I’ll never forget standing in Bruges at 7 AM, watching mist rise off the canals while the rest of the tourists were still asleep.
That moment—the quiet, the cold air, the smell of fresh bread from a nearby bakery—made me realize Belgium isn’t just about checking boxes.
It’s about those in-between moments when you stumble into a tiny beer café, or when a local insists you try the grey shrimp croquettes, or when you finally understand why Belgians are so damn proud of their fries.
If you’re heading to Belgium, there’s stuff you simply can’t skip.
And I’m not talking about some generic list.
These are my real recommendations.
My Top Medieval Cities You Need to Explore
Bruges is known for its medieval architecture and Christmas markets, while Ghent offers a blend of history with vibrant contemporary culture.
But here’s what the guides won’t tell you.
Bruges gets mobbed during the day.
Like, shoulder-to-shoulder mobbed.
So here’s what I did: I stayed overnight.
Woke up early, walked those cobblestone streets before 8 AM, and had the whole fairytale city to myself.
The canals reflected perfectly still water, the bell tower stood silent, and I actually felt like I’d traveled back in time.
Ghent, on the other hand, feels more lived-in.
It’s got the same medieval charm but without the tour bus chaos.
Ghent offers a blend of history with vibrant contemporary culture, and honestly, I liked it even more than Bruges.
The locals hang out at canal-side bars, students bike everywhere, and the vibe is just… real.
If I had to pick one?
Stay in Ghent, day-trip to Bruges early morning.
Trust me on this.
My Brussels Experience: More Than Just The Capital
Brussels surprised me.
I expected bureaucratic and boring.
What I got was comic book murals on every corner, killer chocolate shops, and some of the best food I’ve eaten in Europe.
The opening of Kanal—Centre Pompidou in November 2026 transforms a long-dormant factory into a contemporary center for modern arts, so if you’re visiting soon, that’s going to be massive.
But forget the big attractions for a second.
La Fleur en Papier Doré is a beautiful café near the center of Brussels where you’ll find a cozy seat and great drinks, and feel the charm of old Brussels.
It’s the kind of place where locals actually drink.
No tourists taking Instagram photos of their beer.
Just good conversation and even better brews.
And the Grand Place?
Yeah, it’s touristy.
But go at night when it’s lit up.
The golden buildings glow, and suddenly you get why people lose their minds over this square.
Also, eat a waffle from a street vendor, not a sit-down restaurant.
Cheaper, fresher, and way more authentic.
My Antwerp Discovery: The City That Doesn’t Try Too Hard
Antwerp is praised for its mix of old and new attractions, including beautiful station architecture and shopping opportunities.
When I walked into Antwerp’s train station, I literally stopped and stared.
It’s not just a station—it’s like a cathedral made for trains.
The architecture is bonkers good.
But Antwerp isn’t just about pretty buildings.
It’s Belgium’s fashion capital, the diamond hub of the world, and honestly, it’s just cool.
Antwerp’s Stadsfeestzaal is a shopping center in the middle of Meir, yet many tourists just pass by without knowing there’s such a beautiful hall inside.
I almost missed it too.
But step inside and you’ll find this insane Neoclassical hall that’ll make your jaw drop.
And if you’re into art, the Rubens House is a must.
The dude lived and worked there, and you can feel his presence in every room.
Antwerp feels like a city that doesn’t need to impress you.
It just is what it is, and that confidence makes it magnetic.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
My Belgian Fries Obsession (And Why They’re Not French)
Let’s get one thing straight: Belgian fries are NOT French fries.
Fries are very popular in Belgium, where they are thought to have originated, with evidence from 1781 describing how inhabitants around the river Meuse had eaten fried potatoes since around 1680.
The Belgians invented them, perfected them, and turned them into an art form.
In Belgium, fries are sold at independent fast-food stands or in dedicated fast-food restaurants called friteries, frietkot, or frituur.
And this is where you NEED to eat them.
Not at some fancy restaurant.
Find a local frituur—usually a small shack or truck—and order a cone of fries.
They’re double-fried, which makes them crispy outside and fluffy inside.
And the mayo?
It’s not the same as American mayo.
It’s richer, creamier, and somehow perfect with fries.
I tried about a dozen different sauces during my trip.
Andalouse (mayo with tomato and peppers) became my go-to.
But honestly, even plain mayo was a revelation.
Pro tip: ask the locals which frituur they prefer.
Every Belgian has a favorite, and they will fight you about it.
My Chocolate Hunt Through Belgium
I’m not usually a huge chocolate guy.
But Belgian chocolate changed my mind.
Chocolate has been produced in Belgium since the 19th century and has been a huge part of the economy, with Belgium known around the world for producing the finest chocolate.
You can’t walk two blocks in any Belgian city without passing a chocolatier.
And the window displays are like little works of art.
Skip the big tourist chains like Godiva (yeah, I said it).
Instead, find smaller artisan shops.
One chocolatier in Brussels let me taste like six different pralines before I bought anything.
No pressure, just passion for the craft.
Some of the most special chocolates produced here are truffles, a ganache and cream-filled sphere, or pralines with their soft, liquid filling.
That liquid center?
That’s the Belgian specialty.
When you bite into it, the filling oozes out, and it’s kinda magical.
Bring some home.
Your friends will thank you.
Or don’t share them.
I won’t judge.
My Beer Education in Belgium
Belgium has over 1,500 different beers.
That’s not a typo.
Fifteen hundred.
Belgian beer has a wide variety and high alcohol content, and travelers should try a “Trappist beer” at a local pub.
Trappist beers are brewed by monks, and they’re some of the best in the world.
Only seven breweries globally can call themselves Trappist, and six are in Belgium.
I visited a traditional beer café in Ghent where the beer menu was literally 30 pages long.
The bartender saw my confusion and just brought me a Rochefort 10.
Dark, rich, complex.
It tasted like Christmas in a glass.
Delirium Cafe has over 2,000 types of beer, and while it’s touristy, it’s still worth a visit.
The sheer variety is mind-blowing.
My advice: don’t just drink the famous stuff.
Ask your server for regional specialties.
Try a lambic (sour beer made with wild yeast).
Try a witbier (wheat beer with coriander and orange peel).
Hell, try everything.
You’re in Belgium.
This is what they do best.
My Moules-Frites Moment
Moules-frites is a traditional comfort food consisting of mussels paired with Belgian fries, and mussels are a Belgian staple—cheap and abundant.
I ordered this dish at a restaurant near the Brussels fish market.
They brought out a massive pot of mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, and herbs.
And a mountain of fries on the side.
I didn’t think I’d finish it.
I demolished it.
The mussels were sweet and briny, the broth was perfect for dipping bread (or fries), and the whole experience felt so… Belgian.
The condiment of choice accompanying the dish is mayonnaise, providing an additional note of richness.
I know, I know.
Mayo with seafood sounds weird.
But it works.
Don’t question it.
Just try it.
This dish is everywhere in Belgium, but it’s especially good at seaside towns.
If you’re visiting the coast, order it fresh.
You won’t regret it.
My Journey to the Ardennes
The Ardennes offers hilly landscapes and the caves of Han-sur-Lesse, while the forested region around Dinant provides picturesque landscapes.
Most people skip the Ardennes.
They stick to the cities.
But if you want to see a completely different side of Belgium, head south.
The Ardennes is all rolling hills, dense forests, and medieval castles perched on cliffs.
I spent a weekend hiking, eating hearty stews, and drinking beer by a fireplace.
It felt like I’d left Belgium and entered some fantasy novel.
Known as the “Land of Valleys”, Namur province is rich in rivers, cliffs, rolling farm hills and lush Ardennes greenery, with Dinant offering postcard-perfect aesthetics.
Dinant itself is stunning.
The citadel overlooks the river, and the whole town is ridiculously photogenic.
If you’re tired of cobblestones and canals, the Ardennes offers fresh air and nature.
It’s a different Belgium, but it’s just as essential.
My Belgian Waffle Revelation
There’s no such thing as “Belgian waffles” in Belgium.
Locals know there are either Liège Waffles or Brussels Waffles—Liège Waffles are chewier, sweeter and thicker while Brussels Waffles are lighter and crispier.
I tried both, multiple times, for research purposes.
Brussels waffles are what most Americans picture: light, crispy, rectangular, with deep pockets.
They’re usually topped with whipped cream, fruit, or chocolate.
Liège waffles, though?
Game changer.
Liège waffles are dense, chewy, and packed with pockets of caramelized sugar made with a yeast-leavened dough and pearl sugar.
They’re sold as street food, warm, wrapped in paper.
No toppings needed.
The caramelized sugar bits get crunchy and sweet, and the dough is rich and satisfying.
I’d pick Liège over Brussels every time.
But honestly?
Eat both.
You’re in Belgium.
Calories don’t count.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
My Hidden Gem: Leuven
Several users recommend visiting local breweries, especially in smaller towns like Leuven, known for its vibrant beer culture.
Leuven doesn’t make most Belgium itineraries.
And that’s exactly why you should go.
It’s a university town, so it’s young, lively, and full of energy.
The town hall is one of the most ornate I’ve ever seen.
The Leuven Town Hall looks more like a cathedral than a seat of government, with 236 statues adorning its three floors.
But what really makes Leuven special is the beer scene.
Stella Artois was born here, and you can tour the original brewery.
But beyond that, there are tons of student bars where beer is cheap and the atmosphere is electric.
I spent an entire afternoon at a café called De Oude Markt, which is basically one giant square surrounded by bars.
Locals call it “the longest bar in Europe.”
It lives up to the hype.
Leuven feels like Belgium without the tourist veneer.
Raw, fun, and totally underrated.
My Belgian Coast Adventure
The Belgian coast stretches for 65km, and de Kusttram, one of the longest coastal trams in the world, starts near the French border and travels to Knokke-Heist near the Dutch border.
I hopped on that tram and spent a day cruising the coast.
You can stop at any town that looks interesting.
The two must-visit stops are De Haan and Oostduinkerke, with De Haan preserving its small-village charm where all buildings must be under five floors.
De Haan was my favorite.
It feels like a time capsule—Belle Époque architecture, quiet beaches, grassy dunes.
No high-rises ruining the view.
Oostduinkerke is famous for its shrimp fishermen on horseback.
Crevettes grises, tiny grey shrimp, are everywhere in Belgium, harvested from the North Sea by people on horseback.
It’s a UNESCO-recognized tradition, and watching it happen is surreal.
The Belgian coast isn’t Mediterranean glamorous.
It’s windswept, real, and peaceful.
If you need a break from the city hustle, this is where you go.
