Visiting Belgium in July can be quite wonderful. It’s the time for outdoor dining, sunny cycle rides, picnics in parks, and exploring shady churches. It’s the warmest time of the year and the days are long and slow.
The schools close in Belgium at the start of July, and school holidays last all the way through till the end of August. The side-effect of this is immediate – the beaches and national parks are suddenly heaving with families making the most of the weather.
This, together with the influx of summer vacationers from abroad, means that you will find Belgium much busier in July, and this continues into August too. It’s high tourist season so the price of accommodation and travel goes up accordingly. You’ll also have to consider booking ahead in most cases as many hotels and restaurants book up early.
That being said, if you’re not bothered by things being a little more crowded, July is a lovely month to visit Belgium. The temperature is warm but not unbearable, the scenery is beautiful, and the towns and cities are well equipped for tourism with abundant things to do and see.
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Weather in Belgium in July
Because of Belgium’s mild and moderate Oceanic climate (thanks to its North Sea coastline), summer weather is warm but not too hot for comfort. The average day-length in July is 16 hours, and July has the sunniest weather of the year with an average of 6.5 sunny hours a day in Brussels, Belgium.
The temperature during July days averages at 22°C / 71.6°F, and the nights are warm with an average temperature of 13°C / 55.4°F. You should be prepared for some rainy weather – Brussels, Belgium gets an average of 14 rainy days in July. The humidity levels are at 74% in Brussels.
Things to do in Belgium in July
The obvious place to go on days when the temperature gets high is the Belgian coast. With 65 km / 40 miles of sandy beach, there are plenty of seaside resorts to head to, each offering the whole spectrum of watersports and beach activities during warm weather. Be warned though: they’ll be busy!
If you’re dying to get in the water but can’t face the crowds, July is a great month to try some wild swimming. There are some beautiful natural spots throughout the country, from the Lakes of Eau d’Heure in the south to the tree-lined Bloso Domein Hofstade lake just a 40-minute drive outside the city of Brussels, Belgium.
There are many gorgeous hiking trails that are shady and good for July temperatures such as the forests of the Ardennes region. Walks that take you high above river valleys and low into woodlands – the diversity is fantastic.
Want even more inspiration? Check out these fun things to do in Belgium.
What to wear in Belgium in July
As the temperature is up, you’re best off bringing some lightweight summer clothing for the long summer days. At the end of the day, when the temperature gets low, you’ll probably want to sling on a sweater.
The weather can be a bit fickle so it’s best to travel with a waterproof coat and fold-up umbrella if you can.
Events in Belgium in July
July is full to the brim with fun events scattered throughout the country. Search local noticeboards for information on rural fêtes and fairs that are always worth keeping an eye out for. Some of the best events are the traditional ones that have taken place for years and years.
One such event is Ommegang – an amazing medieval procession that takes place in Brussels, Belgium on the first Thursday of July, ending up in a big finale on the Grand Place.
Boetprocessie is another elaborate procession that you shouldn’t miss if you’re anywhere near Veurne in the northwest on the last Sunday of July. This is a costumed religious reenactment of Jesus’s life that has taken place in Veurne since 1644. An amazing sight to see for people of any faith or creed.
If you’re into cycling, you might be excited to witness some of the Tour de Wallonie. It’s a professional cycle race that spans five days across the breadth of Wallonia. On even years, the race runs from west to east, and on odd years it runs from east to west!
The 21st of July is Belgium National Day – a public holiday commemorating the country’s independence in 1831 when King Leopold I was made the first King of Belgium. Festivities happen across the whole country, with parades, fireworks, flags, and public concerts.
It’s particularly exciting seeing the celebrations in Brussels, Belgium.
Places to visit in Belgium in July
Because of its mild temperatures and appealing weather, there’s no place in Belgium that you should avoid in July. However, if you’d rather not face crowds of tourists and holidaying families, you do have to think outside the box and search for activities with low tourist-appeal.
Main cities in Belgium such as Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp pull in high numbers of tourists in the summer, so it might be a good idea to explore some of the small towns or even rural areas away from the city in July instead.
For an escape into the wild, Hoge Kempen National Park in the Limburg region is a tranquil pocket of nature that’s ideal for hiking, cycling, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.
If it gets too sunny out, there’s no better time to dip into a cool shady church, and there are plenty to choose from in Belgium. Cathedrals and churches spanning several centuries can be found all over the country and their low temperatures and amazing architecture are well worth exploring.
Hopefully, this information will give you an idea of what to expect from July days in Belgium!
Where to stay in Belgium
With so much to do in Belgium, it’s a good idea to stay for a while. I almost always use Booking.com for accommodation. It has an extensive list of hotel, apartment, and guesthouse options for all budgets and needs.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. Travel insurance has you covered in case (part of) your trip gets canceled, you get sick or hurt abroad, and sometimes even when your electronics break or get stolen. I always make sure I’m covered every trip I go on.
Don’t have travel insurance yet? Check out SafetyWing. They offer super flexible plans that you can even sign up for while you’re already on your trip. On top of that, they were the first travel insurance to cover COVID, and when I got COVID, they reimbursed all of my expenses without making a fuss. Their customer support team is great and I can personally recommend them.
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