An often-overlooked vacation destination, Belgium shines thanks to its combination of medieval city cores, 17th-century grandeur and monk-brewed ale. Our specialists have explored from the sandy shores of the North Sea to the battlefields outside Bastogne in the south, and can craft a trip that lets you experience the aspects of Belgium that capture your interest.
If you want to delve into 20th-century history, we can help you explore Flanders Fields or follow in Patton’s footsteps at the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne. For a focus on food, you could sample traditional Belgium dishes like moules-frites on a walking tour of Antwerp or enjoy a guided tasting of local beers in Brussels. We can also arrange for you to cruise through the canals of Bruges, see traditional shrimp fishermen ride their horses into the surf in Oostduinkerke, or enjoy the quiet pleasures of the countryside with a cycle ride through Zwin Nature Reserve.
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Belgium.
Bastogne & Battle of the Bulge tour
On this private day-long trip, you’ll visit sites that were important in the last German offensive of World War II — the Battle of the Bulge. You’ll also get a chance to see some of the finest museums and memorials to the fallen.
Bruges old town tour & canal cruise
Spend a few hours with a guide exploring Bruges’ historical highlights, where you’ll see artwork by Michelangelo, Gothic cathedrals and a towering belfry. Then, spend an hour cruising the postcard-worthy canals and see step-gabled houses and stone bridges.
Diamond District tour & diamond cutting workshop
Explore Antwerp’s legendary Diamond Quarter, a stopover for 86% of the world’s legal raw diamonds, on this three-hour walking tour. Your guide will take you to a workshop where you can watch the gemstones be cut, shaped and polished.
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Belgium, including information about climate, events and festivals.
Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.
Belgium’s three official languages are Flemish, French, and German. You’ll hear Flemish (Dutch) in the north, French in the south, and German in small pockets near the eastern border. However, English is also spoken widely across the country.
The currency of Belgium is the euro (€). ATMs are widely available and credit cards are widely accepted. It’s worth noting however, that credit or debit cards without a chip may not be accepted.
In Belgium you should try moules-frites (mussels and fries), carbonnade flamande (a beef stew with onions and beer), and waterzooi (a creamy fish or chicken soup). The first harvest of asparagus is eagerly awaited in May, and from October to March you’ll find a surge in Belgian endive dishes on the menu.
For a sweet treat you’ll find waffles sold everywhere, often piled high with cream, chocolate, or fruit, and of course, Belgian chocolate is renowned as some of the finest in the world.
Belgian beer is also internationally renowned and with different regional varieties across the country, you’re bound to find something new every time you try it. Belgian beer can be very strong, however, with some traditional Trappist ales up to 7-10% alcohol by volume. In addition to beer, you’ll also find a juniper-infused liquor similar to gin called genever on most menus.
Tipping isn’t expected in Belgium. Most restaurants automatically add a service charge of 10%-15% so you don’t need to tip on top of this. Tipping is more common for tour guides, but the amount is at your discretion. Your specialist can advise on appropriate amounts closer to your trip.
For the latest travel advice for Belgium, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Canadian Government Travel & Tourism website.
Belgium offers 17th-century grandeur, canal-laced cities, World War history, and a thriving food scene. Understated and often overlooked, but bursting with character, Belgium gives you the chance to visit battlefields and breweries as well as historic cities whose buildings showcase the enormous wealth amassed in medieval times.
You can cruise along the canals of Bruges or Ghent to get a sense of how trade was controlled by their powerful merchants, explore more recent history on a trip to Flanders Fields or a guided Battle of the Bulge tour, or tour Antwerp’s Diamond District, to learn about gem cutting and setting.
Alternatively, you could discover Belgium’s rich food traditions on a culinary walking tour in Antwerp, see shrimp harvested on horseback, or enjoy guided beer tastings in Brussels.
In Belgium, you can stay in restored historic buildings, modern boutique hotels, and family-run guesthouses. For example, you could base yourself in an opulent 15th-century palace once home to ruling aristocrats or a former prison now turned into a sleek, designer hotel with original artwork by Magritte, Goossens, and Broodthaers.
In Ghent, the grand Gothic building that once housed the central post office is now a stylish, contemporary hotel with loads of period features, while you’ll find historic charm, four-poster beds, antiques, and chandeliers in a 18th century grand house.
To get some more ideas and to start planning your trip, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Belgium.
Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels are popular Belgian destinations, but you’ll also find plenty of interest in smaller cities such as Ghent and Liège. Brussels, the cosmopolitan capital, is home to the EU headquarters and has a wide variety of museums, a well-preserved historic quarter, and many examples of Art Nouveau architecture.
Antwerp is awash with ornate 16th-century guild houses, diamond merchants, and museums including Rubens’ former home and the highly regarded Museum of Contemporary Art. Popular Bruges is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, its historic streets and network of canals lined with notable buildings.
A medieval castle, myriad museums, and World War I battlefields can be seen in and around Ghent, while Liège has a huge riverside market, a historic core, and edgy modern architecture.
It takes around nine hours to fly from Toronto, Canada to Belgium, and around 12 hours from Vancouver.
The time zone in Belgium is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the end of March through the end of October.
The best way to get around in Belgium is by train and car. Belgium is compact and easy to navigate and has an extensive rail network linking all the major sights. It’s also easy to rent a car and enjoy the freedom that brings, or we can arrange for a private vehicle and driver-guide if you’d prefer not to drive yourself.
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Belgium. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Your doctor is best placed to offer advice on immunizations for Belgium. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Government of Canada - travel vaccinations website. You should also check you’re to date with routine vaccinations at home.
Still looking for ideas? If Belgium has captured your interest, we think you might also like these destinations.
.svg?q=79&w=64&h=24){kind=small}
