Belgium's charms are frequently underplayed, even by loyal Belgians. But if you dismiss this country as just good for beer, chocolate and the European Parliament you'll be the one missing out. Belgium is perfect for those who like the finer, more beautiful things in life, but without the attitude some other nations are known for. And many of the best places to stay in Belgium reflect this with their understated service and charming yet chic interiors.
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Don't let the European Parliament put you off, Brussels isn't at all bland. This multicultural city is rife with fascinating museums and packed with art and design and good food, and it’s got a very independent cultural flavour, influenced by its international meting pot of inhabitants.
Antwerp has a historic reputation for fine living: this city had held an important spot on key trade route since the 16th Century - which is also when many of Antwerp's most grand and glorious buildings were built. The art came in the 17th Century, when the city inspired the likes of Rubens and Van Dyck. Antwerp's more recent pursuit is fashion. Many of Antwerp's main sights are within the old walls - about a 2km radius. And of course it has the diamonds.
Bruges is one of Europe's best preserved pre-motorised cities. A charming warren of cobbled streets, vast churches, canals lined with gorgeous old warehouses, a spectacularly lovely main square and chocolate shops. Lots and lots of chocolate shops. And beer. And waffles. And moules and frite. But mostly beautiful, romantic architecture and lots of the the best places to stay in Belgium! And Ghent’s beautiful canal-side architecture makes it look similar to Bruges, but more intimate and romantic. And with significantly fewer visitors.
These cities are some of the best places to stay in Belgium if you're looking for a city break, or you only have a few days, but if you get out into the undeniably flat countryside you'll find your visit even more rewarding.
Northern Belgium, oft called Dutch-speaking Flanders, is the flatter region, dotted with pretty towns and cities and significant battlefields. Leige is historic, Leuven is an ancient university town, known for its brewing, while Ypres is best known for its war memorials. Southern Belgium is French speaking, called Wallonia, and this is the more rural of the two, a great place to see by bike - it’s especially lovely around Namur. This is the countryside of the Ardennes Forest and Spa, the elegant small town which put the 'spa' into spa-town. Close to the French border, Mons has a fantastic collection of museums and a beautiful medieval centre with a Grand Palace. It also has a great dragon fighting festival…
What not to Miss
- A portion or two of moules and those famous double fried frites. Possibly washed down with a local beer? some of the best as brewed in local abbeys, think Orval, Chimay, Val Deiu or Florette. And a bit later on you might want to try a proper Belgian waffle, Belgian chocolate and a pastry? These are the foods typically associated with Belgium, but there are many more treasures to come out of the blend of Flemish and French cuisine that you see hereabouts.
- You might also want to eat in one or two of the old grand cafes.
- It’s a bit obvious to say not to miss the architecture, as it’s not possible to, but we mean go out of your way to see the great variety of Belgium’s great architecture. From the medieval palaces, to the Heritage Listed Grand Place, to Brussels’ space age Atomium, which was built in the 1950s. Belgium has some fantastically beautiful churches to admire too.
- The same can be said for the art of Belgium. It’s everywhere, from posters advertising the latest exhibition of Flemish Old Masters to modernist art in the metro stations. Belgium has a number of excellent art museums, and you’ll find them in every city, and some of the towns too. Bruges’ Groeningemuseum is a prime example, as is the Rubenhuis in Antwerp.
- In Brussels kids will love Manneken Pis, the fountain statue of the little boy relieving himself cheerfully. It is just back from Rue Charles Buls, the tourist street of chocolate shops. They may also be interested in taking a chocolate tour or chocolate making workshop. Or visiting the Musees Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, which has an excellent ancient Egyptian section. The family of stuffed iguanodons at the Musee des Sciences Naturelles, will be another highlight for kids.
- In Bruges visit the Markt, and climb the Belfort - there's not much to see inside, but the view is worth the long climb. Take a ride on the canals and see the Begijnhof. Or take a horse and trap ride to the Minnewater. Visit the tiny Basilica of the Holy Blood in the Burg, and admire the Stadhuis and Brugse Vrije, which are the Gothic town administration buildings.
- Antwerp's weekend markets are a lot of fun and you can find stalls selling the usual foods, clothes and gifts to antiques and bicycles. There's a big market on the Theatreplein Square. Those with an interest in fashion may prefer the Kammerstraat, which is where you'll find the Fashion Museum, and boutiques belonging to some of Antwerp's big name designers, including Dries van Noten. Antwerp also has a Diamond Museum, the Diamantmuseum. There's also 'Diamondland' where you can see them being cut and set in the daily 'show'. And if you want to purchase a diamond, skip the sellers near the station and visit the diamond merchants in the diamond district around Hoveniersstraat and Schapstraat.
- If you’re even mildly interested in the Battle of Waterloo then visit Hougoumont, a recently restored fortified farm which could have made all the difference to the battle’s outcome. And Memorial 1815, an underground museum.
The best places to stay in Belgium
In Brussels
- Close to the Abbey of la Cambre, the National Geographic Institute and the Avenue Louise, Made in Louise is an unfussily elegant townhouse with lots of natural light and choice of local beers.
- For more traditional decor, try Le Dixseptieme. Two minutes from the Grand Palace, this hotel has four poster beds, fireplaces and wooden floors - but it's refined not opulent.
- The Dominican is also just off the Grand Place, and is a good choice if you prefer elegance, in addition to all the comforts a larger hotel can offer. There's a very good restaurant, and a bistro in the courtyard, as well as a gym and spa.
- The Hotel, Brussels is a modern, high rise hotel in the centre of the designer shopping district. The views are incredible - if you book a panorama room you’ll have at least two different angles. The bar is chic and the restaurant gourmet.
In Antwerp
- Book The Glorious Inn if you're looking for something traditionally Belgian. This old inn only has three rooms, and they all have glorious details - wonderful antiques and art, and cracking original features. And it's on top of one of Antwerp's trendiest concept stores.
- For the ultimate in intimate urban simplicity try the Hotel Matelote's airy, loft style rooms. These and the charms of the 16th Century building speak for themselves.
- For unfussy city style perfectly located in the shopping and fashion district, you can't go past Sleeping at Linnen's three rooms.
- 'T Sandt is a beautiful townhouse hotel. Its original beams and stairways have been tastefully added to, creating light and airy spaces even the pickiest guests couldn't fault. If your partner needs luxury, this is definitely one of the best places to stay in Antwerp.
In Bruges
- Right on the canal, just around the corner from the Basilica of the Holy Blood, you'll find Die Swaene. Sophisticated and historically listed, this hotel also has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation.
- If you're looking for somewhere small and personal try Number 11. This beautiful guesthouse has been tastefully and comfortably decorated in creams and neutrals, to make the best of the building's gorgeous original features and its quiet courtyard.
- If you love chintzy luxury and old fashioned manor house hotels, the Hotel de Orangerie is probably for you. It's right on the canal - the boat trips leave from just outside its tea rooms.
In Ghent
- Around the corner from Castle Gravensteen and St. Bavo Cathedral and right on the canal, Hotel Harmony has some of the best views of Ghent in Ghent.
- With only four gorgeous rooms in an 18th Century mansion house, Hotel Verhaegen, run by two interior designers, is a romantically restored haven of charm.
To Refresh
- Right on the edge of the Ardennes forest in Spa, the Manoir de Lebioles is a sumptuous spa getaway. Rooms and suites have open fireplaces, four-poster beds and roll-top baths and there’s a world class gym and spa plus a gourmet restaurant.
- Ne5t Hotel & Spa is a beautifully revamped Belgian farmhouse outside historic Namur. The six rooms are stylish and minimalist, with exposed brick and simple whitewash. The spa has a hydrotherapy pool, and there’s also an outdoor pool.
Most Romantic
- If you're looking for somewhere you can feel like it's just the two of you, then have a look at the three bedroom B&B, X2Brussels - in Brussels. Close to the main sights, and also the fashionable Dansaert area, this B&B has large airy rooms done in white. It's simple. And reasonable. And most important, intimate.
- Manos Premier is a beautiful hotel in the centre of Brussels, with 50 chic, contemporary rooms. Expect lots of natural light, lush gardens, a fully equipped spa and a fantastic French restaurant.
- Also in Brussels, the Hotel Des Galeries is a boutique hotel inside the Galleries Royales Saint-Huber, with 23 beautiful rooms and suites - some spread over two floors. Expect parquet floors, wooden shutters and a cool, modern Belgian restaurant.
- Slightly out from the main square, but still within walking distance of the highlights of Bruges, Ter Duinen is one to book if you're looking for somewhere to relax by the canal. This hotel has a beautiful courtyard, and a breakfast room which looks out onto it, so it's a peaceful haven to come back to.
- Bruges’ Canal Deluxe is a 17th century canal-side townhouse converted into a two bedroom B&B. This cosy spot has a wonderful log fire and a grand stone fireplace (the perfect place to curl up with a good book), whilst the characterful rooms have high ceilings and original wooden beams. Wonderfully intimate.
- 'T Sandt is a beautiful townhouse hotel. Its original beams and stairways have been tastefully added to, creating light and airy spaces even the pickiest guests couldn't fault. If your partner needs luxury, this is definitely one of the best places to stay in Antwerp.
In the Countryside
- The Royal Snail in Namur is an intimate hotel close to the river, with an outdoor pool, spa, gym, atmospheric Belgian restaurant and a beautiful vertical garden. The decor is unusual and eclectic and celebrates the history of Namur.
For Families
- The Vintage Hotel, with large rooms sleeping up to six, is a good choice for families. Located only 10mins from the Grand Place and just up from the Avenue Louise, this is one of the best places to stay if you don't want the bother of transporting your brood around. Kids will, hopefully, find the colourful, 60s decor fun and will probably want you to stay in the vintage Airstream caravan on the terrace!
- The Stanhope is a more traditional hotel, converted with elegance from a convent. The hotel's seven family apartments, which also sleep up to six, make it perfect for families. It's also only a 10 minute walk from the European Parliament.
- For a home from home feel, little three roomed B&B, St Niklaas is one of the best places to stay in Bruges. You're staying in a gorgeous townhouse in the centre of town, with enough original features to make it feel special, but not so many that you have to worry your kids are going to break something...
For Great Value
- Starting from just £54 per night, the Pantone Hotel is perfect if you're visiting Brussels but watching your wallet. As the name hints, this hotel is contemporary, with bright, bold splashes of colour amongst basic white, clean lines. You're right next to the Avenue Louise, some rooms even have great views of the city.
- Dream! is a wonderfully unique hotel in a converted chapel right in the heart of Mons. While the building itself is wonderfully historic, the decor is exciting and contemporary, and each of the 57 rooms is different. Rooms start from around £80 per night.
- The Hotel Hors Chateau in Liège is a charming hotel in the centre of the historic city which effortlessly blends the old with the new - modern art hangs in rooms with original wooden beams, The service is friendly and this is a great base from which to enjoy both the sights and nightlife.
- For Brussels romance at less than £100 per night try the Fish Market B&B, a charming, neo-classical B&B with two large rooms, one apartment and a lovely breakfast terrace. Quiet, but well located for the city’s highlights.
For a self-catering Apartment or private home
If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private house we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.
Travel Information
- Brussels Airport, or Zaventem, as it’s often named, after the town it’s actually in, has excellent connections to the UK and other European destinations. It’s only nine miles from the centre of town and one of the easiest ways to transfer is by train, which takes about 25minutes. From the airport you can also catch a train to Ghent, Mons, Antwerp and West Flanders. Belgium is pretty small so the train is a fairly swift way to get around. The country’s other international airports are Brussels South Charleroi Airport, which is popular with low-cost carriers, Antwerp Airport, Ostend Airport and Liège Airport. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe i’s very easy to catch the train into Belgium as well.
- If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
- Belgium has a mild, temperate climate with mild winters and fairly cool summers. There’s not really a bad time to visit. Christmas is magical, spring is pretty and the long summer days are perfect for sightseeing.
Still not sure which is the best place to stay in Belgium for you?
