Belgium
Cargando experiencia inmersiva...
General Travel Guide: The Heart of Europe
Belgium is a nation that proves that the best essences are kept in small bottles. In this country, a crossroads of Latin and Germanic cultures, history comes to life in the cobblestone streets of its medieval cities, where Gothic bell towers are reflected in quiet canals. It is a land of artistic geniuses like Rubens and Magritte, and comic book heroes like Tintin. But, above all, Belgium is a feast for the senses. Get ready to discover an unparalleled beer culture, to surrender to the pleasure of its chocolate and waffles, and to enjoy generous and exquisite cuisine. This is a trip to the heart of Europe, a place of beauty, flavor and unique character.
Capital
Brussels
Population
11.743.521
Langue
Holandés, Francés, Alemán
Sites du patrimoine de l'UNESCO
16
Indices de voyage
📊Indices de voyage
Le meilleur de Belgium
Expériences uniques
Do a Trappist Beer Tasting
Belgium is the birthplace of Trappist beer, brewed by monks in abbeys. Visiting one of these abbeys (such as Westvleteren, Chimay or Orval) or simply trying their complex beers in a traditional 'brown cafe' is an almost spiritual experience. Each sip tells a story of centuries of tradition.
Boat trip through the Canals of Bruges
Discover why Bruges is called the 'Venice of the North'. A boat ride through its canals offers a unique perspective of its stone bridges, its medieval facades and its secret gardens. It is the most romantic and picturesque way to capture the essence of the city.
Follow the Comic Route in Brussels
Belgium is the homeland of comics, and Brussels pays tribute to its heroes with giant murals that decorate the city's facades. Follow the route to find Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke and many others, and culminate the visit at the Comic Museum, located in a spectacular Art Nouveau building.
Eating French Fries at a 'Fritkot'
Forget everything you know about French fries. In Belgium, 'frites' are a cultural institution. Order a cone at a 'fritkot' (fries kiosk), choose from a huge variety of sauces and discover the secret of their double frying, which leaves them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Learn to make Pralines
Praline (a filled chocolate bonbon) was invented in Belgium. Many chocolate shops in Brussels or Bruges offer workshops where you can learn from master chocolatiers the art of tempering chocolate and creating your own chocolates. It is a delicious and unforgettable experience.
Attend the 'Last Post' Ceremony in Ypres
Every day since 1928, at 8pm, the Ypres (Yeper) firefighters play the 'Last Post' under the Menin Arch in memory of the soldiers who fell in the First World War. It is an incredibly solemn and moving ceremony that connects you to the deep history of the region.
A Feast of Belgian Flavors
It is said that Belgian cuisine has the quality of French cuisine and the quantity of German cuisine. It is a generous, tasty cuisine that is highly appreciated by locals. World famous for its holy trinity – beer, chocolate and chips – Belgian cuisine offers much more, with hearty dishes and fresh seafood from the North Sea coast.
It is said that Belgian cuisine has the quality of French cuisine and the quantity of German cuisine. It is a generous, tasty cuisine that is highly appreciated by locals. World famous for its holy trinity – beer, chocolate and chips – Belgian cuisine offers much more, with hearty dishes and fresh seafood from the North Sea coast.
Beer as an Ingredient
Beer is not just for drinking; It is a fundamental ingredient in many Belgian dishes. It provides a unique depth of flavor to stews such as carbonnade flamande or to sauces to accompany meats and mussels.
Love for Quality Food
Belgians have a great appreciation for quality products and good food. From farmers markets to specialty shops (cheese shops, butchers) and an incredible number of Michelin-starred restaurants, food is taken very seriously.
Plats Iconiques
Moules-frites (Mussels with Fried Potatoes)
The national dish par excellence. A large casserole of fresh mussels, steamed with celery, onion and often white wine or beer. They are served accompanied by a generous plate of crispy fries.
Carbonnade Flamande (Stoofvlees / Stoverij)
A tender and flavorful beef stew, simmered for hours in a dark sauce made from Belgian beer, onion, thyme and bay leaf, often sweetened with Liege syrup or gingerbread.
Waterzooi
A creamy and delicate stew, originally from Ghent. Traditionally it was made with fish, but today the chicken version is more common. It is made with a base of vegetable broth, egg yolks and cream.
Chicons au gratin (Gegratineerd witloof)
A comforting dish of endives wrapped in slices of ham, covered with a rich bechamel sauce with cheese and baked in the oven.
Filet Américain
The Belgian version of steak tartare. It is high quality raw beef, finely chopped and seasoned with a sauce based on egg yolk, mustard, capers and spices. It is eaten spread on bread or with chips.
Tomatoes-crevettes (Tomaat-garnaal)
A cold and refreshing starter, typical of the coast. It consists of hollowed out tomatoes and stuffed with small gray North Sea shrimp, mixed with mayonnaise.
Boissons typiques
Belgian Beer (Bier)
With more than 1,500 varieties, beer is the pride of Belgium. Its beer culture is a World Heritage Site. Explore the different styles: the complex abbey and Trappist beers (Dubbel, Tripel, Quadrupel), the acidic Lambic and Gueuze, the fruity Kriek or the refreshing wheat ones (witbier).
Jenever (Geneva)
The precursor to English gin, it is a spirit based on grain alcohol, often flavored. It is drunk very cold and is popular at markets and fairs, especially in winter.
Desserts traditionnels
Gofres (Gaufres / Wafels)
There are two main types. The Brussels waffle is large, rectangular, light and crispy, and is served with toppings such as cream, chocolate or fruit. The Liege waffle is smaller, dense, irregularly shaped and has caramelized sugar pearls in the dough.
Belgian Chocolate
Considered one of the best in the world. Belgium is the birthplace of praline, the bonbon with a hard chocolate exterior and a soft filling. The artisanal chocolate shops ('chocolatiers') are a must-see.
Speculoos
A crunchy and spiced cookie with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Traditionally it was associated with the feast of Saint Nicholas, but today it is enjoyed all year round, often with coffee.
Dame Blanche
A classic and simple dessert that you will find in almost all restaurants. It consists of good quality vanilla ice cream, topped with a melted hot chocolate sauce and sometimes whipped cream.
Que voir par thème
Belgium's wealth lies in its cultural and architectural diversity, from the opulent market towns of Flanders to the verdant landscapes of Wallonia.
Flemish Cities of Art: Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp
Immerse yourself in the Golden Age of Flanders. Bruges will captivate you with its medieval romanticism. Ghent is a vibrant university city with an impressive historic centre. And Antwerp combines its legacy as the home of Rubens with a modern fashion and design scene.
Brussels: A Multicultural Heart
Explore the capital of Europe. Admire the majesty of the Grand-Place, be surprised by the structure of the Atomium, look for the Manneken Pis and get lost in charming neighborhoods such as Sablon, with its antique shops, or Saint-Gilles, with its Art Nouveau architecture.
The Ardennes: Nature, Battles and Castles
Discover the Wallonia region, in the south of the country. It is an area of forested hills, winding rivers and picturesque villages such as Durbuy or La Roche-en-Ardenne. It is ideal for hiking, kayaking and exploring castles such as Bouillon.
Memory of the Great Wars
The history of the 20th century is etched in the Belgian landscape. In Flanders, the Ypres (Ieper) region is full of cemeteries and museums dedicated to the First World War. Near Bastogne, in the Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge of World War II is commemorated.
Architecture: From Gothic to Art Nouveau
Belgium is a paradise for architecture lovers. Admire the imposing town halls and Gothic bell towers of its cities. In Brussels, follow in the footsteps of Victor Horta to discover the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau. And in Antwerp, don't miss the spectacular central train station.
Conseils de voyage
Public transport
The train network (SNCB/NMBS) is the most comfortable and efficient way to travel between major cities. They are frequent, punctual, and there are often affordable weekend deals or multi-trip passes.
Language
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (in Flanders), French (in Wallonia) and German (in a small area). Brussels is officially bilingual (French-Dutch). English is widely spoken in Flanders and Brussels, and to a lesser extent in Wallonia.
The Climate
The weather is highly variable and often unpredictable, similar to the UK. Rain is a possibility at any time of the year, so it is essential to carry an umbrella or raincoat and dress in layers.
Tips
The service is included by law in all restaurant and taxi bills. A tip is not expected, but if the service has been exceptional, rounding up the bill or leaving a few coins is welcome.
This guide is just an introduction to rich and diverse Belgium. Each city and region has its own character, its own beer and its own secrets. We encourage you to explore both Flanders and Wallonia to get a complete overview of this fascinating country. Goede reis! Bon voyage! (Have a good trip!)
Loading quiz...
Explorez les régions de Belgium
Découvrez les plus belles régions et planifiez votre voyage parfait
card.noResults.title
card.noResults.message
TripPlanner
Créez votre itinéraire parfait
Chargement...
Votre profil de voyageur
Découvrez votre style de voyage
Chargement...