Take the Family holiday rating
| Capital City | Brussels |
|---|---|
| Flying Time | 1.25 hours  |
| Carbon Footprint | 0.41 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT +1 |
| Local Currency | Euro |
Quick, easy and cheap to reach from the UK, Belgium is prime short-break territory for families. But convenience isn’t the only draw – for its size, Belgium is hugely varied. The Dutch-speaking Flemish north (Flanders) boasts Bruges and Antwerp, two of Europe’s most historic cities, while the French-speaking south offers child-friendly outdoor adventures galore in the Ardennes. Just about holding things together in the middle, Brussels straddles the linguistic divide – in Britain the city may be synonymous with EU bureaucracy, but as far as the locals are concerned the Eurocrats might as well be on planet Vulcan.
Belgians regard their national trait as eccentricity; and with museums dedicated to washing machines and beer lorries, and Tintin – a boy with a quiff and a little white dog – as a national icon, who’s to argue? Zaniness as a lifestyle option makes Belgium a natural for tinies, while teens should relate to the history, the art and/or the street-savvy fashion, and everyone – parents included – will relish the chance to parler français without risking a Gallic snub. If you need a final incentive, how about the world’s best hot chocolate?
Belgium’s climate is similar to that of southern England, and a visit is worthwhile year-round. Its cities are prettiest on a crisp winter’s day and most pleasant in late spring, while the countryside and coast are predictably at their best in summer, though autumn colours in the Ardennes can be spectacular.
Brussels hosts one of Europe’s most popular Christmas markets, while February brings Carnival, a magical time for kids. It’s celebrated across the country, but with especial vigour and massed fancy dress in Binche and Stavelot in Wallonia in the south.
Brussels is just under 2hrs by the child-friendly Eurostar train from London, while a 2hr onward journey from the Belgian capital brings will see you to pretty much anywhere in the country. Note that a Eurostar ticket to Brussels allows free onward travel on most trains to any station in Belgium within 24hrs of arrival in Brussels.
Brussels also has two airports, with regular flights from main and regional airports. See our flight deals page and our car-hire page.
Belgium can also reached by ferry from the UK. See here for ferry routes and deals.
Holiday parks are a very popular holiday with families, especially Center Parcs’ De Vossemeren and Erperheide, and Sunparks Oostduinkerke. Self-catering is another great family option, whether in city apartments or country cottages. See also our partners Active Hotels for good accommodation deals.
Spend a few days exploring Brussels, then head 100km north-west to Bruges, which thrived in the Middle Ages but was left frozen in time by the silting of its sea access. Today its urban core is a miniature gem of cobbled squares and Gothic buildings. The looming Belfort tower provides the best views, while the Brugge and Hospitaal museums both hold heavyweight collections of Flemish art. What really sets Bruges apart, though, is its network of quiet canals; with children on board, a canal cruise is definitely the way to go.
While Bruges is pretty and compact, Antwerp 40km north of Belgium has all the energy. Like Bruges, Belgium’s second city prospered on medieval commerce, but unlike it, Antwerp has grown into a vibrant modern port. Antwerp’s finest architecture is in the centre around the picture-postcard Grote Markt square and soaring Gothic cathedral. It was home to Rubens, and the city’s churches and galleries are peppered with the artist’s masterpieces (start at the Rubenshuis).
More than half the world’s diamonds are cut in Antwerp, and older children may enjoy visiting the Diamond Museum to watch frock-coated diamond-cutters at work and ogle caches of the glittering shinies; younger siblings can be appeased with Antwerp Zoo next door. Aspiring fashionistas should head to the streets south of Groenplaats, which burst with boutiques and guerrilla stores way hipper than anything in Brussels – since the 1980s Antwerp designers have taken the world of fashion by storm. Or adjourn to the waterfront for a cruise round the miles of container docks and wharves.
Belgium’s best countryside is in the far south, amongst the forests of the Ardennes. While the high ground can be bleak, numerous rivers have cut deep valleys. Isolated by steep slopes or hedged by cave-pocked cliffs, the watercourses meander wildly through sylvan landscapes that feel truly remote. Bouillon is spectacularly sited around a ruined castle, but the region’s main draw is untrammelled nature and the great outdoors. Walking, cycling and climbing are all popular, but on warm summer weekends half the country goes canoeing – it’s madcap, chaotic and hugely congested, but also enormous fun.
Belgium is a foodie paradise where French finesse meets German portions in a marriage made in heaven. And it’s not just at Michelin-starred establishments (though there are a lot of these) – flair and a passion for quality trickle down to the humblest roadside friterie (frituur in Flanders) where you eat lip-smacking chips from cones of paper.
Moules frites (mussels and chips) is the national staple, but waffles, cream and chocolate all feature prominently too. Flanders leans toward seafood; the Ardennes to game and charcuterie. Nationwide there are more than 700 varieties of beer, including cherry and raspberry.
Restaurants welcome children, but they are expected to behave. Le Pain Quotidien is a nationwide chain of relaxed bakery-cafés serving child-friendly, healthy food in congenial surroundings.
Why not recommend a book? Search through Amazon.co.uk using the box below and then contact us with your recommendation.
1 mile from the most beautiful Belgian beach. Superb 40 acre park More
* from £199 for 4 nights per accommodation
On the Belgian coast, an ideal family location More
* Standard Villa based on 4 people sharing a 2 bedroom villa and Exclusive+ Lakeside Villa based on 6 people sharing 3 bedroom villa
The "green lung" of Belgium - a perfect base for exploring this forested part of Belgium More
*
A beautiful lakeside setting with plenty of activities for the whole family. More
* January - mid-week 4 night breaks €179 (£163) for a 4 person standard villa
Spacious forest park, ideally suited for water sport fanatics and nature lovers More
* from €415 for 4 bedroom villa for 4 nights
Family resort, in Peer, surrounded by the Limburg forest, with children's play world on site More
* per person for 9 nights including 2 nights onboard ship in an en suite cabin, 7 nights at Center Parcs Erperheide in Belgium (can be extended), Carriage of a standard car, Live entertainment onboard
