Belgium – A compact country packed with interesting medieval towns, picturesque villages, Gothic cathedrals, castles, good beer, diamonds, French fries and endive, what more could you ask for?
- Belgium is small and densely populated; 10 million people fit in its 30,230 square kilometers. of Earth.
- What does the diminutive size of Belgium mean to the tourist? You can move easily. It is not necessary to take a flight between cities; The train is fast and efficient.
- Like the diamonds that Antwerp is famous for, you will visit a country that exhibits many facets. Take languages, for example: Flemish people from the north speak Dutch, while Walloons from the south speak French. English is widely spoken everywhere tourists go.
- Belgium has a high standard of living.
Get to Belgium by air
Brussels Airport, east of Brussels, is the only international airport in Belgium. “Metered taxis are permanently available in front of the arrivals hall. Licensed taxis can be recognized by the blue and yellow emblem. Travelers are advised to avoid unlicensed taxis! ” There is also bus service.
Getting to Belgium by train
The Eurostar runs between Brussels and London and fast TGV trains link Brussels with Paris and Amsterdam. There is a Benelux rail pass available, as well as one that adds France and one that adds Germany. See our Belgium Map and Travel Basics for more detailed information on transportation.
Suggested cities to visit in Belgium
Brussels
The capital of Belgium is Brussels, a good destination from which to start your exploration of Belgium. Here are some highlights:
- Manneken Pis – The famous pee-pee boy who sometimes pees in beer.
- Mini Europe : The main monuments of the European Union in miniature (eliminating the need to go to the rest of Europe!) Get off at the Heysel metro stop.
- The Atomium : The Expos of 1935 and 1958 took place north of the center of Brussels, on the Heizel / Heysel plains. The Atomium is the only remaining part of the ’58 exhibit and is the visual representation of the concept of an ‘atom’, symbolizing an elemental iron crystal with its 9 atoms magnified 150 billion times. Each “electron” has a diameter of 18 meters and one even contains a restaurant. You can get great views of Brussels from the highest.
- The Grand’place (Grote Markt – Market Square) – one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Antwerp
Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium with 500,000 inhabitants. It is the diamond center of the world (the diamond district is around the train station). It is also fast becoming the fashion capital of Belgium. The painter Rubens lived here and you can visit the house and museum in which he lived from 1616 until his death in 1640.
Witch (witches)
Bruges is the capital of the province of West Flanders and is notable for its medieval architecture, the quality of its beer, and its overall ‘uniqueness’. The city was extensively renovated in the ‘recent’ 19th century Gothic, leading some to criticize it as a ‘fake’ medieval city, but shouldn’t the tourist consider why medieval architecture is so appealing for its styles to continue? ?
Ghent
The historic center of Ghent shows a bit of the Middle Ages. There is an old port with guild halls and a magnificent Castle of the Counts of Flanders. The botanical garden has around 7,500 species of plants.
Recommended Small Towns in Belgium
Damme is 4 km from Bruges, and you may want to use this pleasant city as a base for traveling in Flanders. If you enjoy life in the country in a city big enough to have services, Damme is perfect; You can take a small canal boat directly to Bruges from Damme!
Dinant is a city spectacularly situated along the Meuse River in the Belgian province of Namur. There is a cave with waterfalls and stalactites near the train station, a tall citadel, and more.
Veurne , a Flemish town on the border of France was not occupied by the Germans in World War I, so it was saved from the normal bombardment suffered by the rest of Belgium. There is an impressive market square and a lot of interesting architecture. Visitors recommend visiting the City Hall, the Palace of Justice and the Church of St. Walburga.
Diksmuide , between Bruges and Veurne, has been called an “oasis in the polder landscape.” The wetlands to the south of the city create fabulous views. Two nature reserves, De Kleiputten and De Blankaart offer artistic landscapes. In the city, there is a large market square, rebuilt from the bombings of the First World War. The Trench of Death in Diksmuide has become a symbolic place for the fierce resistance of the Belgian troops.
What to eat and drink
Frites – the so-called “French” fries. More or less the national dish, except for the magnificent waterzooi. You have them with mayonnaise.
Waterzooi – From a Flemish word meaning “simmering water” comes a hearty broth of local fish (or chicken) with vegetables and herbs, often enriched by a trio of the kitchen god’s finest: butter, egg yolks egg and cream.
Carbonnades : meat cooked with brown beer, the national dish of Belgium.
Belgian Endive – White gold, an endive kept in the dark for most of its life. Stew is often served.
Chocolate – Belgian chocolate! Yes, it goes without saying.
Beer : Bud Lite fans don’t need to read any more. The rest of you who like variety and taste should try one of these: Lambic Ale, Abbey and Trappist Ale, Witbier (wheat), Sour Ale, Brown Ale, Amber Ale, or Strong Golden Ale. You can even ask for Pilsner.
