With 3 official languages, and being bordered by 4 countries, Belgium is a melting pot of a country. The capital city of Brussels has both ancient and very modern architectural styles. Known for their waffles, chocolate, fries, and beers, foodies will love this country. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: French, Dutch, and German are all official languages in Belgium, with Dutch primarily spoken in northern Belgium, French in southern Belgium, and German in a small area near the border with Germany

• Currency: Euro, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Central European Summer Time (summer months, UTC+2), Central European Time (winter months, UTC+1)

• Visas: Belgium is a part of the Schengen Area. Tourists from other Schengen Area countries, along with many North American, South American, and Eastern Asian countries can also visit Belgium visa free for up to 90 days. Starting in 2022, tourists outside of the Schengen Area will need to obtain an ETIAS waiver to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: Not customary

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Brussels: With over 2 million people, the Brussels metro area is the most populous metro area in Belgium, and is home to the European Union headquarters. Brussels has a wide variety of things to see, including the Atomium, Manneken Pis, the Grand Place, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and all of the comic strip walls throughout the city

• Bruges: Similar to Venice or Amsterdam with canals running through the city, Bruges is also similar to Brussels in the fact that it has a large central plaza and great architecture. Climb up the Belfry of Bruges, see the wooden windmills, and see all of the ancient churches in town

• Battlefields: Many battles have occurred on Belgian soil in Napoleonic Wars, World War I, and World War II, and remains from many of the battles still remain and can be seen today across the country

• Dinant: Located in southern Belgium, Dinant is a small picturesque town set between the Meuse River and steep cliffs. Only an hour drive from Brussels, Dinant makes a great day trip

Travel Tips:

• Like many other small European countries, getting around the country for day trips is easy to do with Belgium’s rail network

• Many train stations throughout Belgium have lockers. This is a great way to explore a city for a short amount of time without worrying about carrying around your luggage