Belgium

Belgium may be compact, but it packs in storybook cities, world-class museums, and villages that feel frozen in time. Base yourself in Brussels, Ghent, or Antwerp, then use the excellent rail network for easy day trips to Bruges, Leuven, or Mechelen — most journeys take under two hours. For a classic first visit, many travelers spend 3–5 days split between Brussels and one smaller city.

Weather can be changeable year-round, so pack layers and a light rain jacket. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds, while winter is magical for Christmas markets in Bruges and Brussels. Summer brings longer days and lively festivals, but also higher hotel prices.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out museum days, canal walks, and brewery visits across multiple cities in one simple itinerary. You can pin key spots like Brussels’ Grand-Place, Ghent’s Gravensteen Castle, or the WWI memorials around Ypres and then adjust as you go.

To stretch your budget, look for city tourism cards that bundle public transport and museum entries, and check if museums have free days each month. Add your passes, train tickets, and activities into Hello so everything lives in one place instead of scattered across email and screenshots.

Belgium is a paradise for food lovers, and it goes far beyond chocolate and waffles. Start with Belgian frites, double-fried for extra crispiness and served with sauces like andalouse or garlic mayo. In Brussels, try a classic at a local frituur, then walk it off around the Grand-Place. For mains, look for moules-frites (mussels with fries), stoofvlees or carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew cooked in beer), and waterzooi (creamy chicken or fish stew) in Ghent.

Dessert is serious business: order a Brussels waffle (light and rectangular) with minimal toppings to taste the batter, or a denser Liège waffle studded with sugar chunks. For chocolate, browse family-run chocolatiers in Bruges or Sablon in Brussels and ask for praline tasting assortments.

Belgian beer culture is UNESCO-listed, so consider a guided tasting to sample Trappist ales, lambics from the Zenne Valley, and fruity krieks. Many bars list beers by strength — check percentages before ordering stronger brews.

Use Hello’s expense splitting when sharing big platters, beer flights, or multi-course menus with travel companions, and log each café stop with budget tracking so you can indulge in that extra chocolate box or brewery tour without losing sight of your overall spending.

Belgium is one of Europe’s easiest countries to navigate. The national rail network connects almost every city: trains link Brussels to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven in around 30–60 minutes. Buying tickets at machines is straightforward, but during busy weekends or holidays, arrive a bit early in case of queues. Under-26s can look into youth tickets and passes, while off-peak fares often save money for others.

Within cities, you’ll find trams, buses, and metros (especially in Brussels and Antwerp). Validate tickets where required and keep an eye out for multilingual signage (French, Dutch, and sometimes German). Walking is usually the best way to enjoy old towns like Bruges and Ghent, but cobblestones mean comfortable shoes are essential.

Taxis and ride-hailing services are available but can add up quickly, especially late at night. If you’re traveling in a group, compare the cost of a shared taxi versus several train tickets, then record the ride in Hello and use expense splitting to keep things fair.

To stay connected on the move, activate a Hello eSIM before you land so you can check train timetables, transit apps, and maps without hunting for Wi‑Fi or worrying about roaming charges. Add your train times and platform notes into Hello’s trip planning so everyone in your group knows where to be and when.

Belgium uses the euro (EUR), and cards are widely accepted in cities, from supermarket chains to small cafés. Still, keep a bit of cash for markets, village bakeries, and older bars that may prefer cash. For reference, €10–15 (around $11–17) can cover a simple lunch, while a casual restaurant dinner might run €20–30 (about $22–33) excluding drinks. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; service is often included, though rounding up the bill or leaving a small extra for great service is common.

Power sockets are Type E with 230V voltage, so bring a suitable adapter if needed. Tap water is safe to drink; refill a bottle instead of buying single-use plastic. Belgium is generally safe, but in busy areas like major train stations and crowded squares, keep valuables secure and bags zipped.

Activate a Hello eSIM to navigate reliably, translate menus, check last-minute train changes, and message accommodation hosts without relying on public Wi‑Fi. As you travel, log every purchase — from museum tickets to late-night frites — with Hello’s budget tracking to see where your euros go. If you’re traveling with friends, use expense splitting to track shared apartment rentals, rental cars, or group dinners so you can focus on exploring instead of calculating who owes what.