By November, the weather in Belgium is starting to get pretty chilly and the days are much shorter. Although this might mean you have to plan your activities a little more carefully, there are so many options for things to do while visiting Belgium in November.
If you want to do any outdoor activities during your stay, however, it’s worth preparing a backup plan for days of bad weather.
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Weather in Belgium in November
The weather takes a bit of a turn in November and it brings plenty of rain. You can expect roughly 20 days of rain in November. However, the sun does still show its face and it can be a very beautiful time to explore outdoors in between rain showers – there are normally around five hours of sunshine each day in November.
The temperature in Belgium in November is fairly cold, with an average high of 9°C / 48°F
during the days, and a low of 4°C / 39°F during the nights. If you’re asking yourself if it’s likely to snow during November – the answer is that there’s a vague possibility. On the whole, however, a month like December or January has a higher chance of snowy weather than November.
The main thing is to know what’s coming and to have plans for days where rainfall is forecasted. As long as your content with keeping a keen eye on the weather information, November weather in Belgium shouldn’t hold you back.
Things to do in Belgium in November
It’s likely you’ll encounter a bit of rain if you’re holidaying in Belgium during November, so having a plan B is always wise. If you’d set your heart on roaming the cobbled streets of Bruges for example, but get caught in a downpour, you might want to use this list for information on coffee shops in Bruges to escape to.
There’s not much better than cozying up with a hot chocolate when the weather turns nasty!
The beach may not be the first place you think of when you plan a trip to Belgium in the autumn, but there’s something stark and beautiful about the coast at this time of year. A fun way of experiencing the length of the North Sea shoreline in comfort is by getting a ride on the world’s longest coastal tram (“De Kusttram”). It runs from De Panne (near France) all the way through to Knokke-Heist (at the border of Holland).
The tramline is a full 67 km / 42 miles in length with 68 stops in total. If you get on at the start, it will only take 2 hours 23 minutes to travel from the beginning of Belgium’s coast to the end, and you’ll get amazing views from the train along the way.
There are information points and ticket machines at each station and trams leave frequently. For only a couple of euros a ticket, it’s got to be the most stress-free way to travel through Belgium, even on bad weather days!
What to wear in Belgium in November
November in Belgium brings cooler weather and many more rainy days. Because of this, you’ll definitely want to pack some warm clothing. A warm winter coat for any outdoor destinations you might be heading to, as well as something rain-proof for wet weather.
On November days of heavy rain, if you’re not content with just a waterproof coat, you might need to use an umbrella too.
Events in Belgium in November
One of the most important days of the year in Belgium (and much of Europe) falls on November 11th – Armistice Day (the equivalent of Remembrance Day or Veterans Day). This day of remembrance is celebrated annually to mark the agreement (“armistice”) signed to end hostilities on the Western Front and the subsequent end of the First World War.
If you’re going to be in Belgium during this time, it’s well worth trying to get to the city of Ypres for the 11th of November.
In Ypres, there are commemorative events all day including memorial services at all the churches and cemeteries of the area, the moving poppy parade, and of course, the Armistice ceremony at Menin Gate. This involves the sounding of the Last Post bugle call, wreath-laying, a minute’s silence, and parade.
Recently, this event has grown so large that there is now a projection screen in the Grote Markt for the crowds to watch from afar.
There are many other events around this time in Ypres, as well as in Brussels and all over Belgium. While you’re in Ypres, you could use the opportunity to see some of the cemeteries and battlegrounds of the Flanders region. You should also bear in mind that many businesses and shops might be closed on this day around the country.
Places to visit in Belgium in November
Brussels is very much on the European circuit for touring bands and musicians, and there is a large number of amazing music venues in the capital. One of Brussels’ best offerings when it comes to seeing live music is an old venue called Le Botanique. It’s got to be among the coolest venues for music in Brussels.
Le Botanique in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels is the all-glass Orangerie of the former National Botanic Garden of Belgium. Today, this cultural destination in Brussels hosts over 300 concerts each year as well as art exhibitions. As well as international artists, it’s also applauded for championing local artists from Brussels.
The venue also hosts a festival of music in May called “Les Nuits Botanique” but there is a year-round program too. Plus, the weather in Belgium in May is much warmer so you’d be forgiven for not wanting to be cooped up indoors on a sunny evening! November is a great time to get a ticket to an event here.
Another thing to do in Brussels in November involves a site that combines architecture, culture, and outstanding views across Brussels. I’m talking, of course, about the Atomium – a landmark destination of Brussels.
This iconic Brussels building is 102m / 335 ft tall and it is made up of nine balls of metal connected by the use of rods. It was designed by an engineer called André Waterkeyn and two architects André and Jean Polak to represent a crystal molecule magnified by 165 billion times.
Inside the five spheres open to the public, there are temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as spaces for concerts, events, conferences, parties, and educational workshops.
The best thing about this site is the restaurant which gives incredible views across the Brussels skyline.
November is a great time to make use of Belgium’s fantastic museums, of which there is a mountain to choose from. The city of Antwerp is a great place to start – there is a fantastic range of different museums to browse. From cutting-edge photography at FOMU (Photo Museum of Antwerp) to gritty historical information at the popular Red Star Line Museum, there is enough to keep those who love to learn content for days!
Want even more inspiration? Check out these fun things to do in Belgium.
From enjoying the views across Brussels, Belgium, to admiring the beaches from the comfort of the coastal tram, there is so much to keep you content on your trip to the country in November. Brussels alone is home to some great eateries, museums, and venues to get you out of the winter weather on rainy days, and the tourist level is much lower than during the summer so you’ll have much more space to explore.
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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