Belgium

Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country found in Western Europe next to Germany, France and the Netherlands. The country is divided into three main regions: the Flemish region, Walloon region and the Brussels-Capital region. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and other major cities include Antwerp, Liège and Bruges. Belgium is a very developed place to live, with a high quality of life index and and high-income jobs.
The www.gov.uk website has a lot of helpful information for travelling to Belgium.

Details

Before visiting any country make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.

  • Emergency Services: 100 (fire and ambulance) and 101 (police)
  • Language: Dutch, German and French
  • Currency: Euro
  • Capital City: Brussels
  • Country Code: BE
  • Travel Visa: None required
  • Population: 11,652,906
  • Driving: Right-hand side

Risk Level

Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;

Overall Risk 50%
Pickpickets 60%
Mugging 45%
Common Crimes 40%

Travellers Tips

Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.

  • Belgium has a mild climate, so it is fine to visit all year round. It's average summer temperature is around 22 degrees, and in winter it gets to as low as 3.5 degrees.
  • If you're a beer fan, Belgium has over 1000 different breweries despite it being a small country. Check out some of the local brews!
  • The more you know about a place or culture the more rewarding the experience, if you find out the history and background when you arrive you will have a deeper understanding of the culture, people and environment.

Belgium

  • What are some top safety tips for visiting Belgium?

    Carry a phone card, charge card or change for the pay phones, in case you have your phone stolen or run out of battery. Always keep the number and address of the hostel/hotel where yo are staying in case you can’t find your way back.

    Carry yourself with confidence when walking around a city and that you know where you are going. When absorbed in the sights try to be mindful of your belongings and surroundings. If you are traveling alone, exploring a new city can be a little scary, see if anyone where you are staying wants to go with you or find out about local tours.

    The more prepared you are the better; find out about the local area do’s and don’ts, laws and regulations it could save you from getting in to difficulty or in extreme cases fined or arrested.

  • What are some common crimes in Belgium?

    Pickpocketing is one of the most common crimes in Belgium, keep your belongings secure at all times and take extra care in busy areas and train/bus stations.

  • What are some of the main annual events in Belgium?

    Easter

    During Easter week children are told eggs drop in gardens by flying church bells and sugar beans are given as gifts to people who call on a young mother.

    Christmas

    One of the favourite celebrations and an opportunity for large meals with the extended family. People eat sweet bread to signify that of Jesus and exchange gifts as part of the festival. For the food, it is usually a mix of seafood and festive meals like roast turkey or pork. Another important part of Christmas is the feast of St. Nicholas, which is held on December 6th every year.

Improve Your Safety

Knowledge The more you have the better equipped you are.

Research is always number one. Any place you choose to visit usually has something about it that makes us want to find out more, ultimately the more you know the better your experience.

Awareness The more you see the safer you become.

Armed with the knowledge of the possible risks, common crimes and safety advice, your raised awareness and enables you to spot possible hazardous situations before they unfold.

Response The right reaction can change a situation.

How you handle a situation is very important and can dramatically change the outcome. If you have recognised the potential dangers early enough it will give you time to process and decide on the best course of action… Find Out More

For more country specific travel & safety information, please visit the Travel Aware website by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Towns & Cities

  • Bruges

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    Bruges is located in Belgium and is the seventh largest city in the country in terms of population. It is located in the Flemish region in the north-west of the country. Bruges has a lot of medieval architecture, making it a very popular city for medieval festivals and events. The city is famous for its textile industry, which has even inspired several films.

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  • Antwerp

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    Antwerp is a city in Belgium and is the capital of the Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. The city can be found along the river Scheldt, which goes directly into the North Sea. Antwerp is a very important city for industry and business, with the city’s port ranking the second busiest port in Europe, and one of the top ones in the world.

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  • Brussels

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    Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is located in the centre of the country. The city is home to over 80 different museums, so there is something for every kind of interest. Brussels is also one of the greenest capital cities in Europe, with over 8000 hectares of green space.

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