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Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the south, and the North Sea to the west.
- Pack A Raincoat
- Make The Most of Your Trip by Traveling Around
- Bring Pocket Change in Case You Need to Spend A Penny
- Swap Taxis For Public Transport When You Arrive in Brussels
- Don't Rush to Rent A Car
- When in Doubt, Speak English
- Recycle Like A Belgian
- There’S No Need to Tip in Belgium
- Extend A Hand in Greeting
- Don’T Leave Your Shopping For Sunday
Influenced by the weather systems of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Belgium has a temperate maritime climate characterized by frequent precipitation and heavy cloud cover. The temperature rarely climbs above 22°C (72°F) in the summer, and thunderstorms are frequent – so you’ll want to pack rain gear, regardless of what time of year you visit...
There’s so much to see in Belgium, and it’s easy to travel from one place to the next by car or train, so we recommend splitting your time between several destinations. Get lost in the atmospheric streets of Bruges, hit the museums and fashion boutiques in Antwerp, lace up your hiking boots in Hoge Kempen National Park – the country’s only national...
In Belgium, free public restrooms are virtually non-existent. Most public facilities charge and few accept credit cards, so you’ll want to carry loose some euros and cents in change. Expect to pay around €0.50 (US$0.54) per visit – get into the habit of using the washroom before leaving the hotel or restaurant.
Taxis in Brussels are among the most expensive in Europe – a cab ride between Brussels Airport and the city center will cost at least €3 (US$3.30) per km. While we won’t judge for splurging after a long-haul flight, the city’s excellent bus, tram and metro system will take you almost anywhere you need to go from 6am to midnight, seven days a week, ...
Belgium is car-friendly in many ways – you can drive from one end of the country to the other in a matter of hours, and nearly all the country’s motorways are fully lit at night. It’s also super easy to rent a car on the fly, thanks to car-sharing apps such as Poppy and Cambio. At the same time, driving in Belgium can be quite an undertaking. Signa...
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Dutch (specifically, the Flemish dialect) is primarily spoken in Flanders in the north, while French is mostly spoken in the southern region of Wallonia, and German is the default in eastern regions of the province of Liège. Brussels (also known as Brussel and Bruxelles) is officially ...
Belgians take recycling very seriously. In fact, the country boasts the highest recycling rate for household packaging in all of Europe (an impressive 94.9%). While you should always take care to recycle and reduce when you’re on the road away from home, you’ll want to be especially mindful of this when traveling through Belgium.
Tipping in Belgium isn’t a standard practice, nor is it expected, as most service staff are paid a fair living wage. Furthermore, most restaurants automatically include a 10–15% tip in the bill. If you think the service was excellent and want to leave more, you can always leave a few euros on the table after your meal.
How do you greet people in Belgium? It depends on where you are. Most people in Brussels prefer a handshake, while most folks in French-speaking Walloniawill turn a cheek for a kiss. To play it safe in these Covid-aware times, we recommend extending a hand to test the waters.
If you need to stock up at the supermarket or buy souvenirs, don’t plan on doing it on a Sunday. As most Belgians are Roman Catholic, many shops are closed on Sundays, including major grocery stores and banks.
Jul 1, 2024 · Belgium, country of northwestern Europe. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch. Initially, Belgium had a unitary form of government.
Discover Belgium's rich culture, history and cuisine with Lonely Planet's expert tips and recommendations. Explore attractions, activities, road trips and more in this small but diverse country.
- Brussels. Best for shopping, museums and street food. Brussels, the capital of Belgium and seat of the EU and NATO, is one of Europe’s most multicultural cities.
- Namur Province. Best for forts, nature and river views. Known as the “Land of Valleys”, the land-locked province of Namur in the Wallonia region is rich in nature – rivers, cliffs, rolling farm hills and lush Ardennes greenery.
- Bruges. Best for wandering and romantic escapes. A visit to Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Often called the Venice of the North, the city is incredibly charming with an intricate network of tree-lined canals, cobblestone streets and well-preserved architecture.
- Antwerp. Best for fashion and design. Home to the world-renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium’s second city is also its coolest. Some of fashion’s top creatives, including Martin Margiela and Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, have connections to Antwerp.
Belgium (officially the Kingdom of Belgium; Dutch: Koninkrijk België, German: Königreich Belgien, French: Royaume de Belgique) is a country in Western Europe. Its capital, Brussels, is the home of many organizations including the European Union and NATO.
Learn about Belgium's geography, history, culture, tourism and more on the official website of the Belgian government. Find out the latest news, events and statistics on Belgium and its regions.
Book Your Hotel in Belgium. Browse Reviews & Photos. Great Hotels to Keep the Whole Family Busy and You Free to Relax, Finally.
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