Best time to go to Belgium for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 13/11/2024When is the best time to go to Belgium?
The best time to visit Belgium is from May to September, although a trip is possible year-round, depending on what you want to do there.
- Most travelers go to Belgium for a city trip of a few days in Brussels, Bruges, or Antwerp. Even though sunny weather is always more pleasant, the weather is still less important, as you will be hopping from museums to typical restaurants and bars. If you have the choice of your travel dates, prefer spring, especially the month of April, which is still a bit chilly but is the driest month of the year. Alternatively, go in summer, July or August, to enjoy all the activities offered.
- To tour the festivals, head to Belgium in July! Events are very numerous all over the country and this can be the main theme of your trip.
- If you prefer to take a break in nature, autumn is a very good option, especially in October, when it is still mild and not too humid. For example, you can go to the beautiful forests of the Ardennes, where the trees display surreal colors! In summer, the entire Belgian countryside is enchanting and it's also a good time to sunbathe on the coast. In spring, the fields offer a beautiful spectacle with thousands of colorful flowers.
- For a ski trip, head to the High Fens, at the German border, to enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding, and building snowmen. If you go in December, make one or more stops along the way to wander through the magical Christmas markets set up in the main cities.
- When to go to Belgium if you have a small budget? Know that a trip in July-August will cost you more than the rest of the year, whether for round-trip transport from France or for accommodation. The best solution to spend less is to go during the shoulder seasons, in spring or autumn. Also, try to avoid weekends and local or French school holidays.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Brussels-Capital
Brussels...
Flanders
Brugge, Gent, Antwerp...
Wallonia
Liege, Namur, Neufchâteau...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Belgium for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Belgium in january Belgium in february Belgium in march Belgium in april Belgium in may Belgium in june Belgium in july Belgium in august Belgium in september Belgium in october Belgium in november Belgium in december
Best time to travel to Belgium by cities
Climate and Weather in Belgium
The climate of Belgium is oceanic and temperate, and, for the most part, it is the same as in the north of France.
Between France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg, Belgium experiences, like its neighbor Paris, a oceanic and temperate climate that resembles the regions of northern and eastern France, with a few degrees difference.
Thus, Belgian weather is characterized by relatively mild temperatures, but also by its humidity, due to its proximity to the North Sea.
In general, and under the influence of the Gulf Stream, the weather in Belgium is marked by relatively mild temperatures, a low temperature range throughout the day, and even between seasons, as well as high humidity throughout the year. For example, in Brussels, the capital, there are about 130 rainy days per year.
However, weather changes occur quite rapidly, and most often, the sun alternates with rain. Belgium can also experience long periods of gray weather with overcast skies, especially during winter, from December to March.
There are some noticeable differences between regions. Indeed, it rains more in Wallonia than in the rest of the country, and it is often 1 to 2 degrees cooler there. Additionally, the temperature variations inland, such as in Liège or Namur, are greater than along the North Sea coast.
Climate of Belgium in Summer
Unsurprisingly, July and August are the hottest months of the year across the whole of Belgium. In Flanders and Wallonia, the average temperature is between 21 and 24°C (76°F) , while the Brussels region is slightly warmer with temperatures often exceeding 24°C (76°F) .
Unfortunately, it is also the rainiest season of the year, particularly in July. Wallonia is more affected, but the phenomenon is present throughout the country. However, showers are generally short-lived and scattered throughout the day, alternating with more or less long sunny periods.
In September, it becomes drier and the mercury drops significantly: it averages around 21°C (70°F) in Brussels and its region, and between 18 and 21°C (70°F) in the rest of the country.
Climate of Belgium in Autumn
In autumn, the weather deteriorates rapidly in Belgium. If you are considering a trip during this time, it is best to choose the end of September. Only Flanders remains pleasant in October, with very little rain and mild temperatures.
- In October, the averages hover around 16°C (61°F) throughout Belgium, except in Wallonia, where the thermometer can drop to around 13°C (56°F) . This is also the region where rain is most prevalent.
- In November, the weather is cool and rain increases in intensity and frequency. It is around 11°C (52°F) , even dropping to around 8°C (47°F) in some Walloon areas.
- In December, winter sets in everywhere. While it is about 7°C (45°F) in Flanders and Brussels, Wallonia experiences days below 5°C (41°F) . This chill is exacerbated by high humidity and often gray weather.
Climate of Belgium in Winter
Winter itself, in cities like Brussels or Liège, is rather mild compared to its latitude, despite the prevailing grayness and potentially strong winds. Sunny days are not the most frequent, and it is not uncommon to experience long stretches of gray and rather overcast weather in Belgium.
- In January, expect an average of 6°C (43°F) in Flanders and Brussels, and a maximum of 3 to 6°C (43°F) in Wallonia. Admittedly, it rains less than in December, but the sun seems reluctant to show itself. It is also the month with the most frost and fog. Not ideal for a trip!
- In February, the thermometer rises by one or two degrees and the weather is less humid.
- In March, temperatures finally rise above the 10°C (50°F) mark and rainfall is similar to that of February.
Climate of Belgium in Spring
Like elsewhere in this part of Europe, spring, between April and June, is synonymous with warming and increased precipitation towards the end of the season.
- April is the driest month of the year, particularly in Flanders. However, it is still a bit chilly: between 13 and 16°C (61°F) .
- In May, the good season begins! Even though rain makes a big comeback, temperatures rise to averages ranging from 15 to 18°C (65°F) depending on the area.
- In June, humidity increases, but the weather is really nice: around 22°C (72°F) in the middle of the day.
Temperatures and rainfall in Belgium
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Belgium and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Brugge, Gent and Liege, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Belgium
Find out when Belgium has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Belgium
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, November and December. The number of visitors to Belgium is high in: May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in Belgium: January, February and March.
- Low season in Belgium: April, November and December.
- High season in Belgium: May, June, August, September and October.
- Peak season in Belgium: July.
Figure: Visitor index for Belgium month by month
Average price for flights to Belgium
A return flight between New York City and Brussels is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 698 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 587 more for your airline ticket to Brussels if you go in june.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Belgium
Where to go in Belgium?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Brussels | 43°F | 45°F | 52°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 76°F | 76°F | 70°F | 61°F | 52°F | 45°F |
| Antwerp | 43°F | 45°F | 52°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 76°F | 76°F | 70°F | 61°F | 52°F | 45°F |
| Brugge | 45°F | 45°F | 50°F | 58°F | 61°F | 68°F | 72°F | 72°F | 68°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Gent | 43°F | 47°F | 52°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 74°F | 76°F | 70°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Liege | 41°F | 45°F | 52°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 45°F |
| Namur | 41°F | 43°F | 52°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 43°F |
| Neufchâteau | 38°F | 40°F | 47°F | 56°F | 59°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 65°F | 56°F | 47°F | 41°F |
| Charleroi | 41°F | 43°F | 50°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 43°F |
| Houffalize | 38°F | 40°F | 47°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 65°F | 56°F | 47°F | 40°F |
| Ostend | 45°F | 45°F | 50°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 67°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Villers-la-Ville | 41°F | 43°F | 50°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 43°F |
| Bastogne | 38°F | 40°F | 49°F | 58°F | 61°F | 68°F | 70°F | 72°F | 67°F | 56°F | 47°F | 41°F |
| Bouillon | 41°F | 43°F | 52°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 43°F |
| Bredene-aan-Zee | 45°F | 45°F | 50°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 67°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| De Haan | 45°F | 45°F | 50°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 67°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| De Panne | 45°F | 47°F | 52°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 72°F | 72°F | 68°F | 61°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Dinant | 40°F | 43°F | 50°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 72°F | 72°F | 68°F | 59°F | 49°F | 43°F |
| Durbuy | 40°F | 41°F | 50°F | 58°F | 61°F | 68°F | 72°F | 72°F | 67°F | 58°F | 49°F | 41°F |
| Gedinne | 41°F | 43°F | 52°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 50°F | 43°F |
| Hoeilaart | 43°F | 45°F | 52°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 74°F | 74°F | 70°F | 61°F | 52°F | 45°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Belgium
What can I do in Belgium?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Belgium reliable?
Climate data for Belgium has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Belgium allows us to determine the average for each month in Brussels, Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Liege, Namur, Neufchâteau, Charleroi, and 56 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.