Belgium by Campervan: A Complete Guide
Why Belgium?
Belgium gets overlooked. Everyone drives through on the way to France or Germany. That's a mistake.
The country packs medieval cities, dense forests, and excellent beer into an area smaller than Maryland. You can cross it in two hours, but you shouldn't.
The Basics
Languages: Dutch in the north (Flanders), French in the south (Wallonia), German in a tiny eastern strip. Signs change languages abruptly.
Driving: Right side, same as Netherlands. Highways are free. The A12 between Antwerp and Brussels is notoriously congested - avoid rush hours.
Campervan rentals: Most rentals are in Antwerp, Brussels, or picked up from Dutch companies in Eindhoven/Maastricht.
The Flemish Cities Circuit
Duration: 4-5 days
Distance: 200 km
Highlights: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp
Bruges is overrun with tourists from 10am to 6pm. Solution: arrive at 8am or stay overnight. The municipal campersite at Memling is 2 km from the center, 18 EUR/night including electricity.
Ghent is better. Fewer tourists, better nightlife, cheaper beer. Park at Blaarmeersen recreation area (free during day, 10 EUR overnight at the campervan area).
Antwerp has a proper campervan stellplatz at Linkeroever (left bank), with views of the skyline. 12 EUR/night. Walk through the pedestrian tunnel to reach the old city.
The Ardennes Loop
Duration: 5-7 days
Distance: 350 km
Best for: Nature, hiking, escaping crowds
South of Namur, Belgium transforms. The flat farmland gives way to forested hills and river valleys. This is the Ardennes.
Key stops:
Dinant: Dramatic cliffs, the birthplace of the saxophone. The citadel is worth the climb. Campervan parking by the river is 8 EUR.
Durbuy: Claims to be "the smallest city in the world" - marketing nonsense, but it's pretty. Avoid weekends when Belgian families descend.
La Roche-en-Ardenne: Better base for hiking. The Battle of the Bulge museum is sobering. Multiple campsites, but Camping du Vieux Moulin has the best location.
Bouillon: Medieval castle on a cliff, kayaking on the Semois river. Wild camping is tolerated in the surrounding forests if you're discreet.
Beer and Food
Belgian frites are not French fries. They're double-fried in beef fat. The best frituur (chip shops) are often roadside shacks. Bicky Burger at any frituur is a greasy, guilty pleasure.
Trappist beers: Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren. Westvleteren is only sold at the abbey - worth the detour if you're near Poperinge. Limit: two crates per car, call ahead.
Supermarket tip: Colruyt has the cheapest beer prices. Delhaize has better selection.
Overnight Spots
Belgium has an official network of "aires de camping-car" (campervan stopovers). Most are 10-15 EUR and have water/electricity. The app "Belgium Motorhome Areas" maps them all.
Wild camping is technically illegal but tolerated in Wallonia if you:
Flanders enforces the rules more strictly. Stick to official spots.
Border Tips
Crossing to Luxembourg: No controls, currency stays EUR. Fuel is significantly cheaper in Luxembourg - fill up there.
Crossing to Germany: Same deal. Aachen is 30 minutes from Liege and has good supermarkets.