10 Unique Experiences to Book in Belgium

On By saar.decosterIn Belgium

Belgium is a small country, but there are honestly so many fun experiences you can book here.

Of course, you can explore our cities completely independently, but if you want to learn more about Belgian culture, try local food or simply do something a little different, these are some experiences I’d consider.

I’ve also included some of my personal favourites as a Belgian, because obviously I have opinions.

If you’re still deciding where to go, my Belgium Cities Compared: Which Belgian City Should You Visit? guide compares the different cities and what each one is best known for.

1. Take a Boat Trip in Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp

One of my favourite ways to see some of Belgium’s historic cities is from the water.

You can take boat trips in Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, so there are options depending on where you’re staying.

If I had to choose just one, though, I’d pick Bruges.

If you’re spending more time in Bruges, check out my Bruges Travel Guide for more things to do, places to eat and tips for exploring the city.

Bruges is probably the most beautiful setting for a boat trip. You get to cruise through the medieval city centre, under the little bridges and along the canals while seeing the historic buildings from a completely different perspective.

The downside?

Everyone else knows this too.

Bruges can get extremely busy, especially during the middle of the day.

If you want something a little more peaceful, there are also private boat options, which could be worth considering if you’re travelling as a couple, with friends or simply want a more relaxed experience.

→ Here are some boat trips in Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp you can book:

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Explore the Belgium Map → €5

2. Do a Belgian Chocolate Tasting or Tour

Okay, if you ask me to choose one food experience in Belgium, this would probably be it.

Belgium is famous for chocolate for a reason, and there are so many different chocolate experiences you can do.

Chocolate is also one of the things I cover in my Belgian Food Guide: 15 Foods You Need to Try, where I share more Belgian foods you shouldn’t miss.

You could:

  • Do a chocolate tasting
  • Visit a chocolate factory
  • Take a chocolate-making workshop
  • Go on a chocolate tour
  • Learn how Belgian chocolate is made
  • Or, obviously, just eat A LOT of chocolate

And if I had to choose one specific chocolate experience?

Give me a chocolate truffle.

Chocolate truffles are my personal favourite chocolate, so as a Belgian, that’s what I’d pick.

But there are obviously plenty of other options, so have a look at the experiences below and choose whatever sounds best to you.

→ Here are some Belgian chocolate tastings, tours and workshops:

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3. Do a Belgian Beer Tour or Pub Crawl

You can’t really come to Belgium without trying some Belgian beer.

And yes, you can absolutely do this yourself.

If you want to know which beers to try while you’re here, check out my Belgian Beer Culture: Beers You Should Try in Belgium guide.

Go to a Belgian bar, order a few different beers and start working your way through the menu. There are literally hundreds of Belgian beers to choose from.

But if you’d rather do it with a group, a Belgian beer tour or pub crawl can be a really fun option.

You’ll get to try several different beers while learning more about Belgian beer culture, and you’ll probably meet some other travellers along the way too.

→ Here are some Belgian beer tours and pub crawls you can book:

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4. Visit a Belgian Brewery

A brewery visit is slightly different from simply doing a beer tasting.

Instead of just drinking the final product, you get a behind-the-scenes look at how Belgian beer is actually made.

You’ll learn about the brewing process, the ingredients and the history behind the brewery, followed by, obviously, a tasting.

I think this is particularly interesting if you’re curious about why Belgian beer is so famous and want to understand a little more about the culture behind it.

It’s also a really nice option if you’ve already done a regular beer tasting and want something a bit more special.

→ Here are some Belgian brewery tours you can book:

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5. Learn How to Make Belgian Waffles

If there’s one thing we Belgians can make very well, it’s waffles.

And while you can obviously just buy one from a waffle shop, which you absolutely should, you can also learn how to make them yourself.

A Belgian waffle-making workshop lets you learn how the batter is made, how to cook them properly and, most importantly, you get to eat your creations afterwards.

Honestly, this sounds like such a fun experience if you’re travelling with friends, as a couple or with kids.

And let’s be real:

Fresh Belgian waffles are hard to beat.

→ Here are some Belgian waffle-making experiences:

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6. Eat Belgian Fries

Visit the Frietmuseum in Bruges

FRIETJES!!!!!

Okay, if there’s one thing you absolutely have to try in Belgium, it’s Belgian fries.

I also wrote a complete guide on Belgian Fries in Belgium: How to Eat Fries Like a Local if you want to know how we actually eat our fries in Belgium.

And if you’re visiting Bruges, I’d recommend combining it with a visit to the Frietmuseum, where you can learn more about the history of Belgian fries and how they became such a big part of Belgian culture.

And obviously, the best part is that you can eat some fries afterwards.

I think it’s a fun and very Belgian experience, especially if you’re already spending time in Bruges.

→ Book your Frietmuseum visit below:

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7. Spend a Day at Pairi Daiza

Okay, this one is a little different, but I LOVE Pairi Daiza and couldn’t leave it out.

Pairi Daiza is one of my favourite zoos in Belgium and honestly, you can easily spend an entire day there.

It’s huge, beautifully designed and has different areas inspired by places all over the world.

It’s also a great option if you’re travelling with children, but I personally think adults can have just as much fun there.

There is one important thing to know, though:

It’s quite far away from Belgium’s main cities.

So before booking your tickets, check how you’re going to get there.

I’d personally recommend going by car, as this makes things much easier.

If you’re staying in Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp without a car, definitely check the travel time and transport options first.

→ Get Your Pairi Daiza ticket here:

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8. Explore a Belgian City by Bike

Want to experience Belgium like a real Belgian?

Get on a bike.

Cycling is such a normal part of everyday life here, especially in cities like Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges.

Ghent is particularly easy to explore by bike, but there’s much more to the city than cycling. Check out my Ghent Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & Drink if you’re planning to spend a few days there

You can explore independently, rent a bike and make your own route, or join a guided cycling tour.

I actually think a guided bike tour can be a really fun way to see a city because you’ll cover more ground than you would on foot while also learning more about the places you’re cycling through.

And obviously, cycling around a Belgian city makes you feel very local.

→ Choose your city and check out the available bike tours:

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9. Take a Day Trip from Brussels to Ghent & Bruges

If you’re staying in Brussels and only have a short amount of time in Belgium, a day trip to Ghent and Bruges can be a really convenient way to see more of the country.

If you’re deciding which of the two cities deserves more of your time, I also compare them in Bruges vs Ghent: Which Belgian City Is Better? My Honest Opinion.

You’ll be able to visit both cities without having to organise your own transport or change hotels.

Would I personally recommend doing it this way?

Honestly, if you have more time, I’d rather stay in Ghent and explore the cities separately.

Ghent is one of my favourite cities in Belgium, and I think it deserves more than a few hours.

But if you’re only in Belgium for a short trip and really want to see Brussels, Ghent AND Bruges, this is a great option.

You can let someone else organise the transport and focus on enjoying the cities.

→ Here are some Brussels → Ghent & Bruges day trips:

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10. Try a Tipsy Tour of Brussels

Okay, this one is special.

I came across this on GetYourGuide and honestly thought:

This looks SO fun.

It’s a tipsy tour through Brussels, where you explore the city while enjoying some drinks along the way.

And honestly, I think this fits perfectly with the Brussels I talk about in my other articles.

Brussels isn’t just the Grand Place and Manneken Pis.

It’s multicultural, alternative, chaotic and constantly changing. There are so many different neighbourhoods and sides to the city, and this tour seems like a fun way to experience a slightly different side of Brussels.

And you’re doing it while getting a little tipsy.

So…

Very Belgian.

Obviously Belgian culture is about much more than drinking, but let’s be honest: beer is a pretty big part of Belgian culture.

So if you want to immerse yourself in Belgium properly…

Why not do it slightly drunk?

→ Check out the Brussels Tipsy Tour here:

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Which Experiences Would I Choose?

If you don’t want to book ten different activities, these would be my personal choices:

For food: Chocolate tasting, especially the truffles.
For Belgian culture: Brewery or beer tour.
For something fun: Waffle-making workshop.
For something very Belgian: Go to a proper frituur.
For the most beautiful setting: Boat trip in Bruges.
To feel like a local: Bike tour.
For a full day: Pairi Daiza.
If you’re short on time: Brussels → Ghent & Bruges day trip.
For something completely different: The Brussels Tipsy Tour.

And honestly, you don’t need to book an experience for every day of your Belgium trip. Some of my favourite Belgian experiences are still just sitting on a terrace, walking around a city, eating fries and having a beer with friends.

But if you want to add a few special experiences you might not organise yourself, these are definitely worth looking at.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

Belgium Planning Guides

Belgium Food and Drinks Guides

More Belgium Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Belgium?

Some of the best things to do in Belgium include tasting Belgian chocolate, trying Belgian beer, making waffles, eating Belgian fries, taking a boat trip and exploring Belgium by bike. You can also visit unique attractions such as Pairi Daiza or take a day trip from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges.

What food experiences should you try in Belgium?

If you love food, I’d definitely recommend a Belgian chocolate tasting, waffle-making experience and a visit to the Frietmuseum in Bruges. And of course, don’t leave Belgium without trying fries from a traditional frituur!

Is a Belgian beer tour worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re interested in Belgian beer and want to learn more about the country’s beer culture. A beer tour or tasting lets you try several different beers while learning about their history and brewing traditions.

What is a unique experience to do in Belgium?

One of the more unusual experiences is a tipsy tour of Brussels, where you explore the city while learning about its alternative side and enjoying Belgian drinks along the way. It’s definitely not your typical sightseeing tour!

Which Belgian city is best for a boat trip?

Bruges would be my first choice because the canals and medieval architecture make it especially beautiful from the water. However, you can also take boat trips in Ghent and Antwerp.

Can you visit Ghent and Bruges on a day trip from Brussels?

Yes. If you’re short on time, a day trip from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges can be a convenient way to see both cities. Personally, I’d rather stay in Ghent if you have the time, but a guided day trip is a good option for a shorter visit.

Is Pairi Daiza worth visiting?

I think Pairi Daiza is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you love animals and want something different from Belgium’s historic cities. Keep in mind that it’s relatively remote, so check transport options beforehand. Having a car is the easiest option.

What is the best chocolate experience in Belgium?

There are several great options, from chocolate tastings to chocolate-making workshops and factory tours. Personally, if I had to choose just one food experience in Belgium, I’d go for chocolate, and especially chocolate truffles, because they’re my personal favourite.

Is Belgium good for cycling?

Absolutely. Cycling is a huge part of Belgian culture, and exploring a Belgian city by bike is a fun way to see more of it. You can find guided cycling tours in cities including Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.

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