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?
A day on the ground for one person travelling alone, before flights: somewhere to sleep, food, something to do and getting around.
- Antwerp
- About $52 a day on a shoestring, about $250 comfortably.
- Bruges
- About $64 a day on a shoestring, about $250 comfortably.
- Brussels
- About $48 a day on a shoestring, about $243 comfortably.
- Ghent
- About $51 a day on a shoestring, about $243 comfortably.
Set your dates, budget and home airport on any destination below for a total that includes flights.
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
- Antwerp: MAS Rooftop Panorama Every other floor of the MAS spiral is freely accessible, delivering sweeping views over the Scheldt River
- Bruges: Minnewater Park (Lake of Love) Stroll the romantic lakeside park with swans and weeping willows beloved by locals.
- Bruges: Markt Square The grand central square lined with guild houses is the living heart of medieval Bruges.
- Brussels: Parc du Cinquantenaire Massive triumphal arch park perfect for picnics, jogging, and soaking up Brussels' grand imperial ambitions.
- Brussels: Magritte Street Murals Walk Over 50 giant comic strip murals are painted across Brussels' walls, grab a free map at the tourist office.
Cheap eats in Belgium
- Frituur No. 1 in Antwerp, Cone of double-fried frites with stoofvlees (beef stew) sauce Plates $4-7
- Pho 97 in Antwerp, Steaming bowl of Vietnamese pho, huge portions beloved by students Plates $9-13
- De Belegde Boterham in Bruges, Open-faced sandwiches (tartines) with local cheeses and charcuterie Plates $6-10
- Frituur de Vier Winden in Bruges, Cone of double-fried Belgian frites with andalouse sauce Plates $4-7
- Fritland in Brussels, Cone of frites with andalouse sauce Plates $3-6
- Fin de Siècle in Brussels, Waterzooi or stoofvlees (beef stew in beer) with bread Plates $14-18