Belgium how to get there. How to get from Brussels to Bruges: tips for tourists. Bus service Brussels - Bruges

What do Russian tourists know about Belgium? The center of the European Union, the country of chocolate and beer. But in fact, this small corner of Europe is fraught with real historical magic, although travel agencies do not consider this place, which personifies the entire European culture, worthy of a full-fledged stay for at least a week.

Those traveling through travel agencies usually pass by Belgium, briefly exploring the Benelux countries. This time we’ll dig deeper and, within the framework of a reasonably priced trip, we’ll try to plan the most interesting route, including architectural monuments, places where you can buy the highest quality diamonds, the rarest monastic beer, and real Belgian chocolate. So how to travel to Belgium on your own?

Any trip begins with purchasing air tickets and booking hotels. It’s worth mentioning right away that you need to think about tickets very much in advance, otherwise there is a risk of spending your money unprofitably.

Buying a plane ticket to Brussels

It is better to start tracking tickets at least 3-4 months before the long-awaited trip; for this, the wonderful resource Skyscanner can help, thanks to which you can compare prices of different airlines. Take, for example, the dates from September 1 to 7. At this time, the weather in Belgium is wonderfully warm, but not too hot to interfere with long walks through the old cities.

So, the cheapest air ticket from Moscow to Brussels is via Brussels Airlines no transfers costs only 8500 rubles in both directions. Let's take it!

Deciding on accommodation

Next, to obtain a visa and travel without surprises, you need to decide on accommodation. Any independent traveler is familiar with the booking.com service.

When traveling through travel agencies, you are unlikely to ever be able to choose what you really like for accommodation. Usually tourists are lured by “stars”, although in practice they don’t really mean anything.

For an independent traveler who wants to save money on food while traveling, an apartment with a kitchen or kitchenette is a great option. In the evening you can have dinner at a restaurant, and you can fry some eggs in the morning and prepare a few sandwiches, pancakes, etc. for daytime walks, you can save a lot of money on this.

Take, for example, this wonderful option: RealtyCare Flats Grand Place, which is located 400 meters from main square Brussels Grand Place.

The cost of these apartments for 6 nights is 24 thousand rubles for two. It is worth noting that it is cheaper to stay in apartments if you are traveling as a couple, since they are rarely designed for one person.

You can rent a full-fledged apartment from the real owner. You can find an apartment comparable in price to an apart-hotel, and from the photographs alone you can understand that living in locals where nicer.

Renting an apartment from locals is an incredible experience that is worth searching for on your own. suitable place spend the night. Having even basic knowledge of English (German, French, Dutch - mostly Belgians know at least these three languages, especially since they are all official), you can learn so much about the country and city that no travel agency will ever tell you. And if knowledge of a foreign language allows you to communicate without problems, then this is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the culture and learn something new about the mentality of any foreign people.

Obtaining a visa

Let's move on to the most unpleasant moment for any traveler - obtaining a visa.

In general, you should not be afraid of the Belgian embassy. The set of documents is standard - visa application form, hotel reservations, tickets, certificate of employment, bank statement, etc. For a complex route, it is recommended to draw up a route sheet.

Interesting feature is that the visa application form must be filled out in English, Dutch or French; translation of other documents will not be superfluous.

You can submit your application directly to the consulate in Moscow or to one of the visa centers in other cities of Russia. The visa itself will cost 2,100 rubles; if the application is submitted through a visa center, you will need to pay a service fee.

Medical insurance is available, the cost is about 1000 rubles.

There is no need to be afraid of getting a visa; you just need to be careful when collecting the package of documents.

mobile connection

What might an independent traveler need while walking around the city? Naturally, a map. It’s better to forget about the paper map, so that, firstly, you don’t look like a tourist, and secondly, a paper map won’t show where you are if you’re lost. The ideal option is Google maps. To use them you need Mobile Internet, which is unreasonably expensive for Russian operators, and for Belgian ones - from 10 euros for a prepaid card from 100 MB valid for 1 month. The benefit is obvious, we buy the card in Belgium.

Possible routes for independent travel

Let us immediately note that such tours that you can organize yourself in Belgium practically do not exist in nature. The following will not be simultaneously included in any tour:

excursion to the Zaabar chocolate factory, where you can buy the most delicious and fresh chocolate in Europe.

Let's take double occupancy and an option with three excursions:

The cost of a tour to Belgium per person at a travel agency is 52 thousand rubles.

So, let’s compare it with the cost of a trip organized independently.

Belgium is a small European country located between the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, France and Luxembourg to the south and west, and is separated from Great Britain by a narrow strip of the North Sea. Here is the center of intersection of political and financial interests, as well as the capital of the entire European Union - Brussels. Belgium is a highly developed and urbanized country with large cities, seaports of international importance, intertwined with iron and highways. A country that still preserves centuries-old folk traditions and customs. The country of museums, lace, chocolate and beer, and the ancient monuments and other attractions of Belgium are known throughout the world.

The history of Belgium dates back to the times when the local lands, the north of Gaul, were inhabited by the ancient Belgian tribes of Celtic origin. Julius Caesar, who captured this territory, named it Gallia Belgica, and for a long time it was in the possession of the Roman Empire, which left a great legacy in the culture and architecture of modern Belgium. Since then, Belgium has gone through different periods and different rulers.

The Kingdom of Belgium was officially proclaimed in 1830. And in 1831, the kingdom was declared “an independent and eternally neutral state” by all European powers except the Netherlands. In 1839 the Netherlands also recognized Belgium independent state. As government structure A constitutional monarchy was chosen in the country.

As mentioned above, Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the capital of the entire United Europe: the headquarters of NATO and the European Union are located here. Belgium has a population of about 10 million inhabitants, on a relatively small area of ​​30.5 thousand square kilometers.

Belgium has three official languages: Flemish (Dutch, used in Belgium), French and German. The state consists of different ethnic groups represented by the Flemings, Walloons, French and Germans. The main religious denominations are Catholicism and Protestantism.

Current time in Brussels:
(UTC +1)

Belgium - beautiful place for a trip to make an excursion into the history of Europe. Just look at Brussels and Bruges alone, where you can devote entire days to sightseeing. Belgium, with its ancient and mysterious cities and provinces, is fraught with many discoveries for the inquisitive traveler.

How to get there

The most logical way to get to Belgium is through Brussels.

By plane

The easiest way to get to Brussels from Russia is, of course, by plane, although this city is often included in many bus tours and tourist routes. But since bus tours and charter flights- things are variable and not always constant, then we should first of all talk about regular flights.

In total, there are two international airports near the Belgian capital - the largest Brussels-Zaventem (Brussels International Airport) 12 kilometers northeast of the city and Brussels-Charleroi in the city of Charleroi, which is 50 kilometers south of Brussels itself. Direct flights from Brussels International Airport to Moscow are operated by Aeroflot (to Sheremetyevo) and Brussels Airlines (to Domodedovo). From the airport to the city you can take bus 12 or 21 (at night), as well as by train, which in 20 minutes can deliver a passenger directly to Central Station Belgian capital.

As mentioned above, Aeroflot and Brussels Airlines have direct flights from Moscow to Brussels. However, for residents of other cities, it makes sense to take advantage of the many connecting flights. However, Muscovites can also take advantage of connecting flights - such flights are often cheaper than direct ones. Below we list the airlines on whose planes you can fly to Brussels (connection cities are indicated in brackets).

• Czech Airlines (Prague): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Samara, Ufa, Perm.
• Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara.
• Austrian Airlines (Vienna): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
• Finnair (Helsinki
• AlItalia (Rome): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg.
• Air France (Paris): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• KLM (Amsterdam): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Air Malta (La Valletta): Moscow.
• Norwegian Airlines (Oslo): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• SAS (Stockholm and Copenhagen): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Air Baltic (Riga): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad.
• Estonian Air (Tallinn): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
• Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov, Ufa, Sochi, Novosibirsk.
• Ukraine International Airlines (Kyiv): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg.
• TAP Portugal (Lisbon): Moscow
• LOT (Warsaw): Moscow, St. Petersburg
• EasyJet (London, Manchester): Moscow
• British Airways (London): St. Petersburg

By train

Brussels is connected to German cities by ICE and Thalys, to Dutch cities by Thalys and trains, to Swiss cities Zurich and Basel by EuroCity trains, and to Austrian cities ski resorts — .

The Fyra high-speed train between Brussels and Amsterdam is scheduled to launch soon, with a journey time of just 1 hour 46 minutes.

By car

By car, you can get to Brussels along seven main highways, which then flow into main and secondary streets in the city. These include the pan-European highways E40, E411 and E19 and the A12 and A201 highways. Brussels, like Moscow, is surrounded by three transport rings - the largest ring road R0 (Brussels Ring), as well as the Big and Small rings. One of the features of the Brussels transport system is the presence of a huge number of roads moved underground, so that today in the city you can drive through entire underground intersections.

By bus

The two largest bus stations in Brussels are located at the North and South railway stations. Regional buses go to Wallonia (company) and Flanders (company). International bus services are operated by large companies and. Moreover, Ecolines buses can be used to reach Brussels directly from Rizhsky Station in Moscow. True, such a trip automatically means many transfers and considerable financial expenses.

Search for flights
to Belgium

Search for a car
for rent

Search flights to Belgium

We compare all available flight options based on your request, and then direct you to the official websites of airlines and agencies for purchase. The air ticket price you see on Aviasales is final. We have removed all hidden services and checkboxes.

We know where to buy cheap air tickets. Airplane tickets to 220 countries. Search and compare prices for air tickets among 100 agencies and 728 airlines.

We cooperate with Aviasales.ru and do not charge any commissions - the cost of tickets is absolutely the same as on the website.

Search for a rental car

Compare 900 rental companies at 53,000 rental locations.

Search 221 rental companies worldwide
40,000 pick-up points
Easy cancellation or modification of your booking

We cooperate with RentalCars and do not charge any commissions - the rental price is absolutely the same as on the website.

Climate and weather in Belgium

Cities and regions

Regions of Belgium

The main city in the region is, naturally, Brussels. You can read more about it.

Located in the south of Belgium, the Walloon region is reminiscent of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, with enchanting landscapes and medieval castles built in the most imaginable places. The spirit of magic and miracles hovers everywhere here, and the inhabitants of this region, the Walloons, will happily tell you many amazing and mysterious stories associated with Wallonia and offer you the most delicious ham in Belgium and the liveliest beer.

The capital of the Walloon region is the town of Namur, whose ancient citadel was a defensive fortification against enemy attacks. Located in Namur cable car to inspect the area. In Wallonia, walking and cycling are common in the picturesque surroundings and at the foot of the Ardennes Mountains. You can see all the beauty and grandeur of Walloon castles from a bird's eye view: sightseeing flights in a large hot air balloon are organized for tourists here. Here you can go mountaineering and play golf, and lovers of antiquity will find numerous attractions, cultural and historical monuments, fortresses and cathedrals. In the city of Tournai there is the ancient Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style and dating back to the 12th century. This province also includes the town of Spa, where the resort of the same name is located.

The province of Flanders is a cultural and historical region that is part of Holland and France. Part of Flanders is the Flemish region of Belgium. The most beautiful places in the province, which belonged to France in the ninth century, were famous for their large textile enterprises, the products of which were sold far beyond the borders of Flanders. In 1830, most of the lands of Flanders became part of the Kingdom of Belgium. The province has such wonderful cities as Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, known for their amazing architecture and historical past.

Notable cities in Belgium

The name of the Belgian capital is known to every educated person, and in the last half century the city, which is the de facto capital of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO, has been spoken about a huge number reasons. By the way, the municipality of Brussels itself is not very large - only 148 thousand people live here, and it is one of 19 municipalities that make up the Brussels metropolitan region. In essence, this is one city with a population of 1,830 thousand inhabitants. In addition, Brussels is the center of the French and Flemish communities of Belgium.

It is the country's largest city with a predominantly French-speaking population, although historically the majority of the city's residents spoke Dutch. Today, on the streets of Brussels, all signs and signs are duplicated in both languages. The capital stands on the Senne River, but you can’t see it in the historical part - it was put through pipes during the industrialization that swept the city in the 19th century.

Most ancient city Belgium is the center of the settlement of the Germanic Tungry tribe, who lived here during the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, this was the center of the Capetian and Hespengau counties. An old cozy town with just under 30 thousand inhabitants is located on the small river Eker. It is in this famous city in 57-54 BC, there was an uprising of the Eburones, led by Ambiorikos, and a memorial monument was erected here in his honor. A large number of architectural monuments of antiquity are concentrated in Tongeren, among which a special place is occupied by Basilica of Our Lady of Tongeren, built in the 13th century. The ancient ruins of the walls that once safely surrounded Tongeren are still preserved. The city has several museums where you can get acquainted with the richest collections of Tongeren antiquities from the Celto-Roman period.

The city of Chime, located in southwestern Wallonia, is both a city and a community of almost 1,000 people. Shime has a long history, dating back centuries.

In the Middle Ages, Chime was a county and belonged to noble counts, whose ancestry was traced back to the Croix family. In 1686 they were awarded the title of imperial princes. Over time, by 1806, the county fell into decline and was transferred to state ownership under the control of a governor sent from Vienna. In 1824, the head of the Karaman-Rike family inherited the title of Prince Karaman-shime, which is still inherited by descendants. The medieval castle of Chime, built at the end of the fifteenth century by the Croix family, has still been preserved, although its walls have suffered greatly over time. In 1977, as a result of constitutional reform, a modern community was formed, uniting fourteen small Belgian towns.

The most famous attraction of Shime is the monastery Notre-Dame de Scourmont, founded in 1850, in which, in addition to holding religious services, live beer is produced under the Chime brand.

This is another wonderful city-museum, where the main church life of Belgium is concentrated. Liege, which is the administrative center of the province of the same name, is located at the confluence of the Meuse and Ourthe rivers. During Roman rule, the city was called Leodius, and its history dates back to the distant year 705, from the time of the death of Bishop Lambert, who was canonized.

In the Middle Ages, internecine wars took place here, Charles the Bold dealt devastating blows to Liege several times, and only starting from the 16th century did the city begin to flourish. Liege is a hub of attractions: cathedrals, museums of antiquities, churches.

Antwerp is the second city in Belgium after Brussels, which is the largest city in Flanders and the administrative center of the province of Antwerp. The city is located on both sides of the beautiful Scheldt River. The first historical mentions date back to the beginning of the 7th century. The Duke of Brabant made a great contribution to the development of Antwerp as a world trade center. Before the Eighty Years' War, Antwerp was the largest trading center in all of northern Europe. In 1531, after an active influx of gold from the New World, one of the first trading exchanges in the world opened here. By the 16th century, the population of Antwerp numbered more than 100,000 thousand inhabitants. The construction of the Antwerp City Hall dates back to this period. In 1834, Antwerp was recognized by Belgium, from which time a new era of development began for the city. All the headquarters of leading European banks are located here, and international exhibitions and fairs are held here.

Antwerp is the diamond capital of Belgium and its workshops are located in the old Jewish quarter. The Diamond Museum is also located here. Antwerp is home to countless historical and cultural monuments: the Royal Museum of Art, the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the Mayer Van Den Bergh Museum, the Opera and the Flanders Ballet, the Brabo Fountain. Undoubtedly worth visiting the modern Cultural Center"Singel". On the outskirts of Antwerp, in Derne, is the Sterkhof Castle, which houses a museum of arts and crafts. Here you can wander and admire the splendor of the beautiful park, with its clean ponds and relict trees.

The capital of eastern Flanders is Ghent, with a population of more than 225 thousand people, located on the Scheldt River. In Ghent there is a seaport, from which the picturesque Ghent-Terneusen canal, passing ships, stretches to the Scheldt River. The city, which dates back to the Stone Age, is rich in attractions and historical places. The name of the city, translated from the Celtic “ganda”, means “merger”. In the 7th century, the famous abbeys of Saint-Bavo and Saint-Peter were founded here.

During the late Middle Ages, Ghent flourished and played a leading role in the production and trade of textiles and cloth. In the XIII-XV centuries, the city was the second largest in Europe, art and culture actively developed. As a result of the split, during the Reformation, into camps of Protestants and Catholics, Jesuits began to come to Ghent. They brought with them the Baroque style. In 1715, construction of theaters and opera houses began. At the beginning of the 19th century, Ghent was already a fairly economically developed large city, thanks to the active mechanization of industry.

Ghent is large training center Belgium: home to several specialized high schools different directions and the university, one of the oldest in the country.

In Ghent you can find historical monument, concealing the events of past days. There is a reservoir here, from which the famous Velsdstraat begins, with the Korenlei and Grasley embankments, and along which the main cultural attractions are located: the Lys Canal, the city watchtower, St. Michael's Bridge, the Laekenhalle cloth market and many others. Worth visiting is Gravensteen Castle, built by Philip of Alsace in 1180.

The city is famous for its theaters, operas and museums. Here you will find many cozy bars and cafes offering not only traditional Belgian cuisine, but also dishes from other European cuisines. Ghent has always been famous for its bacon. There is still a shop that sold bacon back in the Middle Ages, and now there is a restaurant here. Dried pork butts, the restaurant's signature dish, are hung right under the ceiling. Another excellent tasting dish is Ghent cheese with cumin, served with a very thick liqueur.

In cafes and pubs in Ghent, it is customary to drink beer from unusual containers that resemble a flask on a wooden stand. This method of drinking beer and dishes was invented by the enterprising innkeeper Pauvel Kwak, who lived in Ghent in the thirteenth century. Passing travelers often lamented the fact that they could not drink beer on the road, and then the resourceful Pauvel Kwak came up with special glasses. This invention made it possible to enjoy fresh beer right in a moving carriage.

The student town of Leuven, located on the banks of the Deila River, was first mentioned in historical descriptions about the battles of the Vikings with the Franks in 891, when the Franks were victorious. Leuven is home to the oldest university in Belgium, founded back in 1425. There is even a monument to a student, cast in bronze, which stands near the center of Leuven. As a result of conflicts between the Walloons and the Flemings, in 1968 the university was divided into two parts: one wing was given to the Flemings, and the other wing was assigned to the Walloons. The Flemish part is still located in Leuven, while the Walloon part was moved to the city of Louvain-la-Neuve. Leuven has a beautiful city hall, built in the Gothic style.

The well-known beer Stella Artois appeared in Leuven, in 1366, in the ancient “ Arthur's Brewery" Now this historical and architectural monument is one of the main attractions of Belgium. Here is the beer empire, where tourists are offered various interesting excursions on the territory of the beer complex.

Brewing traditions in Belgium are so important that the local university has a special department called the “Brewing Academy”. Every year a popular competition is held in Leuven to choose the best bartender. The competition is accompanied by a cheerful mass celebration. On the main beer square, Oude Markt, which in the evening becomes one continuous pub, you can meet beer connoisseurs from all over the world.

The city of Mechelen, mentioned in the chronicle in 1008, lies between Antwerp and Brussels and is also a municipality. Mechelen stands on the banks of the Deila River, which flows steadily. In ancient times, during the reign of the Roman Empire, this area, inhabited mainly by the Romans, was very swampy; in order to drain it, it was necessary to build numerous canals, which formed an entire system of islands. Most of the canals in modern Mechelen have been replaced by pipes.

In the 3rd-4th centuries, pagan Germanic tribes came to Mechelen. Monk Rumold, who later became a saint, founded the first monastery here. Thanks to Rumold, Christianity began to be practiced in Mechelen. In the fourteenth century, the city began to rapidly develop and prosper under the rule of the Burgundian dukes. During the Middle Ages, Mechelen was already a fairly influential city both in terms of textile trade and politically: in the fifteenth century, under Margaret of Austria, Mechelen was the capital of the Spanish Netherlands. However, over time, the city lost its former economic and political power, leaving behind itself a leading role in the religious life of Belgium. In 1559, Mechelen was proclaimed the center of the diocese. After the defeat of the Spanish troops, during the Eighty Years' War, the city was burned and plundered. After the end of the war, Mechelen was completely restored and turned into beautiful city Belgium. Europe's first railway was introduced in 1835 in Mechelen.

The main attraction of Mechelen, among the abundance of cultural and architectural monuments, is the Cathedral of St. Rumold, listed as World Heritage UNESCO. Also worthy of attention are the Church of St. John and the Church of Our Lady, and the city hall building is considered one of the most beautiful buildings.

Located in the south of Belgium, the city of Bouillon, also called Bouillon, belongs to the province of Luxembourg. Bouillon lies at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by unique nature. The city with a population of 5.5 thousand is famous for the fact that the world famous Bouillon Castle, owned by Duke Godfrey, the fearless leader of the First Crusade in 1096, stands here. This castle is a huge defensive fortress, which still smells cold and damp from the stone floors. The castle is one of the most impressive defensive buildings of the medieval period. On the territory of the Bouillon Castle, fascinating knightly tournaments and restorations of medieval battles are held, which tourists can attend. Interesting competitions are also held here with trained birds - eagles, hawks, vultures - who can perform various commands.

On central square In Bouillon, a monument to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon was erected. Walking through the streets of this cute and cozy town, you will get real pleasure from contemplating ancient buildings and small picture houses, closely pressed against each other.

The ancient town of Malmedy, famous for its delicious cream and French fries, is also famous for its colorful carnival. Malmedy is located sixty kilometers from Liege and is considered its province. Not far from the town is Reinhardstein Castle, open to tourists. Malmedy has long been involved in the production of paper - an exhibition in the local National Museum Papers.

Malmedy is home to the Carnival Museum, which tells the history of this fun show. Colorful carnival, lasting four days in a row, takes place annually before Lent. On the tongue local residents it is called Cwarmê and was first celebrated in 1459. During the festival, ancient national characters walk through the city, dressed in colorful attire and performing various scenes. The main figures are Bunce Courtants and Haget: Bunce constantly chases people in the streets, and Haget tries to catch spectators and passers-by with long wooden tongs called hapes-tchar.

The Belgian stage of the Formula 1 Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix takes place in Malmedy, or rather it is held in the last week of August between the cities of Stavelot, Malmedy and Francochamps.

Where to go in Belgium

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Belgium

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Belgium in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Getting around the country

Purchases

In addition to the gastronomic specialties of the country, Belgium is famous for its lace, which, in our opinion, is worth dwelling on in more detail, and which is a stylish souvenir from Belgium.

Belgian lace

In the Belgian region of Flanders, beautiful lace is woven, famous throughout the world. The art of lace making originated in these parts at the end of the sixteenth century, during the period of economic and cultural prosperity of Flanders. Belgian lace was very popular; all the reigning courts preferred to decorate their robes with thin, airy lace. The Flemings had a special technology for making the finest thread, and each region of the province was distinguished by its unique weaving.

Antwerp lace is characterized by lace with floral motifs and vases, against a background of small six-pointed stars scattered across the canvas.

Raspberry-Mechelen lace is similar to Antwerp lace, but it is more elegant and thin; it was used mainly for finishing cuffs and nightgowns, and for sewing jabots. Malin lace was especially popular.

Bruges lace is a continuous knitted braid, with a bizarre, intricate pattern that is formed when individual parts are connected.

Brussels lace was considered the most expensive and luxurious, where separately made ornaments were combined against a background of tulle. This excellent lace was especially valued outside of Flanders, and was exported to England under the name anletter, due to the ban on the import of Flemish lace to Albion. Another type of Brussels lace was called “duchess”; there was no background as such, and the ornaments were skillfully connected with weaves.

Sales in Belgium

In Belgium, sales periods are regulated by law. The cherished days for shopping last exactly a month: from July 1 in the summer and from January 3 in the winter. Until then, it is useless to expect discounts and budget prices from stores in the capital of Belgium: violators who announced discounts before this time will face impressive fines.

In general, Brussels is a fairly expensive city: its prices can be compared with the nearby major cities of Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. But during the sales period it is captured by a real excitement. Brussels stores open their doors from 9-10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Fridays, most shops in the city are open until 8 or 9 pm, with the exception of large galleries and shopping centers.

Tax free in Belgium

If the purchase amount in one store on one day exceeds 125 EUR, it makes sense to use the VAT refund system. In Belgium VAT is 21%. In order to return this money, you must ask in the store Tax Free a receipt, which must indicate the name of the goods, their price, including tax and the amount of compensation. At the last customs office when leaving the EU, present your receipt and unpacked purchases to receive a customs stamp.

To receive money you can:

• Present the check for payment to a Russian bank.
• Mail the check to your local Premier Tax Free office.
• Present the check for payment at one of the cash payment points in the EU.

If your visit to the country is limited only to its capital, you will spend the vast majority of time there, or you simply planned shopping in the main city of Belgium, then our material will be useful to you "Shopping in Brussels".

Connection

Economy

Where to stay

Despite the very small piece of Europe that Belgium occupies, there are a large number of hotels and hotel complexes of various levels located on its territory. In Belgium there are famous hotels with world famous names such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott and other famous and expensive hotels. In order to feel the real spirit of Belgium, to see it national traditions and color, it is best to stay in a small mini-hotel. In small and cozy hotels of this kind, with a reigning atmosphere of peace and tranquility, you can feel at home with the Belgians.

In Belgium you can rent a hotel room for just an hour or for a longer period. A wide range of prices for accommodation allows you to choose a variety of optimal housing options and the services provided: there are rooms for 15 euros per day, and there are also for 17 thousand. The most affordable rooms can be found in hostels located throughout the country.

Congress hotels are popular due to their convenient location. As a rule, they are located near large cities, administrative centers, international highways and airports.

Hidden in the heart of Europe, between France, Germany and the Netherlands small country, which 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 basic 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 controversial 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 is not for nothing that a large number of different international organizations are located here: the headquarters of the European Union, NATO, the secretariat of the Benelux countries... the main offices of many are also located here 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 hair colors, cannot 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 a detailed description of the 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 communicating 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, the food on Russian flights is better. Secondly, after a long stay abroad it is always nice to hear your 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 stems of the flowers with a damp cloth and hiding them 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 take a 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 of the northern capital 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 website ( Deutsche Bahn). 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 the 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 your hometown, don’t worry: along 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. I chose to remain silent about the presence of jars of pureed meat for the child in my trunk (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 gasoline and toll roads you'll have to fork out the cash. 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 communication 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 Highlands. This, by the way, determines the complex history of 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 living illustration of the 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.

The Flemish coastal towns and Knokke are also worth mentioning. These are places for a 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 on the beaches of Flanders, there is nowhere for the apple to 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 who come to Wallonia will be especially interested in visiting Waterloo - the site of the 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) there is a beautiful view of the ancient city with the Meuse River crossing it. He was once very powerful. Now it's calm European city ok, which 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 dwarf states in the world where three languages ​​are spoken at once.

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 !

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

Anything to add?

The Western European state of Belgium is relatively young when viewed from the point of view of an independent state. But the history of its gradual formation dates back long before the start of the new era. At all times, this territory was part of some conquering state - like the Roman Empire, Spain, France, the Netherlands. Only in 1830 did Belgium become an independent state.

"Doll" kingdom

Belgium is located in the neighborhood of the Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg and is washed by the waters of the North Sea. Numerous tourists from all over the world are attracted by the favorable territorial location of Belgium, a large number of medieval architectural monuments, European cleanliness and comfort, and the neat “doll-like” appearance of this kingdom.

Tourists traveling to Belgium are advised to visit not only its capital, but also the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges, located a short distance from Brussels. Let's consider all the publicly available ways to get from Brussels to Bruges.

Brussels Air Gate - National Airport

Most guests enter the country through air gate- Brussels National Airport, located in the small town of Zaventem (11 km from Brussels).

Getting to Brussels is very easy thanks to regular train services. Every fifteen to twenty minutes (daily from 05:00 to 00:00) the train arrives directly at the airport building (on the “minus first” floor).

In addition, there are a large number of bus routes. A bus station for city routes is also located within the terminal, on the ground floor. For the convenience of passengers, there is another bus route running to the capital through the Brucargo cargo terminal.

It remains to mention the most comfortable way of transportation - taxi. There are plenty of taxis located at the parking lots (at the exit from the airport).

For passengers whose final destination is not Brussels, but Bruges, the question arises of how to get from Brussels to Bruges. There are many options. It all depends on the amount of free time, financial capabilities and purposes of the trip.

From the airport in Bruges

How to get from Bruges? The railways, motor transport companies, taxis and companies specializing in the provision of rental vehicles will provide their services. There is no need to go to Brussels specifically for this.

Every half hour, different types of trains depart from the airport - fast “IC” and regular “P”. The difference in travel time is insignificant - twenty minutes, and in price - approximately 7-8 euros.

There is no direct bus route, but Zaventem is served by buses from Germany, England or Holland to Bruges.

To Bruges from Brussels

A ridiculous distance, by Russian standards, separates the capital of Belgium from the large coastal city of Bruges. Approximately 95-110 km, depending on the chosen route - highway E40 or N9.

Bruges is a fabulously beautiful and unusual European city. Only 17 km separates this “Venice of the North” from the sea.

You can get from Brussels to Bruges by train or bus, as well as in a comfortable rental car or taxi.

Tourist preferences

Guests of the country give their preference to railway communication, considering this option the most convenient and optimal, based on the ratio of financial costs, comfort and time spent. How to get from Brussels to Bruges by train?

Brussels is served by three major train stations:

• Brussels Nord;
• Brussels Central;
• Brussels Midi - Zuid.

The train to Bruges is marked on each of them, which is very convenient for passengers. There is no need to cross the entire city to catch the train departure.

Passenger trains depart for Bruges every twenty minutes. Travel time is about one hour.

There are also no difficulties with purchasing tickets. You can buy them:

• at the ticket office of any railway station;
• in special terminals, which are equipped not only in the station premises themselves, but also outside them;
• on the Belgian railway website.

There are often queues at the box office; in this case, terminals are an ideal option. Purchasing a ticket on the official website is not always convenient. The personalized ticket must be pre-printed and only then presented to the controller along with an identification document (driver’s license, passport, etc.).

The ticket price ranges from 5 to 20 euros (depending on the type of train and passenger class).

There is another way to purchase a ticket - “at the last minute”. Passengers who are late can buy a ticket in the train carriage from the ticket inspector. You should definitely inform the conductor about this when boarding to avoid penalties.

Bus service Brussels - Bruges

How to get from Brussels to Bruges by bus? There will be no problems finding a suitable flight, given that you can add passing ones to the infrequent direct routes Brussels - Bruges Shuttle Buses intercity and international traffic.

But, frankly speaking, the bus following this route is far from a competitor to the train:

• significant time intervals between flights;
• you need to make a special trip to the bus station, since the bus (unlike the train) does not run throughout the Belgian capital in order to “pick up” those wishing to go to Bruges;
• buses are less comfortable, much slower due to frequent traffic jams at road junctions;
• to Bruges itself intercity and international buses They don’t come in, they park in the southern part of the city in specially equipped parking lots.

The method is expensive, but comfortable

How else can you get from Brussels to Bruges? For those who appreciate comfortable travel, we can recommend a taxi. The only obvious disadvantage of such a trip is the cost. Belgium has many first-class, high-quality services, which are attractive because they are relatively cheap compared to Germany or France. Unfortunately, taxis are not one of them. The price bar starts to creep up from two hundred euros.

But there is an excellent opportunity to see the no less attractive Ghent, a city located approximately halfway along the route if you follow the N9 highway. Maldegem will not be left out either. Both motorways (E-40 and N9) are laid almost parallel and are located at a short distance from each other. Is it worth talking about the quality of the road surface? Like everything else, the roads in this “doll” kingdom are impeccable. “A car enthusiast’s dream,” there’s no other way to put it.

There are a large number of gas stations, shops and cafes along the highways. It definitely won’t be boring on the road.

You can rent a car. But in this case it will become a real burden for tourists. In Bruges, especially in the “old town” area, you can face a serious problem when finding convenient parking for your car.

To get from Brussels to Bruges cheaply and comfortably, the best way to do this is by train.

Recently, 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 effective way to get to your destination is by air. 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 whose flights 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 Western Europe in just a few hours. 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 others, no less interesting routes, which we are all just discovering for ourselves.

Where to stay in Belgium