Yes, Belgium is beautiful during the winter season, especially in December. The Christmas markets, festive decorations, and potential snowfall create a magical atmosphere. It is a great time for a visit.
Winter is a relaxed time of year and you can explore at a much slower pace. Big cities host events and festivals to help locals get through the winter, including the much-anticipated Christmas Market in Brussels.
Every year, our capital pulls out all the stops to offer them an unforgettable experience. Cosy Christmas markets, magical illuminations and crazy attractions transport the public to a winter wonderland. A destination worthy of the finest fairy tales, Brussels is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas Day is not dissimilar to a Sunday, public transport runs to a Sunday timetable for example, but many shops that normally open for part of the day on Sunday won't open on Christmas Day (but some will). Almost all tourist attractions will be closed, it is a Monday so many would be closed anyway.
As a former Christian nation, Belgium used to celebrate in a very traditional way with a multi course dinner on Christmas Eve, attendance at midnight mass and a visit to the greater family on Christmas Day. But young families tend to view Christmas more and more as a cosy gathering rather than a religious feast.
As Christmas Eve took place on a Sunday this year, shops and services will remain closed on Monday for Christmas Day. While those who celebrated may still be recovering from food comas, most shops will reopen on Tuesday (Boxing Day).
There's little temperature variation in winter and it's rare you'll see much higher than 4°C on holiday. Snowfall is more likely in the hills on the east of Belgium, but you could still have a few light snow showers in December. Temperatures are very low in December with a daily average of just 4°C.
The best time to visit Belgium is during the months of April, May and June and between September and October. These are the times the weather conditions are perfect; festivals are abundant, nature is at its beautiful best and activities are aplenty.
Bruges, Belgium is possibly the most ridiculously adorable medieval town in Europe. Christmas in Bruges is a magical land of swans, horse-drawn carriages, chocolate shops, little lace shops, and Christmas Markets. Bruges in winter takes charm to a level we never knew was possible!
Belgium is a great location for a cheap holiday or city break with your loved one. Head to cozy Bruges, where you can discover its beautiful squares and medieval houses.
Boasting one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Bruges is a must-visit destination during the holiday season. With traditional market stalls selling locally made products and festive food and drink, visitors can experience an authentic taste of Belgian Christmas traditions.
Winter in Belgium is wet and cold, but it can be a great time to enjoy the country without hordes of tourists and the higher prices that come with them. Winter is a relaxed time of year and you can explore at a much slower pace.
As a minimum, we recommend 3-4 days in Belgium. With 3 days, you can briefly visit the most beautiful cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. If you have 4 days, you can also visit some of the famous Belgian war sites.
Definitely: Gent, Brugge, Antwerpen, Liège, Brussels. If you only have a few days. If you have more time: Mechelen, Ieper, Kortrijk, Dinant, Bouillon. If you want to visit museums: KMSKA, Bozar.
Famous elements of the Belgian culture include gastronomy (Belgian beers, fries, chocolate, waffles, etc.), the comic strip tradition (Tintin, the Smurfs, Spirou & Fantasio, the Marsupilami, Lucky Luke, Largo Winch, etc.), painting and architecture (the Art Nouveau, the Mosan art, the Early Netherlandish painting, the ...
How much does a day in Brussels cost? For budget travellers, you can easily get by in Brussels for less than 50 Euros a day. Plus, a lot of attractions in the city are free.
The Brussels Christmas market, over 250 wooden chalet stalls, is spread out over the capital between Grand Place, Rue de la Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons.
Combine your jeans with a warm sweater and don't forget a big, comfy coat. Belgians rarely leave the house without a scarf, even in summer, and you shouldn't either. A warm fluffy hat and nice gloves are a big plus, too. Belgium often has rainy days or even short moments of rain on an otherwise sunny day.
The Belgian Government has set the national threat level at 3 'Serious'. You can expect to see an increased police presence, and additional safety measures may be in place. Be aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of local authorities.
Probably the most important public holiday in Belgium is Belgium's Independence Day celebrated on the 21st of July each year. This festivity commemorates the day when Leopold I took the constitutional oath and became the first monarch to rule the Kingdom of Belgium.
Bruges doesn't shut down on Christmas Day to the extent places do here in the UK. Public transport was running, the horse and carriages were out and about, and the bars and restaurants were largely open and welcomingly busy. This gave us plenty of opportunities to sample the fantastic food and drink on offer.
