Belgium travel guide

Planning a trip to Belgium

Belgium is culturally and geographically positioned between France, the Netherlands, and Germany, a land renowned for chocolate, beer, and the institutions of Europe's growing centralized government—though you're in little danger of overindulging on that last one.

Brussels is a combination of cutting edge international center and beautiful seventeenth century European capital, with grand palaces, 75 museums, and Renaissance churches. But you gotta love a town where the #1 sight is the Manneken-Pis, an early 1400s statue of a little boy taking a tinkle (and even though this bladder-challenged city symbol has amassed a wardrobe of more than 500 outfits—all kept in a special museum—he's usually left standing there in his bronze birthday suit).

Belgium's lovely second city is Bruges, a small city of canals and townhouses—much like Amsterdam, only without the crowds, crime, or tourist grime. Bruges is less busy than Brussels, with more of a welcoming small-town attitiude. Bruges has many lovely churches (the Onxe-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, houses Michelangelo's "Madonna and Child," one of the very very few sculptures by the Renaissance master outside Italy), and a great Han Memling Museum.

Tips

• Belgium planning FAQ - All the basics to help plan a trip to Belgium.
• Belgian lodging options - From farm stays to hotels, castles to campgrounds, and rental villas to rental rooms, find the perfect place to stay in Belgium.