Belgium Travel Guide
Belgium is a small country with a strong regional identity, and it’s best experienced by focusing on individual cities rather than treating it as a single destination. While the country is compact, Belgium is best experienced city by city, where language, food culture, and daily life can change noticeably over short distances.
Travelers get the most value by choosing specific cities and understanding how each one works on its own terms — particularly when it comes to dining traditions, neighborhood layout, and where to stay.
Food & Travel Across Belgium
Belgian food culture is shaped by regional traditions and a long history of craftsmanship. What you eat in Brussels is not exactly the same as what you’ll find in Bruges or Antwerp. Ingredients, preparation styles, and dining customs vary depending on the city and region.
In general:
Cities emphasize hearty comfort foods alongside refined classics
Seafood is common in coastal and northern areas
Breads, pastries, and chocolates play a central role in daily life
Beer culture is deeply ingrained and highly regional
This variation is why city-specific food guides provide far more value than broad national summaries.
Travel logistics in Belgium are straightforward, with short distances and strong rail connections between major cities. Even so, neighborhood choice still matters for dining access, atmosphere, and ease of getting around.
Cities in Belgium
Below you’ll find our city-level guides for Belgium. Each city includes:
A City Guide (what to know and how the city works)
A What to Eat guide (local food, dishes, and markets)
A Where to Stay guide (best areas and accommodation types)
Brussels
Brussels is Belgium’s capital and cultural crossroads, known for its diverse dining scene, historic squares, and neighborhood-based food culture. Choosing the right area can significantly shape the experience.
Bruges
Bruges is compact and atmospheric, with food traditions rooted in classic Flemish cuisine. Staying centrally makes it easier to enjoy the city’s walkable layout and dining options.
Antwerp
Antwerp blends historic architecture with a modern creative scene. Food culture here reflects both tradition and innovation, and neighborhood selection can influence how you experience the city.
Planning Your Trip to Belgium
Belgium rewards travelers who choose a small number of cities and take time to experience each one fully. By approaching the country city by city, you’ll eat better, stay in more suitable neighborhoods, and move easily between destinations.
Use the city guides above to plan your trip based on how you want to travel, eat, and stay, rather than relying on broad, country-level overviews.