Custom travel to Belgium

Belgium is one of Europe's culturally richest destinations, 1 h 22 from Paris by high-speed train. Three regions with opposite personalities: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, French-speaking Wallonia in the south and bilingual Brussels, official capital of the EU. Twelve UNESCO sites, one of Europe's highest densities: the Brussels Grand-Place, Bruges the Venice of the North with its 50 km of canals, Ghent and the Van Eyck brothers' Mystic Lamb, diamond-trading Antwerp, the Ardennes and 6 of the world's 14 Trappist abbeys. In 5 to 7 days you can combine Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. A gastronomic destination par excellence: fine chocolate, 1,600 beers, fries and Flemish painting.

Highlights

• UNESCO Brussels Grand-Place ('world's most beautiful square')
• UNESCO Bruges 'Venice of the North' (50 km canals)
• Ghent Saint Bavo Cathedral (Van Eyck Mystic Lamb 1432)
• Antwerp Rubens House and diamonds (80% world)
• 6 Trappist abbeys (Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren)
• Belgian chocolate (world cradle of fine chocolate)

Sample itineraries

When to go

April-October is the best period (mild climate 12-22 °C, long days, perfect for urban walking and Bruges canal excursions). TOURIST PEAK June-August (perfect temperatures but Bruges very crowded). DECEMBER for CHRISTMAS MARKETS (Brussels Place Sainte-Catherine, Bruges Markt, snowy medieval magic). Avoid November-February for urban visits (short days, frequent rains, Belgium is one of Europe's rainiest countries with 200 rainy days/year).

• Ideal spring (April – June), 1-h Holland tulips, artisanal markets
• Summer tourist peak (July – August), 10-day Ghent Gentse Feesten, Tomorrowland
• Autumn Ardennes colors (September – October), Autumn-colored Ardennes forests
• Winter Christmas markets (November – March), Brussels, Bruges, Liège Christmas markets

Practical information

Very safe (one of Europe's safest countries). Vigilance at Brussels Midi Station (pickpockets, some districts at night). No visa for French citizens (Schengen, free circulation). No mandatory vaccine. Tap water POTABLE good quality. Cards accepted everywhere. French spoken everywhere (official language Wallonia + Brussels). Tipping: not mandatory but 5-10% in restaurants appreciated, €1-€2 for taxi. RIGHT-HAND DRIVING. FRENCH PLUG (Type C/E, 230 V, no adapter needed). BICYCLE recommended in Bruges and Ghent (flat, 100 km of bike paths, €12/day rental). BRUSSELS CARD PASS (24/48/72 h, €30/40/50, 50-museum access + unlimited transport).

Frequently asked questions

When?

April-October is the best period (mild climate 12-22 °C, long days, perfect for urban walking and Bruges canal excursions). The tourist peak falls in June-August, with ideal temperatures but a very crowded Bruges, especially around the belfry and the Markt. December suits Christmas markets (Brussels Place Sainte-Catherine, Bruges Markt), with snowy medieval magic but shorter days. Avoid November-February for urban visits: short days, frequent rain, Belgium being one of Europe's rainiest countries with around 200 rainy days a year. Spring (April-June) remains the most balanced window, with little rain and good light for the Bruges canals.

How long?

5 days for essential Belgium (Brussels 2 nights, Bruges 2 nights, Ghent 1 night), our most-chosen itinerary, ideal for a first trip or a long cultural weekend. 7 days to add Antwerp (2 more nights) and its Rubens House, diamond district, and MoMu fashion museum, for a complete cultural combination covering all the country's UNESCO sites. 10 days to include Wallonia and the Ardennes (2 nights), with Trappist abbeys (Chimay, Orval, Rochefort), Bouillon Castle, and the Bastogne memorial, for a trip that's both gastronomic and historical.

Budget?

€1,800-€2,500 per person for 5 days in our Comfort tier (TGV included): 4★ hotels in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent, SNCB trains between cities, Grand-Place tour and Bruges canals. In Premium, €3,200-€4,500 for 7 days at exceptional addresses (Hotel Amigo Rocco Forte facing the Grand-Place, Hotel Heritage in Bruges, Hotel Julien in Antwerp), with a gastronomic dinner and a guided Rubens House visit. In Exclusive, from €5,800 for 10 days with a Wallonia castle stay and a private car with driver for the Trappist tour. Expect €100-€200 per person for a Paris-Brussels TGV round-trip (1 h 22), cheaper with 3-month advance booking.

Visa?

No visa for French citizens (Schengen, free circulation, ID card sufficient). British, American, and Canadian citizens can also enter visa-free with a valid passport, for a tourist stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, as in the rest of the Schengen area. No vaccine is mandatory to travel to Belgium.

How to get to Belgium?

Direct Paris-Brussels TGV 1 h 22 (Eurostar/Thalys/SNCB, €50-€200 depending on date). Faster than a plane (2 h center-to-center vs 3 h 30 by plane including airport transfers). No international flight is therefore needed for most French travelers, which considerably simplifies planning and reduces the trip's carbon footprint. From other countries, Brussels is also well connected by air (Brussels Airport in Zaventem, 30 min from the center) and by train from the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.

Family?

EXCELLENT family destination (Bruges canals for children, fun Atomium, amusing Manneken-Pis, delicious chocolatiers, TGV accessibility). All ages.

How to move between cities?

Excellent and frequent SNCB trains (Brussels-Bruges 1 h, Brussels-Ghent 30 min, Brussels-Antwerp 50 min, €12-€25 round-trip). No car rental is needed for the cities: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp are entirely accessible on foot, by tram, or by metro. The MOBIB CARD, Brussels' regional transport pass, gives unlimited access to train, metro, tram, and bus for €8/day. For the Ardennes, however, a private car with driver is recommended, as public transport there is limited in rural areas.

Combine?

Yes: Belgium + Netherlands (Amsterdam 2-h TGV), Belgium + Luxembourg (3-h car), Belgium + Germany (Cologne 2-h TGV), Belgium + France (Lille 35-min TGV).

Westvleteren: how to buy?

PHONE RESERVATION 7 days in advance with abbey. Sale ONLY at abbey, max 2 cases per person. Or at Café In de Vrede right next to abbey (glass-by-glass sale, €7).

Tips?

Not mandatory (service included) but 5-10% in gastronomic restaurants appreciated, €1-€2 for taxi.

Do I need cash, or is a card enough?

Cards are accepted everywhere in Belgium, including small friteries and beer cafés. A little cash remains useful for markets, tips, or certain abbey cafés like In de Vrede in Westvleteren. ATMs are plentiful in every city, and no currency exchange is needed: the euro is used everywhere.

Which region should I choose for a first trip to Belgium?

For a first trip, the 5-day 'Essential Belgium' itinerary (Brussels, Bruges, Ghent) remains the most recommended and most-chosen by our travelers: it combines Brussels' UNESCO Grand-Place, Bruges' medieval canals, and Ghent's Mystic Lamb, with no car rental needed since everything runs by SNCB train. It's also the most accessible itinerary for a long weekend from Paris thanks to the direct TGV. With more time, adding Antwerp completes the exploration of Flemish painting with the Rubens House.