Belgium Tourist: (What Nobody Tells You)

Belgium is a small but fascinating country located in the heart of Europe, surrounded by France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Often referred to as the "heartbeat of Europe," this nation packs medieval fairy tale towns, world-class art, UNESCO listed castles, and some of the best chocolate, beer, and fries on earth into a compact, highly navigable space.

Despite being small in size, Belgium is rich in contrasts. The Flemish north speaks Dutch, the Walloon south speaks French, and there's even a small German-speaking community in the east, making every city feel like a slightly different country.

For Nigerian travelers willing to navigate the Schengen visa process, Belgium offers an unforgettable European experience that won't require weeks of travel between destinations.

Belgium at a Glance

The capital city of Belgium is Brussels, with a population of approximately 11.6 million. The country's official languages are Dutch, French, and German, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The country's currency is the Euro. My advice: if you want to visit Belgium, the best times are May to September and November to December. Nigerians need a visa to visit – a Schengen visa through the Belgian Embassy.

Top Destinations in Belgium

Brussels: The Capital

Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium but also the de facto capital of the European Union. It is a city of contrasts, grand medieval squares meet futuristic steel structures, and French speaking elegance blends with Dutch-speaking pragmatism.

Grand Place (Grote Markt)

The Grand Place is the beautiful central square of Brussels and is widely believed by people to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

You will be surrounded by ornate, towering guildhalls built in the 17th century. Each building once housed a different trade guild, bakers, carpenters, archers, and more. The square is dominated by the Town Hall, a Gothic masterpiece with a 96-meter spire, and the King's House (Maison du Roi), which now houses the City Museum. During broad daylight, the square is lively with tourists, street musicians, and flower markets on certain days. At night, the buildings are dramatically lit up, creating a magical atmosphere.

• Every even numbered year (like 2024, 2026, etc.) in August, the square hosts the Flower Carpet, a massive mosaic of begonias. If you are able to attend, don't miss it, you will be happy you did.
• Entry is free. You only need to buy food for yourself, or museum entry costs €8, get your ticket.

Atomium

The Atomium is Brussels' most iconic landmark, a 102 meter tall (335 feet) steel structure shaped like a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It was developed and built for the 1958 World Expo and has become the symbol of Brussels, much like the Eiffel Tower for Paris. The structure consists of nine interconnected spheres. You take a high speed elevator to the top sphere, which offers a 360 degree panoramic view of Brussels and, on clear days, as far as the coast and beyond. Between spheres, you walk through escalators and staircases, some are slightly intimidating if you fear heights, but they are perfectly safe. Inside the spheres are permanent and temporary exhibitions about the Atomium's history, 1950s design, and Belgian innovation.

Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis: meaning "little boy peeing" in Dutch, is a tiny bronze fountain statue of a naked little boy urinating into the fountain basin. It dates back to the 17th century (the original is in a museum; a replica stands on the corner). Despite its small size (only about 61 cm or 24 inches tall), it is one of Brussels' most beloved symbols.

Honestly? Expect to be surprised by how small it is. The statue is tucked away on a side street corner, not a grand square. Crowds gather constantly to take photos. The charm lies not in the statue itself but in the costume tradition. Manneken Pis is dressed up in different costumes hundreds of times per year, celebrating holidays, cultural events, and international partnerships. There is even a "costume calendar" you can check online.

Royal Palace of Brussels

The Royal Palace is the official administrative palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. Unlike Buckingham Palace in London, the Belgian royal family does not live here, they live in the Royal Castle of Laeken on the outskirts. The Royal Palace is used for state ceremonies, receptions, and official functions.

The palace is an imposing neoclassical building facing Brussels Park. The exterior is impressive, but the interior is the real star, and it is open to the public for free from late July to early September (summer opening). When open, you can walk through the state rooms: the Throne Room, the Grand Staircase, the Mirror Room (spectacular chandeliers), and the stunning ceiling paintings. The rest of the year, you can still admire the exterior and the surrounding park.

European Parliament, Hemicycle Visitor Center

Brussels is one of three official seats of the European Parliament (along with Strasbourg and Luxembourg). The Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, representing over 450 million citizens. The Hemicycle is the large, circular debating chamber where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all 27 EU countries hold plenary sessions.

Visitors can take a self guided or guided tour of the Parlamentarium (the Parliament's interactive visitor center) and, when sessions are not in session, visit the Hemicycle itself. The Parlamentarium is high tech and engaging you get a tablet that personalizes the experience based on your interests. You learn how EU laws are made, see how MEPs vote, and understand the history of European integration. The Hemicycle tour (separate booking) lets you sit in the public gallery overlooking the actual debating floor.

Art Museums of Brussels

Brussels has an exceptional collection of art museums. The two most important are:

A. Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts)
A sprawling museum complex containing over 20,000 works, from 15th-century Flemish primitives to 21^st century contemporary art. It is divided into several sections, but the most famous are the Old Masters Museum and the Magritte Museum (dedicated to Belgium's surrealist genius, René Magritte).

You will see masterpieces by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (including the famous "Fall of the Rebel Angels"), Peter Paul Rubens (massive Baroque altarpieces), and early Netherlandish painters like Rogier van der Weyden. The collection is world class and far less crowded than the Louvre.

René Magritte is Belgium's most beloved artist, the man behind the floating bowler hats, pipes that say "Ceci n'est pas une pipe," and surreal skies. The museum holds the largest collection of his work: paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs. It is highly engaging, even for visitors who do not typically enjoy art.

B. The Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée)
Belgium is famous for comic strips, Tintin, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and many others originated here. This museum, housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta, celebrates that heritage.

You will see original drawings, life-size figures, and the history of comics from early newspaper strips to modern graphic novels. Even if you are not a comic fan, the building's architecture (spiraling staircases, stained glass, organic forms) is worth the visit.

Visa Requirements for Nigerians

This is the most critical section for Nigerian travelers. Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, which means Nigerian citizens must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Belgium.

Do Nigerians Need a Visa?

Yes. Nigerian passport holders cannot enter Belgium visa free. You must apply for a Schengen visa (Type C Short Stay) that allows you to stay up to 90 days within any 180 day period.

Belgium vs. Schengen & EU Explained

A. Is Belgium in the EU?

Yes. Belgium is one of the oldest founding members of the European Union (EU).

B. Is Belgium in the Schengen Zone?

Yes. Belgium is a full member of the Schengen Area, allowing passport-free travel between 29 European countries.

C. What This Means for Nigerian Travelers

• A valid Schengen visa issued through the Belgian Embassy allows you to travel freely within all 29 Schengen countries for the duration of your stay.
• You must first enter the Schengen country that issued your visa; from there you can move to Belgium.
• Always carry your passport with you when crossing borders, even within the Schengen zone.

Do NOT Visit Belgium If:

• You are a first time international traveler with a "virgin passport", Schengen visa approval rates for first time travelers are lower.
• You have a tight budget that cannot comfortably accommodate European prices (Belgium is not a budget destination like Albania or Turkey).
• You cannot afford to lose the visa fee if your application is denied.
• You are looking for a beach holiday, Belgium has North Sea beaches, but not Mediterranean style weather or beaches.
• You plan to use Belgium as a gateway to illegally enter other Schengen countries, this will result in deportation and a long-term ban.