Belgium
Medieval guildhalls, world-class chocolate, Trappist beer and Flemish art
Best Deal of Belgium
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Belgium is one of Western Europe's most rewarding short-break destinations, sitting just 2 hours from London by Eurostar or 1 hour 20 minutes by air — closer than many UK domestic destinations. Located between France, the Netherlands and Germany at the heart of the EU, Belgium punches well above its size with three UNESCO World Heritage city centres — Brussels, Bruges and Ghent — a Flemish art tradition that produced Van Eyck, Rubens and Bruegel, and a food and drink culture built around the world's most serious beer traditions and genuinely world-class chocolate. City breaks to Brussels and Bruges dominate the British market, while the forested Ardennes region offers walking holidays and countryside escapes. Whether visiting for couples holidays, family holidays or cultural city breaks, Belgium rewards depth over speed. Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected Belgium holidays and European city break packages from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit Belgium
- Three UNESCO city centres within 60km of each other — Brussels, Bruges and Ghent each hold a distinct medieval identity; no other country of Belgium's size packs comparable historic urban density.
- The Flemish Primitives and Rubens in their original settings — Van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece, Rubens' triptychs in Antwerp Cathedral and Bruegel's paintings in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts are among the most significant works in Western art, displayed where they were made.
- The world's most serious beer culture — Belgium produces over 1,500 distinct beer styles including 14 Trappist abbey beers; the country's brewing tradition is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Bruges is the best-preserved medieval city in Northern Europe — the entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the canal network, belfry and Gothic architecture have changed remarkably little since the 15th century.
- The Western Front battlefield heritage is unmatched anywhere in Europe — Ypres, the Somme and Passchendaele are all within day-trip range; the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony has continued every evening since 1928 without interruption.
- Eurostar access makes Belgium the most practical European city break from London — Brussels Midi station is 2 hours from London St Pancras with no airport security; day trips from London are entirely feasible.
? What Makes It Special
Unlike the Netherlands, Belgium's historic cities are more varied and less tourism-saturated — Ghent in particular remains a genuinely Belgian city where students, locals and visitors coexist without the overtourism pressure that Amsterdam now generates. Unlike France, the distances between major cultural attractions are tiny — Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp form a quadrilateral of under 100km, all connected by frequent, cheap trains. Unlike Luxembourg or the Netherlands, Belgium's Ardennes region adds a forested, hilly interior completely unlike the coastal and urban offer — walking, cycling and château hotels within 90 minutes of the capital. The combination of medieval cities, world-leading art, Trappist beer culture, First World War heritage and Eurostar accessibility makes Belgium the most underrated short-break destination in Europe.
? Key Areas to Explore
- Brussels — the federal capital and EU headquarters, with the UNESCO Grand Place, the Art Nouveau Saint-Gilles quarter, the Atomium and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.
- Bruges — the medieval canal city of West Flanders; the entire historic centre is UNESCO-listed and walkable in a day, with the Groeningemuseum holding the finest Flemish Primitive collection outside a national gallery.
- Ghent — a university city with a medieval centre, the Sint-Baafskathedraal, Gravensteen castle and a restaurant and bar scene that consistently outperforms its tourism profile.
- Antwerp — Belgium's second city and the world's diamond capital, with Rubens' house, the MAS museum, a celebrated fashion district and the finest Art Nouveau domestic architecture in the country.
- Ypres (Ieper) & the Westhoek — the rebuilt First World War city in West Flanders, with the Menin Gate, In Flanders Fields Museum and the Tyne Cot Cemetery — the largest Commonwealth war graves site in the world.
- The Ardennes — the forested hill region of southern Belgium, with the castle town of Bouillon, the Rochefort Trappist brewery, the Han-sur-Lesse caves and cycling and walking routes through river valleys.
- The Belgian Coast (Ostend & De Haan) — a 67km North Sea coastline served by a single coastal tram line; Ostend has a working fish market and the James Ensor House museum; De Haan is the best-preserved Belle Époque seaside resort.
From Van Eyck altarpieces and Trappist breweries to First World War battlefields and North Sea beach trams, Belgium offers more per square kilometre than almost any country in Europe.
?️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Cycle the Ravel network through the Ardennes (Namur Province) — 1,400km of traffic-free converted railway paths through river valleys and forest; hire bikes in Namur from €15/day.
- Kayak the Lesse river from Houyet to Dinant (Namur Province) — a 21km descent through the Ardennes valley past castle ruins and limestone cliffs; hire from €22pp including shuttle return.
- Walk the Zwin Nature Reserve (Knokke-Heist, Belgian Coast) — a coastal wetland and bird reserve on the Dutch border with guided walking trails through salt marsh and dune; free entry.
?️ Beaches
- Ostend Beach (Ostend, Belgian Coast) — the widest and most accessible North Sea beach in Belgium, with a working fish market, casino and the James Ensor House within walking distance of the sand.
- De Haan Beach (De Haan, Belgian Coast) — a Belle Époque resort with car-free dune access, preserved Victorian villas and the quietest atmosphere on the Belgian coast; reached by the coastal tram from Ostend in 20 minutes.
- Knokke-Heist Beach (Knokke, Belgian Coast) — the most upmarket stretch of Belgian coast, with designer boutiques, beach clubs and the Zwin bird reserve immediately east; popular with Brussels' wealthy weekend crowd.
?️ Food & Drink
- Order Moules-Frites (mool FREET) — steamed mussels in white wine, celery and shallots served with twice-fried Belgian chips and mayonnaise; the national dish, available at every brasserie from €18–24; best in Brussels at Chez Léon on Rue des Bouchers, open since 1893.
- Try Waterzooi (vah-ter-ZOY) — a Ghent-specific cream and vegetable stew made with either chicken or fresh fish; €16–20 at a Ghent brasserie and found almost nowhere outside the city.
- Drink Trappist beer — specifically Westvleteren 12, produced by the Sint-Sixtus Abbey in West Flanders and rated the world's best beer multiple times; available at the abbey café In de Vrede (Westvleteren) for €5 a bottle, purchased on-site only.
- Visit the Neuhaus Chocolaterie (Brussels, Grand Place area) — the inventor of the Belgian praline in 1912; the original Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert boutique remains the most atmospheric chocolate purchase in the country.
? Nightlife & Entertainment
- Place Saint-Géry bar district (Brussels) — the most concentrated nightlife square in central Brussels, with independent bars, jazz venues and terrace seating from 18:00; the Flemish-French cultural mix is palpable in the crowd.
- 't Brugs Beertje (Bruges) — one of Europe's most celebrated specialist beer cafés, with over 300 Belgian beers on the menu; no DJ, no cocktails, just serious beer in a 15th-century building on Kemelstraat.
- Ghent's Overpoortstraat student strip (Ghent) — the university city's main student bar street with 40+ bars and a lively atmosphere from 21:00 nightly during term time.
- Ancienne Belgique (Brussels) — Belgium's most respected mid-size live music venue, with a programme spanning indie, jazz, electronic and world music; tickets from €15, book well ahead for popular acts.
? Instagram-Worthy Spots
- The Grand Place at night (Brussels) — the gilded guildhalls illuminated after dark; the most photographed square in Northern Europe and even more dramatic after rain when the cobblestones reflect the light.
- The Rozenhoedkaai canal junction (Bruges) — the view from the Rozenhoedkaai quayside across the canal to the Belfry tower is Bruges' most reproduced image; photograph at dawn before the tourist boats begin.
- Gravensteen Castle from the Kraanlei (Ghent) — the 12th-century moated castle photographed from across the Leie river with the medieval guild houses behind; Ghent's most cinematic urban composition.
- The Atomium from Laeken Park (Brussels) — the 102m stainless steel atom structure built for the 1958 World Fair photographed from the park below at golden hour; one of Europe's most unusual modernist landmarks.
Best Value Deals
? All-Inclusive Holidays
All-inclusive resorts in the traditional sense do not exist in Belgium — the country's hotel culture is firmly city-centre boutique and business hotel rather than resort. UK operators bundle flights or Eurostar, hotel and sometimes a city card into packages from around £199pp for 2 nights in Brussels or Bruges in shoulder season. The Brussels Card (€29 for 24 hours) and the Bruges City Card (€48 for 48 hours) cover museum entries and represent the closest equivalent to all-inclusive value for city-break visitors.
???? Family Holidays
Belgium works well for families with children aged 8 and above. The Atomium in Brussels has interactive science exhibits; the Gravensteen castle in Ghent engages children with medieval history; Mini-Europe (Brussels, next to the Atomium) has scale models of 80 European landmarks and is popular with ages 5–12. The Belgian coast — particularly De Panne with its beach buggies and Plopsaland De Panne theme park — is the strongest dedicated family option, with the coastal tram adding a transport adventure of its own.
? Luxury Holidays
Belgium's luxury hotel tier is concentrated in Brussels and Bruges. The Hotel Amigo (Brussels, one block from the Grand Place, a Rocco Forte property) and the Hôtel Le Plaza Brussels (a 1930 Art Deco landmark on Boulevard Adolphe Max) are the capital's benchmark five-star addresses. In Bruges, the Hotel De Tuilerieen (a 15th-century mansion on the Dijver canal) and the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce (two restored medieval houses above the Rozenhoedkaai canal junction) offer the most atmospheric luxury accommodation in the country.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Belgium's city-break market is active year-round, with Eurostar flexibility meaning last-minute trips are genuinely practical — book a train and a hotel on Thursday for a weekend departure with no airport security to navigate. The strongest hotel discounts surface in January, February and November, when business travel drops and leisure rates follow. The Brussels Christmas market (late November to early January) and the Bruges Christmas market fill hotels significantly; book at least 6 weeks ahead for the December period.
Why Book with us:
? Low deposits from £49pp
? Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
?️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are fully safeguarded
✏️ Free amendment window on selected packages
? UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
? Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to October are the finest months — temperatures of 14–20°C, long evenings for terrace dining and the full cultural season open. The spring flower carpet at Brussels' Grand Place (planted every other August, 600,000 begonias covering the entire square) and the Ghent Floralies flower festival (every 5 years, next 2025) are specific events worth timing a visit around. July and August are the warmest months (20–24°C) and the busiest for Bruges and Bruges in particular — the city receives 8 million visitors annually and feels its most crowded in peak summer. Winter (November–February) is cold at 3–7°C but highly atmospheric — the Brussels and Bruges Christmas markets are among the finest in Europe, and the museum crowds are at their lowest.
? Where to Stay
- Families: De Panne (Belgian coast, Plopsaland), Brussels city centre (Atomium, Mini-Europe)
- Couples: Bruges canal-side hotels, Ghent Patershol neighbourhood
- Luxury seekers: Hotel Amigo (Brussels), Hotel De Tuilerieen (Bruges)
- First-timers: Brussels Grand Place area or Bruges historic centre
- Beer & culture: Ghent university quarter, Ardennes château hotels
? Getting Around
Belgium has one of Europe's most efficient and cheap rail networks — the NMBS/SNCB system connects Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp with trains every 30 minutes; Brussels to Bruges costs €16.60pp and takes 60 minutes; Brussels to Ghent €11.20pp, 32 minutes. The Eurostar from London St Pancras reaches Brussels Midi in 2 hours (from £49pp return, book ahead for best fares). Brussels Airport is 14km from the city centre; the Airport Express train takes 17 minutes (€12.70pp). Within Bruges and Ghent, the historic centres are walkable; Brussels has an efficient Metro, tram and bus network (single ticket €2.50, 10-journey card €17). Car hire is unnecessary within the cities but useful for the Ardennes; roads are well-maintained and uncongested outside Brussels.
? Travel Tips
- Plug type: Belgium uses Type E (two round pins with an earth hole, 230V). UK adaptors required.
- Currency: Euro (€). Belgium is within the Eurozone; card payments accepted everywhere including most market stalls.
- Tipping: Not obligatory — a service charge is often included in restaurant bills (check for "service compris"); round up or leave €1–2pp if service was good.
- Language: Belgium has three official languages — French in Wallonia and Brussels, Dutch (Flemish) in Flanders, German in a small eastern canton. Bruges and Ghent are Dutch-speaking; Brussels is officially bilingual. English is widely and fluently spoken throughout.
- Beer ordering etiquette: Each Belgian beer has its own specific glass — ordering a Duvel in a wine glass is considered an error; the bar will always serve it correctly, but asking "what glass does this come in" marks you as a serious drinker in any Belgian café.
- Bruges in August: The city receives over 8 million visitors annually in a historic centre of 2km²; arrive before 09:00 or after 18:00 to experience it without crowds, or stay overnight and enjoy the city after the day-trippers leave.
Map Of Belgium
Top Experiences
The Grand Place at Dawn
Brussels' UNESCO-listed central square, ringed by 17th-century gilded guildhalls; arrive before 08:00 for empty cobblestones and the best light.
Bruges Canal Walk and Belfry Climb
A medieval city of waterways and Gothic architecture; climb the 366-step Belfry for panoramic views over Flanders; entry €14pp.
The Ghent Altarpiece at Sint-Baafskathedraal
Van Eyck's 1432 Adoration of the Mystic Lamb — one of the most significant paintings in Western art — displayed in its original church setting; entry €4pp.
A Trappist Brewery Tour in the Ardennes
Belgium produces 14 of the world's 13 recognised Trappist beers; the Rochefort abbey brewery tour includes tastings of the celebrated Rochefort 8 and 10; from €15pp.
The Battlefields of Ypres and Menin Gate
The Last Post ceremony has sounded at the Menin Gate every evening since 1928; the In Flanders Fields Museum contextualises the Western Front with extraordinary depth; entry €12pp.
Chocolate Workshop in Bruges
The Choco-Story museum traces Belgian chocolate history; hands-on praline workshops run daily from €18pp; Bruges has over 50 independent chocolatiers within the medieval centre.
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