Things to know about Belgium before visiting

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Belgium, a small but culturally rich country in Western Europe, has much to offer to travellers seeking a blend of history, art, and culinary delights. There are many reasons to visit Belgium.

There are a few things to know about Belgium before visiting in order to make the most of your trip.

Accommodation information is listed in the Destinations section below.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BELGIUM

Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?

That depends on your citizenship. Belgium is a founding member of the EU and is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens have the right to visit, live and work in Belgium.

Citizens of a number of countries including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can visit Belgium visa-free for up 90 days. Have a look at my Schengen Travel Visa Overview post for further visa information.

What languages are spoken in Belgium?

There are three official languages in Belgium: French, Flemish and German. Most people in shops and hospitality outlets speak English as well.

Be aware that some places may be known as their French or Flemish version on public transport. For example, Antwerp will be known as Anvers and Mechelen will be known as Malines when taking the train from Brussels to those places. To confuse matters, the Flemish for Antwerp is Antwerpen. Bruges will be known locally in Flanders as Brugge. This is one of the most important things to know before visiting Belgium.

What currency is used in Belgium?

The Euro.

Best time to visit Belgium

If you want double-digit temperatures on the Celsius scale for sight-seeing, then May to September is the best time to visit Belgium. Saying that, temperatures can change considerably in a short space of time. For example, I’ve experienced a breezy 16C only to be followed by 27C the following day!

International festivals are a huge drawcard to the country with Carnival of Binche, and the Flower Carpet of Brussels the most well-known.

What accommodation do you recommend in Belgium?

Belgium has a high standard of accommodation. As expected, Brussels is the most expensive city followed swiftly by Bruges/Brugge. Have a look at the available accommodation here.

Is Belgium safe to visit?

I’ve always considered Belgium safe from a personal perspective although pickpocketing means vigilance is required around transit points such as train stations. Vigilance is also required for terrorism as Belgium has experienced ISIS attacks in recent years. Despite this, Belgium is one of my best solo female travel destinations.

The Arts in Belgium

For a small country, it packs a lot in particularly with regard to the visual arts. Well-known Belgian artists and Belgium-based artists include Rene Magritte, Jan van Eyck, Anthony Van Dyke, Peter Paul Rubens, Hans Memling to name a few.

Belgium is home to a thriving comic strip industry including the internationally-known Smurfs and Tintin.

Two Belgian programmes are on my list of Best European TV shows. Incidentally, both have been remade into English language versions. 

TRAVEL TO AND AROUND BELGIUM

Belgium is a very easy country to travel around. It has an extensive inter-city rail network run by SNCB and has been my main mode of transport in the country. Note that large cities may have several railway stations. While Brussels has a number of railway stations, the three main stations are Noord (Nord), Centraal (Central), Zuid (Midi).

Belgium has excellent links to neighbouring Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and France by train and bus. Brussels Zuid/Midi is the international train stop in the capital city.

The two main airports in Belgium are Brussels Zaventum, located 15km North East of Brussels, and Brussels Charleroi, located approximately 60km south of the city. Zaventum Airport is served by trains from central Brussels and Express Bus 12. Charleroi Airport is directly served by bus only. Check out Flibco for Charleroi timetables and prices.

Note that cycling is a very popular way of commuting in Belgium, so the country has an excellent cycling infrastructure. The flat terrain of Flanders lends itself to cycling holidays.