Visiting Belgium in June is a great idea. The summer weather’s just getting into its stride, the days are long, and you can very comfortably sip one of those delicious Belgian beers outdoors in the sun.
By June, the country’s not heaving with tourists – who mostly begin to arrive in larger quantities in July. Sightseeing is a little more feasible and places are less overrun, and the streets and landscapes of Belgium are at their best. The roses are in bloom and the castles of and rural areas of Belgium are crying out to be explored.
Although the high season hasn’t kicked off yet, the main Belgian cities are year-round destinations. You will still find that on the weekends, numbers rise considerably as Europeans travel for long weekend trips to places like Bruges, Brussels, and Ghent.
You can see why many people consider June the best time to visit Belgium. However, be aware that in some rural parts, some restaurants and hotels close for a couple of weeks prior to the beginning of high tourist season so it’s a good idea to book before you travel.
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Weather in Belgium in June
Belgium has fairly moderate weather all year round, with cool summers and mild winters, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. This generally makes travel a piece of cake – you’ll rarely be surprised by unpredictable weather or crazy temperature.
The weather averages have generally begun to lift by the time we get to June. You can expect warm sunshine and long days of high amounts of light. As with any country, it’s hard to give an average temperature as Belgium is split up into areas with their own individual micro-climates.
For example, days in the Ardennes to the south-east of Belgium have a more extreme continental climate as the area is further away from the coast, and has a high altitude in comparison. Whereas the coastal weather in the west is milder and less extreme during both the days and nights.
For an idea of Belgium weather in June, let’s have a look at the country’s capital, Brussels. On average, the temperature in Brussels, Belgium is 15°C / 59°F in June. The highest average temperature in Brussels, Belgium is 19°C / 66°F, and the lowest is 11°C/ 52°F.
Those are just the official numbers, though. Temperatures have risen over the last few years and it’s not usual to have a week of 20°C/68°F+, with peaks mounting to 30°C/86°F+
In general, Belgian summers are slightly more rainy than Belgian winters. In June you can expect around 90 mm of rainfall throughout the month on average in Brussels, Belgium with around 17 days of rainfall in total.
Things to do in Belgium in June
Belgian beaches are characterized by their white flat sands stretching for miles on end from De Panne in the South to Knokke-Heist in the north. But they do get crowded in the summer.
June is what is known as a “shoulder month”, so there aren’t nearly as many tourists about. Because of this, it’s a great time to visit the coast.
The temperature won’t quite be warm enough for full-blown sunbathing, so it’s best to opt for a beachfront activity. Whether you fancy a bit of sand-yachting or even some watersports, or even get practicing for some of the sandcastle-building competitions that take place later in the summer – days spent by the sea are a good bet.
June is a great time of year to participate in one of Belgium’s favorite pastimes – cycling. You’ll find that most cities have bicycle hire services, making taking to two wheels an easy transition.
There are some nice routes to travel round in Belgium such as the Gouden Carolus route (taking you round some breweries and distilleries near Mechelen) and the more urban Concrete Canvas Tour in Ghent (leading through the city’s remarkable street art).
The weather is also pretty ideal for hiking in Belgium. There is a plethora of amazing walking routes throughout the country, from the primeval Sonian Forest near Brussels, Belgium to the adventurous “ladder walk” in the Ardennes. Just make sure you pack the sunblock – the temperature might not be scorching but you’ll definitely need it!
What to wear in Belgium in June
Bearing in mind that the average temperature in Brussels, Belgium in June is 15°C / 59°F, you can dress with quite a lot of freedom. Because you don’t have to worry about getting too chilly, you can leave those padded coats and all that heavy knitwear at home… which leaves plenty more room in the suitcase for stashing Belgian chocolate and Speculoos!
If you’re city-hopping, then an all-occasion lightweight jacket will be your saving grace. Something you can slip on over the top of a summery outfit when things start to cool off in the evenings. Likewise, thin cardigans and jumpers are recommended as you can easily stow them in your day bag and whip them out at the end of the afternoon. There’s no real “right” way to dress in Belgium – mostly, anything goes!
If it’s into the wild you’re heading, then some sturdy shoes for adventuring are a good idea. Because the weather will probably be a mix of sun and rain, you’ll likely want to be packing sunglasses as well as a light rain mac or foldable umbrella.
June weekdays are the best time to hit the coast, as it won’t be swarming with summer tourists just yet. If you plan to go for a dip, you will probably want to bring a wetsuit, as the North Sea is pretty cold at the beginning of summer. To give you an idea, the average sea temperature at De Haan in June is 14.6°C / 58.3°F.
Events in Belgium in June
Belgium is a land brimming with regional traditions and culture, so each month brings different events to each town, city, and rurality of the country. Some of which are events that have been upheld annually for centuries.
One such event is known as the Ducasse de Mons (alternatively called “Doudou”). The Ducasse de Mons is a celebration that takes over the city of Mons in Wallonia every June for eight days. If you stumbled on it by accident, you’d be forgiven for thinking the whole town had gone mad! There are processions, costumes, reenactments, and giant paper-maché dragons filling the streets.
The tradition began in the 14th century and there are now two main events that the carnival is built around. One is the grand procession of a golden carriage carrying a gilded casket. This is paraded ceremoniously through the streets, to crowds waving flags and playing trumpets.
The second event is the reenactment of the slaying of the dragon by Saint George. It’s a fantastic spectacle with elaborate costumes and many people – you have to see it to believe it!
Another occasion not to miss if you visit Belgium in June is the reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo. This historic event took place on 18 June 1815 and a replication takes place every year on a weekend around that date, on the original battlefield in Waterloo.
Between 600 to 800 costumed “soldiers” act in the event each year, apart from the 5-year anniversaries which makes use of up to 2000 actors from all over the world!
Places to visit in Belgium in June
Visiting Belgium in the springtime is like watching an artist’s canvas being splashed with paint. Why? Because this is the time when the country springs into bloom! By June, many of the tree blossoms will have passed over, but you can count on the roses being at their very best. This means that trips to visit the many castles of Belgium are rewarded with stunning blooming gardens.
Not far from Brussels, Belgium is the little town of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw which is where you’ll find one of the biggest rose gardens in the whole of Europe – the International Rose Garden of Coloma.
The garden is home to over 200 thousand roses, tucked away behind the majestic Coloma Castle. There are over 3000 different varieties of rose in total in the garden, all arranged by the country where they originated. You can also visit the Rose Museum in the park next door to find out loads of information about all the different plants.
The stately grounds of Castle Gaasbeek in Flemish Brabant near Brussels, Belgium are the perfect spot for a June picnic. You can sit on the banks of the stunning lakes, wander amid the exotic fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens, and keep an eye out for a peacock! If the weather’s nice, it’s an amazing place to spend the day.
Belgium is a worthy destination all year round, but each season has something different to offer and June is no different. With days getting longer and temperatures rising, there’s a definite thrill in the air from the streets of Brussels, Belgium all the way to the wild valleys of the east!
Want even more inspiration? Check out these fun things to do 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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