Belgium Travel Guide

Belgium is a small Western European country situated on the coast of the North Sea, and borders France to the southwest Luxembourg to the southeast Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north.

Following the Belgian revolution of 1830, the country became independent from the Netherlands with the installation of King Leopold 1st in 1881.  Today, Belgium is a constitutional, popular monarchy and a Parliamentary democracy with a Federal government.

Belgium is divided into three main regions, with the more densely populated region of Flanders to the north, Walloon to the south, and the small region of the Brussels capital, situated in the south of the Flanders region.

The country is heavily industrialised and densely populated with its capital, Brussels being the unofficial headquarters of the European Union.  Belgium is also a member of Benelux group of nations; an economic union between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Many of Belgium’s cities and towns are centred around medieval castles, churches and other historic buildings, making it a popular tourism destination. The city of Antwerp is famous for being the centre of the world’s diamond industry as well as boasting a bustling nightlife and fashion scene, while Bruges is widely accepted as one of Europe's most important and beautiful historic centres. The towns and cities of the Wallonia region offer visitors areas of great natural beauty and many opportunities for hiking and other active pursuits. Belgium is also famous for its delicious chocolate and vast array of beers, with the city of Leuven being home to Stella Artois beer and the second largest brewery in the world.

A large percentage of the country is low lying with flat coastal plains in the North West.  Blending the gently rolling hills in the central region, through to the higher generally wooded hills of the Ardennes in the southeast.