Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Belgium. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Belgium, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you plan a Belgium tour.
Don’t Think Belgium is Just Brussels
Most people think of Brussels or Bruges when visiting Belgium, and those are the most popular cities to visit. Brussels is the capital of the European Union, so it’s a very International city. If you want a true “Belgium experience” you’ll have to go outside of Brussels. Additionally, you might think Brussels is a capital city, so it’s on par with Paris, Berlin, or Prague. It’s actually quite a bit smaller, so you can see all the highlights in a few days.
But there are so many other great places to go on a trip to Belgium. A few Belgium destinations that we recommend include:
- The WWI battlefields at Flanders Fields. Surprisingly, there are still munitions that pop up out of the ground at some WWI sites. You will really begin to appreciate how well Belgium rebuilt after the War.
- Ardennes, an area of natural beauty in Southeast Belgium that also extends into Luxembourg, Germany, and France.
- Ghent is a university town with river tours
- Lieges has great museums and churches
- Antwerp
- Leuven
The Belgium train system will take you anywhere you want to go, and it’s a relatively small country, so you can see a lot on day trips from Brussels. Don’t be afraid to just hop off the train at a cute stop.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Ghent, Belgium
Don’t Confuse the Train Stations
While the trains are affordable and easy to use, you should know that there are three train stations in Brussels. So you have to be sure you go to the correct station for your ticket, and if you’re connecting in Brussels, make sure you are arriving and departing at the same station! The Brussels train stations are:
- Brussels Nord – few tourists will use this station as it’s a more residential area
- Brussels Centrale is the main station near Old Town Brussels and the Grand Place, and is where you will go for most sightseeing in Brussels.
- Brussels Midi is the station where most international trains will arrive, so if you’re taking the Eurostar from France, this is the station you’ll arrive at. (Midi in this case is not the same as Central!)
Don’t Waste Money on Taxis
It is so easy getting around Belgium; using taxis is a waste of money. The buses, trains, and trams are so easy to use and more affordable than a taxi. However, just because Belgians are punctual people, the trains aren’t always on time. But if you are going to Bruges, for example, there are multiple trains every hour, so it’s very easy to use public transportation as a tourist in Belgium. We’ve also noticed the public transportation is some of the most accessible in Europe. Upgrades have been made to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, which is kind of rare in Europe!
It’s also easy to drive in Belgium. Just remember many towns have a Flemish name and a French name, so you’ll need to know both so you don’t get lost. For example, Bruges is also called Brugge. These two are pretty similar, but that isn’t always the case!
Biking is another fun way to get around Belgium; it’s relatively flat, which makes biking more pleasant.
Don’t Confuse Wallonia and Flanders
Belgium is really like two separate countries. Flanders is the northern half of Brussels, and they speak Flemish or Dutch. Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels are all in Flanders. Wallonia is the southern half of Belgium; this is the French-speaking region. There is a small region in Eastern Belgium that speaks German. Officially, those are the three languages spoken in Belgium, and you will likely hear a fourth, which is English.
Don’t Jaywalk in Belgium
The main towns of Belgium are very walkable, so you will do a lot of walking. However, there are also a lot of bikes, so don’t jaywalk or just step out into the road without looking. Cross at the corners where the bikes and cars are expecting you to cross.
Don’t Be Late
If you have reservations or appointments in Belgium, make sure you are on time. Belgium is a punctual place, so you are expected to be on time. If you are running late, it’s customary to call and let your host know the situation.
Don’t Expect Nightlife in Belgium
Belgium is not known for nightlife; the sidewalks kind of roll up after 6 or 7 in the evening. Of course, restaurants will be open for dinner, but most shops close early and do not open on Sunday. Belgium doesn’t have much of a party scene; it’s more the kind of place where you kick back in a pub with some beer rather than in all-night nightclubs. You’ll find nightclubs in Antwerp or Brussels, but Belgium is definitely not a party destination.
Don’t Expect Fast or Friendly Service in Belgium
You’ll find a more relaxed pace in Belgium, and things may take a little longer. Don’t get frustrated; just enjoy the slower pace for a change. Likewise, the service is professional, but it’s not overly friendly like what most Americans are used to. They won’t check back on you often, so make sure you have your order ready when they first come to the table as you might not see your server again for a while. Don’t take it personally, it’s just how they are. Tipping is not customary in Belgium, which is probably why service seems mediocre, but at least you don’t have to leave a tip!
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Belgium
Don’t Worry About Safety
Of course, always use your travel smarts anywhere you go, but Brussels is a pretty safe place to visit. There are some neighborhoods in Brussels to avoid, but in general, you’re not going to accidentally end up in them. The tourist areas are very safe.
Don’t Steal the Beer Glasses
The biggest crime in Belgium is probably the tourists stealing beer glasses. Belgium has great beer, and they’re all served in different glasses. It’s tempting to take one home as a souvenir, but don’t be a thief. You can buy glasses in the store, and they’ll already be packaged up for travel.
Don’t Overdo It When Drinking Belgium Beer
Beer in Belgium can be very strong, so make sure you are taking it slow and not getting in over your head. Stick to the smaller glasses as you’ll want to sample several different beers but you have to keep in mind how strong they are.
Don’t Miss Out on Belgian Food
We’ve had some great meals in Belgium. One thing to keep in mind is that Belgians are frugal and practical, so they do not appreciate wasted food. Make sure you clean your plate when you visit Belgium; the food in Belgium is not cheap, so you won’t want to waste food anyways. Here are a few of the foods you must try on your Belgium vacation:
- Mussels are one thing you will see all over Belgium. Moules, or mussels, are prepared many different ways. My favorite is the mussels steamed in beer.
- Mussels are often served with frites, or fries. Fries are another staple of Belgian food, and they are served with most dishes at Belgian restaurants. They are also a popular street food, so you’ll see people walking with a paper cone full of frites.
- Croquettes are a popular appetizer in Belgium. It’s a small fried ball of dough, and they come in many flavors, like cheese, shrimp, ham, and mushroom.
- Flemish Stew is a really tasty dish to try in Belgium. It is made from pieces of beef that are cooked in beer. It’s very good and filling!
- If you want to try something a little more exotic, rabbit is really good in Belgium.
- Belgian chocolate is legendary. Make sure you try some local chocolate, and it makes a great souvenir to bring home. They even have chocolate tours, where you can visit sevsseral chocolatiers in one day.
- Belgian waffles are everywhere in Belgium! You can get them plain, or with sweet or savory toppings. There are waffle stands in all of the tourist areas, and it’s a popular street snack or dessert to have.
- Belgium may be best known for beer. No matter your taste, you’ll find a beer you like in Belgium. There are ales, lagers, lambic beer, and stout. You can take a beer tour, or just sample them on your own.
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Belgium! It’s a fun place to visit, and our kids love it, too! There are beautiful small towns with amazing architecture, and fantastic food! If you are traveling through Europe, Belgium is a great place to spend a few days.
Want more Europe travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: