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Belgium offers 17th-century grandeur, canal-laced cities, World War history, and a thriving food scene. Understated and often overlooked, but bursting with character, Belgium gives you the chance to visit battlefields and breweries as well as historic cities whose buildings showcase the enormous wealth amassed in medieval times.

You can cruise along the canals of Bruges or Ghent to get a sense of how trade was controlled by their powerful merchants, explore more recent history on a trip to Flanders Fields or a guided Battle of the Bulge tour, or tour Antwerp’s Diamond District, to learn about gem cutting and setting.

Alternatively, you could discover Belgium’s rich food traditions on a culinary walking tour in Antwerp, see shrimp harvested on horseback, or enjoy guided beer tastings in Brussels.

In Belgium, you can stay in restored historic buildings, modern boutique hotels, and family-run guesthouses. For example, you could base yourself in an opulent 15th-century palace once home to ruling aristocrats or a former prison now turned into a sleek, designer hotel with original artwork by Magritte, Goossens, and Broodthaers.

In Ghent, the grand Gothic building that once housed the central post office is now a stylish, contemporary hotel with loads of period features, while you’ll find historic charm, four-poster beds, antiques, and chandeliers in a medieval manor house.

To get some more ideas and to start planning your trip, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Belgium.

Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels are popular Belgian destinations, but you’ll also find plenty of interest in smaller cities such as Ghent and Liège. Brussels, the cosmopolitan capital, is home to the EU headquarters and has a wide variety of museums, a well-preserved historic quarter, and many examples of Art Nouveau architecture.

Antwerp is awash with ornate 16th-century guild houses, diamond merchants, and museums including Rubens’ former home and the highly regarded Museum of Contemporary Art. Popular Bruges is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, its historic streets and network of canals lined with notable buildings.

A medieval castle, myriad museums, and World War I battlefields can be seen in and around Ghent, while Liège has a huge riverside market, a historic core, and edgy modern architecture.

It takes around nine hours to fly from Toronto, Canada to Belgium, and around 12 hours from Vancouver.

The time zone in Belgium is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the end of March through the end of October.

The best way to get around in Belgium is by train and car. Belgium is compact and easy to navigate and has an extensive rail network linking all the major sights. It’s also easy to rent a car and enjoy the freedom that brings, or we can arrange for a private vehicle and driver-guide if you’d prefer not to drive yourself.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Belgium. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

Your doctor is best placed to offer advice on immunizations for Belgium. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the . You should also check you’re to date with routine vaccinations at home.