Advertising on the portal

How to get to Belgium. Rail transport in Belgium

In the north-west of Europe lies a charming little country - the Kingdom of Belgium. It seems that time has stopped here - the romantic spirit of antiquity still hovers over the narrow medieval streets of Belgian cities. Brussels, the capital of the kingdom, is a real treasure trove of works of art. Its museums contain a magnificent collection of works by Flemish artists. And the city of Antwerp, recognized as the “diamond capital” of the world, is rightfully proud of the most complete collection of paintings by the incredible Rubens. Belgium is famous for its sea and thermal resorts. The town of Spa, which gave rise to a whole trend in cosmetology, will give you a fabulous, relaxing holiday. There are natural hot springs here, healing properties known all over the world. And if your goal is a vacation sea ​​coast, you will not be left indifferent by the summer resorts of Belgium located on the shores of the North Sea.

How to get to Belgium

There are regular flights from Moscow to Brussels. They are operated by Brussels Airlines and Aeroflot (tickets for Aeroflot flights are approximately 3-5 thousand rubles cheaper). The time spent in flight is three hours. You can get to Belgium by train. There are no direct train routes from Russia to Belgium, but you can change trains in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Cologne or Luxembourg. If you wish, you can travel to Belgium by bus. You will have to make a transfer in Germany, the travel time is about 48 hours (excluding possible delays on the Belarusian-Polish border).

Transport in Belgium

Internal air traffic is not developed here; Belgium is a small country; in a couple of hours by train you can reach any, even the most remote corner. But the railway network here is excellent. Trains run throughout almost the entire territory of Belgium and are comfortable. Intercity buses run only short distances - on suburban routes. Antwerp and Brussels have a metro system, other cities public transport represented by trams and buses. The cost of travel on public transport is from 1.5 to 2 euros. In general, local residents prefer to get around the city by bicycle. A taxi in Belgium can be caught on the street or called by phone. Car rental is available to anyone who has a passport, international law and a credit card.

Visa

A visa is required to enter Belgium. Since the Kingdom of Belgium is part of the Schengen zone, if you have a Schengen visa, there will be no problems crossing the border. Another option is a national visa. It can be applied for at the Visa Section of the Belgian Consulate. The procedure for processing the document takes from 4 to 8 working days and will cost you 40 euros. You must also pay 35 euros as a consular fee.

Climate

Belgium lies in a temperate maritime climatic zone. The humidity here is quite high - this is influenced by the cool winds coming from the Atlantic. Summers here are warm (temperatures in July are 18-20 degrees above zero), and winters are rainy. Severe cold weather practically never occurs; the average temperature in January ranges from 5 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees below zero. The water temperature in the North Sea in July and August is about 18 degrees above zero.

Belgian cuisine

It is believed that Belgian cuisine arose from a mixture of German and French culinary traditions. Local recipes are based on seafood, potatoes, meat, cheese, butter, cream and vegetables. It's interesting that in modern ways cooking traces some of the techniques adopted back in the Middle Ages - for example, the widespread use of mustard and local wild herbs, or mixing sweet and salty ingredients in one dish. A traditional Belgian lunch begins with appetizers. You will be offered spicy, spicy cheeses or shrimp with tomato slices and mayonnaise. It is worth trying Flemish-style asparagus (the sauce for it is made from butter with chopped parsley and beaten raw egg).

For the first course, rich fish soup or oysters in celery broth are most often served. Steak is offered everywhere with a wide variety of sauces; Ardennes trout stuffed with slices of lard and ham, as well as the famous fried Brussels poulard. You can't ignore Belgian desserts. Corrugated waffles (served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream) are famous all over the world, as are the wonderful Brussels pralines.

Hotels

There are many prestigious luxury hotels in Belgian cities, including those belonging to well-known hotel chains. Hotels in Belgium are classified according to a standard five-star system. Service in hotels is beyond praise, and prices correspond to the average European level. If you want to save money, hostels and campsites are at your service. There are hostels in any Belgian city, and campsites (which, by the way, are more comfortable) are mainly concentrated on the sea coast and in the Ardennes Mountains.

Shopping and stores in Belgium

Shops are open on all days except Sundays, from 10 to 21 hours. Boutiques in Belgium offer lines from all famous designers, and if you want to bring home a souvenir, head to one of the wonderful city shops where you can buy very beautiful tapestries, magical Brussels lace and much more.

Money

As throughout Europe, the official monetary unit Belgium - euro. If necessary, you can exchange currency at bank branches (they are open on weekdays) or exchange offices, many of which are open every day. ATMs are found literally at every step, and credit card You can pay even in rural stores.

Beaches of Belgium

The beaches of Belgium are recognized as the cleanest in Europe. The North Sea coast in the country stretches for 68 kilometers, and almost all of it is occupied by wonderful, well-maintained beaches. Here you will find clean, crystal water, silky golden sand and healing air pine forests.

Do Russians need a visa in Belgium? Yes, because it is part of the Schengen zone. The list of documents to be received is standard for Schengen. From special conditions– it is mandatory to have one completely blank sheet (2 pages) in the international passport, or two 4 pages) if you are planning a trip with a child). But there are practically no queues at visa centers, so many go to Belgium to open entry into the Schengen countries. Documents are reviewed within 5 to 7 days.

To obtain a visa, it is necessary to have medical insurance with a coverage amount of 30 thousand euros.

The cost of registration is standard for Schengen - 35 euros, plus 1900 rubles - consular fee.

How to get there?

Considering the popularity of this country, it is easy to get to, which means traveling around Belgium on your own will be successful. Planes, trains and buses go here from every European country.

You can fly from Moscow to Belgium by plane in just 3 hours. Direct Moscow-Brussels flights are operated by Aeroflot and Brussels Airlines. You can also get there with a transfer through the Baltic countries and Europe. It will be cheaper, but longer: connecting flights, depending on variations, take from 6 to 60 hours. Ticket prices are not fixed and vary depending on the season.

The country has 5 airports of international importance. The largest is Brussels International Airport, which is the best in Europe. It was originally built by the Germans in 1914 after invading the country as part of the First World War, as a hangar for their airships. During the hostilities, the airport changed hands several times, and after the war it became a passenger airport. Now about 20 million passengers a year pass through it. Now its territory has everything you need - from cafes and shops to rooms for meditation and prayer.

How to get from the airport to Brussels:

  • By train, the station is located in the main terminal building. From here, trains up to three depart at intervals of 15 minutes. railway stations capitals (Brussels North, Brussels Midi, Brussels Central).
  • By bus - there are several of them here. There is a direct flight to Antwerp that runs every hour. De Lijn's luxury buses take passengers to Roodebeek metro station. Buses are simpler - MIVB/STIB deliver those arriving to the EU building in Brussels.
  • By taxi - cars painted blue and yellow are waiting at the exit from the airport. This is a licensed taxi service, so you don't have to worry about being scammed or shortchanged. The cost of a trip to the center of Brussels is about 45 euros.

How to get to Belgium if you are afraid of flying? You can use the railway and train. By railway you will have to travel with transfers through almost any major city European countries. It will be more expensive than a direct flight. And it will take several days.

There is no direct bus from Russia, but you can get from Moscow to Belgium with transfers in Minsk and Warsaw.
Belgium climate not cold, but not hot either. In winter, on the Ardennes Highlands the average temperature drops to -1, on the plains - about +1, on the coast - +3 degrees. Summer is warm, but not hot. The summer season begins at the end of May and ends with the onset of September. It often rains in summer. The average temperature practically does not exceed 30 degrees.

It's quite cloudy in Belgium. Most sunny days observed in April and September.

Where to stay?

The hotels here are cozy and provide maximum amenities. Even the most budget ones are always clean and have all the necessary amenities.

There are the best chain hotels in Belgium: Hilton, Radisson (SPA hotel in Spa), Hyatt and others. But the majority are authentic hotels. Among these is Martin's Petershof, a hotel located in a former Gothic cathedral built at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It has five types of rooms with different designs: from ancient style, with Gothic columns in the bathroom, to modern ones, equipped with the necessary appliances.

Hotel “Walk of the Gnomes” (La Balade des Gnomes) – for lovers of everything unusual and exclusive. Its interior is designed in a fairytale style. A curved vault of heaven instead of a ceiling or a floating wooden bed in a room are quite ordinary things. And the hotel building itself is built in the shape of a wooden Trojan horse.

Euro Space Center is a high-tech hotel where you can see with your own eyes the rocket launch mechanism. Technical shows are often held here, and guests feel like residents of an intergalactic space station.

You can rent a small hotel house in rural areas, but rural tourism is not in demand here.

Of course, in 2-3 days you will only have time to see the main attractions. Do you want to get to know this country better? Come here for at least two weeks. And be sure to visit all three regions.

Transport

Rail transport in Belgium is the most developed: it is fast, convenient and inexpensive way get from city to city. Travel time is about 30-40 minutes. And in three hours you can drive through the entire territory of the country. Trains are almost silent and do not deviate from a clear schedule.

Trains are divided into three categories:

  1. Intercity - intercity, connecting large Belgium cities;
  2. InterRegio - Interregional;
  3. Daytime trains.

The ticket price depends on the distance and day of the week. The exact price of tickets can be found on the website of the Belgian National Railway System (www.belgianrail.be).

Buses run within cities, and the fare is different cities different. You can buy both a ticket for one trip and passes for a period of 1 (day and night) day and from 3 to 10 days.

With a bus ticket you can use the metro. You can also purchase a tourist pass for both types of transport. It's called BrusselsCard and costs 30 euros. You can ride all day long. A nice bonus is that this pass gives you free access to some museums and exhibitions.

There are about 800 taxi services in the country, and all of them are controlled by the Ministry of Transport, thanks to which the price for travel is fixed - 1.15 euros per kilometer, at night - a quarter more expensive. Taxis can be taken at parking lots near museums, hotels, and restaurants. It is not necessary to tip the taxi driver - they are already included in the price.

To plan your trip to Belgium yourself, you can use the popular car rental service. You can rent a car directly at the airport or from a special company. This is beneficial because fuel prices here are among the lowest in Europe and the roads are in excellent condition. To rent a car you need:

  • National driving license;
  • International rights;
  • Medical insurance;
  • Passport;
  • Credit card.

The rental cost is about 60 euros per day, plus paid parking will cost 10-15 euros. It is better not to leave your car on the side of the road: it can be picked up by a tow truck, which is fraught with troubles and fines. Violating traffic rules is highly undesirable: the fines are substantial. Important: the police transmit all data on fines to common system Schengen zone. Therefore, the next Schengen visa with such a reputation may not be issued.

You can also rent a bicycle - it will cost only 3 euros per day.

Where it is located is one of the first questions that arises for travelers planning to buy quality diamonds, explore ancient castles, or “attack” spa centers in . The best time to visit Belgium is the high season, which lasts from April to September. But it’s worth planning a trip here during the winter holidays to attend concerts and fairs, as well as skiing in the Ardennes.

Belgium: where is this country of chocolate and diamonds?

Location of Belgium (capital - , area 30528 sq. km) - Western. It borders on the eastern side, , on the western and southern, , on the southeastern, and on the northern. As for the northwestern side of Belgium, it is washed by the North Sea (the coastline stretches for 66.5 km).

If we talk about the topography of the country, we distinguish Low (there are dunes, the height of which does not exceed 30 m, as well as the Flanders Lowland and the Campine Lowlands), Middle (this territory is occupied by plains) and High (the territory is occupied by the Ardennes Mountains) Belgium, highest point which is the 694-meter Mount Botrange.

Belgium is divided into regions (Brussels-Capital, Walloon and Flemish regions) and 10 provinces (Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Hainaut and others).

How to get to Belgium?

Passengers spend approximately 3 hours on board Aeroflot and Brussel Airlines aircraft en route to Brussels.
Residents will be able to get to the Belgian capital by train, bus or plane (direct flights are available from International Airlines, and connecting flights from LOT and KLM), by train or on board airliners owned by Belavia (Austrian Airlines will offer a stopover). As for the Moscow - flight, there will be stops along the way at the airports (12.5 hours), and (10 hours), Rome and Vienna (8.5 hours).

Holidays in Belgium

Guests of Belgium are advised to visit Brussels (famous for the Royal Palace and Museum, the Atomium, St. Michael's Cathedral, Manneken Pis, the Palace of Charles of Lorraine, the Beer Museum, the Mini-Europe park), Liege (travelers should see the palace of the prince-bishops of the 11th century, the Church of Saint-Jean, the Town Hall, which is a reflection of the “French classicism” style, exhibits of the Maasland Museum of Archeology and Art; and on Saturday morning it is recommended to stroll through the Marche de la Batte market in search of necessary products and clothes; It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out the flea market at Saint Gilles to pick up unique Belgian souvenirs), (tourists are attracted here by the Cartier castle, museums of photography, glass and fine arts, as well as the annual festival of modern dance), (visitors of Bruges special attention should be paid attention to the 83-meter Belfort tower of the 13th century - those who climb more than 360 steps will be able to take a look at the surrounding area; Lake of Love; Church of the Holy Blood of Christ; Diamond Museum; amusement park Boudewijn).

Belgian beaches

  • Beaches: These wide beaches are covered with amber sand. From here you can go on a sea excursion, as well as ride on a rented yacht or catamaran.
  • beaches: they attract surfers, scuba diving, yachting and water skiing. As for the coastal area, there are sports shops there.

Souvenirs from Belgium

It’s not worth returning from Belgium to your native land without Belgian waffles and chocolate, fondue sets, lace tablecloths, napkins and linens, ceramics, tapestries, a small copy of Atomium, and cherry beer.

IN lately More and more of our compatriots are coming to see cities that have preserved their medieval appearance to this day. Belgium lures its fans with unusually tasty beer and chocolate, as well as the opportunity to purchase high-quality diamonds. Today we will talk about how to get to Belgium from Russia, what type of transport is more popular in this direction.

A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until August 31:

  • AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
  • AFTA2000Guru - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Thailand from 100,000 rubles.

And you will find many more profitable offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!

Given the significant distance between Russia and Belgium, the first and most in an efficient way Getting to your destination is air travel. You will have to fly to Brussels, within which the international terminal is located. Both domestic carriers and companies from Europe are ready to offer their services to tourists.

In particular, the Aeroflot company boasts the most interesting offer, whose planes make several flights from Sheremetyevo terminals every day. In addition to the reasonable price for the flight (only 9,400 rubles), there is another good news for passengers. The flight is designed for a direct flight and does not include intermediate stops. You can get to Brussels by plane in just 3.5 hours.

The flight will be more expensive, and the journey will be 2-3 times longer for customers who buy tickets for aircraft of Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz and many others. The planes of these companies fly through Istanbul, Riga, and Budapest. You will have to spend several hours waiting for a transfer.

You can also get to Brussels through neighboring countries. Thus, direct flights depart daily from Kyiv, Athens and Italian airports.

Bus

A good alternative to planes is to travel on a comfortable bus. In addition to the many routes that run through neighboring European countries where you can make a transfer, there is one direct flight. Every week on Tuesday and Friday a bus leaves from the Moscow Airport at 7 am. Its route runs through several cities in Belarus and Germany, including Minsk, Berlin, Cologne and others. Thus, you can see several countries that are radically different from each other at once.

Check the fare with the carrier. Although, according to the latest information, a one-way ticket cost 145 euros, and if you pay for a round trip ticket, you can save 40 euros on the return trip! For children and pensioners, as well as students, a system of discounts ranging from 10 to 50% is provided. On average, the journey takes up to 50 hours.

Via Berlin

If you have the opportunity to travel through Berlin, we recommend considering the following options. Firstly, you can cover the distance between the capital of Germany and Brussels by plane. Daily from international airport Aircraft from European and German companies take flights, among which you can also find budget ones, flights on which cost only 60-100 euros. But for a plane ticket from the most titled carrier in Germany - Lufthansa - you will have to pay several times more.

An alternative mode of transport is the bus. There are regular connections between the capitals of these European countries. The fare is affordable to almost everyone and averages 63 euros. Many carriers also provide discounts for young tourists and pensioners.

Well, how can we not mention the railway connection? After all, Germany is famous for its high-speed and comfortable trains, which can take passengers anywhere in just a few hours. Western Europe. Unfortunately, there is no direct connection with Brussels, so be prepared to change express trains in Cologne or Amsterdam. The average trip will cost 83-300 euros, depending on the class of carriage. The road to Brussels will take from 6.5 to 17.5 hours depending on the route.

We looked at some of the most popular ways to get to Belgium. But there are also other, no less interesting routes that we are all just discovering for ourselves.

Where to stay in Belgium

Hidden in the very heart of Europe, between France, Germany and the Netherlands, is a small country that is sometimes undeservedly overlooked by tourists. What am I talking about? Of course, about Belgium. For me, Belgium was the first European country that I had the opportunity to get to know from the inside. It was Belgium that destroyed my main stereotypes about Europe, allowed me to take off my rose-colored glasses and at the same time introduced me to such an exciting, so multifaceted and so ambiguous Western culture.

Thanks to its history and advantageous geographical location, this country was able to absorb the culture and traditions of a wide variety of European peoples. It’s not for nothing that it’s located here large number various international organizations: headquarters of the European Union, NATO, the secretariat of the Benelux countries... here are also the main offices of many large companies. However, do not think that Belgium is a country of bureaucrats and white-collar workers, intended exclusively for work.

In fact, Belgium is both a land with its own unique centuries-old foundations and a real mirror of modern Europe, which every tourist should look into.

Even the fact that the territory of Belgium is divided into two parts - Flanders and Wallonia, whose inhabitants speak different languages and have predominantly different color hair cannot help but intrigue. In fact, Flanders and Wallonia are so different that it never ceases to amaze them that they are part of the same country. There is always talk in Belgium about the possible formation of two separate states, but it always seemed to me that the Belgians love their country too much to allow it to split. In addition, in the event of a split, Belgium will lose some of its attractiveness, and its residents understand this very well.

Visa and border crossing

Belgium is part of the Schengen area, so the rules for applying for a tourist visa are quite standard. You will need a certificate from work, a bank statement, a passport, medical insurance, a hotel reservation, a photograph and a completed visa form. Please note that for a tourist visa Belgium will also require detailed description upcoming trip. For Russian citizens, the service fee is about 2,000 rubles.

For the convenience of Russian tourists, Belgium has opened visa centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. In principle, you can make an appointment directly with the Belgian Embassy in Moscow and thus avoid paying a service fee. The choice is yours. But if in service centers The procedure for submitting documents has long been perfected and put on stream, then communication with the embassy can cause you more trouble.

How to get there

The easiest way to get from Russia to Belgium is by plane, although you can also take a train, bus or car if you wish. Russians can only get to Belgium by direct flight from Moscow. From European cities, Belgium can be reached by low-cost airlines (for example Wizzair or Ryanar). They fly to Brussels-Charleroi airport, which is 60 km from the Belgian capital.

By plane

I often had to fly from Brussels to Moscow, and I always chose Aeroflot. Firstly, on Russian flights better food. Secondly, after a long stay abroad it is always nice to hear native language. Thirdly, Aeroflot has never disappointed me with the quality of service. Once I was flying from Brussels to Moscow with a huge bouquet of flowers, and the flight attendants helped me deliver it safe and sound, carefully wrapping the flower stems with a damp cloth and hiding it away from the prying eyes of other passengers.

You can also get back from Brussels to Moscow either by Aeroflot or Brussels Airlines. Aeroflot again has two flights: midday and night. If your body does not protest against spending the night in transport, then I advise you to sit on night flight. Firstly, it's cheaper. Secondly, at night the planes fly half empty and, having borrowed a couple of pillows and blankets from the flight attendants, you can often sleep, stretched out on several seats. Thirdly, the night flight arrives in Moscow early in the morning and, upon leaving the plane, you can immediately get on with your daily business.

For residents of St. Petersburg I have bad news: There are no direct flights from the city to Brussels. Therefore, residents northern capital you will have to get to the capital of the European Union with transfers through Moscow, Zurich, Frankfurt, or.

By train

You can also get to Belgium by train. If you are leaving from Moscow, then the most convenient option would be to take a direct train and get off at the stop in Berlin. At Berlin station you will need to take the train to Cologne, and then take the train to Brussels. This option is suitable for the most romantic traveler who wants to explore one of the oldest European railway routes.

It will also be more convenient to use the train if you really have a lot of things, because the weight limit for each adult passenger in second class is 35 kg, and in first class - 50 kg. The disadvantage of such a trip is, of course, its duration. A trip from Moscow to Moscow will take you about a day. To this you will need to add about six hours: that is how much the journey from Berlin to Brussels will take.

A seat in the second class of the train will cost you 150 EUR. I strongly advise you to buy a ticket from Berlin to Brussels in advance on the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website. This will save you from unnecessary hassle and allow you to save money, because the cost of a ticket purchased at the last moment can be the same 150 EUR

By bus

You will be surprised, but you can also get to Brussels by bus. This opportunity is provided by transport company Ecolines. Travel time will be about two days (45 hours).

The buses are quite comfortable and equipped with air conditioning, and sometimes with monitors built into the seats and an Internet connection. However, a long bus ride is always tiring. In addition, you can never predict what kind of neighbors you will meet, how loud the driver will listen to music, and whether there will be sanitary stops often enough.

In short, this is an option for the most economical (the ticket price will be about 140 EUR) and the desperate. Ecolines buses depart from Shchelkovsky Station in Moscow twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays). They arrive in the very center of Brussels, on Rue Cardinal Mercier, which is located in close proximity to the main station.

By car

It is possible to get to Belgium by car, but this is not an easy task. is located approximately 2,500 km from both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Before you hit the road, you will need to check that your car is ready for long hauls and buy international insurance - a green card. If you don't have time to do this in hometown, don’t worry: near the Russian border with Belarus, as well as with other countries, there are many small offices that issue insurance to forgetful travelers in no time.

Crossing the border itself did not take me much time: first, the border guards checked my documents, and then very briefly examined the car. In the end, they asked me if I was bringing alcohol, cigarettes or meat products into the EU and, satisfied with my short “no,” they allowed me into the EU. About the presence of jars with meat puree For the sake of the child, I chose to remain silent (you never know!).

If the starting point of your journey is, then you will enter the European Union through Poland after passing one of three checkpoints. The roads here are noticeably better than those in Belarus, but along the way you will encounter several money collection points. - the country is relatively inexpensive, but you will have to fork out for gasoline and toll roads. But real freedom awaits you in Germany! The autobahns here are free and there are no speed limits. On a free straight highway, the flow in the left lane can go at a speed of about 180 km/h. Gasoline in Germany, of course, is not cheap, but you will enjoy driving on German roads - I guarantee that. Well, from Germany to Belgium it’s already a stone’s throw. The asphalt on Belgian roads is also good. The main thing is not to go into very small villages, you can find different things there.

If you start from St. Petersburg, then your route will be slightly different. You will leave Russia by entering Latvia. This can be done by passing one of the four border crossings. Please note that Latvian roads leave much to be desired. I haven’t checked this myself, but according to the authoritative European organization Eurostat, they are the second most dangerous in the EU after the Bulgarian ones.

After Latvia you will enter Lithuania and then Poland, which we have already talked about.

In conclusion, I will give one piece of advice: before going to the border, look online at which border checkpoint has the shortest queue. They say that during the holidays you can really get stuck at customs for a long time. And, of course, think carefully about whether you need it, because having chosen a car as vehicle, you will save a little money, but lose a lot of time.

By ferry

There is no direct water connection between St. Petersburg and Belgium. The only option that can be thought of is sea ​​cruise. For those who decide to take such a trip, I advise you to consult with tour operators (for example, MSC Cruises).

Most often, cruises around Europe include visits to the shores of five to ten European countries. It’s impossible to limit ourselves to Belgium alone. You will have to spend 9–10 days on the road. All cruise ship in Belgium they stop at the port of Zeebrugge.

Tourist regions

Belgium is a very small country, and each region is interesting in its own way. As I already said, Belgium is divided into Flanders and Wallonia. Flanders is considered to be the economic locomotive of Belgium, and Wallonia the bearer of its culture and traditions. Flanders got the picturesque shores of the North Sea, and Wallonia got the plains and the Ardennes Uplands. This, by the way, is due to complicated story relations between the two regions. In the last century, during the heyday of the coal industry, Wallonia took a strong lead, because there are many coal deposits on its territory. At that time, Flanders wore an ugly duckling mask, and Wallonia proudly turned up its nose. But gradually the demand for coal fell, the mines were closed one by one, and Wallonia became financially dependent on its neighbor. So Belgium is this live illustration Biblical saying: “And the last shall be first.”

The culture of Flanders is much closer to the Dutch than to the Walloons. This is the land of sailors, traders and artists. The cities of Flanders are rich in architectural monuments, museums with ancient paintings, gourmet restaurants with seafood cuisine and expensive shops.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the Flemish coastal cities and Knokke. These are the places for relaxing holiday on the beach and leisurely walks along the promenade. The Belgians themselves love to come here on holidays and vacations. When the weather is good, the beaches of Flanders are where the apple can't fall. The water, of course, is a little cold, but thanks to the shallow water, it is acceptable for swimming on hot days.

Wallonia, in turn, boasts a lot of ancient castles, monasteries and picturesque towns, such as Roches-en-Ardenne. Russian tourists coming to Wallonia will be especially interested in visiting Waterloo - a place famous battle, in which Napoleon was defeated.

Top cities

Brussels

The capital of not only Belgium, but also the European Union. A multifaceted city with many interesting museums, parks and attractions. A place for incendiary parties and the most unexpected acquaintances. A melting pot of many cultures. It's all about Brussels. He may seem dirty and noisy to you, or he may seem prim and rich. But he definitely won’t leave you indifferent.

The list of features of this city can be endless, so it’s better to just read about Brussels.

Namur

Main city Wallonia, carefully preserving an important landmark - an ancient citadel, whose foundation was laid back in the Roman era.

From the walls of the Namur Citadel (citadelle de Namur) opens beautiful view on ancient city with the river Meuse crossing it. He was once very powerful. Now it is a calm European town that can tell you a lot about the history of Belgium through its architectural monuments.

Liege

Luxembourg is also located very close to Belgium. It may not be the richest country in terms of attractions, but it is quite interesting to visit. There are few in the world dwarf states, where three languages ​​are common.

The journey to Luxembourg by train takes three and a half hours. A train ticket also costs about 50 EUR one way. A bus ticket can be purchased for less than 10 EUR.

Important: try to buy all tickets in advance on the carriers’ websites. This applies to both buses and trains. Plan your trip several months in advance. In this case, you will be able to save at least 30 percent, or even more, on train tickets. The same goes for bus tickets. If you want to get around Europe for less than 10 EUR, buy tickets on the Flixbus website several months in advance.

Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Car rental- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?