Belgium – a land of cobblestone streets, stunning medieval architecture and the sweet aroma of freshly baked waffles floating through the air. Planning to visit this beautiful country? Get ready to see its amazing history, beautiful landscapes and food that is mouth wateringly good. But, all of these incredible things about Belgium will mean that you will get spoilt for choice. Don’t worry though. This guide about 8 wonderful things to do in Belgium for first-time visitors will help you enjoy the best of Belgium!
When you finally get in Belgium, you will probably land in Brussels to start your eagerly anticipated journey. Seeing the famous Grand Place should be among your first actions after going into Belgium.
This wonderful place, located in Brussels’ center square, is one of Belgium’s top attractions. You will be happy to hear that you will be visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But that isn’t all this place has to offer!
One of the first things you will notice about the Grand Place is its incredible architecture. The square is also surrounded by a variety of attractions like the Town Hall, Guildhalls and the King’s House. Each building located in this wonderful place has a unique story to tell about the fascinating history and culture of Belgium.
When you visit the Grand Place, you will feel like you’ve gone back in time. The intricate details of the façade of illuminated buildings in the evening are a magnificent sight to behold. All you need is a Belgium visa from UK to begin your wonderful Belgium vacation!
No holiday to the incredible Belgium is complete without tasting the legendary Belgium chocolate. It’s famous across the world for its amazing quality and rich flavour!
When you set out to find Belgian chocolate, you will be pleasantly surprised to see chocolate shops on almost every corner in major cities of Belgium. A chocolate tour is an excellent way to get the most out of Belgian chocolate. You can also attend a chocolate workshop. Both will provide you with a better and more in-depth understanding of how chocolate is manufactured. If you’re lucky, you may even get to manufacture your own chocolate!
Some popular chocolatiers where you can try out Belgian chocolate are Godiva, Neuhaus and Pierre Marcolini. The Godiva was established in 1926 and is well known for its luxury chocolate offerings. On the other hand, Neuhaus was established way back in 1857 and is best known for its invention of the praline chocolate. Pierre Marcolini’s chocolates are famous for meticulous craftsmanship and the use of high-quality ingredients!
The Atomium is an incredible landmark of Brussels that should be on the to-visit list of every traveller visiting Belgium. This wonderful structure was originally built in 1958 for the Brussels World Fair also known as Expo 58.
This iconic landmark was skilfully designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak. Their goal was to use this place to symbolize scientific progress and Belgian engineering.
When you look at the structure for the very first time, you may get confused. But, let’s clear it out for you. This creation actually represents an iron crystal, but it is magnified a whopping 165 billion times!
So, the magnified structure has nine spheres and each one is of 18 diameters in measurement. These spheres are connected with one another by tubes that have escalators and elevators inside for each visitor access.
The Atomium stands at 102 metres or a whopping 335 feet which makes it one of the tallest structures of Belgium. So, what are you waiting for? Book Belgium visa appointment today. Go on an exciting Belgium holiday with your loved ones to see such amazing attractions!
Bruges is a beautiful medieval city in Belgium that you should visit during your Belgian vacation. Bruges is dubbed the “Venice of the North” with good reason!
This magnificent city has a network of canals that provide you with a unique view on the city’s attractiveness. If you visit Bruges, you can check out these amazing water wonders!
Did you know? The canals of Bruges are also known as “Reien” in Flemish. For centuries, these canals have been the driving force of the city.
When you take a ride on these canals, you will be awestruck. That is because you will be winding through waterways and seeing the historic facades, churches, bridges, restaurants and gardens of Bruges.
You will be surprised to know that these canals date all the way back to the 9th century. Some of the popular canals that you should visit are the Augustijnenrei (Augustine Canal), Brugge-Zeebrugge Canal and Coupure Canal.
The boat tours usually last around 30 minutes and operate between 10 am to 6 pm.
If you love exploring history of a particular place then Flanders is an amazing place for you. These battlefields are specifically known for its World War I conflicts which took place from 1914 to 1918. The place, especially the region around the Ypres town witnessed a lot of major battles. Today, they symbolize the toll of the war and difficulties of trench warfare.
Some of the major battles that took place in Flanders are:
When you go to the Flanders Fields Museum in the Ypres, you can learn a lot about the impact of war. After that, you can take a tour of the well-preserved trenches and war memorials. You will find these throughout the country side.
Don’t miss visiting the Menin Gate where you will find “The Last Post” being played every evening!
Belgium is famous across the world for its beers and its deep-rooted brewing traditions. Belgium has around 300+ breweries and a whopping 1500 varieties of beers to choose from. Beer lovers would have a gala time in Belgium!
The charming country is popular for a variety of beer styles like pale ales, lambics, Flemish red ales and sour brown ales. When you visit Belgium and explore the Beer culture, take pride knowing that it is an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Did you know? In the 1900s, Belgians used to consume about 200 litres of beer each year!
When you explore different varieties of Beer, you will find that most beers are sold in bottles. But a unique aspect of the beer culture is the unique shape of the glasses in which you drink the beer. It improves the whole beer drinking experience.
You can also combine different types of beer with great foods. Here are some of the most prevalent combinations:
Some of the famous beers that you should try out are Chimay, Westmalle, Delirium Tremens, Kwak and Leffe!
Do you enjoy visiting art and want to learn about the various types of art in Belgium? There is no greater venue than the Royal Museums of Fine Arts!
This is primarily a collection of Brussels-based art institutes. Six institutions house a collection of 20,000 artworks. These comprise a variety of paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
The museums house a variety of exhibits that range from 15th to 21st century. Some of the popular pieces that you should see are from the Flemish masters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Hieronymus Bosch.
These are the following museums that you will get to see when you reach the Royal Museums of Fine Arts:
Brussels and Bruges usually look like the perfect cities where you can have a gala time. However, there are some other amazing cities, one of which is the Ghent. You will find this city in the Flemish region of Belgium where it serves as the capital of the East Flanders. It is the third-largest city of Belgium which also makes it an incredible place to visit.
This wonderful city boasts a cultural scene that is vibrant and beautiful architecture. One of the most popular places that you should visit here is the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral to see its Ghent Altarpiece. Don’t miss ascending the Belfry to see some of the best views of the city.
Aside from it, you can visit Gravensteen, a 12th-century fortress located in the city center. Ghent is also known for its exquisite culinary pleasures. So make sure to try some local specialties like the Waterzooi.
Belgium is a fascinating country that provides plenty of activities and attractions that you will have a wonderful time exploring. But, instead of getting spoilt for choice, you can choose these 8 incredible things to do in Belgium for a memorable vacation with your loved ones. So, what is holding you back? Start your Belgium holiday preparations by getting a Belgium Visa UK. This will enable you be fully ready for your getaway. After that, pack your bags and use this guide for an incredible getaway in Belgium!
If you are searching for the best time to go to Belgium to see it then you plan your trip from April to October. During this time, the weather in Belgium is wonderfully pleasant. This also allows you and your loved ones to try a variety of outdoor activities and enjoy them.
Although it can be good to learn a few basic phrases, English is widely spoken in tourist places. When you go to Belgium, you will find that a large number of people are multilingual. They are also more than happy to assist the visitors.
Belgium can be moderately expensive, especially in tourist hotspots. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for accommodation, food, and activities if you plan ahead.
You will get to see the main attractions of Belgium, a wonderful nation, in a week. However, you may get a good impression of everything Belgium has to offer if you want to spend a long weekend there.
Yes, Belgium has an excellent public transportation system. Trains connect major cities quickly and efficiently, making it easy to explore multiple destinations in one trip.
