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Bruges canal with belfry tower and willow tree

Belgium travel guide

Small country, dense with cities, canals and castles, built for short hops by train

Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Photo: NoName_13 / Pixabay

Capital
Brussels
Languages
German, French, Dutch
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Belgium

Belgium suits travellers who like city-hopping without long journeys: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Liège and Namur all sit close together. June, July, August and September bring the best weather for walking canals, squares and old town centres. The honest limitation is size and crowds in peak summer months, when popular spots like Bruges can feel busy. Outside June to September, expect cooler, wetter conditions typical of Western Europe.

  • Several cities in one trip

    Belgium covers just 30,528 km², so one trip can include a few cities. The list includes Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Liège, Namur and Leuven. Ghent is the largest city in the data, with 272,657 people, more than Brussels with 195,546.

  • Three languages, one country

    Belgium has 3 official languages: Dutch, French and German. You will hear different languages as you move between places such as Ghent, Bruges, Liège and Namur. That makes one short trip feel varied.

  • Clear best season: June to September

    June, July, August and September are the best months for Belgium and for most of its main cities. Liège also lists May, which makes it a good choice for a late-spring trip. The data does not rate other months as best, so plan around this window if you can.

  • Smaller places beyond the big cities

    Belgium is more than its capital. Bastogne has 20,940 people, and De Panne, on the coast, has 11,129. Both give you a change from city streets, whether you choose a small inland town or the seaside.

  • Easy logistics for European travellers

    Belgium uses the Euro and runs on UTC+01:00. Plugs are types C and E at 230 V, and cars drive on the right. If you live elsewhere in Western Europe, you will likely need no new currency, adapter or driving habits.

Is Belgium right for you?

Great for

  • City-break travellers who want compact historic centres like Bruges and Ghent close together
  • Summer visitors who want mild days, with June to August highs of 22 to 23.4°C in Brussels
  • Travellers happy with rain gear, since every month averages 10 to 14 rain days in Brussels
  • Multilingual-curious travellers, as Dutch, French and German are all official languages
  • Short-trip planners, given the small size of the country at 30,528 km2

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidaymakers, since only De Panne on the coast appears among the main cities
  • Sun-seekers in winter, when Brussels gets just 3.2 to 4.5 sun hours a day from November to January
  • Travellers wanting guaranteed dry days, as rain falls on over 10 days a month year-round
  • Warm-weather travellers outside June to September, when highs stay below 20°C

Belgium right now: November

2.5/10
Avg high
10°C
Avg low
5°C
Rain days
13

Averages for Brussels.

Weather by month

Based on data for Brussels, the warmest and sunniest stretch runs from May to September, with highs of 18–23°C and up to 11.4 hours of sun in July, making these months the best for travel. December through February is tougher, with highs near 6–8°C, lows close to freezing, and under 6 hours of sun daily, while rain falls on 12–14 days in most months year-round.

Average highs and lows in Brussels by month January: high 6°C, low 2°C , 14 rain days . February: high 8°C, low 2°C , 12 rain days . March: high 11°C, low 3°C , 14 rain days . April: high 14°C, low 5°C , 11 rain days . May: high 18°C, low 9°C , 12 rain days . June: high 22°C, low 13°C , 10 rain days . July: high 23°C, low 14°C , 11 rain days . August: high 23°C, low 15°C , 12 rain days . September: high 20°C, low 12°C , 11 rain days . October: high 16°C, low 9°C , 12 rain days . November: high 10°C, low 5°C , 13 rain days . December: high 8°C, low 3°C , 14 rain days . 6°C 2°C JAN 14d 8°C 2°C FEB 12d 11°C 3°C MAR 14d 14°C 5°C APR 11d 18°C 9°C MAY 12d 22°C 13°C JUN 10d 23°C 14°C JUL 11d 23°C 15°C AUG 12d 20°C 12°C SEP 11d 16°C 9°C OCT 12d 10°C 5°C NOV 13d 8°C 3°C DEC 14d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Brussels · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Belgium: month-by-month weather →

Where to go in Belgium

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Classic Belgium: Brussels, Bruges and Ghent

  1. Day 1–3

    Brussels

    Explore the capital's squares and museums. Brussels has a population of about 195,546 and is best visited June, July, August or September.

  2. Day 4–5

    Ghent

    Walk the old town of Ghent, a city of 272,657 people. June, July, August and September are its best months for pleasant weather.

  3. Day 6–7

    Bruges

    Spend your final two days in Bruges, population 118,509, strolling the canals. Best months here are June through September.

10 days

Belgium in depth: capital, coast and countryside

  1. Day 1–2

    Brussels

    Start in the capital, home to around 195,546 people, in June, July, August or September for the mildest conditions.

  2. Day 3

    Leuven

    Take a day to see Leuven, a university town of about 101,032 residents, close to Brussels.

  3. Day 4–5

    Ghent

    Spend two days in Ghent, population 272,657. June, July, August and September bring the best weather.

  4. Day 6–7

    Bruges

    Continue to Bruges, with 118,509 residents, for canal walks; best visited June to September.

  5. Day 8

    De Panne

    Head to the coast at De Panne, a small town of 11,129 people, for sea air and beach walks.

  6. Day 9–10

    Namur

    Finish in Namur, population 115,330, best visited in July, June, September or August, exploring the riverside town.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Sainte-Catherine and Rue Antoine Dansaert

Brussels

Good for food lovers, couples, design shops

Just west of the centre, this area has seafood restaurants around the old fish market, independent fashion shops and lively bars. You can still walk to the Grand-Place. Drawback: the squares get busy and loud on weekend evenings.

Historic centre (Korenmarkt, Graslei and Korenlei)

Ghent

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the old core around the canals, churches and Gravensteen castle, so most main sights are a short walk away. It is the easiest base for a first visit. The drawback is crowds and noise from bars and day-trippers, especially on weekend evenings.

Hors-Château and Féronstrée

Liège

Good for history lovers, couples

These old streets run below the hillside, with brick houses, small courtyards, museums and the steps of the Montagne de Bueren nearby. The area feels calmer and more characterful than the main squares while staying close to the centre. Expect cobbles and steep lanes if you head uphill, which can be tiring with luggage.

Markt and Burg (historic centre)

Bruges

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the medieval core around the two main squares, with the belfry, canal boat departures and most sights a short walk away. Staying here saves time if you only have a night or two. Drawback: day-trippers and tour groups fill the streets from late morning. Rooms facing the squares can hear bells and late crowds.

Old Town (Centre)

Namur

Good for first-timers, food and bars, no car

The compact historic core between the Sambre and the station has cobbled lanes, squares with café terraces and most sights within walking distance. It is the easiest base for a short first visit. Drawback: bars around the squares can be noisy late at night, especially at weekends, and parking is difficult.

Food to try in Belgium

Frites

Belgian fries are cooked twice for a crisp crust and soft inside. You buy them from a frituur or friterie, often with mayonnaise, all year round.

Moules-frites

Mussels steamed in white wine, butter, or beer, served with a side of fries. It is a classic restaurant order across Belgium, especially in coastal towns.

Belgian waffles

Brussels waffles are light and rectangular, often topped with sugar or cream. Liège waffles are denser and sweeter, with caramelised sugar baked into the dough, sold as street food.

Belgian chocolate

Belgium is known for pralines, handmade chocolates with liquid, nut, or cream fillings. Chocolate shops are common in Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp.

Belgian beer

Belgium brews hundreds of beer styles, from Trappist ales made by monks to fruity lambics. Cafés across the country serve them in glasses matched to each beer.

Carbonnade flamande

A beef stew cooked slowly in dark beer, onions, and a touch of brown sugar. It is a winter comfort dish, usually served with fries or bread.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Belgium uses plug types C and E, with 230 V power. If your devices run on a different voltage, bring a plug adapter and check your charger supports 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Belgium. Keep this in mind if you rent a car or cross on foot, especially coming from a country that drives on the left.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in Belgium. The number works free from any phone, including mobiles without credit.
  • Currency: Belgium uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted, but it helps to carry some cash for small shops or markets.
  • Languages: Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Dutch is common in the north (Flanders), French in the south (Wallonia), and German near the eastern border.
  • Calling code: The country code for Belgium is +32. You'll need this when dialing a Belgian number from abroad or saving local contacts while traveling.

Belgium: frequently asked questions

Is Belgium good to visit in August?

Yes. August scores 7.6 out of 10 in Brussels, one of the best months of the year. Highs reach 23.4°C and lows 14.6°C, with 11.6 rain days and 10.7 hours of sun a day. It's warm enough for outdoor sightseeing, though rain is still possible.

What is the best month to visit Belgium?

June scores highest at 7.8, followed closely by September and July at 7.7 and August at 7.6. These four months make up the official best-months list. June brings highs of 22°C and lows of 12.8°C, with only 10.2 rain days, the driest month-count of the year in Brussels.

Is Belgium cold in January?

Yes. January is Belgium's coldest and lowest-scoring month, rated 1 out of 10. Brussels highs average just 6.3°C and lows 1.5°C. It also has 14.2 rain days, the most of any month, and only 3.6 hours of sun a day, so days are dark and damp.

Does it rain a lot in Belgium?

Belgium sees rain year-round. Brussels gets rain on 10 to 14 days every month, with no completely dry season. December and January have the most rain days, at 14.1 and 14.2. Even the driest month, April, still has 11 rain days, so pack a rain jacket whatever month you travel.

Is October a good time to visit Belgium?

October is rated 'ok' with a score of 5.7, the same as April. Highs drop to 15.6°C and lows to 9.3°C, while rain days rise slightly to 12.4 and sunshine falls to 6 hours a day. It's a shoulder-season month: cooler and greyer than summer but milder than winter.

What currency and emergency number does Belgium use?

Belgium uses the Euro, and the emergency number is 112. The country runs on 230 V power with plug types C and E, so UK and US travellers need an adapter. Belgium's official languages are Dutch, French and German, and the calling code is +32.

Similar destinations

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