Belgium: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In Belgium, many vacationers are drawn to the Ardennes. Here, the dense forest landscapes and picturesque river courses enchant. Away from the Ardennes, the coast around Ostend invites a stay. Here, golden sand stretches out, and you can plunge into the waves right in front of your accommodation.
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Belgium - 8 most beautiful natural sights
High Fens
For a visit to the High Fens, you can travel from Germany via Schevenhütte or explore the area from the Belgian spa town of Spa. The vast natural landscapes, which can be explored by hiking and cycling, are impressive. Recommended starting points include Mont Rigi and Baraque Michel. The so-called "Palsen" are distinctive in the High Fens. The ring-shaped embankments enclose a moor pond and are of natural origin. The best way to view this attraction is by taking a walk on the wooden walkways. Many vacationers are also drawn to the reservoirs in Eupen, Robertville, and Simmerath.
North Sea Belgium
The idyllic resort Marienhafe with its windmills and healthy invigorating climate is just right for those seeking peace. In Hage, the charm of the East Frisian landscape entices you into the Lütetsburg Castle Park. The North Sea resort Wremen awaits with lighthouse romance, rustic cutters, and the endless expanse of the sea. This is pure relaxation! The whole family will find wonderful excursion opportunities and a dreamlike coastal landscape at the North Sea. A mudflat hike in the salt marshes, a nap in a beach chair, and a fish sandwich at Norddeich will quickly make you forget everyday life. Grab a bicycle and explore idyllic villages, sleepy harbor towns, and breathtaking cliffs.
The Zwin
In the Belgian province of West Flanders, the nature park surrounded by dunes is a paradise for amateur birdwatchers. The vast flatland of the Zwin, an arm of the North Sea, impresses with a special richness of animals and plants. In the salt marshes and mudflats, numerous shellfish, snails, and bird species have found a home alongside salt plants. In the observation center of the family-friendly Zwin Nature Park, you are offered a unique view of the landscape and its animal inhabitants. A hut trail including a saltwater laboratory and a listening hut with bird sounds allow you to experience nature up close. In the park's interactive all-weather exhibition, you can playfully track down bar-tailed godwits, barn swallows, and cuckoos.
Hoge Kempen National Park
The Hoge Kempen National Park is considered a special protected area where many rare animal species live. Smooth snakes, nightjars, and broom-tip butterflies are particularly noteworthy alongside the many birds. These creatures can be discovered on hikes through the dense pine forests. Additionally, Hoge Kempen is excellent for horseback rides over the fertile heathland. Impressive are the many boulders and rocks that have come from the Ardennes to the Hoge Kempen National Park. Particularly impressive is the solitary standing menhir on the Mechelner Heide. The rocks presumably originate from a nearby former quarry and were placed here by earlier cultures.
Ardennes
It is one of the last great wildernesses in Europe. With hilly forest ranges and romantic river valleys, the Ardennes invite family-friendly outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and biking. It is possible to experience the native wildlife, including raccoons, deer, lynxes, and many other animals, up close in the wild. For those interested in history and culture, the castles, fortresses, and monasteries of the Ardennes are a magical attraction. Medieval-looking villages and towns, including the rock city of Dinant at the foot of the Meuse River, are unique. In Rochefort, you can visit the hunting and water castle, the stalactite cave, and the Grotto of Lorette.
Hallerbos
Belgium's blue forest impresses not only with its floral splendor but also with giant sequoia trees that hint at the primal power of this forest. When the sun shines at the right angle, rabbits hop around, and birds sing, you feel like you're in a fantasy realm. The enchanted forest is under nature protection. Nevertheless, several hiking trails run through the thicket. The Sequoia Trail leads you to 40-meter-high giant sequoias. Here you can relax and say goodbye to everyday life for a short time. You can also explore the forest by bicycle or on horseback. The Reebok Trail starts at the hunting pavilion and takes you 7 kilometers through idyllic paths.
Paradise
The animal theme park in Brugelette spans an area of about 60 hectares on the grounds of a former Cistercian abbey. It is home to over 7,000 animals across more than 500 species, including elephants, giant pandas, white tigers, gorillas, bears, moose, and walruses. In the Nautilus Aquarium, located in a castle built in 1854, you can observe sharks, octopuses, and jellyfish. The colorful flock of birds in the large walk-in aviaries will also amaze you. Various species of cranes frolic in the Chinese Garden. Water buffalo live alongside Asian wild boars near rice fields, and powerful orangutans reside in a temple complex. Families particularly enjoy the koala house with its outdoor enclosure. The attraction in the North America section is the impressive Steller sea lions.
Dripstone cave Han-sur-Lesse
In the Belgian municipality of Han-sur-Lesse, right in the middle of the UNESCO Global Geopark, lies the very special and diverse dripstone cave that has already attracted millions of visitors. The underground passages with their fascinating natural beauty cover a good 2 km full of impressive stalactite formations, including a 7 m high stalagmite. In the middle of the route through the cave is the impressive sound and light show Origins. On the park grounds, there is also a museum, an interactive exhibition, a wildlife park, and a restaurant with regional specialties. Additionally, there are hiking trails and an idyllic terrace on the banks of the Lesse, inviting you to relax.
Belgium - Climate
For a vacation on the Belgian North Sea coast, it is best to choose the summer. From June to about September, you can enjoy relatively warm 20°C. The water warms up to about 18°C in July. For sightseeing in cities like Antwerp, exciting hikes, and bike tours in the Ardennes, spring and autumn are ideal, as it can get very hot inland in the summer. In autumn, however, it becomes a bit more uncomfortable due to more rain. Nevertheless, winter with a Christmas flair in Brussels or Antwerp at an average of 2 to 3°C is recommended.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.