Things to do in 

Belgium

Step beyond headline sights and lean into alternative things to do across Belgium, from quiet village workshops to river valleys and small-city kitchens where locals still linger.

Cultural experiences: In Brussels, browse the brocante at Place Du Jeu De Balle in the Marolles and duck into tiny cafés where stallholders swap stories; it’s a relaxed find for families and seniors. In Saint-Gilles, a private peek inside an Art Nouveau townhouse shows off sinuous stairways and stained glass, a treat for couples and design lovers. In Mechelen, 25 minutes by train from Brussels, listen in on a carillon rehearsal at St. Rumbold’s Tower and meet students from the Royal Carillon School. In Antwerp’s Sint-Andries quarter, learn to temper chocolate with a small atelier, a sweet hands-on hour that suits kids and luxury travellers alike.

Day trip ideas: From Brussels, wander the beech woods of Hallerbos near Halle, then stop in Beersel for a lambic tasting in a traditional gueuze café. From Ghent, ramble through the moated grounds of Ooidonk Castle near Deinze and loop back along the Leie River by bike. From Liège, follow the Meuse upstream to Spa for thermal baths and a slow lunch on the square, an easy day for seniors. From Bruges, cycle the towpath to Damme for bookshops and windmill views. From Namur, ride the valley train to Dinant to hear saxophone history and sample crunchy Couque De Dinant biscuits by the citadel.

Explore Belgium’s regions: In Flanders, base in Ghent for canal-side studios and street art, then hop to Leuven for brewery tours and Mechelen for riverside workshops. Around the Brussels-Capital Region, trace Art Nouveau facades in Saint-Gilles and Schaerbeek, then detour to Train World for a nostalgic spin through rail history. In Wallonia, taste Trappist ales near Chimay, explore design at Grand-Hornu by Mons, and linger over river views in Namur and Dinant. The Ardennes bring forest trails around La Roche-en-Ardenne and underground chambers at Han-Sur-Lesse, great for active families. Along the Belgian Coast, ride the Kusttram from Ostend to De Haan for Belle Époque streets and simple seafood shacks, easy-going for couples and seniors.

Plan 5–7 days for Brussels and Flanders; stretch to 8–10 days to add Wallonia and the Ardennes without rushing. If you’re pairing countries, connect Belgium with the Netherlands here or Luxembourg here.

More places to see in Belgium

Outside Brussels, Belgium opens up with lively port cities, calm rivers, and wide beaches. With a local guide, it’s easy to slip into small museums, quiet lanes, and family spots where daily life unfolds.

Ghent: Follow the canal along the Graslei in late afternoon, when the water reflects the gabled houses and students gather on the steps. Step into St. Bavo’s Cathedral during the day to see the Ghent Altarpiece up close, then duck into Werregarenstraat to watch new layers of street art take shape. Pick up a paper bag of cuberdons from the Groentenmarkt and find a bench by the Leie before the evening lights come on.

Antwerp: Wander the printing rooms at the Plantin-Moretus Museum, where old presses and leather-bound volumes still smell of ink, then stop for a praline at The Chocolate Line on the way out. On Sunday afternoon, browse Kloosterstraat’s antiques shops and small studios, and listen for dealers trading stories on the sidewalks. As the day fades, ride the elevator to the MAS rooftop for a harbor view, then end with a bolleke at De Koninck’s city brewery.

The Ardennes: Drift along the Meuse in Dinant on a late-morning boat, passing the saxophones on the Charles de Gaulle Bridge under the cliffs and citadel. After lunch, head to the Han-sur-Lesse Caves for cool, echoing galleries and an easy underground walk. Back in town, visit Maison Leffe to learn the story behind the abbey beer, then take a seat by the river for a glass as the hills turn soft in the evening.

Belgian Coast: Catch the Vistrap fish market in Ostend early, when the boats unload and stalls call out the day’s catch. Ride the Kusttram to De Haan for a slow stroll past Belle Époque villas, then order shrimp croquettes at a seaside brasserie for lunch. In late afternoon, walk the sandy paths of Zwin Nature Park near Knokke and watch waders move across the flats as the light drops.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Stroll through blooming parks and woodland carpets, from Brussels’ quiet squares to the bluebells of Hallerbos in April. Cycle easy canal paths between Bruges and Ghent, a gentle outing for families and seniors.

Summer: Claim a café terrace as long evenings unfold and street music drifts through medieval squares. Head to the North Sea for a breezy beach day or slip into the Ardennes for shaded walks, with couples and luxury travellers savouring slower, private escapes.

Fall: Sip fresh pours in historic breweries as the air turns crisp and forests in the Ardennes glow with colour. Wander museum-rich neighbourhoods in Brussels and Antwerp, with fewer crowds and hearty seasonal menus that make unhurried lunches hard to resist.

Winter: Wrap up for Christmas markets that light up Bruges, Ghent and Brussels with skating rinks, mulled drinks and cosy chocolatiers. Stay for February traditions like the Carnival of Binche, while families warm up in interactive museums between festive strolls.

Belgium’s calendar packs in open-air traditions worth timing for. See period pageantry at Brussels’ Ommegang in early summer, join citywide fun at Gentse Feesten each July, and raise a glass on Grand Place during Brussels Beer Weekend in September. Spring brings Bruges’ Procession of the Holy Blood, while autumn’s Brussels Comic Strip Festival fills parks with giant balloons and playful pop-ups.