Country guide

Belgium

Belgium covers 30,689 km² and holds more than 11.8 million people, a density of 383 per km² that ranks sixth in Europe. It is divided three ways — Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south, the Brussels-Capital Region in the middle — and the language divides with it: Dutch for about 60 per cent of the population, French for about 40, German for the one per cent in the East Cantons. The choice for a visitor is largely between Brussels, which carries the seats of the European Commission and Council and the headquarters of NATO, and the Flemish cities: Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Leuven.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Brussels
Photograph · Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brussels 3,621 places

Practical information

Language spoken: Dutch, French and German; National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code: +32; International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency: Euro (EUR); Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number: 112; Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type: Type C and E · 230 V; Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water: Safe from the mains; Public drinking water is regulated by Belgium's regional authorities

Planning a visit

January: seasonal closure recorded
February: seasonal closure recorded
March: seasonal closure recorded
April: seasonal closure recorded
May: seasonal closure recorded
June: seasonal closure recorded
July: no seasonality data recorded
August: no seasonality data recorded
September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
October: seasonal closure recorded
November: seasonal closure recorded
December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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Common questions

How long should a first trip to Belgium be?

Five to seven days covers Brussels plus two or three rail-linked cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Leuven or Liège. Staying in one or two bases avoids losing time to repeated hotel changes in this compact network.

What entry documents are needed for Belgium?

Belgium’s foreign-affairs service publishes visa and short-stay requirements. Check the rule for the passport being used and the full Schengen itinerary, especially when Belgium is not the first external border crossed.

What is the best way to travel around Belgium?

Brussels Airport connects directly with Belgium’s national rail network, and intercity trains link the principal cities without compulsory reservations. Local buses, trams and metros belong to separate regional operators, so one urban ticket is not automatically valid nationwide.

When is a practical time to visit Belgium?

April through June offers long sightseeing days, while September usually retains workable conditions with fewer peak-summer pressures. Belgian weather remains changeable, making a waterproof layer useful in any of these months.

What money and payment basics apply in Belgium?

The euro (EUR) is Belgium’s currency. Card and cash acceptance can differ between a station machine, a market stall and a small business, so retain a second payment method rather than assuming one card will work everywhere.

What practical safety details should I save for Belgium?

Belgium uses 112 for emergencies and Type C or E plugs at 230 V. The recorded national guidance says mains tap water is safe.

🇧🇪Belgium

Cities

Practical information

Planning a visit

Top things to see

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Josaphat Park

Leopold Park

Forest Abbey

Laeken Park

Tenbosch Park

Egmont Park

Osseghem Park

Sauvagère Park

Elisabeth Park

Forest Park

Woluwe Park

Wolvendael Park

Bergoje Park

Jacques Brel Park

King's Garden

Mellaerts Ponds

Moeraske

Montjoie Park

Parc Forestier

Park Walckiers

Parmentier Park

Pierre Paulus Park

Square de Meeûs - De Meeûssquare

Square Frère-Orban - Frère-Orbansquare

Tournay-Solvay Park

Zavelenberg

Gardens van Buuren

Marie-José Park

Meudon Park

Parc des Étangs

Square du 21 juillet - Square van de 21ste juli

Square Prince Léopold - Prins Leopoldsquare

Swamp of Ganshoren

Astrid Park

Park Schaveys

Reine-Verte Park

Georges Henri Park

Maelbeek Valley Garden

Sainte-Anne Fountain

Tenreuken Park

Tour & Taxis Park

Place des Chasseurs Ardennais - Ardense Jagersplein

Abbé Froidure Regional Park

Brugmann Park

Colonial Garden

Florist's Gardens

Garcet Park

King Baudouin Park

Parc Fond’Roy - Vronerodepark

Scherdemael Park

Senne Park

Seny Park

Simone de Beauvoir Park

Square Émile Duployé - Emile Duployésquare

Domaine Latour de Freins

Garden of the Chinese Pavilion

Joseph Zwaenepoel Forest reserve

Kattebroek

Moensberg

Monsanto Park

Parc Crousse - Croussepark

Parc Titeca - Titecapark

Reedbed of Neerpede

Sonian Forest – Grippensdelle A

Sonian Forest - Grippensdelle B

Vogelzang

Zeecrabbe

Annie Cordy Park

Arts center of Red Cloister

Beverbos

Coloma Domain

Gardens of Fontenay-Sous-Bois

Gaucheret Park

Haren Park

Belgium