Things to do in Belgium
4 destinations in Belgium, when to visit each, and what a trip actually costs.
Places to visit in Belgium
- Things to do in Antwerp city, culture, food
- Things to do in Bruges culture, relax, food
- Things to do in Brussels city, culture, food
- Things to do in Ghent culture, food, city
Best time to visit Belgium
When flights to each destination are cheapest.
- Antwerp
- January through March (excluding Carnival weekends) and November offer the cheapest transatlantic fares, often 25-40% below summer peaks. Flying midweek, Tuesday or Wednesday departures, typically saves an additional 10-15% versus weekend flights.
- Bruges
- Flying in January through March (excluding Carnival) or mid-October through November delivers the lowest fares, typically 30-45% cheaper than peak summer and the December Christmas market crowd. Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) shave an additional 10-15% off round-trip prices.
- Brussels
- Flying to Brussels in January-February or mid-November typically yields round-trip fares from US hubs as low as $450-600, roughly 35-45% cheaper than peak summer (June-August) prices of $800-1,100. Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently save another $50-100 versus weekend flights.
- Ghent
- January through March offers the cheapest flights, often 30-40% less than summer peak, with fewer crowds at major sites; mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently undercut weekend fares by another 10-20%. July and August are priciest due to the famous Ghent Festivities festival and European summer demand.
Is Belgium expensive?
It depends on the city and how you travel. Open any destination below and set your dates, budget and home airport to get an estimated total for flights, stays and day-to-day spending, rather than a generic average.
Free things to do in Belgium
- Antwerp: Stroll the Grote Markt & Brabo Fountain The gilded guild houses and legendary Brabo statue make for one of Belgium's most photogenic squares
- Bruges: Minnewater Park (Lake of Love) Stroll the romantic lakeside park with swans and weeping willows beloved by locals.
- Brussels: Parc du Cinquantenaire Massive triumphal arch park perfect for picnics, jogging, and soaking up Brussels' grand imperial ambitions.
- Ghent: Stroll the Patershol Quarter A labyrinth of cobblestone lanes and tiny medieval streets that feels completely unchanged for centuries.