Belgium Holidays

Belgium punches way above its weight for a country you can drive across in two hours. Medieval cities, world-class beer, chocolate that'll ruin you for anything else, and some of the best food in Europe. Whether it's a canal-side weekend in Bruges, a culture-packed city break in Brussels, or a fashion-forward trip to Antwerp, this is proper European city breaking at its finest.

Belgium Holiday Highlights 2026/2027

• Chocolate Capital - Belgium has over 2,000 chocolatiers and produces around 220,000 tonnes of chocolate a year. You'll find praline shops on practically every street corner in Bruges and Brussels.

• Beer Like Nowhere Else - Belgian beer culture is UNESCO-listed. From Trappist ales brewed by monks to sour lambics and abbey doubles, there are over 1,500 different Belgian beers to work through. Good luck.

• Fairy Tale Cities - Bruges looks like it's been lifted straight out of a storybook, with medieval towers, cobbled lanes, and canals at every turn. Ghent gives it a proper run for its money too.

• The Best Frites on Earth - Forget calling them French fries. Belgium invented them, and the friteries here serve them in paper cones with about 30 sauce options. Double-fried, fluffy inside, crispy outside.

Good to Know

• Summer highs of around 22 to 24°C in July and August, with about 6.5 hours of sunshine a day. It can rain at any time of year, so pack a light waterproof even in peak summer.

• Belgium uses the Euro. A pint of Belgian beer costs around €5 to 7 (roughly £4.30 to £6), and a main course at a mid-range restaurant is about €18 to 25 (£15 to £22). Much more affordable than neighbouring Switzerland or Scandinavia.

• Belgium has two main languages: Dutch (Flemish) in the north (including Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent) and French in the south and Brussels. English is widely spoken in all the main cities.

Top Belgium Hotels 2026/2027

Belgium's hotel scene is spread across its brilliant cities. Here are some of the standout picks...

Couples

• Boterhuis Hotel, Bruges - A charming boutique right in the historic centre, five minutes from the Market Square. Air-conditioned rooms, a cosy bar, and bicycle rentals for exploring the canals together. The kind of place that feels like a proper discovery.

• Ghent River Hotel - Set in a renaissance building right on the River Leie, blending period character with modern comfort. Sauna, gym, and a bar serving Belgian beers. Ghent is one of the most romantic cities in Belgium and this hotel makes the most of it.

• Hotel Indigo Antwerp, City Centre - Hand-crafted furniture, modern art on the walls, and a courtyard cocktail bar. Near Antwerp Central Station, with the Cathedral of Our Lady and Rubens House both within walking distance. Stylish without trying too hard.

Families

• Novotel Gent Centrum - Pool, sauna, children's playground, and game room, right in the historic heart of Ghent. Five-minute walk from Gravensteen Castle, the breakfast buffet is a proper spread, and family rooms are available.

• Best Western City Centre, Brussels - Right near the Grand Place and within easy reach of the Belgian Comic Strip Center and Botanique cultural centre. A solid, central base for families exploring Brussels.

• NH Brugge - Spacious rooms a short walk from the Market Square, Belfry, and Choco-Story Museum in Bruges. Family-friendly with cots and extra beds available, and the Concertgebouw is four minutes away.

Luxury

• Crowne Plaza Brugge - Indoor heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, and a restaurant terrace using locally sourced ingredients, right in the centre of Bruges. Minutes from the Market Square and the Belfry. The full luxury city break package.

• Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp - A converted historical monastery in Antwerp with an indoor pool, spa with hamam and hot tub, and a restaurant serving proper Belgian dishes. Eight minutes from Rubens House. Easily one of the most special hotels in Belgium.

Groups

• Best Western Hotel Royal Centre, Brussels - Close to the Grand Place, Royal Palace, and Manneken Pis, with the Central Train Station a short walk away. On-site restaurant and a great base for group pub crawls through Brussels' legendary beer bars.

• Bryghia Hotel, Bruges - A compact boutique in the historic centre of Bruges, five minutes from the Market Square. Perfectly placed for groups who want to spend their time out exploring rather than sitting in a hotel lobby.

• Leonardo Hotel Antwerpen - Freshly revamped and right next to Antwerp Central Station and the Diamond District. Fitness centre, lounge bar, and Grab&Go snacks. Brilliant for groups splitting time between Antwerp's bars and day trips to other cities.

Value

• easyHotel Brussels City Centre - No-frills, eco-friendly, and right in the centre of Brussels. Three minutes from De Brouckere Metro and nine minutes from Brussels Central. If you're spending your budget on beer and chocolate (as you should), this is the smart pick.

• ibis Brugge Centrum - Right in the historic centre of Bruges with a 24-hour bar, restaurant with local specialities, and those famously comfy Sweet Beds. Walking distance to the Market Square, Belfry, and Church of Our Lady. Proper value without sacrificing location.

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Must See and Must Do on Your Belgium Holidays 2026/2027

• Grand Place, Brussels - One of the most beautiful squares in Europe, ringed by ornate guildhalls and the Gothic town hall. UNESCO-listed, jaw-dropping at night when it's lit up, and the starting point for any Brussels city break.

• Canal Boat Tour, Bruges - The best way to see Bruges is from the water. Thirty-minute boat tours glide past medieval brick houses, under stone bridges, and through the quieter backstreets you'd never find on foot.

• Choco-Story Museum, Bruges - The full history of chocolate from the Aztecs to Belgian pralines, with live demonstrations and tastings at the end. Just around the corner from the Market Square in Bruges.

• Gravensteen Castle, Ghent - A 12th-century castle right in the middle of Ghent that looks like something from a fantasy film. Climb the battlements for panoramic views over the city's medieval rooftops.

• Cantillon Brewery, Brussels - One of the last traditional lambic breweries in the world. Self-guided tours take you through the brewing process, and the tasting at the end is properly special. A must for beer lovers visiting Brussels.

• Atomium, Brussels - Brussels' answer to the Eiffel Tower. This giant atom-shaped structure from the 1958 World's Fair has panoramic views from the top sphere and rotating exhibitions inside. Kids love it, adults are fascinated by it.

Where to Stay on Your Belgium Holidays

Families

Brussels is the most practical base for families, with Mini-Europe, the Atomium, the Natural Sciences Museum (brilliant dinosaur gallery), and Choco-Story all easy to reach. Ghent is another strong option with Gravensteen Castle and a more relaxed pace than the capital.

Couples

Bruges is the obvious romantic pick. Canals, chocolate shops, candlelit restaurants, and medieval architecture at every turn. Ghent is a brilliant alternative with the same charm but fewer crowds and a more local feel.

Groups

Brussels is the group trip capital. The bar scene around the Grand Place and Delirium Alley is legendary (Delirium Cafe has over 2,000 beers on its menu), and the nightlife runs late. Antwerp is a strong alternative with a trendier, more fashion-forward vibe and brilliant bars along the Scheldt river.

Local Lingo for Your Belgium Holidays

Belgium is split between Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north and French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Brussels is officially bilingual. Here's a quick guide for both.

Dutch / Flemish (Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen)

• Hallo (HAH-loh) - Hello. The simple, universal greeting across Flanders.

• Dank u wel (DAHNK oo VEL) - Thank you very much. Always appreciated.

• Proost! (PROHST) - Cheers. Essential vocabulary for a Belgian beer trip.

• Smakelijk! (SMAH-kuh-luk) - Bon appetit. Said before tucking into your frites.

• Tot ziens (tot ZEENS) - Goodbye. A friendly Flemish farewell.

French (Brussels, Wallonia)

• Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR) - Hello. The standard greeting in French-speaking Belgium.

• S'il vous plait (seel voo PLAY) - Please. Gets you a long way in any restaurant.

• Merci (mer-SEE) - Thank you. Short, sweet, and always welcome.

• L'addition, s'il vous plait (lah-dee-see-ON seel voo PLAY) - The bill, please. Handy at the end of a long dinner.

• Combien? (com-bee-EN) - How much? Perfect for the chocolate shops and markets.

Belgium Travel Guide 2026/2027

Families

• Natural Sciences Museum, Brussels - One of the best dinosaur collections in Europe, with interactive exhibits, a vivarium, and enough space to keep kids entertained for hours. Right near the European Quarter in Brussels.

• Mini-Europe, Brussels - Miniature versions of 350 European landmarks, complete with erupting Vesuvius and a working Eurostar. Kids can press buttons, launch rockets, and feel like giants. Next door to the Atomium.

• Belfry of Bruges - 366 steps to the top, but the panoramic view over the rooftops of Bruges is worth every single one. Older kids will love the challenge, and the medieval carillon bells are fascinating.

• Boudewijn Seapark, Bruges - A family theme park near Bruges with dolphin shows, sea lion performances, water slides, and rides. A brilliant half-day out if the kids need a break from cobblestones and chocolate.

• Ghent Food Market - The Groentenmarkt (Vegetable Market) in Ghent runs daily and is brilliant for introducing kids to Belgian cheese, local produce, and freshly made waffles.

Couples

• Bruges Canal Cruise at Sunset - Take a boat through the canals as the medieval buildings catch the evening light. Properly dreamy and the most romantic half hour you'll spend in Belgium.

• De Halve Maan Brewery, Bruges - The only active brewery in Bruges city centre, producing Brugse Zot. The rooftop terrace has panoramic views across the old town, and the tasting at the end is brilliant.

• Diamond District, Antwerp - Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp. Even if you're not buying, wandering the district and learning about the trade is fascinating.

• Ghent Altarpiece, St Bavo's Cathedral - One of the most important artworks in European history, recently restored and displayed in a stunning new visitor centre in Ghent. Even if art isn't your thing, it's genuinely awe-inspiring.

• Sablon Square, Brussels - The swanky antiques and chocolate quarter of Brussels. Browse the shops, sit at a terrace cafe, and sample pralines from Pierre Marcolini or Wittamer. Refined without being pretentious.

Groups

• Delirium Cafe, Brussels - Over 2,000 beers on the menu and a Guinness World Record to prove it. Down a narrow alley near the Grand Place in Brussels, this is the ultimate group night out for beer lovers.

• Bike Tour of Ghent - Rent bikes and explore Ghent's medieval quarters, street art scene, and riverside bars. The city is flat, bike-friendly, and compact enough to cover in a few hours.

• De Koninck Brewery, Antwerp - Antwerp's most famous brewery offers interactive tours with tastings and food pairings. The industrial-chic setting is brilliant for groups, and there's a restaurant on site for afterwards.

• Urban Golf, Brussels - Swing your way through the streets and squares of Brussels with a group. Quirky, competitive, and a proper laugh. Followed by moules-frites, obviously.

• Escape Rooms in Bruges - Bruges has a growing escape room scene, and they're a brilliant group activity between brewery visits. Try to solve a medieval mystery in a city that genuinely looks the part.

More Destinations for 2026/2027

Belgian Cities

• Brussels - Waffles, beer, comic book murals, and the Grand Place. Belgium's capital is packed with personality and easy to reach from the UK & Ireland.

• Bruges - Medieval canals, chocolate shops, and fairy tale architecture. The most romantic city break in Belgium, and possibly in northern Europe.

• Antwerp - Fashion, diamonds, and a seriously cool bar scene. Belgium's trendiest city with a buzzing creative quarter.

• Ghent - All the charm of Bruges with half the crowds. A stunning medieval city with a brilliant food scene and student-driven nightlife.

• Mechelen - Belgium's best-kept secret. A compact, beautiful city between Brussels and Antwerp with craft breweries, a toy museum, and a 500-step tower climb.

Neighbouring Countries

• Amsterdam - Canal-side charm, world-class museums, and a brilliant nightlife scene. Just a couple of hours from Brussels by train.

• France - From Paris city breaks to Riviera beaches, Belgium's southern neighbour is a short hop away.

• Germany - Beer gardens, Christmas markets, and brilliant city breaks in Berlin and Munich.