Best Time to Visit Belgium

The best time to visit Belgium is between the months of April, May, June or between September and October. Belgium is at the crossroads of medieval and modern Europe. This country has cities like Ghent and Bruges, which will give you the impression of being straight out of a fairy tale. The country also has modern cities like Antwerp and Brussels, which forms a great contrast with its natural beauty.

Ensure to pick the best period to visit Belgium. This blog will cover when you should visit this country based on your plans.

Summer Season

• Time Period: July to August
• Average Temperature: 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
• Annual Rainfall: 57 to 72 mm

This is the best time to visit Belgium if you want to explore the country in warm and comfortable temperatures. Summer is also the peak season of tourism as many people visit this country to attend major music festivals and other events.

Furthermore, you can visit all the interesting places in North Belgium, where the weather is usually too cold in other seasons. Since many people visit Belgium during the summers, we suggest you book your tickets beforehand to avoid surging prices of flight tickets and accommodation.

Given below, we have curated a list of all the fun things to do in Belgium:

1. Go kayaking in the valleys of the Ardennes

2. Attend the Ghent Festival in July

3. Enjoy the biggest music festival in Belgium- Tomorrowland

4. Spend a relaxing day at Les Thermes de Spa in the province of Liège

5. Admire the magnificent street sculptures at Mons

6. Attend the ‘History in Blocks’ exhibition in Waterloo

7. Enjoy the procession of giant puppets in Ath, a Belgian town

8. Have fun at the Brussels Summer Festival

9. Spend a relaxing and fun-filled beach day at Oostende beach

10. Visit the Central University Library and Bell Tower in Leuven

Spring Season

• Time Period: April to June
• Average Temperature: 10  to 15 degrees Celsius
• Annual Rainfall: 73 to 142 mm

Spring is a great time to visit this country because most places, especially the countryside, are covered with blossoming flowers. Some of the most beautiful places in Belgium open up after being closed for a long time during the winters. Ardennes is one such place that you will want to visit.

Here are our top picks for places to visit and events to attend in Belgium during spring:

1. Watch a movie at the Brussels Film Festival

2. Enjoy some good music at the Jazz Marathon

3. Explore the blooming and beautiful landscape of the Ardennes uplands

4. Go on a bike ride with locals in Brussels through parks and woods

5. Purchase a spring flower bouquet from the Grand Place flower market

6. Listen to some contemporary music at the Ars Musica festival

7. Visit the Art Nouveau Royal Greenhouses in Laeken, which is only open for two weeks in summer

8. Admire the exotic geraniums, giant ferns and hot pink azaleas at Azalea House

9. Go for an easter egg hunt with your kids at Bruparck

10. Watch the master chocolatiers of Brussels outdo each other during Easter

Autumn Season

• Time Period: September to October
• Average Temperature: 12 to 15 degrees Celsius
• Annual Rainfall: 21 to 42 mm

Tourists can explore all the amazing places to visit in Belgium during fall as the temperature is moderate. If you are an Indian traveller, you will enjoy the climate of Belgium during this season. This is also the best time to try adventure activities like hiking and trekking.

Given below are specific things that you can do in Belgium when visiting the country during autumn:

1. Stroll down the Tervuren Park

2. Drink some exquisite beer at the Brussels Beer Weekend

3. Taste some exotic wine at MegaVino Expo

4. Visit Dinant and admire the picturesque fall foliage of the small town

5. Eat some delicious food at the ‘EAT! Brussels Restaurant Festival’

6. Know about the history of the Great War at the Flanders Fields Museum

7. Buy some amazing Belgian chocolates for your friends and family back home

8. Admire the opulence of the Coudenberg Palace

9. Enjoy some amazing concerts at the Flanders Festival

10. Visit Bruges in autumn

Winter Season

• Time Period: November to March
• Temperature Range: 3 to 7 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 19 to 122 mm

Winter is not a great season to explore Belgium. Firstly, the temperature is too cold to handle for most Indian travellers. Secondly, it rains a lot during this season in Brussels. For those who want to avoid harsh weather, it is a good idea to avoid visiting Belgium during this season.

Some places remain closed during this season, especially in the countryside. So, if you want to explore all the best places to visit in Belgium in small rural regions, you will not be able to do that.

The skies are gloomy on most days during this season, and you will be stuck indoors for most of your trip. If you can bear the chilly weather, there are some exciting activities like winter sports and carnivals that you can try. Make sure to carry sufficient warm clothing to tackle the cold.

If you have no problem visiting a country where the average temperature is quite low and accompanied by rainfall, winter is the cheapest time to visit Belgium.

Not many people visit Belgium during this time of the year. This means you will easily get flight tickets at more reasonable prices. In addition, you can get tickets for luxurious hotel rooms at affordable prices for your vacation during winter.

To combat the extremely cold temperatures, you need to carry thermals, jackets and boots for your Belgium trip during winters. We also suggest you take an umbrella with you because it also rains.

You can also try skiing and other winter adventure sports this season. In addition, there are numerous carnivals that you can attend during this time. Some of the best carnivals take place in Stavelot and Binche. Attend the Brussels Christmas Market if you visit during Christmas.

If you feel too cold, you can go museum hopping and admire this country's art, culture and history. You can choose to visit one of the many cosy beer breweries and spend hours there with a bottle of craft beer.

In short, winter in Belgium comes with a harsh climate, but people who can bear the cold can take advantage of the low season.

Now that you know all the best and cheapest seasons for your Belgium tour, you need to know a few things before you visit the place. Here are some of these facts:

• Antwerp is the world's diamond capital, meaning you can buy exquisite diamond jewellery there.
• Travelling around Belgium is very easy because the country is small. You can easily reach from one city to another within an hour or two via road. So, make sure you squeeze in as many cities and towns in your travel plan as possible.
• Tipping is not mandatory in Belgium when you go out to restaurants to eat.
• People can get their pockets picked in the famous places to visit in Brussels. Though this is a very safe country, it is better to be alert.
• All major cities in Belgium are equipped with free WiFi, so you can easily access the internet from anywhere.
• Belgium has a strict recycling system, so ensure you follow that while you are there for your vacation.

Below we have listed a few tips which will come in handy when you travel to Belgium from India:

• Carry a universal adapter because, in Belgium, people use a C and F type plug along with 230 volts and 50 Hz electrical points.
• If you purchase a SIM card from any other country that falls under the Schengen zone, it will also work in Belgium. You do not have to pay any additional charges and roaming.
• You need to get a Schengen Belgium tourist visa to travel across this country.
• The weather can be unpredictable. So, remember to carry an umbrella and raincoat as it can rain anytime.
• To use public restrooms, you need to carry some small pocket change.
• Belgium has the longest tram line in the world. So don’t forget to take a tram ride while you are there.
• Belgium has 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 12 cultural sites. You will want to visit all these places to experience the culture of this European country.

Almost every person in Belgium can speak English. However, knowing a few phrases in French will only help you bond with the people there. Most people in Belgium speak French, and a small population speaks Flemish. Given below are certain phrases which will be useful:

• Hello- Salut
• Good Morning- Bonjour
• Good Evening- Bonsoir
• Goodbye- Au revoir
• Excuse Me- Pardon
• Thank You- Merci
• Please-  S’il vous plait
• Where are the toilets?- Ou sont les toilettes?
• Yes- Oui
• No- Non

You can start planning your trip and apply for your visa now that you know the best time to visit Belgium. Furthermore, you should purchase travel insurance before you book your flight tickets. International trips can bring a lot of unpredictable circumstances, like losing your luggage or falling sick after having too many beers.

Having insurance will help cover the costs of such expenses. As a result, you will be able to enjoy your trip more freely with less worry.