Summer isn’t the only time of year that’s perfect for holidays, and a short break in Belgium during winter offers a great pick-me-up when the days get shorter and colder.
Here, we share some of our favourite things to do in Belgium during winter, including great options for culture vultures, foodies, and those looking for some festive fun!
Discover Belgium’s best museums
One of the most popular things to do in Belgium during winter is to escape the cold by exploring some of the country’s best museums. If you’re visiting Bruges, you’ll love exploring its fascinating Historium. This attraction gives you the chance to travel back in time and see the city as it was during its medieval Golden Age, and you’re sure to learn loads about its past as you explore the museum’s 7 themed rooms – including those dedicated to the Bruges Quays, Jan van Eyck’s studio, and the city’s back streets. Bruges Historium also offers a virtual reality experience, plus the chance to experience panoramic views from the top of its 35m tall neo-gothic tower.
Less than 90 minutes from Bruges by car is Brussels, home to the impressive Atomium. Built for the Brussels World Fair in 1958 to represent the metals industry, the Atomium was originally meant to be a temporary fixture, but is still one of Brussels’ most popular tourist attractions to this day. When you step inside of the Atomium, you can walk through its wonderful tubes and spheres, and see a permanent exhibition about the attraction itself, plus temporary exhibitions which change around different themes. You’ll also find a panoramic restaurant which serves Belgian food, and a viewing platform which offers views of Brussels and beyond.
If Ypres is your Belgian winter destination of choice, visit the In Flanders Field Museum for a humbling and educational experience. With a focus on sharing a message of peace, and conserving a link between the present and World War I, this museum has a significant location in the renovated Cloth Hall, and shares information about the invasion of Belgium and life in the trenches. Discover hundreds of items and photographs, interactive exhibits, educational, cultural, and artistic programmes, and a fantastic research centre – which covers everything from local history to the war’s background. For more cultural sites, why not check out the World Heritage sites in Belgium?
Christmas markets in Belgium during winter
If you’re visiting Belgium between the end of November and the beginning of January, it’s very likely that you’ll find a Christmas market or two to explore. Boasting festive huts, twinkling lights, and Christmas carols, these markets offer the perfect place to pick up gifts, decorations, souvenirs, and treats for yourself. Despite originating in Germany, amazing festive markets are hosted across Europe these days, and you’ll find some of the best Christmas markets in Belgium.
You’ll find extra activities, such as ice skating rinks and fairground rides, at some Christmas markets, and many will offer a whole range of food options, including waffles, hot dogs, and fries, which you can eat as you walk around. The markets also offer the opportunity to pick up local products, so don’t forget to stock up on Belgian chocolate and beer.
Venture outside of the Christmas markets and you’ll find that shop window displays are beautifully festive too. Christmas shopping in Belgium is a great idea as you’ll be able to buy gifts that you wouldn’t find at home, and when you travel by ferry with your car you can load up your boot with as much as you can carry.
Eat comforting food
Belgian food is amazing all year round, but there are some traditional dishes that provide the comforting feeling you might need during the winter months. A meal that you simply must have when in Belgium is mussels with chips, and mussels are at their tastiest during winter! Usually cooked in white wine and parsley, mussels can be found in cafés and restaurants throughout Belgium, and they’ll often be served in the black pots that they’re cooked in – with a side of crispy fries!
Another winter staple in Belgium is Carbonnade Flamande. This comforting stew is made by slow cooking beef in Belgian beer, and then bread is added to thicken the sauce. The original recipe also includes a little bit of onion, but the melt in the mouth beef is the main focus of the dish. Carbonnade Flamande is served with chips or mashed potato, and it’s guaranteed to warm you up on winter days.
In addition to winter food, there are a couple of drinks that are sure to make you feel toasty as you explore Belgium during winter too. For something boozy, opt for a warming Vin Chaud – or hot wine. A festive favourite, this drink is made from red wine mixed with honey, orange, and cinnamon, and the Belgian version is less sweet than those you might find elsewhere. Alternatively, you might prefer a tasty Chocolat Chaud. Due to Belgian chocolate’s popularity, it’s unsurprising that this drink is especially delicious, and if you’re travelling with kids you can be sure that they’ll enjoy it too!
With so many great things to do in Belgium during winter, don’t delay in booking your Dover to Calais ferry crossing and planning your winter getaway today!
