Belgium needs to be among the best worth backpacking locations in Europe. It’s comparatively low-cost, lovely and has nice meals. This Belgium Backpacking Information has all the pieces it’s essential know from which spots to vista, the place to remain while you get there and what to eat.
Belgium is good for backpacking as a result of it’s small. It’s very easy to get round in Belgium and you’ll see quite a lot of the highlights of Belgium in underneath per week with out spending lengthy days travelling.
Belgium Backpacking Itinerary
As a information Belgium backpacking itinerary, I recommend:
- Brussels – 2 days
- Ghent – 1 day
- Bruges – 2 days
- Antwerp – 1 day
These are full days, so arrive early or plan to remain two nights.
For a full itinerary breakdown together with ideas for practice journey, learn my Ultimate Belgium Itinerary.
The very best time of 12 months to go to Belgium
Belgium is a good year-round vacation spot. I visited in January, in the midst of winter and located the smaller crowds superb. Having fewer huge teams round meant that the folks I met in hostels are principally solo travellers or {couples} and have been all the time eager to seize a beer or go try the sights. It positively does get chilly in winter however snow is uncommon.
However, if you wish to spend extra time outside, the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring are superb.
Given Belgium continues to be fairly an underrated European vacation spot and a bit off the overwhelmed path for vacationers in Europe, visiting in summer season continues to be bearable and an excellent possibility if you need o keep away from the crowds in France or Italy.
Should-see spots in Belgium
Simply wandering round Belgian cities may be fairly spectacular. There are lovely historic buildings and cobble-stoned streets in every single place. Most cities are centred round an open sq. (just like the Bruges Markt) and have beautiful Gothic church buildings with hovering spires and even some gargoyles.
A few highlights:
Brussels
Brussels, being the capital, is house to the royal palace and the European Union headquarters.
You may tour the outdated King’s Home which is sort of a mini-Versailles. There’s additionally the (kinda bizarre however iconic) Mannekin Pis statue to get a photograph of.
Ghent
In Ghent, you’ll discover the Gravensteen fortress with full medieval moats and turrets. You may pay to go inside and be taught concerning the historical past of the counts and knights that lived there and take photos from the ramparts.
There’s additionally the outdated church within the city sq. and riverfront paths lined with historic buildings and cute cafes and bars.
Used
The historic centre of Bruges is itself a UNESCO World Heritage website. The Bruges Markt, the principle sq., faces the Belfry of Bruges tower. For a few euros, you may climb up the Belfry tower and get nice views of the city.
Should you’re searching for one thing a bit wacky (and have a stronger abdomen) attempt the Torture Museum, it’s medieval within the worst manner.
For a enjoyable night time (or day) out you may go to the Bruges Beer Experience and find out about how Belgian beer turned well-known and the way it’s made. There are additionally plenty of beer tours on provide in Bruges and it’s an incredible place to do it as a result of it’s so flat and walkable – till you find yourself in a canal!
Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s main business capital, each right this moment and a whole lot of years in the past. Antwerp is the very best purchasing vacation spot in Belgium, though it specialises in jewelry and gold which is deftly not on the reasonably priced facet!
There have been plenty of city renewal in Antwerp lately and also you’ll discover it a really trendy place to go to with nice transport choices for heading to your subsequent vacation spot and shops for all the pieces it’s essential refill on and naturally, there are a lot of things to do in Antwerp.
The older historic a part of the town options the beautiful Cathedral of Our Woman of Antwerp in addition to an artwork museum devoted to Rubens and housed in his outdated mansion.
Methods to get round in Belgium cheaply
Like most locations in Europe, the trains in Belgium are one of the simplest ways to get across the nation. They run usually, join all the principle cities, and are simple to navigate.
I took the TGV practice from Paris Gard du Nord to Brussel-Centraal. As a global practice, this was a bit dearer.
As soon as in Belgium, you should utilize the Inter-Metropolis IC trains that are cheaper. There’s no must e-book upfront simply present up on the station while you’re able to go. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re travelling tons you may wish to attempt a move from Rail Europe which provides you a reduction on a number of journeys.
Inside the Belgian cities, mainly, all the pieces you need is inside strolling distance, together with from the practice station. Nevertheless, Bruges is an exception, and the city is just too small for Uber so anticipate to shell out for a taxi to get into your hostel.
The very best hostels in Belgium for backpackers
The hostels in Belgium are superior. You’ll usually discover the hostels are a lot better positioned than any motels and the usual of amenities is nearly as good as I’ve seen anyplace on this planet.
Even within the midwinter gradual season, most provide day by day actions like beer crawls and native day journeys. The free strolling excursions are tremendous useful to get your bearings and meet different backpackers while you’ve simply arrived in a city. You may rock up from the station, drop your luggage and instantly get on the market.
Relying on the time of 12 months, you may often simply e-book your room while you’re on the practice to that vacation spot. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re going in the summertime peak season, anticipate to plan forward a bit extra.
I recommend searching for hostels between the practice station and the central metropolis to keep away from coping with buses or paying for Ubers.
My picks for the very best hostels in Belgium are under.
Finest hostel in Brussels – Sleep Properly Youth Hostel
Sleep Well Youth Hostel is likely one of the most trendy and spacious hostels I’ve present in Europe. It’s simply on the sting of the outdated a part of the town inside simple strolling distance of the principle websites.
Finest hostel in Bruges – St Christopher’s Inn Bauhaus Hostel
St Christopher’s Inn Bauhaus Hostel is a really Belgian hostel, it’s in a reasonably historic constructing with a beer bar downstairs. It is a actually social hostel as folks have a tendency to hang around within the bar and there are many excursions and occasions on every day.
Finest hostel in Ghent – Hostel Uppelink
Hostel Uppelink is correct on St Michael’s Bridge, one of many fundamental points of interest in Ghent. You may simply step exterior the entrance door and also you’ll get a full view of the medieval towers, it doesn’t get a lot better than that!
Finest hostel in Antwerp – The Ash
The Ash is tremendous central and handy for exploring Antwerp, positioned on the principle ring street near the station and the historic centre.
What to eat in Belgium
Belgian meals is scrumptious and fairly horrible for you. Anticipate to spend your nights in pubs and beer gardens trialling the various native beers after which grabbing a cone of frites (French fries topped with mayonnaise and ketchup) in your manner house.
When in Belgium it’s important to attempt the chocolate. In case your hostel gives an affordable chocolate tour, then nice! In any other case, DIY it by stopping in on the shops you come throughout. Most will provide free tastings and if not simply purchase a few particular person sweets for the street.
Keep away from the massive chains like Godiva and Leonidas. Not saying they’re dangerous, simply that you could find these manufacturers again house or in duty-free on the airport. The smaller, native chocolatiers, alternatively, can often solely be present in that city.
Avenue meals in Belgium
Lastly, you may’t point out Belgian meals with out speaking about waffles. Warning: don’t purchase “Belgian” waffles or “Brussels” waffles, these are the closely topped vacationer waffles that aren’t a lot completely different from frozen waffles in an American or Australian grocery store.
As an alternative, go for the Liege waffles. The locals often eat them plain. The chunks of caramelised sugar baked into the recent waffle provide you with all of the flavour hit. Nevertheless, they’re additionally fairly good with cinnamon or chocolate.
In Quick: Backpacking in Belgium
Belgium has all the very best components of France and Switzerland, in a compact, reasonably priced package deal good for backpackers. Don’t miss it!
When you have any questions on backpacking in Belgium or suggestions for this Belgium Backpacking Information, drop them within the feedback under.
Blissful travelling!
Europe Journey Assets
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- E-book practice tickets and purchase low-cost multi-trip passes from Rail Europe
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