Whenever you’re contemplating a household vacation in Western Europe, it’s simple to miss a go to to Belgium with children – however from its cities to its chocolate and historical past, there’s a lot to find right here.
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The shock is simply how a lot is packed into this comparatively small nation: in addition to the well-known metropolis breaks, you could find seashore escapes by the coast plus countryside to discover, to not point out nineteenth and twentieth century war-time historical past.
So when you’re questioning the place to start, this information to Belgium with children provides you concepts on planning a household vacation in Belgium, together with suggestions for a metropolis break or 4, when to go, the place to remain and extra.
Sensible data
Attending to Belgium
Being a small nation, Belgium at the moment has simply 5 worldwide airports. However due to its political significance, these airports are effectively linked to many locations internationally.
The capital metropolis of Brussels is house to 2 main airports; Brussels Worldwide Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL).
Most US and worldwide flights arrive at Brussels Worldwide Airport (BRU), aka Zaventem Airport, which is the most important and busiest airport within the nation.
In case you’re flying to Brussels from many European locations, you might also arrive at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL). Situated to the south of the capital, Charleroi Airport is a hub for a number of low-cost European carriers, together with Ryanair, TUI Fly, and Wizz Air.
Some low-cost carriers additionally fly instantly from European locations to Belgium’s three different airports; Ostend Bruges (OST), Antwerp (ANR), and Liege (LGG).
From France, Netherlands, and Germany, there are excessive pace trains which might get you to Belgium very quickly in any respect (the Thalys community is now a part of Eurostar). And from the UK, you may bounce on the Eurostar from London St Pancras station and attain central Brussels in as little as 2 hours.
In case you’re taking a European street journey, you may as well drive to Belgium through the neighbouring international locations of France, Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg for an actual household journey journey.
There are not any direct ferry routes from the UK to Belgium, however you may take ferries to the northern French ports or Amsterdam and drive from there.
When to go
The climate and vacationer numbers are the 2 most necessary components to think about when deciding when to go to Belgium.
In the course of the winter months, temperatures in Belgium can drop to freezing or beneath, and wet days are widespread. Nonetheless, this additionally means there are a lot smaller crowds and decrease costs, so it’s an excellent time of 12 months to seek out offers when you’re visiting on a finances.
The exception is throughout December when guests flock to Belgian cities to expertise their lovely Christmas markets. In case you get pleasure from Christmas festivities and don’t thoughts getting wrapped up within the chilly climate, December is a good time to go to.
In peak summer season, temperatures in Belgium are heat and nice. Many festivals and celebrations additionally happen in the course of the summer season months, bringing a full of life ambiance to the nation. It’s necessary to do not forget that summer season can be peak vacationer season, so you may count on a lot bigger crowds and better costs too.
Like a lot of Western Europe, spring and autumn are the very best instances to go to Belgium. Temperatures are nonetheless nice however there are fewer vacationers round and costs are typically cheaper.
In spring you may expertise town parks and flower gardens in full bloom, whereas autumn sees the Belgian countryside painted in lovely shades of pink and orange.
What to see
Whereas Brussels and Bruges are actually probably the most well-known vacationer locations in Belgium, there’s a lot extra to see all all through the nation – together with loads of hidden gems.
From charming medieval cities and grand historic castles, to scrumptious meals and enjoyable winter sports activities, there’s one thing to do in Belgium for the entire household.
Visiting Belgium with children – my travels and suggestions
For extra tips about visiting Belgium with children, take a look at a few of my posts:
The very best issues to do in Brussels with children
The very best issues to do in Bruges with children
The very best issues to do in Ghent with children
The very best issues to do in Antwerp with children
The very best snowy metropolis breaks in Europe
Travelling inside Belgium
With its small dimension, Belgium is a fast, simple, and reasonably priced nation to get round, and public transport is usually probably the most handy technique of transport.
There’s a complete rail community operated by SNCB/NMBS that connects each nook of the nation. The truth is, you may journey between Brussels and another vacation spot in Belgium by prepare in beneath 2 hours so it’s simple to plan a day journey or three. Fare costs are mounted, so it doesn’t matter once you ebook.
It’s additionally attainable to discover Belgium on a street journey. There’s an excellent street community connecting all main cities and cities, though Belgian roads are considerably infamous for his or her uneven surfaces and potholes, so be additional cautious when driving on smaller roads.
UK residents don’t want an Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP) to drive right here for intervals as much as 185 days, and US driving licenses are additionally legitimate (although some automobile rent corporations could require an IDP to hire a automobile).
In case you’re planning to rent a automobile to discover Belgium with children, one in all my favorite websites is Zest Automobile Rental
Throughout the cities, one of the best ways to maneuver round is often on foot or by public transport within the greater cities – if you’re taking a street journey, remember that a number of Belgian cities have low emissions zones within the centre so there could also be an added cost to drive in.
Whereas Belgian cities and cities are extraordinarily walkable, trams and buses are additionally accessible for getting round most locations, plus Brussels has its personal metro system too. The Delijn app helps you to test routes and purchase tickets in cities in Flanders, together with Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp (Antwerpen).
With canals winding by way of the cities and countryside, you may as well discover a couple of boat tour to strive – whereas many are quick guided boat journeys, you may as well discover by water with corporations like Le Boat.
Biking is a well-liked pastime and technique of transport in Belgium too. In case you’re feeling notably lively, you should use bikes to get across the cities and cities, or benefit from the nation’s many scenic biking routes.
Flight sources
Skyscanner is the web site I have a tendency to start out with to match charges for my flights.
Cash-saving tip: Don’t enter any dates to scan the very best accessible instances to go OR merely enter ‘Belgium’ as an alternative of a particular airport – you could get a less expensive flight!
For extra methods to avoid wasting on a metropolis break with kids, take a look at my prime suggestions
Lodging sources
Once I plan a metropolis break in Belgium with children, I usually desire my very own condo – and together with as well-known household pleasant favourites akin to AirBNB, I’m an enormous fan of Plumguide which has a spread of lodging that’s been individually vetted.
The vast majority of their locations to remain in Belgium are within the south and east of the nation, in addition to on the north coast between Ostend and De Haan, round half-hour from Bruges.
You’ll discover extra self-catering lodging across the coast too, in addition to family-friendly motels throughout the nation. Reserving.com often gives a number of the greatest offers, together with free cancellation.
Security suggestions
Belgium is a really secure nation to go to as a household. Crime charges are low and it’s unlikely that something will occur to have an effect on you.
As with most European locations, pickpocketing and petty theft can happen in large cities and round busy vacationer sights. Take fundamental precautions and take care of your belongings when out and about.
Cash saving suggestions
Like most international locations in Western Europe, Belgium isn’t the most affordable nation to go to. Nonetheless, if you’re visiting on a finances, there are some simple methods to save cash in Belgium with children.
Go to throughout low season to avoid wasting on flights and lodging.
Stick with road meals akin to Belgian frites (fries), mitraillette (stuffed baguettes), sausage, kebabs, and waffles quite than consuming at fancy eating places.
Look out for set menu lunch offers for round €20 per particular person.
Drink native beer (there are over 1,000 breweries within the nation) quite than imported wine or spirits.
Discover a free strolling tour, however do go away a small tip when you can.
Stroll or hire a motorbike quite than flagging down taxis.
Go to on the primary Sunday of the month when most museums are free.
Deliver a reusable water bottle to benefit from free consuming water.
For extra tips about methods to avoid wasting on a metropolis break with children, together with metropolis passes and discovering low cost (or free) excursions, take a look at this submit.
Packing for Belgium
Whether or not you’re visiting Belgium throughout spring, summer season, or autumn, it’s greatest to pack a number of gentle layers and a water-proof jacket or umbrella.
It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, rain is widespread (do you know it rains extra in Belgium than within the UK?), evenings can get chilly, and also you by no means know when the climate’s going to show.
In the course of the winter months, you’re going to need to be ready for temperatures dropping near zero (generally even beneath). Pack loads of layers and a heat coat, in addition to hat, scarf, and gloves.
Guide checklist
Lonely Planet journey guides are all the time my favorite start line – in addition to the Lonely Planet Information to Belgium & Luxembourg, there may be additionally a smaller metropolis information, Pocket Bruges & Brussels.
Alternatively Tough Guides has a Pocket Tough Information Bruges & Ghent and there’s a DK Eyewitness Prime 10 Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp & Ghent to see you thru all the primary cities in Belgium with children.
Belgium has an enormous historical past of comics and graphic novels, that are a enjoyable choice for youths – even when they don’t essentially work as an introduction to the nation.
The Adventures of Tintin is probably the most well-known (though remember there’s an uncomfortable quantity of informal racism in a number of the tales), whereas The Smurfs are additionally Belgian.
And Asterix followers will likely be completely satisfied to study there’s additionally Asterix in Belgium that includes everybody’s favorite Gauls.
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Ghent Graslei/Graffiti Road/Frozen canal photographs copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
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