Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Brussels
Euro (EUR)
Dutch, French, German
Apr–Jun and Sept–Oct
CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)
Welcome to Belgium, a small country brimming with medieval charm, world-class cuisine, and a rich artistic legacy. Brussels, the capital, dazzles with its ornate Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by gilded guild halls. Bruges enchants visitors with its fairy-tale canals, cobblestone streets, and beautifully preserved medieval architecture, often called the "Venice of the North." Belgium is celebrated worldwide for its chocolate, waffles, and beer, with centuries-old breweries producing some of the finest brews on Earth. Ghent offers a quieter, artistic alternative, with Gothic cathedrals and a lively university-town energy along its waterways. The Ardennes region in the south reveals rolling hills, dense forests, and charming villages perfect for outdoor exploration. Art lovers will find masterpieces by Flemish painters like Van Eyck and Rubens housed in stunning historic settings. Belgium invites you to savor a compact country overflowing with flavor, beauty, and centuries of European history.
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Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Belgium's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Thick-cut potatoes are traditionally fried twice for a crisp exterior and fluffy center, then served with a wide range of sauces.
Fresh mussels are steamed with herbs, vegetables, wine or cream and served with a generous portion of fries.
Beef is slowly braised in Belgian beer with onions and spices to create a rich Flemish stew.
Chicken or fish is simmered with vegetables, cream and herbs in a comforting soup-like stew associated with Ghent.
Brussels waffles are light and rectangular, while Liège waffles are denser, sweeter and studded with caramelized sugar.
Pralines, truffles and filled chocolates showcase the country’s long tradition of refined chocolate craftsmanship.
Mashed potatoes are blended with vegetables such as carrots, leeks or cabbage and served with sausage or meat.
Meatballs are served in a sweet-savory sauce often made with onions, syrup and vinegar.
Thin, crisp biscuits flavored with cinnamon and warm spices are commonly served with coffee.
Belgium may be a relatively small country, but it has had an outsized influence on European culture, politics, and cuisine. The nation is internationally famous for its chocolate, waffles, and fries, yet many people are surprised to learn that Belgium produces hundreds of varieties of beer, many brewed using recipes that date back centuries. Several Trappist monasteries continue to brew beer using traditional methods, and Belgian brewing culture has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.
Belgium is also the birthplace of some of the world's most beloved comic book characters, including Tintin, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and Spirou. Comic art is celebrated throughout the country, especially in Brussels, where colorful murals decorate building walls and the Belgian Comic Strip Center attracts visitors from around the globe. Another interesting fact is that Belgium has three official languages—Dutch, French, and German—reflecting its unique blend of cultures and regional identities.
Although modest in size, Belgium plays a major international role. Brussels serves as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, making it one of the world's leading centers for diplomacy and international cooperation. Belgium also boasts one of the highest concentrations of castles per square mile in Europe, with magnificent medieval fortresses and elegant châteaux scattered across the countryside. Combined with charming historic towns, flower-filled market squares, and world-renowned culinary traditions, Belgium offers far more diversity than its size might suggest.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.
Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"—a centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.
