Belgium

Your complete resource for visiting Belgium - from Brussels' Grand Place to Bruges' canals and the best chocolate shops. Includes transportation tips, hotel recommendations, and must-see landmarks

Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium)

Belgium (Dutch: België, French: Belgique, German: Belgien) is a small country in Northwestern Europe. The official name is the Kingdom of Belgium. The country borders the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the south and west, and is washed by the waters of the North Sea. Belgium is a constitutional monarchy, a member of the European Union, the UN, and NATO. It is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in the world and also serves as the political center of Europe.

Belgium harmoniously combines the charm of the past with modern culture and innovation. The country boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage: from enchanting medieval towns, castles, and sacred architecture to modern structures, excellent museums, and shopping galleries. Belgium is a gem of Europe with hundreds of amazing places that have preserved the charm of the Middle Ages and the beauty of nature.

Useful information about Belgium

• Population – 11.4 million people.
• Area – 30,528 km².
• Currency – Euro (€).
• Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
• Time zone – Central European Time (UTC +1, UTC +2 in summer).
• Visa – Schengen visa required.
• Driving – right-hand traffic.
• Electricity – 230 V / 50 Hz.
• Predominant religion – Catholicism (75% of believers), though most modern Belgians are not religious.
• Belgium is very safe, except perhaps for some areas of Brussels and the port city of Antwerp.
• The Belgian flag has three equal vertical stripes: black, yellow, and red from left to right.

Geography and nature

Belgium doesn’t have great geographical diversity, which isn’t surprising given its small size. The country has a largely uniform landscape, climate, flora, and fauna. Most of Belgium consists of plains and lowlands, though geographically it can be divided into three regions:

The Coastal Plain or Low Belgium – sandy lowlands or plains with elevations up to 100 meters above sea level.
The Central Plateau or Middle Belgium – plains between the valleys of the Sambre and Meuse rivers with elevations of 100-200 meters above sea level. This region has been largely altered by human activity, with most of it occupied by farmland and meadows.
The Ardennes Uplands or High Belgium – hilly area south of the Meuse and Sambre valleys with elevations of 200-500 meters above sea level. This region features low mountains covered with forests and small villages.

Belgium has flora and fauna typical of Western Europe. In the forests, which are most extensive in the Ardennes, you can find wild boars, fallow deer, roe deer, hares, and squirrels. The wetlands are home to many birds: pheasants, ducks, and partridges.

Climate

Belgium has a temperate maritime climate typical of much of Western Europe. It features mild, rainy winters with rare subzero temperatures. Summers are quite cool and often rainy.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Belgium is from April to September. The Christmas period is also very atmospheric here. In winter, despite positive temperatures, it can be quite damp and windy.

History

In ancient times, the territory of modern Belgium was inhabited by the Celtic tribe of Belgae, from which the country’s name derives. In the 1st century BC, the country was conquered by the Romans and incorporated into the province of Gaul. In the 5th century AD (after the fall of the Roman Empire), the Belgian lands were conquered by the Franks. For most of the Middle Ages, Belgium was part of the Duchy of Burgundy.

In the 15th century, Burgundy became part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1556 to 1713, Belgium was under Spanish rule. In the 18th century, the country again became part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1792 to 1815, Belgium was part of France, then briefly belonged to the Netherlands. In 1830, the Belgian Revolution occurred, leading to the establishment of the independent Kingdom of Belgium.

In the 19th century, Belgium maintained neutrality. During this period, industry developed and the economy grew. The most terrible scars of the 20th century were left by World War I, when most of the country became a battlefield. The history of Ypres is particularly tragic, where poison gas was first used and the town was completely destroyed. During World War II, Belgium was occupied by German troops.

Administrative divisions

Belgium has a very interesting administrative-territorial structure. First, the country is divided into three regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, bilingual Brussels (the capital), and French-speaking Wallonia in the south, which includes a small German-speaking area.

Flanders consists of five provinces: Antwerp, Limburg, East Flanders, West Flanders, and Flemish Brabant.

Wallonia also includes five provinces: Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg, Namur, and Walloon Brabant.

Secondly, Belgium is divided into three language communities: Flemish, French, and German.

Population

Belgium is a densely populated and highly urbanized country. 97% of the population lives in cities. The most widespread religion is Christianity (mostly Catholicism). The official languages are Dutch, French, and German. Language is a complex and sensitive subject in Belgium, governed by the “principle of territoriality.” This stems from the fact that Belgians are a nation composed of different ethnic cultures. Historically, Flanders speaks Dutch, Wallonia speaks French, and Eupen-Malmedy speaks German. Therefore, insisting on speaking French in Flanders or Dutch in Wallonia would be offensive.

Some national characteristics of Belgians:

• Belgians are very tolerant and liberal.
• Belgians are not very religious.
• Modesty is considered a positive quality in this country, while boasting is viewed negatively.
• Belgians are strict about privacy.
• Sarcasm, irony, and some cynicism are common traits of this nation.

Transportation

The main airport in Belgium is Brussels Airport, located outside the city. You can reach central Brussels from the airport by train (running every 15 minutes) or by STIB buses #12 and #21. Other airports are located in Charleroi, Antwerp, and Liège.

Belgium has regular rail connections with all Western European countries. It’s easy to reach by train from Rotterdam, The Hague, Cologne, Paris, Amsterdam, Lyon, London, Lille, and Frankfurt. Major European highways also pass through Belgium.

Belgium is a relatively small country that can be crossed in just a couple of hours. Public transport here is fast and convenient, with comfortable buses and trains running between cities.

Cities of Belgium

Belgium has a very high level of urbanization and an enormous number of cities for such a small territory.

Brussels – the bilingual capital of Belgium and the unofficial capital of the EU. Today it’s one of Europe’s most multicultural cities with a wonderful historic center, numerous museums, and other interesting places.

Cities of Flanders:

• Antwerp – Belgium’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s major ports. Known for its huge Gothic cathedral and as the home of Rubens.
• Beringen – a historic coal mining center.
• Bruges – one of the wealthiest medieval cities in northwestern Europe, nicknamed “The Venice of the North” for its canals and romantic atmosphere.
• Ghent – in the past one of Europe’s largest cities, combining elements of Antwerp and Bruges. It has a cozy medieval center with canals, wonderful sacred monuments, and a significant castle.
• Leuven – a small historic town home to one of Europe’s oldest universities.
• Lier – a charming Flemish town with a Gothic cathedral and narrow medieval streets.
• Mechelen – an important medieval town with a significant medieval cathedral, known for its carillon school.
• Tongeren – the oldest town in Belgium.

The Meuse River valley makes a wonderful tourist destination. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy quiet Belgian countryside, visit lovely old towns, and admire beautiful nature.

Cities of Wallonia:

• Charleroi – the largest city in Wallonia, an important industrial and economic center of Belgium.
• Dinant – a small beautiful town on the Meuse River with an ancient cathedral and citadel on a rocky cliff.
• Liège – the cultural center of Wallonia. This wonderful multifaceted city features an eclectic mix of architecture from the Middle Ages to modern times, numerous museums, and exciting nightlife.
• Tournai – one of Belgium’s oldest cities.
• Namur – the capital of Wallonia with an exceptional historic center.
• Mons – a stunning historic city known as the Walloon Bruges.

Landmarks of Belgium

Grand Place (French: Grand Place) or Grote Markt (Dutch: De Grote Markt) – a magnificent historic square in Brussels, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list and surrounded by beautiful historic buildings from the 14th-17th centuries. Its architectural ensemble features an stunning medieval town hall – a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

In August, the Grand Place is decorated with a flower carpet measuring 75 by 24 meters, consisting of more than 700,000 begonias.

The Belfry and canals of Bruges – the main symbols of this old trading city. The belfry was built in the 13th century and stands 83 meters tall. This magnificent Gothic structure dominates the historic center. The canals of Bruges symbolize the city’s trading past and prosperity. These waterways crisscross almost the entire historic center, with bridges and old houses right by the water creating a magical atmosphere.

Saint Peter’s Church in Leuven – a wonderful religious structure built in the 15th century in Brabantine Gothic style. Located on the Market Square (Grote Markt) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building has a low bell tower that was never completed.

Leuven Town Hall – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Belgium. This architectural monument dates back to the 15th century and is a masterpiece of late Brabantine Gothic.

Gravensteen in Ghent – an amazing fortress that is the only medieval castle in all of Flanders. This residence of the Counts of Flanders was built in the 12th century and has been preserved in almost perfect condition, being one of the finest structures of its kind in Europe. Gravensteen is located in the center of old Ghent, beautifully rising above the roofs of ancient houses and the labyrinth of medieval streets.

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent – one of the finest examples of sacred architecture in Belgium. This significant Gothic church with a Romanesque crypt contains wonderful works of religious art, ancient tombs, and beautiful wall paintings.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges impresses with its combination of Romanesque and late Gothic architecture. This church preserves a precious Christian relic – a drop of Christ’s blood.

Grand Place in Antwerp – a wonderful historic square with a beautiful architectural ensemble consisting of old merchant houses, behind which stands the massive Gothic cathedral. This is one of the most beautiful old market squares in Western Europe.

The old town of Mons – a wonderful historic center. Its heart is the charming Grand Place, decorated with buildings from the 15th-18th centuries, over which towers the belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Waterloo – the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s last major battle. An artificial hill with a memorial Lion statue at its top marks the end of the Napoleonic wars era.

Accommodation

Belgium has many good hotels for every taste and budget. You can find a hotel or guesthouse even in small towns. If you start your search early, you can book excellent options. In general, room rates in Belgian hotels are somewhat higher than the European average. Prices are also affected by season and the tourist popularity of specific locations.

Hotels

The best value for money option is apartment hotels.

Cuisine

Belgium is a country that understands food and can provide an excellent gastronomic adventure.

Popular traditional dishes:

• Balletjes – meatballs with fries, served with tomato sauce or Liège sauce. By the way, Belgians claim that French fries (friet in Dutch) are their invention.
• Witloof met kaassaus – ham with béchamel sauce and mashed potatoes.
• Frikadellen met krieken – meatballs with cherry sauce.
• Stoofvlees – beef stew with fries.
• Famous waffles – Gaufres de Bruxelles or Gaufres de Liège.
• Stoemp – mashed potatoes with carrots, sausages and bacon.
• Mussels – mussels in white wine.
• Konijn met pruimen – rabbit in beer.

Belgium has rich brewing traditions and offers an incredible variety of beers. Belgian beer is known for its excellent quality and is considered among the best in the world. The country is home to several major breweries – Stella Artois, Duvel, Leffe, Jupiler, and Hoegaarden.