What to do in Belgium?

Although it is a small territory, Belgium will never cease to surprise visitors with its significant architectural, historical, and cultural heritage. This northern European destination is world-renowned for its unparalleled fries, the Manneken Pis statue, and its stunning cities such as Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent.

If you're planning to visit Belgium soon, you are probably preparing a list of the most beautiful places to see and the best activities to do! Well, I have good news for you, as this article highlights the must-visit spots in the flat country and treasures of Belgium.

The most famous child in the world, the Manneken Pis, is located in Brussels! This iconic attraction, featuring a statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain, is a must-see. Although it stands only 60 cm tall, it is a mandatory stop when visiting Belgium.

In addition to being quite an unusual monument, the history of Manneken Pis dates back to the 17th century, and many legends and stories converge on its origins. It's particularly known that this statue is often dressed in different costumes for special occasions, and its wardrobe is quite impressive!

Your upcoming vacation in Belgium is just around the corner, and you're still wondering what activities you could do once you arrive? No worries, Belgium is full of beautiful cities to explore and exciting activities to experience! From the Atomium in Brussels to the various museums in the country and unique activities like Belgian chocolate-making workshops, there's no room for boredom! Be sure to book your activities in advance to ensure you don't miss any upon your arrival.

To see all the available activities in Belgium, click here.

Among the most beautiful forests to stroll through in Belgium, the Soignes Forest is one of the largest in the country, covering approximately 5,000 hectares! It is also known locally as Zoniënwoud in Dutch and extends across several locales such as Auderghem, Tervuren, and Hoeilaart!

This area serves as a refuge and recreational space, mainly cherished by the residents of Brussels who enjoy hiking trails, cycling paths, and picnic areas. So if you're staying in central Brussels, expect about a 20-minute (13 km) journey to reach the Soignes Forest.

It also hosts remarkable biodiversity, with a wide variety of plant and animal species, including deer, squirrels, foxes, and birds! Culturally and historically, this forest was once used as a hunting reserve by royalty and nobility before becoming a preserved natural area, classified among the primary beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe.

If you're wondering what to do in Brussels, a visit to Laeken is essential to discover the Atomium! Designed by architect André Waterkeyn for the 1958 Brussels World Expo, which had the theme of the atomic age, this monument is one of the most photographed in Belgium. And for good reason, the Atomium stands out with its giant atom-shaped structure, composed of nine spheres connected by tubes.

The Atomium was supposed to be a temporary structure, but due to its immense popularity, it became a permanent attraction in Brussels and an iconic symbol of the capital! From its summit, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view accessible via stairs and elevators. To save time, book your entry ticket to the Atomium, which includes access to the Design Museum Brussels. The entry ticket costs just under €17 per person.

Click here to book your entry ticket to the Atomium.

What to do in Belgium? Why not pay tribute to Georges Remi by visiting the Hergé Museum, a must for all Tintin fans! This museum dedicated to the creator of one of the most famous comic strips in the world showcases original pages, sketches, and various objects that inspired the hero's adventures. You'll learn more about the life and evolution of Georges Remi!

Don't forget to book your ticket online on the museum's official site! The entry ticket is €12 per person.

As one of the largest cities in Belgium, Ghent is an inevitable stop with its medieval architecture and relaxed atmosphere. Located in the Flemish region, traversed by the Lys River, this charming port city offers a premier university and cultural setting!

Although Ghent has a rich history dating back to the Roman era, it especially experienced a period of prosperity during the Middle Ages! It was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe, home to the Castle of Counts of Flanders (€13 per person at regular rate), whose halls are filled with objects and artifacts. You can also admire St. Nicholas Church and the Saint Bavo Cathedral housing the Mystic Lamb altarpiece. There are several types of visits to the cathedral and the altarpiece. You can choose between an augmented reality tour (€16 per person) or a classic tour (€12.5 per person).

Ghent is also known for its textile industry and port, hosting several universities and institutions of higher education, museums, art galleries, canals, and various shops!

Among the cities you must see while road-tripping in Belgium, Antwerp is both the largest city in Flanders and an important economic and cultural hub in the country, located 53 km north of Brussels.

Historically, Antwerp has been a major center for trade and finance since the Middle Ages, largely due to its port, one of the largest in Europe. However, the city is particularly renowned for its diamond industry as a significant portion of global diamond trade passed through here. To learn more, the Diamond District in Antwerp hosts several shops related to this trade!

Even better, Antwerp is also one of the cradles of the Renaissance, birthplace of many artists including the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. The Rubens House is among the activities to do in Antwerp! It is his former home and studio turned into a museum. If you wish to visit, the entry fee is €12 per person.

What to do in Belgium with children? The Mini-Europe park! Located in Brussels, this theme park features miniature replicas of major European monuments and sites. The Colosseum in Rome, St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Great Wall of China are all here!

What's remarkable is that each replica is crafted with impressive attention to detail, giving visitors the chance to travel through the world from Belgium! Of course, numerous animations and special events like Europe Day are organized throughout the year. You can also lunch on site at the European Tavern, the park's restaurant.

If you're interested in visiting this place, I highly recommend booking your entry ticket to Mini-Europe online as soon as possible. The ticket costs €20 per person.

To book your entry ticket for Mini-Europe, click here.

Often referred to as the Venice of the North, Bruges is a must-see. Considered one of the most beautiful Belgian cities, it is known for its romantic setting with canals and colorful houses If you're wondering where to stay in Bruges, follow my guide!

This is where you can stroll around the Grand Place, surrounded by stunning historical buildings such as the City Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, or discover the history of Bruges at the Historium.

The streets of the city are lined with gabled houses, shops, and unique places such as the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and even enjoy tastings for €14 per person. Between boat cruises on the canals, climbing the Belfry of Bruges to enjoy the panoramic view (€15 per person), or tasting the best local beers, there is plenty to do if you're wondering what to do in Bruges!

Click here to book your entry ticket to the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum.

If Belgian fries are famous throughout the country, don't miss out on the local beers. There are different flavors to discover, ranging from light blondes to rich browns, as well as very refreshing sour and tart flavors! Typically, Belgium has thousands of breweries that also offer guided tours that include a Belgian beer tasting session! I recommend doing the 2.5-hour Belgian beer tasting activity, during which you will visit 2 different bars and sample 4 local beers. You'll also learn more about the history of Belgian beer thanks to your guide. For this activity, expect a fee of €38 per person.

When one thinks of traveling to Belgium, going to the beach may not be the first activity that comes to mind for visitors. But if you feel the need to spend time by the sea, head to West Flanders, to Ostend, one of the main seaside resorts in the country!

Ostend is known for its fine sandy beaches, pleasant seafront, and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. However, if you're visiting Belgium in the summer, expect high crowds with packed beaches and a multitude of activities.

The Albert I Promenade stretches along the Ostend dike, offering an enchanting seafront for walking while enjoying the sea view. Restaurants, cafés, casinos, bars, and various shops are available for a complete holiday! Culturally, the city also houses several interesting museums, including the James Ensor Museum dedicated to the Belgian painter (€13 per person) and the Modern Art Museum, Mu Zee (€15 per adult).

Just like beer, Belgian chocolate is renowned worldwide for its superior quality and incomparable flavor! It must be acknowledged that chocolate is a true national passion, with well-known chocolatier brands such as Côte d'Or, Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas, and Belvas!

Therefore, taking a chocolate tasting in Belgium will allow you to try various specialties, ranging from simple dark and white chocolates to praline textures. Here are the best activities available online:

Belgian chocolate tasting tour in Brussels: during this activity, you will visit the historical center of Brussels, learn more about the history of Belgian chocolate while sampling the best confections from chocolatiers. Expect to pay €55 per person for this activity.

Become a budding chocolatier in a Belgian chocolate workshop in Bruges: during this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll learn the art of preparing chocolate and pralines, which you can taste or take home with you. For this activity, expect a fee of €52 per person.

To book your Belgian chocolate workshop in Bruges, click here.

The Domain of the Han Caves is a wonderful activity to do when traveling in Belgium! This set of caverns located in Wallonia at Han-sur-Lesse requires at least 3 hours of visit as you start with a small train ride to reach the entrance of the site, which will delight the little ones!

Then, you will enjoy a guided tour through the illuminated caves, in an atmosphere that is both mystical, mysterious, and magical. During the exploration, you will learn stories about the formation of these underground caverns while plunging into this extraordinary setting... Very popular, I highly recommend that you book your entry ticket online for the visit to the Han Caves. The entry ticket is €41.50 for adults and €31.50 for children.

Traveling to Belgium is not very complicated as many low-cost airlines serve the territory, notably Brussels. Therefore, you won't have much trouble finding a flight to Belgium for under $50 with airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, or Transavia. So, choosing to fly to Belgium is by far one of the most practical and common options. ✈️ To find a flight at the best price, I recommend checking a flight comparator like Ulysse.

Click here to access the Ulysse flight comparator.

Considering Belgium's proximity to France, traveling by train to Brussels is an excellent option. The SNCF offers daily TGV connections to the Belgian capital from several French cities including Paris, Lyon, Valence, Montpellier, Marseille, and Nice! From Paris, it takes less than an hour and a half, which is very convenient for a weekend!

Belgium enjoys a temperate climate, which translates to relatively stable weather throughout the year with moderate summers and mild, but very rainy winters. To save money and enjoy pleasant days, the best season to visit Belgium is undoubtedly in spring! This will be the ideal time to explore the coastlines, forests, walk around the cities, and take guided tours.

If you're looking for warmer temperatures, even though Belgium is not known for heatwaves in summer, prioritize the end of June and the month of September, as these are the best months.

That concludes this article! I hope you enjoyed it and that you now know what to do in Belgium during your next vacation. If you're looking for places to stay in Brussels, I have an article for you.