The 10 best weekend breaks in Belgium

Belgium offers diverse weekend escapes including Spa town's thermal baths, Bruges' medieval canals, Ardennes skiing, Oostende beaches, and six authentic Trappist brewery monasteries. Given that Belgium is a small but well-connected country, planning a leisurely weekend away is never a difficult task for residents and visitors.

Spa Town Relaxation

Spa town in the Ardennes region is famous for thermal springs discovered by Romans in the 14th century. Thermes de Spa offers 800-square-meter facilities with thermal baths, massages, facials, saunas, and exercise classes. Hundreds of hotels and B&Bs make overnight stays convenient.

Historic Battlefields

Waterloo and Ieper are sites of two of Europe's bloodiest battles. The 1815 Battle of Waterloo saw the Duke of Wellington defeat Napoleon I. Visit the Lion's Mound, Napoleon's Last Headquarters, and Wellington Museum. In Ieper, the In Flanders Fields Museum and Menin Gate Memorial commemorate WWI soldiers with nightly Last Post ceremonies at 20:00.

Ardennes Skiing

Belgium's 12 ski resorts become winter paradises when snow falls. The Ardennes region offers alpine and cross-country skiing with trails through stunning snow-covered summits and forests. Baraque de Fraiture extends to 650m, while Mont des Brumes features a 1,000m-long alpine slope.

Coastal Getaways

Oostende on the Belgian coastline is rated among Europe's fifty most beautiful beaches. The city offers shopping streets, restaurants, museums, and the famous Oostende Casino. Take the Kusttram (coastal tram) running from De Panne to Knokke-Heist with almost 70 stops along the entire coastline.

Bruges: Venice of the North

Bruges boasts extensive canal networks around its medieval city. Explore chocolate shops at Choco-Story Museum, sample beers at De Halve Maan brewery, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site including the belfry tower and Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Historic Tongeren

Belgium's oldest city features fortified walls from the 1st century and Roman archaeological sites. Visit Our Lady Basilica, the Gallo-Roman Museum, and the huge Sunday antique market with 350+ exhibitors starting at 07:00.

Charming Durbuy

Famous as the smallest city in the world, Durbuy sits in the Ardennes overlooking the Ourthe River. Stroll medieval stone house streets, visit the world's largest topiary park, and enjoy outdoor activities including cycling and kayaking.

High Fens Hiking

Belgium's first nature park and largest reserve spans 11,123 acres with raised bogs, moorland, forests, and hills. Explore marked trails around marshlands, meadows, rivers, and waterfalls. Rent mountain bikes at the nearby Ardennes region.

Trappist Brewery Tours

Six of the world's 14 authentic Trappist brew monasteries are in Belgium. Visit Chimay's Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont and Espace Chimay to learn about and taste famous ales. Explore Rochefort and Orval abbeys for more Trappist experiences.

Next Steps

Plan your Belgian weekend escape. Book accommodations early, especially for summer and holidays. Research opening hours and make necessary reservations.

Exploring Belgium? Visit Expatslist for travel guides. Share experiences on our blogs page, or add your tourism business.