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Travel guide

Belgium holidays: a travel guide for UK visitors

Medieval canal cities, grand squares and the world’s best chocolate and beer — compact Belgium delivers outsized charm within easy reach of the UK.

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Why visit Belgium

Belgium proves that good things come in small packages. Bruges and Ghent are postcard cities of canals, cobbles and step-gabled guild houses, their medieval centres barely touched by time. Brussels mixes the glorious Grand-Place — one of Europe’s finest squares — with art nouveau façades and a famously good food scene. This is the home of moules-frites, hand-made pralines and several hundred distinct beers, all served with relaxed pride. Close to the UK and effortless to reach, Belgium suits short breaks, river-and-rail combinations and city-rich tours in equal measure.

Best time to visit

April to September brings the mildest, brightest weather for wandering the canal cities and outdoor café terraces, with summer the busiest and warmest. Spring and early autumn are quieter and very pleasant, while December lights up Belgium’s towns with atmospheric Christmas markets.

Top things to do in Belgium

  1. 1

    Wander medieval Bruges

    Often called the Venice of the North, Bruges is a UNESCO-listed maze of canals, market squares and the soaring Belfry tower — one of Europe’s most romantic and best-preserved medieval cities, ideal for a day on foot.

  2. 2

    Discover Brussels and the Grand-Place

    The gilded guild houses of the Grand-Place form one of the continent’s grandest squares, while Brussels adds art nouveau architecture, world-class museums and a deserved reputation for fine food and chocolate.

  3. 3

    Taste Belgian chocolate and beer

    From hand-made pralines to centuries-old Trappist breweries, Belgium’s food culture is a destination in itself. Ghent and Antwerp round out a country where the everyday pleasures are exceptionally well done.

The cheapest Belgium holidays right now

Lowest lead-in prices first, from live availability. Open one for its dates, and book directly with its operator.

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Belgium travel questions

When is the best time to visit Belgium?
April to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the canal cities and outdoor terraces, with summer warmest and busiest. Spring and early autumn are quieter, while December brings atmospheric Christmas markets.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Belgium?
No. UK passport holders can visit Belgium without a visa for tourism and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What currency does Belgium use?
Belgium uses the Euro (EUR). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, though a little cash is handy for markets, small cafés and tips.
Is Belgium expensive to visit?
Belgium sits around the Western European average. Eating and drinking can add up in tourist hotspots, but its compact cities, excellent trains and free public squares help keep a trip affordable.
What languages are spoken in Belgium?
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (Flemish) in the north, French in the south and a small German-speaking area in the east. English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas.
How many hours ahead is Belgium compared with the UK?
Belgium is one hour ahead of the UK on Central European Time, and changes its clocks for daylight saving on the same dates, so the one-hour difference holds all year.
Is Belgium safe for tourists?
Belgium is a safe and welcoming destination with low crime. Take the usual care with valuables in busy areas of Brussels and at stations, and you are very unlikely to have any trouble.
Do I need a travel adaptor for Belgium?
Yes. Belgium uses Type E sockets at 230V, so a standard European travel adaptor will fit your UK three-pin plugs. UK devices run happily on the local voltage.
How do you get from the UK to Belgium?
Belgium is one of the easiest European countries to reach from the UK, with short flights, Eurostar trains to Brussels and Channel crossings all serving it — making it a popular short-break and tour destination.
Can you visit Bruges and Brussels on the same trip?
Yes, easily. Belgium’s cities are close together and linked by fast, frequent trains, so Bruges, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp can all be combined comfortably within a single short break or tour.

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