Belgium

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Korenlei and Graslei on the River Leie in Ghent's old town at dusk.

©Westend61/Getty Images

Overview

Bruges canals, Antwerp fashion, decadent chocolate, mussels and chips, belfries and castles, crazy carnivals, Tintin and Trappist beers... how could anyone call Belgium boring?!

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Officials unveil the restored exterior panels of "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb", an altar piece painted by the Van Eyck brothers in 1432, at Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent on October 12, 2016. .The restoration of the exterior panels and frames started in 2012, and constitutes the first phase of restauration which will be followed by two other phases for the interior panels and is set to last until 2020. / AFP / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

    Ghent

    Art enthusiasts swarm the Sint-Baafskathedraal to glimpse The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (De Aanbidding van het Lams God), a lavish representation of…

  • Woman viewing paintings (Hugo Van der Goes - St Hippolyte's Triptich) at Groeningemuseum.

    Groeningemuseum

    Bruges

    Bruges’ most celebrated art gallery boasts an astonishingly rich collection that's strong in superb Flemish Primitive and Renaissance works, depicting the…

  • Hospital of Saint John in the winter morning in Bruges, Belgium.; Shutterstock ID 384804181; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    Museum Sint-Janshospitaal

    Bruges

    In the restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital building with superb timber beamwork, this museum shows various torturous-looking medical implements,…

  • Belgium, Antwerp, garden in Peter Paul Ruben's house

    Rubenshuis

    Antwerp

    This delightfully indulgent 1611 mansion was built as a home and studio for celebrated painter Pieter Paul Rubens. It was rescued from ruins in 1937 and…

  • Interiors of Notre dame d'Anvers cathedral, Anvers, Belgium

    Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal

    Antwerp

    Belgium’s finest Gothic cathedral was 169 years in the making (1352–1521). Wherever you wander in Antwerp, its gracious, 123m-high spire has a habit of…

  • BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - August 09, 2014: General view of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, one of the most visited museums in Belgium with its large art collection.; Shutterstock ID 586734455; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts POI

    Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts

    Brussels

    This prestigious museum incorporates the Musée d’Art Ancien (ancient art); the Musée d’Art Moderne (modern art), with works by surrealist Paul Delvaux and…

  • Belgium, Ghent

    Gravensteen

    Ghent

    Flanders’ quintessential 12th-century stone castle comes complete with moat, turrets and arrow slits. It’s all the more remarkable considering that during…

  • Museum Plantin-Moretus

    Museum Plantin-Moretus

    Antwerp

    The medieval building and 1622 courtyard garden alone would be worth a visit, but it's the world's oldest printing press, priceless manuscripts and…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Here are some unmissable ways to savor Belgium’s history, beauty and creativity. Oh, and it’s beer, chocolate and fries, too.

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Things to Know

Get to know some of the cultural etiquette and practical quirks of Belgium before you go.

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Transportation

With trains, cycle paths and a panoramic tram running along the coast, getting around Belgium is a breeze. Here's how to do it in style.

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Visa Requirements

Are you dreaming of eating hot frites in Brussels or wandering Ghent’s canals? The good news is visas are easy to obtain. Here's what you need to know.

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Money and Costs

From deals on museum entry to delicious street food snacks, here's how to make your euros stretch a bit further in Belgium.

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Best Road Trips

Explore Belgium's culture and history with these top road-tripping routes.

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Articles

Latest stories from Belgium

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Classic view of the historic city center of Bruges (Brugge), West Flanders province, Belgium. Cityscape of Bruges. Architecture and landmark of Bruges License Type: media Download Time: 2024-02-02T06:15:48.000Z User: mvm_lonelyplanet Is Editorial: No purchase_order:

Destination Practicalities

A seasonal guide to visiting Belgium

Mar 18, 2025 • 4 min read

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