Belgium

Belgium balances historic beauty and modern edge in a way few places do. Gothic cathedrals rise above cobbled squares, while bold architecture and design push cities like Antwerp and Ghent forward. It’s a country where beer is brewed by monks, meals stretch for hours, and every corner seems to hold a piece of Europe’s layered past.

a storefront with a display full of shelves of bottled beers in Ghent, Belgium.

Taste local brews in Ghent, Belgium, on Avalon’s beer-themed river cruise.

Katrina Eglite/Unsplash

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Belgium.

READ BEFORE YOU GO
A week’s worth of snowy, icy weather has severely disrupted air travel and public transport at some of Europe’s busiest hubs, including in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. But some are taking advantage with skis, sleds, and snowmen.
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Antwerp is the beating heart of Flemish Belgium and deserves at least a weekend of exploration. Here is great food, fascinating history, stunning architecture, and a bit of quirky fun.
Autumn is busy in Brussels, with school and work beginning after the lazy summer holidays. New expats and students descend on the city, and the streets have a renewed bustle. Festivals and events mark the ramp-up to Christmas (think beer, wine, and food), and a walk in Parc Royale or Tervuren is a great way to see the changing leaves.
Belgium has more castles per capita than even France. The country’s tiny size makes it easy to visit several chateau in one day-trip. Here are a few of the biggest and best that are on view to the public.
Belgium has only 43 miles of coastline but, as with everything here, good things come in small packages. From vibrant coastal cities like Oostende to quieter villages like Blankenberge, the highlight is watching the traditional horse fishermen haul in their catches of gray shrimp. The best way to explore the area is on the world’s longest tramline, which stretches the length of the Belgian coast.
Brussels is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, and many stunning examples still dot the city. But other eras are represented, and—if you’re willing to walk—you can spend a whole day admiring the best examples of Brussels architecture from throughout the ages.
Sometimes treasured World Heritage sites aren’t sites at all.
Instead of letting his company’s equipment stand idle during coronavirus lockdowns, Tristan Van den Bosch has been using the mobile platforms to connect seniors in care homes with their loved ones.
Brussels’s public bus company is asking people to send in voice messages—and then it sets out on a journey every evening to deliver them in person via loudspeaker.
A blockbuster exhibition of Jan van Eyck’s work marks the first—and in some cases, the last—time to see some of his masterpieces in one place.
The Belgian destination will impose new regulations to control the influx of day visitors and cruise ships.