Belgium — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Medieval squares, chocolate, and waffles”
Belgium is a land of medieval squares and world-class sweets — Brussels's Grand Place, the fairy-tale canal town of Bruges, medieval Ghent, and Antwerp the diamond city, all paired with chocolate, waffles, fries, and over a thousand kinds of beer.
Belgium at a glance
Choose a city in Belgium
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Belgium right for you?
Why people love Belgium, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Medieval squares
Brussels's Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
Fairy-tale Bruges
A medieval canal town of red-brick houses, beautiful as if you'd stepped back in time.
Legendary sweets
Pralines, waffles, and the original fries.
Beer heaven
Over a thousand Belgian beers, including Trappist brews from the abbeys.
Belgium vs its neighbors
| Belgium | Netherlands | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $80–145 | $85–160 | $115–200 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Good trams · IC trains link the 3 main cities within an hour | GVB + NS even more convenient | Very small · buses and trains are adequate |
| English | Excellent, especially Brussels–Bruges | The best in continental Europe | Excellent · 3 official languages |
| Known for | Chocolate · beer · waffles · canal towns | Canals · tulips · cycling | Banking · the Ardennes forest · castles |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Chocolate & beer lover
Brussels, Bruges and Ghent in one trip — handmade chocolate, Trappist beer, and fresh waffles from the market.
See this plan → 🏛️World Heritage towns
Bruges is Europe's most complete medieval canal town · Ghent is a romantic city of water · and Brussels's Grand Place is stunning.
See this plan → 🚄Belgium en route
Brussels sits halfway between Paris, Amsterdam and London — stop for 1–2 nights to sample chocolate and beer before moving on.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
3 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Best Hotels Near Grand Place Brussels 2026
10 hotels · Read review →
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Bruges 2026 — Markt, Belfry & Canal Picks
10 hotels · Read review →
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Ghent 2026 — Graslei, Belfry & Gravensteen
9 hotels · Read review →
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
We're adding Belgium food reviews
We're adding Belgium sightseeing reviews
🚆 Getting around Belgium
SNCB trains
A small country — trains link Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp within an hour.
City transit
Brussels has a metro and trams; the other cities are easy to explore on foot.
Europe connections
Thalys/Eurostar reach Paris, Amsterdam and London quickly.
Walking the old towns
Compact Bruges and Ghent can be explored entirely on foot.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Belgium
EU capital
Brussels hosts the EU and NATO, sits in the Schengen Area, and uses the euro.
Two languages
Dutch (Flemish) in the north, French in the south; English works in the cities.
Buy chocolate from good shops
Choose genuine chocolatiers, not factory souvenirs.
Schengen visa
Thai nationals must apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2–3★ hotel $25–50
Buy chocolate from local shops rather than tourist spots, and eat mussels and frites from street stalls.
Comfortable
🛏️ Central 3–4★ hotel $50–100
A Go Pass rail ticket, valid on any route in Belgium for 10 trips, is great value for multi-city travel.
Premium
🛏️ Canal-side boutique hotel in Bruges $130+
Stay in a medieval canal-side mansion · take private church tours · dine at Michelin restaurants.
🗓️ When to visit Belgium
Spring
Apr – JunLovely weather, perfect for exploring the old towns and cruising the canals.
Summer
Jul – AugWarm with plenty of festivals (the Grand Place flower carpet every other year), but crowded.
Autumn
Sep – OctCool, pleasant weather and fewer crowds; Bruges looks lovely in the soft light.
Winter
DecChristmas markets in Brussels and Bruges — a warm, festive atmosphere.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Belgium — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.5💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.1👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Belgium?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Belgium
How many days do I need in Belgium?+
3–4 days is ideal for Brussels, Bruges and Ghent — it's a small country, easy to get around by train, and good to combine with the Netherlands.
Is Bruges worth visiting?+
Very much so — one of Europe's most complete medieval canal towns. Stay overnight to enjoy the atmosphere when the crowds have gone.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
You'll need a Schengen visa in advance, which lets you continue on to the Netherlands, France or Germany in one trip.
Tips before you go to Belgium
- Apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
- Stay one night in Bruges to capture it in the evening and early morning when it's quiet.
- Buy chocolate from genuine chocolatiers.
- It's a small country — base yourself in Brussels and take the train to other cities.