Exploring Brussels and Ghent: An Updated Guide for UK Travellers
If you're planning a trip from the UK, Belgium offers an irresistible mix of vibrant cities, rich culture, and easy getawayoptions. Here’s everything you should know—from the latest travel updates to what to see, eat, and experience in Brussels and Ghent this year.
Getting There and Border Notes
Travelling from the UK to Belgium is straight-forward:
Travel via Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels in just over 2 hours.
Or take a direct flight from London, Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh to Brussels Airport.
Ferries are also an option—Dover to Calais, then by a train into Belgium.
No Schengen visa is required for short stays for UK passport holders.
Additional Update: Starting summer 2025, Belgium has reintroduced targeted border checks on some trains, buses, motorway stops, and flights—for select routes—as part of a migration control policy. This affects intra-Schengen travel, though UK–Belgium travel remains largely unchanged.
UK towards Belgium is easy:
Eurostar departs from London St Pancras to Brussels in less than two hours.
You can also take direct flights to London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh from the airports of Manchester, London or Edinburgh to Brussels Airport.
Ferries are also a possibility. You can take a ferry from Dover to Calais and then take an train that will take you to Belgium.
There is Belgium visa is needed to travel from UK, if you are Non EU National residing in UK.
Important Update: From the summer of 2025 Belgium will be introducing targeted border checks on certain airports, and motorway stops--for specific routes as part of its policies to control migration. This will affect travel within Schengen but travel between the United Kingdom and Belgium is largely the same.
Why Visit Brussels Now?
Brussels is breaking records in tourism with more than the 10 million night stays as well as hosting nearly 8,000 events and events in just the last year. This makes Brussels an ever-changing and bustling city.
Highlights:
Stroll around Grand Place, enjoy views from Atomium or wander around Magritte Museum for some thrilling exploring adventures!
Art lovers are advised to go to Brussels Art Week (4-6 September) where galleries across the city will host special exhibitions as well as open studios.
From 26 to 28 September BD Comic Strip Festival is a celebration of graphic novels and comics by hosting workshops, signings, and exhibitions.
As the 10th anniversary approaches, Hide & Seek Festival (17-23 August) will host pop-up performances in unusual venues across town for 17 days over the 10th anniversary period.
Brussels is hosting this year's Global Tourism Forum this October that will focus on sustainability as well as digital innovation in travel.
Statistics on tourism indicate an increase in overnight stays in the early 2025. Hotel stays saw an increase (occupancy rate of 65 percent) as museum attendance fell due to fewer major exhibitions this year.
Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria stands out as an outstanding newcomer. Recently, it reopened with a reconstructed Belle Epoque luxury, with Michelin-starred dining as well as luxurious design elements.
why to visit Ghent?
Ghent is an attractive medieval city and increasingly popular with UK visitors, particularly around Christmas weekends when 85% of hotel rooms have already been booked out! In 2024-25, however, stricter measures were introduced in order to curb overtourism such as imposing an EUR6 tourist tax on Airbnb stays.
New bed-and-breakfast establishments cannot open, helping preserve local harmony.
Restrictions on cruise-ship day visitors in order to promote more environmentally-friendly tourism are in place to prioritize sustainable tourism practices.
Food & Culture: Taste, Relax & Explore
Belgium's culinary scene is getting increasingly creative in 2025:
beer-pairing dinners, chocolatier workshops and farm-to-table dining are becoming more prevalent.
Wellness enthusiasts looking for relaxation may visit Spa town (yes, its real name!) for thermal experiences and guided forest-bathing; or opt for cycling retreats through scenic Flanders.
Brussels or Ghent -- Which Should I Visit?
When selecting between Brussels and Ghent as destinations for travel, consider which will best meet your needs: Its Bucuresti Brussels provides culture, history, nightlife and events while Ghent offers more relaxed charm, medieval sights and smaller crowds. With fast trains between them taking about 40 minutes between them both ways it makes visiting both accessible for a rich travel experience.
Tips for UK Travellers
Utilize contactless cards which are widely accepted everywhere you visit as English is widely spoken here too!
Train travel between Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges is typically efficient and hassle-free; however, occasional strikes may disrupt travel or flights--keep an eye out for alerts! A national strike occurred early 2025 which drastically affected air and rail services in Belgium.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're indulging in delicious Belgian cuisine, strolling historic streets, or joining a festival, both Brussels and Ghent offer unforgettable experiences. They’re easy to reach from the UK, rich in culture, and packed with fresh 2025 events and cuisine trends.
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