Belgium

Traveling to
the Kingdom of Belgium

Belgium might be a small country, but it is chock-a-block with things to do. Discovering Art Nouveau in Brussels, hiking up old mine shafts in Charleroi and trying one of the 3000 Belgian beers are but the tip of the iceberg.

Nestled between the Netherlands, Germany and France lies the Kingdom of Belgium which just happens to be the country I call home. Belgium is famous for Belgian chocolates (delicious), Belgian beer (deceptively strong), our inconceivably complex political structure and our quaint medieval towns and castles (3000 of them to be precise).

The city of Brussels holds a double function, serving as both the capital of Belgium and Europe. It is home to the European Commission & Parliament as well as NATO. In practice, this means the city is a true melting pot of different cultures with a very diverse culinary scene.

The weather in Belgium is fickle, although not the wettest place in Europe, it is safe to say we do get our fair share of rain. A good rain jacket and a backup plan of rainproof activities are good things to have when visiting Belgium.

When it comes to language, things become a bit tricky in Belgium. The vast majority of Belgians speak English, however, it is not their native tongue. The northern part of the country (Vlaanderen) speaks Flemish while Brussels and the south of the country (Wallonia) speak French.

in Antwerp Belgium

Where to stay in Belgium

One of the great things about Belgium is the relatively small size of the country, and the comprehensive public transportation network. Stay in Brussels and use it as a hub for your day trips. A one-hour train ride will take you all the way to the seaside or deep into the Ardennes.

 

Traffic in Belgium

The Belgian traffic is notoriously bad. It is not uncommon to find traffic jams on the ring of Brussels at midnight. Part of the explanation for the high amount of cars on the road lies in the culture of receiving a company car as part of the Belgian salary package. This has cultivated the habit of taking the car over public transport amongst the Belgian population. Traveling around Belgium is often faster if you take the train or the bus.

Favorite Places to Visit in Belgium

Grand Place Brussels

BRUSSELS

in Antwerp

ANTWERPEN

Mechelen Belgium

MECHELEN

Wissekerke Castle

INSPO: 24 BEAUTIFUL PLACES

Key Facts About Belgium

Capital

Brussels

Main Languages

Flemish, French, German

Population

11.56 million

Currency

Euro (€)

Main religion

Catholic

Time Zone

UTC+1 / UTC+2

Plugs types

C, E

Driving

Right side of the road

Emergency Number

112

 Practical Information For Visiting Belgium

HOW TO GET THERE

Fly into Brussels International Airport
or the smaller Brussel South Airport (also known as Charleroi airport)

ACCOMODATIONS

Find a list of comfortable accomodations ranging from local guesthouses to luxury hotels.

BUDGET

Average Daily Budget: $95
Meals $25 a person; hotel accommodations $45- $120; activities (museums) $30

WHEN TO GO

Summer (June – September)
has the least amount of rain and the highest amount of sunshine.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the country of origin visitors can stay for up to 90 days; costs depending on the country of origin

TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Chocolate workshops, beer tastings, pub crawls, tours of Brugge or Ghent and so much more.

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BELGIUM TRAVEL GUIDES

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