Last updated: February 29, 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
This post may contain affiliate links, please see my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
Belgium is a beautiful country with historic city centers, gorgeous castles, and a fantastic foodie scene. Although it’s often overlooked in favor of more popular destinations on European trips, Belgium is well worth a visit on your next trip to Europe. Here’s the ultimate guide to the best Belgium travel tips to jot down and remember before your next trip to this small country.
Belgium was historically divided into two regions, each with its own culture and language: Wallonia is located in the south of the country and the indigenous language is French.
The region is known for its medieval towns and Trappist beer (see our complete guide to beer here ). The capital of Wallonia is Namur, which has been the capital of Wallonia since 1986.
In the north of Belgium and in the areas bordering the Netherlands, Flemish, a dialect of Dutch (also spoken in the Netherlands), is spoken.
The Flanders region of Belgium is known as Flanders, and the region is famous for its diamond trade (especially via the city of Antwerp) and canal cities such as Bruges and Ghent. Check out our recommended Belgium itineraries for more inspiration.
#1 There’s a lot more to see in Belgium than just Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is considered an independent region from Flanders and Wallonia.
It is mainly French speaking, but there is also a large Flemish speaking population. If you have time, be sure to explore the rest of the country outside of Brussels – check out our Brussels in a day guide for your visit.
#2 Ghent is a great alternative to Bruges
The beauty of Bruges’ UNESCO World Heritage Site canals draws many, but there’s another city with beautiful canals, brick houses and historic pubs.
Ghent is a hidden gem in Wallonia, with its historic brick canal houses, numerous beer bars and many other hidden gems not to be missed on your trip to Europe.
#3 Try the beer
If there’s one thing Belgium is famous for, it’s beer. In fact, there are over 3,000 different types of Belgian beer and over 200 breweries across the country. One of the most unique and historic types of beer that originated in Belgium is Trappist beer, which is brewed using traditional methods invented by monks centuries ago.
When sampling beer, pay attention to the alcohol content: Belgian beers are quite strong, often at 9-10% alcohol by volume, quite different to the 4-6% alcohol content of beers in other parts of Europe.
#4 Pack a rain jacket
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s a good chance of rain. Rain is much less likely during the summer months, but light showers are always a possibility, so be sure to bring a lightweight rain jacket like this one to avoid getting wet. For more tips, check out our guide on how to spend a rainy day in Brussels.
#5 When is the best time to visit Belgium?
If you’ve arrived at this article because you’re wondering, “When is the best time to visit Belgium?”, then you’ve come to the right place. As with many European destinations, high season for travel is the summer months (especially during the school holidays) and low season for travel is the winter months.
This means that hotels and other travel costs are generally cheapest during the winter months, except for Christmas market season and the period leading up to New Year’s Eve, but the weather is also at its worst.
As a result, I would suggest that the best time to visit Belgium is in the off-season – spring and autumn, when the weather is nice but the crowds are fewer.
#6 Belgium is very bicycle-friendly
Like many countries in Europe (including neighbouring Holland), Belgium is a very bicycle-friendly country, and this is especially true in the Flanders region.
Traveling by bicycle is a fast and efficient way to see many cities and sights at once, and bike rentals are easily found in most major cities and towns.
#7 Getting around Belgium is surprisingly easy
Belgium is a small country, so traveling is easy. In fact, no matter where you stay in Belgium, you can easily take day trips to other towns and cities in the country. Find out more in our travel guide to the best day trips from Brussels.
Of all the Belgium travel tips I can give you, the most important one is how reliable the public transport system in Belgium is: buses, trains and trams operate throughout the country and are very affordable, so if you want to visit Belgium’s main attractions, you won’t need a car.
#8 I can speak English fluently
It is polite to learn a little Flemish (a dialect of Dutch) in Flanders and a little French in Wallonia, but English will suffice, especially in tourist areas.
#9 There are many different types of waffles
Besides french fries, chocolate and beer, one of the most famous foods often associated with Belgium is waffles, but it’s important to note that there are many different types of waffles.
The Liège style is made with a thick batter filled with sugar chunks, while the Brussels waffle has a more uniform rectangular shape and is more commonly found outside Belgium.
#10 Tap water is often not free in restaurants and eateries
Note that unlike neighbouring France, it is often not possible to order tap water during your meal – instead, you will have to pay extra for a drink if you get thirsty.
If you want sparkling water, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to buy bottled water – during our time in Belgium, we only found a handful of restaurants that gave tap water for free with any meal you ordered.
#11 Don’t get lost in Brussels
One mistake you absolutely must avoid in Belgium is taking the wrong train station, which is surprisingly easy to do. Brussels has three main train stations: Brussels-Noord, Brussels-Centraal and Brussels-South.
Quite confusingly, while Brussels Central Station is the city’s central station, Bruxelles-Midi Station (Bruxelles-South Station) is actually the southernmost station in Brussels.
Brussels-Midi station is the departure station for Eurostar and Thalys trains, so it’s the most used station if you’re travelling internationally.
#12 Cash is (often) king
If there’s one thing you should know before traveling to Germany and Belgium, it’s that you should carry cash. Small transactions (less than 5 or 10 euros) almost never can be paid for by card, especially in small independent shops rather than well-known chains.
While traveling in Belgium in 2021, I noticed some bars that didn’t accept cards at all and all money spent at the bar had to be paid in cash. There are ATMs in major Belgian cities, so make sure you always carry a small amount of cash with you.
#13 Don’t rent a car in Brussels
If you’re planning a trip to Brussels, avoid renting a car (unless you’re taking a day trip out of the city): public transport in Brussels is generally safe (watch out for pickpockets), convenient, efficient, and very affordable.
Many parts of Brussels can be easily explored on foot, especially the tourist areas. To get to the further reaches of the city, you can use the bus, tram or metro. Renting a car is expensive, has high parking fees and is generally not a good idea for getting around the city.
#14 Brussels is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe
Germany and the Alsace region of France are world-famous for their annual Christmas markets, but several other parts of Europe also host must-see markets, including several towns and cities in Belgium.
One of the best Brussels Christmas markets, it boasts over 250 stalls, plenty of festive activities (including a giant Ferris wheel and ice skating), and numerous illuminations and light shows that create a veritable winter wonderland atmosphere.
Did you enjoy reading these Belgium travel tips you should know before visiting Belgium for the first time? Pin this article now and come back to it later:
