels to Bruges is 60 minutes. Brussels to Ghent is 35 minutes. Tickets are reasonable and weekend returns are half price. Within cities, walk. Bruges, Ghent, and central Brussels are all compact enough to cover on foot.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink across the entire country. Restaurants will try to sell you bottled water (it’s a European thing), but you can ask for tap water. Bring a reusable bottle and save yourself a few euros a day.
Is it worth visiting Belgium for just a day trip?
Honestly? Yes, but only for Bruges or Ghent from Brussels. Both are about an hour by train and compact enough to see the highlights in a day. Brussels itself deserves at least 2 days though. If you’re coming from London via Eurostar, a long weekend (Friday-Sunday) is the minimum to make it worthwhile.
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