Belgium Travel Guide

Compact enough to be covered in a week and spirited enough to count as one of Europe’s most underrated destinations, Belgium does many things well, not least winning over sceptical visitors. If all that comes to mind is waffles and EU bureaucracy, then the reality – with its frothing beer, medieval steeples and simmering cultural mix – will be a pleasant wake-up call.

True, Brussels has more than its share of faceless political buildings, but take a closer look and you’ll find a dynamic city big on café living and Art Nouveau, while Antwerp and (particularly) Bruges are both custom-made for picture postcards, the pair of them rich with finely crafted Middle Ages architecture.

The country itself is split into two sections – Flanders (the predominantly Dutch-speaking north) and Wallonia (the predominantly French-speaking south) – which, when taken together, add up to a visitor package far greater in scope than Belgium is generally given credit for.