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Belgium Travel Wiki
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Travel to Belgium
Belgium is often off of the radar for those who want to experience a European holiday, but it shouldn’t be. This nation isn’t a link between the places you want to explore. It is the place you want to be. This is especially true if you’re planning on a holiday around December. The Christmas markets are simply extraordinary and deserve to be experienced at least once by everyone.
Brussels often gets the most attention when planning a visit to Belgium, but cities like Ghent offer a number of incredible attractions as well. You can find your own little green space to enjoy a beautiful day, take a river cruise for a unique view of a city, or find a little hidden gem of a gin place in one of the public markets.
You can’t ignore the coast of Belgium either, even during the colder months, because of the continuous opportunities there are to explore. Take advantage of the sea breezes to hike over sand dunes or stroll in the gentle waves when there’s a still and sunny day. You’ll want to work up a hunger because local foods are often fried or rustic and served family style, which means you’ll want to have room to experience everything.
It’s been said that there is fury in a pheasant’s wings. This fury is found in a gentle way in all of the cities that you may choose to explore on your upcoming holiday in Belgium. Fuel your creative fire by exploring the numerous museums, parks, and cultural opportunities and you will discover that all of the preconceived notions that have been published about Belgium over the years are completely false.
Best of Belgium
Belgium learned how to create the perfect first impression very early on. It might not be the largest country you ever visit, but it will make a large impression on you during your stay. You’ll find charming villages, stunning coastal views, and iconic urban destinations in the best of what Belgium offers.
#1. Bruges
With its maze of winding, Medieval streets, beautiful Bruges offers unexpected delights everywhere you look. Gaze upward and you may find an ancient gargoyle staring down at you. Search the local market and you may find a cone of frites made just for you. Look for a spot to relax and you may find a lively pub or club with the right music. Whether you tour by boat or by foot, you’ll find this destination to be an amazing experience.
#2. Antwerp
This urban center has it all. You’ll find Flemish homes that relish their grandiose nature. There are Medieval streets to wander. A stunning Gothic cathedral serves as the trailhead for all your walking adventures. The MUHKA gallery gives the city a modern edge, while the various antique emporiums help us to remember the past.
#3. Ghent
Instead of striding forward with confidence onto the world stage, this stunning city preferred to stay lost in the background. It was the right choice. Whether you sip some coffee along the river or relax on a river cruise, the Gothic medley of architecture is a delight to the eyes. Visit the Gravensteen Castle during your stay, get a box of chocolates, and be ready to maximize the joy of your holiday.
#4. Hoge Kempen National Park
There may only be one national park in the country. It is still worth a lingering visit, however, with its mirrored lakes and pine forests. More than 200km of hiking trails are available to explore. You’ll find yourself surrounded by lavender, wildlife, and beautiful blue skies. It really is an outdoor paradise.
#5. Durbuy
With its cobblestone streets lined with ivy and flowers, you’ll discover that life here has adapted to a different world. Craft boutiques might be busy in the summer, though the wooded valley where you find this village is a perfect destination in any season. Find an excellent restaurant, relax in a pub, and enjoy the beautiful cottages that make up the “smallest” town in the world.
#6. Ypres
The Ypres Cloth Hall, a reconstructed cloth market from 1304, was one of the largest buildings of its type during the Middle Ages. From 1933-1967, the building was meticulously reconstructed to restore its appearance. It is 125m in width and stands 70m tall at the belfry tower. Other landmarks, such as the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Menin Gate Memorial, make this community a top destination choice.
The best of Belgium will take you through history. It will show you hope for what the future could be. You will also discover that when you visit, each day provides new opportunities to discover more about yourself.
Travel resources
Below you can find usefull travel resources for your visit to the country
Weather Online
Official holidays
When are holidays and no working days in the country ?
Date | English | Dutch | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
January 1 | New Year's Day | Niewjaar | Fixed |
Easter Monday | Easter Monday | Paasmaandag | Variable |
May 1 | Labour Day | Dag van de arbeid | Fixed |
Ascension | Ascension | Onze Lieve Heer hemelvaart | Variable |
Pentecost Monday | Pentecost Monday | Pinkstermaandag | Variable |
July 21 | Belgian National Day | Nationale feestdag | Fixed |
August 15 | Assumption of Mary | Onze Lieve Vrouw hemelvaart | Fixed |
November 1 | All Saints' Day | Allerheiligen | Fixed |
November 11 | Armistice Day | Wapenstilstand | Fixed |
December 25 | Christmas | Kerstmis | Fixed |
Which are the largest cities ?
Listing of the most important and largest cities in the country
Rank | Name | Pop. | Region | State |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brussels | 1.138.854 | Brussels-Capital Region | |
2 | Antwerp | 466.203 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
3 | Ghent | 235.143 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
4 | Charleroi | 201.550 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
5 | Liège | 188.907 | Liège | Wallonia |
6 | Bruges | 116.982 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
7 | Namur | 107.653 | Namur | Wallonia |
8 | Leuven | 91.942 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
9 | Mons | 91.196 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
10 | Mechelen | 78.900 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
11 | Aalst | 77.790 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
12 | La Louvière | 77.509 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
13 | Kortrijk | 73.777 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
14 | Hasselt | 70.584 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
15 | Sint-Niklaas | 70.016 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
16 | Ostend | 69.115 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
17 | Tournai | 67.844 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
18 | Genk | 64.095 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
19 | Seraing | 61.237 | Liège | Wallonia |
20 | Roeselare | 56.268 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
21 | Verviers | 54.150 | Liège | Wallonia |
22 | Mouscron | 53.174 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
23 | Beveren | 45.771 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
24 | Dendermonde | 43.521 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
25 | Beringen | 41.531 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
26 | Turnhout | 39.863 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
27 | Dilbeek | 39.585 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
28 | Heist-op-den-Berg | 38.721 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
29 | Sint-Truiden | 38.427 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
30 | Lokeren | 38.276 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
31 | Vilvoorde | 37.964 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
32 | Herstal | 37.720 | Liège | Wallonia |
33 | Braine-l'Alleud | 37.512 | Walloon Brabant | Wallonia |
34 | Brasschaat | 37.133 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
35 | Maasmechelen | 36.456 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
36 | Ninove | 35.874 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
37 | Waregem | 35.831 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
38 | Châtelet | 35.813 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
39 | Geel | 35.502 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
40 | Halle | 35.108 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
41 | Ypres | 34.919 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
42 | Grimbergen | 34.320 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
43 | Knokke-Heist | 34.132 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
44 | Lier | 33.259 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
45 | Schoten | 33.132 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
46 | Mol | 33.060 | Antwerp | Flemish Region |
47 | Wavre | 32.576 | Walloon Brabant | Wallonia |
48 | Binche | 32.508 | Hainaut | Wallonia |
49 | Menen | 32.439 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
50 | Evergem | 32.373 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
51 | Lommel | 32.141 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
52 | Tienen | 32.083 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
53 | Geraardsbergen | 31.543 | East Flanders | Flemish Region |
54 | Heusden-Zolder | 31.017 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
55 | Sint-Pieters-Leeuw | 30.929 | Flemish Brabant | Flemish Region |
56 | Wevelgem | 30.926 | West Flanders | Flemish Region |
57 | Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve | 30.188 | Walloon Brabant | Wallonia |
58 | Bilzen | 30.173 | Limburg | Flemish Region |
59 | Houthalen-Helchteren | 30.050 | Limburg | Flemish Region |