Belgium Holidays

Top attractions in Belgium

The capital of Brussels has some beautiful sights to see, including picturesque squares and buildings. The Grand Place should be at the top of anyone’s list, it’s the city’s large square which is surrounded by wonderful architecture which will take you back in time, some of them date back to the 14^th-century. It’s a wonderful place to explore during the night time as the buildings which encircle the square are lit up and really makes this beautiful square.

Bruges is another quaint and charming city in Belgium, which attracts many tourists due to its great sites and Christmas markets. Visit Markt which is the city’s market square which like Brussels, has many historical buildings surrounding it. It’s a great place to bag a bargain with nice little gifts, or even just to have a walk around and admire the stark architecture.

Antwerp is a big city in Belgium, in fact it is the most populous in the country. It’s located on the River Scheldt and is very close to the Dutch border. Antwerp is home to one of the biggest ports in the world, ranking 2^nd within Europe and hitting the top 20 globally. It is a multicultural city which boasts stunning cathedrals and museums. When in Antwerp, take a visit to Museum aan de Stroom, situated along the River Scheldt, it is the largest museum in Antwerp and is quite a recent cultural landmark, opening in 2011. Here, you can learn a whole lot more about the city of Antwerp.

Belgium coasts

Belgium isn’t particularly known for its coastline, more so for its charming and chic cities and towns. Nevertheless, a visit to Belgium’s coast can be quite surprising. Ostend, a city on the country’s coast, does actually have a long beach and a promenade which can be great for long walks whilst admiring the views. As well as having a long beach, the Mercator is also located here which is a ship dating back to the 1930’s, however now it has been converted into a museum open to the public.

De Panne is yet another Belgian coastal town, close to its border it shares with France. It is home to a beach, but also nature reserves such as Westhoek, which is a great visit for those who love the outdoors. A trip to the top of Kykhill Dune Park will provide you with wonderful views, particularly of the Dumont Quarter and the sea. Here in De Panne, you can catch the coastal tram, which takes you further east along the Belgian coastline.

Eating out in Belgium

Food in Belgium has a strong French and Italian influence, so you’ll be sure to find similar foods here, that you might find across in France and Italy. Mussels are a cult favourite in Belgium, these are usually cooked in a white wine sauce along with garlic and herb. Ghent may be worth a visit if you’re a vegetarian as it has been called the vegetarian capital of Europe, so you’re bound to find delicious dishes here. A lot of dishes in Belgium will be served with fries which is yet another Belgian classic. You won’t only find restaurants selling fries with dishes, but street vendors will sell solely fries with an abundance of sauces to try with them. When it comes to sweet desserts, waffles are a huge hit in Belgium. Choosing what topping you want is the hardest decision you’ll have. Of course, you can’t visit Belgium without a taste of some Belgian beer. The drink of choice here, there are over 400 types of beer in the country. Spoilt for choice? Even if you’re not a keen beer drinker, there are fruity varieties which might tickle your fancy.

Nightlife in Belgium

Belgium in the night-time can be quite relaxed, but there are options depending on what you look for when the sun goes down. It is very normal to sit with friends in a bar and enjoy a couple of beers or cocktails. Aside from that, you can also find yourself in a club dancing the night away. Brussels and Antwerp are both very lively cities when it comes to exciting nightlife. Clubs in Belgium start to pick up pace around 1am and the dancing continues on throughout the early morning. There may even be live music in some of the bars and lounge spaces dotted around Belgium, particularly jazz, which can be very relaxing when unwinding with a drink or two during your holiday here.

Belgium for families

Chocolate? Waffles? The outdoors? We think the kids would love a trip to Belgium for the food choices alone! It doesn’t take long to get to Belgium from the UK, making the short haul journey even better when carrying the whole family with you for a trip close to home. No doubt, the kids will love the Children’s Museum in Brussels which was created by a psychologist back in 1975. The museum is full of various workshops that children can try their hand at, from cookery classes and construction to art and theatre. It’s cheap and will keep the children occupied as they explore around this toy filled museum.

If you’d like a more active trip to Belgium and prefer the outdoors, look to visit the south of the country, particularly in the Wallonia region. Here, you’ll find an abundance of family filled fun. There are loads of activities to play around with here as you’re surrounded by hills, valleys and rivers. Be inspired by the Ardennes, where you can cycle and hike. Or even kayak and canoe down one of the rivers.

Belgium for couples

Fancy walking down the romantic cobblestoned streets around Belgium’s cities or perhaps be pampered with tons of chocolate? Belgium is a great location for a cheap holiday or city break with your loved one. Head to cozy Bruges, where you can discover its beautiful squares and medieval houses. Make sure you visit Minnewater, which is a picturesque lake in Bruges home to loads of swans.

For a similar alternative to Bruges, visit Ghent, known for its old-fashioned style and waterways. There is also a nice laid-back vibe in this city which is perfect for a couples holiday. Or maybe Dinant will tickle your fancy. A simply breath-taking city which is gorgeous in its own right. This city is situated near a cliff which overlooks the Meuse River. Here you can witness the elegant Collegiale Notre-Dame, a Gothic style cathedral which dates back to the 13^th-century. Of course, eating chocolate is always a romantic activity, right? Well, head to Brussels where you can visit the numerous chocolate shops and perhaps do some beer tasting while you’re at it.

Action and adventure

If you’re looking for a Belgian holiday suited to adrenaline junkies, make your way to Wallonia. This region hosts a range of activities and extreme sports, suitable for beginners and experts. Watersports and sailing can be found in Tertre, where there is an exciting water ski cable way. You’ll be attached to a cable and a wakeboard, where you will essentially ski across the water. After you’ve enjoyed that, there is also a space where you can relax on decking chairs. There’s also a bar which serves food and drinks, so it’s the perfect place for a day outing. There is plenty of cycling and mountain biking in Wallonia. Why not head to the small town of Durbuy, where you can cycle in the Adventure Valley Durbuy Park. In this park, you’ll also find a long zip wire, tree-top trail and a wooden play area. A great spot when it comes to family friendly action and adventure.

Culture and history

Belgium has a rich history and because of its past, the country has multicultural roots. Quite a few languages are spoken in different parts of the country. For instance, Dutch is spoken in Flanders located in the north of the country, Wallonia in the south speaks French and German is spoken in the east of Belgium. A lot of museums around Belgium will give further insight into the strong culture that is possessed here. For example, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium preserve works of various Flemish artists. However, the presence of different ethnic minorities in Belgium mean there is an abundance of cultures to experience in this wonderful country.