Belgium holidays

Holidays to Belgium are about good food, world-renowned beer and cities that are sprinkled with stunning architecture.

North and south

Belgium is a country that’s seen its share of drama over the years – its placement between France, Germany and the Netherlands has led to it being a battleground in Roman, Napoleonic and 20th-century times. These days there’s only a slightly frosty rivalry between the north and south of the country – the northern region, Flanders, speaks Flemish, while the southern area, Wallonia, has a distinctly more French feel. And if you look to the east, there’s even a small pocket where you’ll hear the locals speak German as their mother tongue.

City break VIPs

A big wedge of Belgium’s visitors makes a beeline for Brussels when drawing up their plans, and for good reason. The capital has a city centre that’s brimming with Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture – check out the UNESCO-ticked main square, Grand Place, for the best of it. Elsewhere, canal-threaded Bruges has held on to much of its medieval charm, and Antwerp is becoming a popular spot for art and fashion buffs. History lovers head to once war-torn Ypres for a dose of sobering First World War reflection, and up-and-coming Ghent flies under the radar despite having first-rate sightseeing stats.

Dine and drink

If you chat to someone who’s come back from a trip to Belgium, you can count on them raving about the food and drink. Steaming pots of creamy mussels, known as moules frites, are a staple, and sweet treats like loaded waffles and praline chocolates are must-tries. And one of the world’s best-loved foods, the humble French fry, is famously on another level in Belgium, especially when served with a rich dollop of mayo. On the liquid refreshment front, it’s the beer that gets everyone talking. Belgium’s known for its Trappist beers – these protected tipples only get the Trappist title if they’ve been brewed at one of a select few monasteries. Beer drinking is a more refined practice here, too – you’ll see lots of them served in sleek, stemmed goblets instead of pint glasses.

Popular hotels in Belgium

Facts about Belgium

Capital
Brussels
Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Population
11,480,000
Language
Flemish Dutch, French, German
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
1 hour 15 minutes from Heathrow

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