Belgium Travel Guide

Belgium is a travel destination made for history buffs and chocolate addicts. Though the nation is small, it plays a big part in the world’s history.

There are over 3,000 castles to explore, battlegrounds from the World Wars, and every museum imaginable. If you’ve had your history fill, you can kick your feet back and relax at one of the 1,000 breweries in the small country where you can sip on a cold beer while you munch on frites.

Many people tend to gloss over the country, visiting Brussels or Bruges for a day before moving on but if you take the time, you’ll find that Belgium has so much more to explore !

Best Time To Visit

The biggest thing to take into consideration when planning a trip to Belgium is the weather. During the winter months (November to March), it can get rather chilly. The canals will freeze over, forming ice skating rinks. If you’re a fan of the winter, it’s a great time to enjoy skiing and Belgium’s Christmas markets.

Spring and fall are arguably some of the best times to visit Belgium. The temperatures are enjoyable, and there tend to be fewer tourists. During the fall, the countryside is painted with hues of red, orange, and yellow. There are also a few festivals to look into during these seasons (particularly the Jazz Marathon and Ghent Film Festival).

Summer in Belgium means warmer weather and larger crowds. If you want cheaper accommodation and flights, make sure to book in advance !

What To Expect

Language: The country of 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). The exchange rate is 1 GBP is equivalent to 1.12 EUR.

Plugs: In Belgium, the power plugs are type E, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Safety: Overall, Belgium is a safe country to visit. Petty crime does exist though so don’t carry too much cash and keep an eye on your bags.

Brussels

Brussels is the beautiful capital city of Belgium. It’s also the capital of comic books, beer, waffles, fries and of course chocolate !

Brussels is a relatively small city, so it’s very possible to see it all in one day. Here’s what i learnt in the 24 hours i spent in Brussels :

Getting to Brussels

If you are already in Europe, getting to Brussels by train is easy. Otherwise, the two closest airports are Brussels Airport or Brussels South Charleroi Airport.

From South Charleroi you can take a shuttle bus, which will take you right to the city center train station and takes a little over an hour. There are also other bus and metro options to get from the airport to the city center.

Where to Stay in Brussels

The city has lots of different types of accommodation. From budget to luxury, the options are all pretty good.

AirBNB: There are a ton of AirBNBs to rent throughout the city. Airbnb is a great option if you’re traveling with a group or want to stay somewhere quiet. We stayed at this lovely ladies house, she offered us great directions and recommendations for our short time in the city.

Meininger Hostel: This is a great budget option in a good location right on the edge of the city. Meininger is an easy ten-minute walk or five-minute tram ride to the city center. The hostel offers different room options ranging from shared mixed dorms to private rooms.

Novotel: Simply designed and great for families, Novotel is a comfortable place to lay your head during your stay in Brussels.

Hotel Sofitel Brussels: Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the five-star Hotel Sofitel. Here you will experience French contemporary design and top-notch service.

NH Brussels Louise: This midrange hotel is a refreshingly modern and contemporary place to stay. NH has all the necessities and is about a twenty-minute walk from the Grand Palace.

Where to Eat in Brussels

Chocolate, waffles, fries, and beer…the four main food groups of Brussels ! You can find these all over the city, but here are some of the most popular :

Peck 47: A cozy café with delicious sweet and savory options for brunch. Peck 47 is most known for its savory waffles and steaming hot lattes.

Chez Leon: This family-owned restaurant opened in 1893 and is the gem of Brussels. For under fifteen euro, you can try the best of traditional Brussels cuisine.

Café Delirium: When it comes to a night out, Cafe Delirium is the place to be. This multilevel, multi-building bar offers more than three thousand beers.

Fries: You can’t go to Belgium without getting some frites ! The best places to find them are from the stands on the streets.

Chocolate: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Belgium ? Chocolate! In Brussels, there is a chocolate shop on every corner. Any of them is a good choice, but there are some that stand out. –

Mary Chocolatier has a huge selection of delicious chocolates. Check out the Neuhaus Chocolate shop in the Galeries Royales where the workers will gladly help you pick out the best Chocolate. For something more hands-on, try Le Comptoir de Mathilde where you can self-serve up a bag of goodies.

Maison Dandoy: Speculoos is a type of cinnamon gingerbread cookie, and it is a lesser known Belgian delicacy. The best come from the bakery Maison Dandoy.

Glacier Pascalino: Belgian waffles are the real deal. The traditional way to eat them is plain, but if you feel like getting fancy, you can choose from a variety of toppings. The best waffles in Brussels come from a little yellow truck that drives around the city called Glacier Pascalino.

What to Do in Brussels

Even if you have no plans and you just wander around the city, you are bound to come across some of the main highlights.

See the Statues: Hidden throughout the city are some iconic little statues that you have to see to believe. There are three in total, and they have something special in common; Mannekin Pis and Jeanneke-Pis. You will undoubtedly pass both of these as you walk around the city, but be sure to keep your eyes open or you might miss one.

Chocolate Tour: The best part about visiting Brussels is being able to constantly eat chocolate. Design your own, or go with a guided tour to visit some of the best spots for a cocoa treat.

Gorge on Waffles: Possibly one of my favourite things to do in Brussels! After all, you can’t go all the way to Brussels without having some of their famous waffles.

Grand Place: It doesn’t matter how many times you visit Grand Place, it’s an area that is always so beautiful to visit. Dating back almost 300 years, Grand Place is too amazing to miss. Don’t forget to visit the Brussels City Museum and the Town Hall that are both perched on the square.

Atomium: Built in the 1950’s, the Atomium is outside the city centre but a great spot to see something a little different. Over 100 metres tall, it’s a great place to see some views of the city.

Comic Strip Walls: Brussels is the birthplace of iconic comics like the Smurfs and Tintin. In honor of these and many others, you will find comic strip murals all over the city. Start at the Comic Book Centre, and make your way around the comic book route to try to catch them all.

Cinquantenaire &  Triumphal Arch: If you’re looking for a walk outside of the cobbled streets of central Brussels, then pop over to Cinquantenaire and see the Triumphal Arch. Wander around the Belliard Tunnel, pop into the Art and History Museums and take a wander to the Great Mosque of Brussels.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert: Walk through this beautiful hall of luxury shops for the ultimate window shopping experience. The Galleries are also home to a few of the best chocolate shops that are definitely worth the visit.