Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the EU. The Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with gilded buildings and the Town Hall. It's stunning, especially at night. Manneken Pis (a small statue of a boy peeing) is nearby and always disappointing (it's tiny and surrounded by tourists). The Atomium (a giant structure shaped like an atom) is a relic from the 1958 World's Fair. You can go inside, but it's mostly just a photo op. Brussels has great museums (Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Magritte Museum) and a lively café culture. It's also the headquarters of the EU, so there are a lot of expats and international organizations.

Brussels is multicultural, a bit gritty, and not as charming as Bruges or Ghent. But it has great food, beer, and museums.

Bruges is a fairy tale town. Medieval buildings, canals, cobblestone streets, and churches everywhere. The Belfry (bell tower) offers views over the red rooftops. The Market Square is the heart of the city. Bruges is beautiful, touristy, and crowded in summer. It's also small. You can see the main sights in a day.

Ghent is less touristy than Bruges and just as beautiful. The old town has medieval buildings, canals, and Gravensteen (a medieval castle). Ghent has a younger, more local vibe (it's a university town). It's one of Belgium's hidden gems.

Antwerp in the north is Belgium's second-largest city. It has a beautiful train station, a diamond district, and a lively fashion scene. Rubens (the Baroque painter) lived here, and his house is now a museum.

Belgian beer is world-class. There are over 1,500 varieties. Trappist beers (brewed by monks), lambics (sour beers), and abbey ales are all worth trying. Beer culture here is serious. Bars have beer menus with dozens of options. Drink Belgian beer in Belgium. It's cheaper and fresher here than anywhere else.

Belgian food is fries (they invented them, not the French), waffles (Brussels waffles are light and rectangular, Liège waffles are dense and sweet), chocolate (Leonidas, Neuhaus, and countless chocolatiers), and moules-frites (mussels and fries). Belgian food is simple, indulgent, and delicious.

Belgian people are friendly, multilingual, and a bit reserved. The north (Flanders) speaks Dutch. The south (Wallonia) speaks French. Brussels is bilingual. English is widely spoken in cities.

Getting around is easy. Belgium is small. Trains connect Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp in under an hour. You can see the whole country in a few days.

Belgium is more expensive than Eastern Europe but cheaper than Scandinavia or Switzerland. Hostels run $20-35/night. A meal at a restaurant is $12-20. A beer is $3-5.

When to go: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal. The weather is mild, and crowds are manageable. Summer (June-August) is warm but Bruges gets packed. Winter (November-March) is cold and gray, but Christmas markets are charming.

Belgium is small, easy to navigate, and full of beer, chocolate, and medieval charm.