Family holidays in Belgium are filled with beautiful towns and cities, the world’s best chocolate, historic sites and fun museums. If you’re planning your own Belgium family holidays then we have some great inspiration here. From the towns and cities across the country you should visit to the top hotels to stay in with kids. When considering family holidays Belgium has so much to offer and hopefully after reading here you will agree and have the best trip to this picturesque of countries.
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Table of Contents
Brussels
Brussels is perfect for family holidays to Belgium. There’s plenty here including chocolate museums and experiences for those in search of the sweet stuff. Climb to the top of the iconic Atomium for fantastic views and search out Mannekin Pis for a statue to make the kids laugh. Eat waffles everywhere from the cheap stalls lining nearly every street to arguably the best ever in Maison Dandoy. Stay at the luxurious Hilton Brussels Grand Place which has wonderful, well appointed family rooms. Situated in the very heart of the historic area of the city close to the Grand Place and next to the Central Station this is somewhere all the family will love. Ideal for sightseeing from and nipping back for breaks in the room. A beautiful, newly refurbished hotel perfect for family holidays to Brussels.
Mechelen
Pretty Mechelen is ideal for a family trip and one of the lesser known of the Belgian cities. Start at the amazing Technopolis Mechelen, the science museum which is jammed full of fun experiments and interactive games. Then take time out to visit the simply wonderful ZOO Planckendael which cares really well for the animals it looks after and has lots of fun play equipment and climbing structures to enjoy too. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express Mechelen City Centre which has great family rooms to help keep costs down. Stays include breakfast and the hotel is in the heart of the city so perfect for a Belgian holiday with kids.
Bruge
Bruge is a classically beautiful Belgian city and great for family visits to Belgium. Even just a wander through the historic centre will provide so much to look at and take in. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great Belgian chocolate here including chocolate workshops and places across the city to try it. Stay in Martin’s Brugge, in the centre of the city which comes in at a great price for family rooms here. Situated just behind the famous 13th century belfry and close to the Central Market Square.
Antwerp
Antwerp is another of the great Belgian cities that are great to visit with kids. There’s plenty to do here from taking a boat trip to visiting the Antwerp Zoo. There are some lovely parks and some fantastic museums across the city including the amazing architectural gem of the MAS and the fascinating Red Star Line museum. Stay at the Hampton By Hilton Antwerp Central Station which has great family rooms with king beds and breakfast included to set you up for the day. Astrid Square Antwerp and De Keyserlei are just a 50 yards away so it’s the perfect place for your family holiday to Antwerp.
Ostend
Ostend is a wonderful city by the sea in Belgium, giving you the best of both worlds for family holidays in Belgium. There are over nine kilometres of beaches here and there are lots of beachside activities from karts to the art museum Mu.ZEE. You can also visit the amazing Mercator ship designed by Arctic explorer Adrien de Gerlache. Stay at the lovely Hotel Royal Astrid which has great family rooms and is only 50 yards from the beaches. Kids will love the indoor pool which is perfect for relaxing in after a day out sightseeing. Ideal for Belgium family holidays by the beach.
Ghent
Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities and has a beautiful, magical look about it. It’s a small, sweet city which makes it great to visit with kids. It’s not the most touristy of towns but that all works to its benefit and the fact that it has a youthful energy about it makes it a great city to explore on a family holiday to Belgium. Visit the Design Museum in Gent, eat waffles that are available everywhere and take a boat trip through the centre. Stay at the Ghent Marriott Hotel which has wonderful family rooms and overlooks the lovely quayside on the bank of the Lys River. It is very central with Saint Bavo Square a 10 minute walk from the hotel and the amazing 12th century Gravensteen Castle a five minute walk away. Hire bikes at the hotel to explore the area, perfect for family holidays in Belgium.
Your family holidays in Belgium checklist
- ✈️ Find great flights to Belgium with Opodo
- 🏥 – Get the travel insurance we use at CoverForYou
- 🅿️ Book your airport parking at a fantastic rate here with Holiday Extras
- 💳 Get a Currensea Card to easily pay for purchases when you’re in Malta
- ℹ️ Why not hire a guide or book local excursions through the brilliant Get Your Guide.
- 📚 Get planning your trip with the Lonely Planet guide to Belgium.
- 🍝 Foods to try in Belgium – frites, waffles and croquettes.
- 🌍 Useful phrases – salut for hello, merci for thank you, au revoir for goodbye.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round up of the best family holidays in Belgium. Do let us know if you have any questions or if you book a stay at any of these hotels and how it goes. Why not check out our guide to the best family hotels in Amsterdam. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to to be the first to hear about great offers and deals.