Travelling Europe - Belgium
Eager to travel to Belgium? You are more likely to find information on the regions and communities, rather than on Belgium as a whole. Three languages are used in Belgium: Dutch is spoken in the northern region of Flanders and the central capital region; French is spoken in the southern region of Wallonia and the central Brussels capital region; and German is spoken by the smallest group of Belgians, living near the east border. Belgium became a federal state in 1991. It is ruled by a national government, governments that represent the three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels), and governments that represent the three language groups (Dutch, French and German). Each has its own responsibilities. Rules and languages differ from one region to another. On the following pages (which reflect the diversity of the country) you’ll find more information on how Belgium is organised and how to travel around it. You’ll find useful information whether you’re already in Belgium or would like to visit for the first time.
Country insight
For more information on Belgium and Brussels, please check the websites mentioned further down this page:
- Belgium: About tourism and travel advice
- General information about Belgium, the regions, tourism and travel advice, from this website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- http://diplomatie.belgium.be/ [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Belgian monarchy
- Official site of the Belgian monarchy, it gives an overview of the king, the royal family, the monarchy, related places to visit and the activities of the royals.
- http://www.monarchie.be [NL][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Official Belgium portal
- Introduces Belgium in several ways: politics, institutes, culture and people. An interesting starting point for anyone who wants to know more about Belgium.
- http://www.belgium.be/ [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Portal for non-Belgians living in Belgium
- Information about Belgium from a non-Belgian viewpoint. Besides extensive practical information (like banking, school, healthcare, weather and news), you can chat with the regular visitors. Read the detailed insights.
- http://www.xpats.com [EN]
- Travel accessibility
- Travel information on accessibility, whatever the nature of your special needs. Accessibility in accommodation, museums and transportation is discussed. Read the travel experiences from others.
- http://www.toegankelijkreizen.be [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Travel sites
- Travel portal with links to different ways to travel. Look also at the attractions worth visiting in Belgium.
- http://www.reizensites.be [NL]
- World traveller
- Useful information for anyone with plans to travel and or stay for a longer period. Information on many relevant subjects is given, like what to take, budgeting, food, lodgings, transport, health and social security.
- http://www.reizigersnetwerk.be [NL]
- Belgium: Brussels
- Information on the capital, Brussels. History, transport, restaurants and things to visit.
- http://portail.irisnet.be/ [NL][EN][FR][DE][ES]
- Brussels:Digital Brussels –Flemish speaking community
- Information on all aspects of the Dutch-speaking community in Brussels. Current projects on culture, leisure time, education, living and working are explained.
- http://digitaalbrussel.vgc.be [NL]
- Belgium: Non–Belgians living in Brussels
- Lots of practical information on Brussels from a non-Belgian viewpoint. Submit a question or read the articles written by others.
- http://www.expatsinbrussels.com [EN]
- Flanders:Flanders in the world
- Website for Flemish emigrants or young people going abroad. Read the information and use the contact addresses on related subjects. In the future, information for immigrants may also be found.
- http://www.viw.be [NL]
- Flanders:Portal Flanders
- Official portal site. Information is displayed through topics or lifetime moments. A parallel website introduces Flanders in English. Economics, culture, education and lifestyle are discussed.
- http://www.vlaanderen.be [NL]
- Flanders:Showing the way
- This organisation has a wealth of information about travelling for people with disabilities, for individuals and for groups. An English summary is available.
- http://www.wegwijzer.be [NL][EN]
- Flanders:The Flemish government and youth
- Interested in youth policy? The Flemish governmental site for youth informs you about its youth and youth work policy. Look also at the official website on health and well-being.
- http://www.sociaalcultureel.be [NL]
- Flanders:Tourism board
- Wealth of information on visiting Flanders. Besides information on Flanders itself, all different aspects of visiting are covered.
- http://www.toerismevlaanderen.be [CS][DA][NL][EN][FR][DE][IT][ES][SV]
- Flanders:Use-it Ghent
- Alternative tourist information for Ghent, checked out by young people who know Ghent like the backs of their hands. Besides cheap accommodation, you’ll also find reasonably priced, good restaurants, music shops and places worth a visit.
- http://www.use-it.be [NL][EN]
- German Speaking Community:Community portal
- Contains general information as well as historic, geographic and demographic facts about the German-speaking community. Launched by the Ministry, the site is actually a portal offering a variety of links and information on topics such as activities and tourism, but also about the different institutions, municipalities, economic affairs and youth opportunities.
- http://www.dglive.be/ [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- German Speaking Community:East Belgian tourism
- If you’re looking for specific tourist information concerning this region, try this site! It offers interesting links for youth, including an events calendar, sport activities and cultural offers
- http://www.eastbelgium.com [NL][FR][DE]
- German Speaking Community:The Eifel
- An online introduction to East Belgium. Powered by an Internet provider, it offers complete information on a range of different topics such as weather, culture and tourism.
- http://ww.eifel.be [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Cities of Wallonia
- The object of the Union of Cities and Municipalities is to represent all the local authorities of the Walloon Region in their competence. It promotes their actions and their autonomy, and thus the local democracy principle established by the Belgian Constitution and the European Charter of Local Autonomy.
- http://www.uvcw.be [FR]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Wallonia Region Gateway
- Gateway to the Walloon Region where you can find pages for the citizens
- http://www.wallonie.be [NL][EN][FR][DE][IT][ES]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): City tours
- Website of ARAU (Atelier de Recherche et Action Urbaine), a non-profit organisation set up by a group of Brussels residents to defend their points of view in the town-planning process. ARAU promotes the democratisation of the decision-making process and defends the interests and roles of the city’s residents concerning housing, economic activity...ARAU organises city tours with this spirit.
- http://www.arau.org [EN][FR]
- German speaking Community: Eifel
- Online introduction to the eastern Belgium. Here you can find information such as weather, culture and tourism.
- http://www.eifel.be/ [NL][EN][FR][DE]
Accommodation
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- Accommodation for groups
- An online database searches accommodation depending on the number of people and the location. It is especially aimed at groups of young people.
- http://www.cjt.be/ [NL][EN][FR][ES]
- Belgium: Bed and breakfast, house swapping
- An overview on bed and breakfast offers throughout Belgium with contact addresses, prices and links to the specific websites. Information and offers on house swapping are displayed. Why not look after someone’s house while they are away?
- http://www.taxistop.be/1/www/bb$aanbod$.Regio?p_type=B&p_regio=11 [NL][EN][FR]
- Camping huts in the Benelux
- Information on camping huts and contact addresses in Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. Found the perfect one for you? Book it online!
- http://www.trekkershutten.nl [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Campsites
- An overview of campsites in Belgium. Click on the map, choose where you want to camp and the details and facilities will appear.
- http://www.camping.be [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Campsites in Belgium
- An overview of campsites in Belgium. By clicking on the site that interests you, you will find pictures, contact addresses and information about the campsite.
- http://www.campinggids.com/land.php?camp=bel [NL]
- Belgium: Independent youth hostels in Belgium
- An overview of the independent youth hostels in Belgium. Besides prices and contact addresses there are links to the hostels’ websites.
- http://www.hostelseurope.com/ [EN]
- Places to sleep for groups
- Ideal for a group of people searching a place to stay. Search accommodation by date, size of group and the city or municipality you would like stay in.
- http://www.kampeercentra.be [NL]
- Belgium: Youth Hostel Federation
- Information on all Belgian youth hostels in the Youth Hostel Federation. You’ll find essential information like costs, breakfast availability and directions. Where possible the website address of the hostel is given.
- http://www.vjh.be [NL][EN][FR]
- Brussels: Finding a flat in Brussels
- Quartier Latin is the Brussels student organisation offering an accommodation search engine for longer periods. Information is displayed by choosing a Brussels region, the type of room and maximum budget. Mandatory registration.
- http://www.qlb.be/ql/NL/1.htm [NL]
- Flanders: Ghent: Long-term accommodation
- The official site of the city of Ghent has a lot of useful tips on accommodation and what to consider. An online search engine searches accommodation. Good for students.
- http://www.gent.be [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Flanders: A flat in Leuven
- The University of Leuven offers a database to find accommodation for longer periods. Look at the special section on international students and student exchanges. Mandatory registration.
- http://www.kuleuven.ac.be/huisvesting [NL]
- Flanders: Sharing a house
- A site about sharing a house by people who do it themselves! Read the experiences, or add your housing question to the forum.
- http://www.samenhuizen.be [NL]
- Flanders: Accommodation agencies
- Addresses of all offices in Flanders. Search for a flat to rent online. Presents contact addresses and sometimes even photos!
- http://www.immobiliengids.be [NL]
- Flanders: Student flats in Antwerp
- The Association of Higher Education for Students offers its students a search engine for suitable accommodation. You need to be registered as a student first.
- http://www.studentkotweb.be/main.aspx [NL][EN][FR]
- Flanders: Tourism Flanders
- Choose the type, location and facilities you require. A brief introduction with the basic information and a link to the website where available.
- http://www.toervl.be [CS][DA][NL][EN][FR][DE][IT][ES][SV]
- German Speaking Community: Low-budget accommodation
- Addresses of farms and private people who offer places to sleep for groups and individuals. Most of them offer a site for your tent, but some farms also have attics or barns. Arranged according to municipalities, contact them to receive more information. Interesting for youth groups. Check out the restaurant list.
- http://www.eastbelgium.com/de/gastgs/gastgs7.html [DE]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Accomodation
- Network of the Youth hostels of the French speaking community of Belgium.
- http://www.laj.be [NL][EN][FR][DE][ES]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Youth hostels
- Website of the Centre Belge de Tourisme des Jeunes Belgian Centrer of Youth Tourism) where you can find lodging for youth groups in Wallonia and Brussels.
- http://www.gitesdetape.be [NL][FR]
- Flanders: Rooms
- At this website you can search over 10.000 rooms or list your room. This is a free service.
- http://www.easykot.be/ [CS][NL][EN][FR][DE][HU][IT][JA][PL][PT][RU][ES]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Short term accommodation for trainees
- « Bruxelles, le temps d’un stage » manages a database listing furnished rooms, furnished flats, flat-sharing available for stay from 1 to 6 months for trainees under 35 years old in Brussels. Basic information about accommodation.
- http://www.brusselsdestination.be [EN][FR]
- Belgium: Law about leases
- Detailed legislation on the main home leases concerning the tenant. Available online in pdf format on this Department of Justice’s site
- http://justice.belgium.be/fr/publications/de_huurwet_12de_editie.jsp?refere [NL][FR]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Student and alternative accommodation
- Tips to find or rent a student or alternative accommodation : practical and legal information, useful addresses. See also on the menu « litige locataire-propriétaire » (Litigation cases for tenants and landlords)
- http://www.jeminforme.be/logement_legislation/infos.html [FR]
- Belgium: Housing in Brussels
- Information, useful address and legislation about housing in Brussels-capital region : renting, property, renovating, taxation, subsidies, housing support, student accommodation, Brussels housing Code,...
- http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/vivre-a-bruxelles/logement [NL][EN][FR]
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Transport
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- Belgium: Airstop
- Travel agency that sells cheap flight tickets to fill up planes. The online database displays availability and special reductions for under 26 year olds. Cheap ferry and train tickets can also be found. Or book a car rental at your destination.
- http://www.airstop.be [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Belgian airports
- Information on aviation in Belgium. Links to several airports in Belgium. Some of them are small and only for freight. Most of the airport websites give information on the flight companies, prices and timetables.
- http://www.willgoto.com/6/087645/liens.aspx [NL][FR]
- Belgian Institute for Safe Transportation
- Official organisation for secure transportation in Belgium. Information on its mission and recent campaigns are online.
- http://www.bivv.be [NL][FR]
- Belgium: Belgian railway
- Railway information for Belgium and Europe. Train timetables, trip durations, prices and possible reductions are online. There is also information on high-speed trains, like Thalys and Eurostar, with the possibility of online booking.
- http://www.b-rail.be/main/index.html [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Connections: Travel company
- A travel company specialising in cheap travelling. Compare flight tickets and book online. Look for last minute flights, or book a car rental at your destination.
- http://www.connections.be [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Federal police
- Besides the road code, you’ll find road work and radar control locations on this site .
- http://www.federalepolitie.be/ [NL][FR]
- Joker, travel agency for young people
- This travel agency specialises in young people, and sometimes offers discount holidays. Compare cheap flight tickets and book online. Or book a car rental at your destination.
- http://www.joker.be/vliegtuigtickets/ [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Taxistop
- Offers and requests for lifts all over Europe on different dates. Don’t miss the cheap ferry tickets!
- http://www.taxistop.be/1/1eurostop.htm [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Traffic Belgium
- An overview of Belgium traffic. Up-to-date information on the roads, accidents, road works and other barriers are displayed.
- http://www.touring.be/nl/voertuigen-verkeer/verkeersinformatie/index.asp [NL][FR]
- Traffic Europe
- Overview of the traffic in Europe. Information on petrol costs, toll prices and traffic problems per country is given.
- http://www.vab.be/ [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Transport rules in Belgium
- Information on the rules of transportation. Questions and discussions can be raised at the forum or chatroom; you need to register first.
- http://wegcode.be [NL]
- Belgium: Public transport in Brussels and surroundings
- Information on itineraries, timetables, prices and reductions for public transportation in and around Brussels.
- http://www.mivb.be/ [NL][FR]
- Flanders:Biking and hiking
- Besides descriptions on biking and hiking routes and bike lanes, advice on relevant literature is given. Limited section in English, French and German.
- http://www.euroreizen.be/fietswandel/ [NL]
- Flanders:Biking organisation
- On this site of the national biking organisation you’ll find a lot of links to mobility, bike routes, biking tourism and campaigns to promote cycling. There is an English summary available.
- http://www.fietsersbond.be [NL][EN]
- Flanders:Public transport in Flanders and to Brussels
- Search facilities for buses, trams and metro. Travel itineraries, timetables of the buses and trams, bus stops. Various tariffs and possible reductions are explained.
- http://www.delijn.be [NL]
- Flanders:Trams along the coast
- Information on the trams at the seaside. The routes, timetables, prices and reductions are presented. Find out about local events that you can get to by tram.
- http://www.dekusttram.be [NL]
- Flanders: The organisation of public transportation users
- An initiative to ensure better public transport. From the feedback of travellers it gives suggestions and advice to the public transport companies.
- http://www.bttb.be [NL]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Cycling
- Discover Wallonia and Brussels by bike: provelo offers a service of guided bicycle tours and bicycle hire.
- http://www.provelo.org [NL][EN][FR]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Public transport
- TEC (Transport En Commun) covers the five transport companies working the Walloon Region. Find on the website itineraries, timetables, prices and special services.
- http://www.infotec.be [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Belgium: Your itinerary
- Itineraries, maps, hotels, catering in Belgium and Europe.
- http://fr-be.mappy.com [NL][FR][DE]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Cycling
- The GRACQ (Groupe de Recherche et d'Action des Cyclistes Quotidiens)is an association promoting the use of bicycles as a means of day-to-day transport in Brussels and Wallonia.
- http://www.gracq.org [FR]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Ravel website
- The RAVEL (Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes) is an autonomous network of slow ways designed to enable any soft user to travel without involving motor transport of any kind, Ravel proposes itineraries with exclusive right of way: tow paths, converted former main and local railway lines, link paths,...
- http://ravel.wallonie.be [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Public bike hire system in Brussels
- Automated bike hire system to get around by day or by night in the capital. There are different subscription packages available (1 day ticket, 7 day ticket or 1 year card) Procedures and advices online.
- http://www.villo.be [NL][EN][FR]
- Belgium: Norfolkline ferries
- Information on the ferry between Zeebrugge and Rosyth (Edinburgh)Practical transport information like timetables, prices and directions. Book online.
- http://www.norfolkline.com/ferry/ [NL][EN][FR][DE][PL]
- Belgium: Car sharing
- Cambio is a car-sharing service. There are pick up places for cars in cities in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.
- http://www.cambio.be [NL][FR]
- Belgium: Transport
- Website that directs you to information about different transportation means in Belgium.
- http://www.go-mobile.be [NL][FR]
- Belgium): Coach company
- Eurolines offers a lot of cheap travels abroad from different Belgian cities. Booking and timetables available online
- http://www.eurolines.be [NL][EN][FR]
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Spend & save
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- All about money
- Money, money, money: information on all aspects, on the National Bank of Belgium website.
- http://www.nbb.be/pub/index.htm [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Euro
- Lots of information on the Euro. Information on the history but also lots of practical knowledge. You can test your knowledge with a Euro-quiz.
- http://www.nbb.be/pub/02_00_00_00_00/02_01_00_00_00/02_01_01_00_00.htm?l=en [NL][EN][FR][DE]
- Flanders and the Dutch-speaking community in Brussels: Free
- Find a game to win all kind of prizes. Look at the free offers or ask for what you need. You can also find things to rent or buy. Participate in the forum to announce things to win, give away or find free stuff or exchange prizes.
- http://www.gratiz.be [NL]
- Flanders and the Dutch-speaking community in Brussels: LETS
- The Local Exchange and Trading System is a different way to look at money and spending. More information on what it is, how it works, local groups and contact addresses. You can download a lot of information.
- http://www.letsvlaanderen.be/ [NL]
- Flanders and the Dutch-speaking community in Brussels: Second hand
- Information and contact addresses for second hand stores. The organisation also introduces itself and explains its philosophy and aims.
- http://www.dekringwinkel.be [NL]
- Flanders and the Dutch-speaking community in Brussels: Youth discount card
- Are you under 26? The cultural youth card gives you a lot of reductions on events, transportation and shops. Have a look at the organisation and at the different reductions displayed by subject.
- http://cjp.be/ [NL]
- German Speaking Community: EURO<26
- If you’re looking for reductions, the Euro<26 offers a variety of reductions and advantages for the holder (who has to be under 26). It includes travel insurance and reductions on cinema, concerts and shopping. This site contains all the information, addresses, dates and facts for the card. Send your questions and suggestions by email.
- http://www.jugendbuero.be/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-162/ [DE]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): Last minute tickets
- Last minute tickets (50% reduction) from 80 cultural associations in Brussels.
- http://www.arsene50.be [NL][FR]
- French speaking Community (Wallonia and Brussels): European Youth card
- If you are under 26, you can benefit from advantages and reductions in cultural activities everywhere in Europa. This card also offers a travel insurance in Belgium, Europa and some Maghreb countries. Card on command available online.
- http://www.cartejeunes.be [FR]
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Last update: 01/02/2012 @ 12:55:57
Youth Programme