I wholeheartedly believe the title of this article to be true. It wasn’t created as clickbait or to win brownie points with my in-laws! In 2023, I unexpectedly had the opportunity to live in Belgium for three months and visit most of its major cities. Nestled between its popular neighbors, the Netherlands and France, Belgium offers a unique, almost fairytale-like experience. It’s one of those places where you leave thinking, 'That was such a wholesome time, and the people were so nice.' While most travelers touring Europe only spend a day or weekend visiting Belgium, particularly focusing on Brussels, this beautiful country truly deserves a full week-long visit.
Some quick housekeeping tips:
Worried about language barriers? Fear not, you’ll easily get around in this welcoming nation, where most Belgians are fluent in English, French, and Flemish. It’s quite impressive.
It’s a compact country so you can get from one city center to the next by simply taking local trains or renting a car.
The main airport is BRU. Low-cost airlines tend to operate from Brussels South Charleroi Airport, which is roughly a 1 hour drive from the capital. For those coming from Amsterdam, London, or Paris, taking a EuroStar train is your best bet.
This is not a summer hot-spot! I’d recommend visiting during shoulder seasons - May/June + September. December is also magical here. Belgium has the best Christmas markets!
The weather can be a bit tricky so regardless of the season, pack an umbrella and layers.
Now, for the fun part, where to go and what to do:
Brussels

Recommend length of stay: 2 days
Brussels is most likely the first city you think of when considering Belgium. It serves as the country's capital and where the European Union headquarters is located. When you first get there, your first words are definitely not “wow, this place is beautiful” BUT don’t judge solely by appearance. It’s about what’s inside, right? Brussels has a lot to offer. Spend your days tasting Belgian beers, eating waffles, and checking out historical monuments and museums.
Places to see:
Favorite restaurants, coffee shops, & bars:
Antwerp

Recommend length of stay: 2 days
Antwerp is home to the second largest port in Europe and a main entry point for most goods coming to this continent. If I had to describe this city in one word, it would be cool. The fashion, the museums, the restaurants - everything here just gives off effortless vibes. I even went as far as to make the bold and controversial statement (that I still stand by) that Antwerp has better shopping than Paris. So for those looking to dive into the trendy side of Belgium this is your go to place.
Places to go and see:
Favorite restaurants, coffee shops, & bars:
Mechelen
Recommend length of stay: 1 day
I might be biased because this is where I stayed for those three months, but Mechelen is my favorite Belgian city. It’s just one of those very livable and lovable places. According to locals, Mechelen has more historical sites than Bruges. Come on a Saturday! Start your morning by picking up fresh flowers at the farmers market, enjoy a coffee on the square, and spend the afternoon/evening watching a KV (the local soccer team) game.
Places to go and see:
Attend a KV Mechelen game: With a stadium that holds almost 20% of the city's population, you can imagine the importance this team has to its people.
Grote Markt: if you happen to be there on a Saturday, from 8am to 11am, a farmers market takes place where people come to get their weekly meat, fish, and fresh flowers.
Bruges

Recommend length of stay: 1 day
Thanks to its many canals, Bruges has been nicknamed "The Venice of the North.” This town is very cute and definitely a must on your Belgium tour. Due to its charm it’s not a surprise that it draws in big crowds, so if you have flexibility in your schedule I’d advise coming on a weekday.
Places to go and see:
Ghent
Recommend length of stay: 1 days
Take the charm of Bruges and the city feel of Antwerp and voila - you get Ghent. During the Medieval ages, Ghent was one of Belgium's most powerful and wealthy cities. Today, you’ll find endless cafes and shops. If you’re looking for an alternative type of accommodation here, check out the houseboats.
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Favorite restaurants, coffee shops, & bars:
Dinant

Recommend length of stay: ½ day
Honestly, I didn't know about this place until I researched towns to visit in Belgium. Despite my initial ignorance, this small town is surprisingly significant historically. It's where Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born. As you explore the town, especially across the bridge, you'll come across large saxophones in various colors. This town was also
a key location in important World War battles.
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