Why Fly to Belgium
Belgium punches well above its weight. A country the size of Maryland somehow fits in medieval canal cities, world-class art museums, the headquarters of the EU and NATO, and the best beer culture on the planet. Brussels is the obvious entry point — the Grand Place alone is worth the flight — but the real reward is getting out to Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp, where Belgium's character properly reveals itself. Add in waffles that actually deserve the hype, frites served with proper mayo, and chocolate shops on every corner, and you start to understand why people keep coming back.
What makes Belgium genuinely underrated is its density. You can cover five cities in a week without ever renting a car or spending more than an hour on a train. The country is compact, the rail network is excellent, and accommodation is reasonably priced compared to Paris or Amsterdam. It also rewards slower travel — Ghent in particular has a student-city energy and a bar scene that catches most visitors off guard.
Best Time to Visit Belgium
Late spring (April to June) and early fall (September to October) are the sweet spots. Temperatures sit between 10–20°C (50–68°F), crowds are manageable, and most festivals land in these windows. Ghent's Gentse Feesten in July is a genuine reason to visit in summer despite the peak-season crowds. Summer overall (July–August) is the busiest and most expensive period, and Belgium does get rain year-round, so pack a light waterproof regardless of the month. Winter is cold and grey (0–5°C/32–41°F) but the Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent are legitimately good — not just tourist traps. January and February are the quietest and cheapest months if you just want the cities without the crowds.
Getting Around Belgium
Forget domestic flights — Belgium is too small for them to make sense. The national rail operator SNCB/NMBS connects Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven with fast, frequent trains. Brussels to Bruges takes under an hour. Brussels to Antwerp is around 45 minutes. Buy tickets through the SNCB app or website; weekend rail passes offer good value if you're moving around. Within cities, trams and buses cover most ground, and Brussels has a metro system. Bruges is best explored on foot or by bike. For taxis, use the official ranks or apps like Uber rather than unmarked cabs, particularly at Brussels-Midi station where aggressive unlicensed drivers operate. Cycling is a serious transport option in Flanders — Ghent and Bruges both have good bike rental infrastructure.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Belgium is part of the Schengen Area. EU, UK, and US passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport must be biometric, valid for at least three months beyond your planned Schengen departure date, and issued within the last 10 years. You should also be able to show proof of funds, accommodation, and onward travel if asked at the border. Starting in late 2026, visa-exempt travelers — including UK and US citizens — will need to obtain ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) approval online before travel. It is not a visa, but it is a mandatory pre-registration step. From April 2026, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will also begin registering biometrics at borders. Check current ETIAS rollout dates before you travel as timelines have shifted previously.
Money & Budget
Belgium uses the euro (€). Card payments — particularly contactless — are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and market stalls in most cities. That said, carry €50–100 in cash for rural areas, smaller markets, or situations where a minimum card spend applies. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a euro or two for good service is normal practice. For daily budgets, budget travelers staying in hostels and eating frites and snacks can manage on €70–100 per day. A mid-range trip with a hotel, sit-down meals, and a few museum entries runs €100–150 per day. Luxury travel — boutique hotels, fine dining, and private tours — starts around €250 and up. A waffle from a street stall costs €3–5, a beer in a bar €4–6, and a decent restaurant main course €15–25.
Top Cities to Visit in Belgium
- Brussels: The capital delivers the Grand Place, excellent museums including the Magritte Museum and Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and a restaurant scene that ranges from street frites to Michelin stars.
- Bruges: The medieval canal city most people picture when they think of Belgium — genuinely beautiful, walkable, and worth at least two nights to see it properly outside of day-tripper hours.
- Ghent: Often overlooked in favor of Bruges but arguably more interesting — a working city with a serious bar culture, the Gravensteen castle, and the Saint Bavo's Cathedral housing the Van Eyck Altarpiece.
- Antwerp: Belgium's second city and global diamond trading hub, with a strong fashion scene, the MAS museum, a lively port district, and some of the country's best restaurants.
- Leuven: Home to one of Europe's oldest universities and the global headquarters of AB InBev — the beer bars here are excellent and the crowds are younger and more local than in tourist-heavy Bruges.
- Liège: The French-speaking east has a grittier, less-polished feel that some travelers prefer — known for its weekend market, the Liège waffle (thicker and sugarier than the Brussels version), and lively nightlife.
FAQ — Flights to Belgium
Which airport should I fly into for Belgium?
Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem is the main international hub and connects directly to the city center by train in around 20 minutes. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is used by budget carriers like Ryanair but is 60km from Brussels — factor in bus transfer time and cost before assuming it's the cheaper option overall. If you're heading to Antwerp, some travelers also use Amsterdam Schiphol or Paris CDG and take the train in.
How long should I spend in Belgium?
Five to seven days is enough to cover Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent comfortably with day trips or short train hops between them. If you want to add Antwerp and Leuven properly, push to ten days. Belgium also works well as part of a wider Western Europe trip — it sits between Paris, Amsterdam, and London with fast rail connections to all three.
Is Belgium expensive to visit?
It's mid-range by Western European standards — more affordable than Paris or Zurich, broadly comparable to Amsterdam. The biggest variable is accommodation: Bruges in peak summer gets pricey, while Ghent and Antwerp offer better value. Food and drink are genuinely reasonable — a good beer rarely costs more than €5–6, and you can eat well without spending much if you use local brasseries rather than tourist-facing restaurants near the main squares.