Is vacation in Belgium expensive? We tested it!

Is a vacation in Belgium expensive? This question arose when we first considered spending a stay in a vacation home in the Ardennes. We were already familiar with France, and the Netherlands too. Belgium, however, was a blind spot for us. And looking at the photos: stylish, quiet, modern – surely it couldn't be cheap?

A few clicks later, we had already booked. And only once we arrived did we realize that Belgium is many things, but not what we had expected.

In this article, we share our impressions: How ​​much does a vacation in Belgium really cost? Where is it worth consciously investing more, and where does the country surprise with quality that you would otherwise spend a long time looking for? An honest look at prices, comfort, and the quiet strengths of a destination that many underestimate.

We honestly expected more. More costs, more tourist prices, more room for improvement. Instead, a few weeks later, we were standing on the wooden terrace of a holiday home in the middle of the Ardennes and thought: We would have paid twice as much for this somewhere else.

Belgium is no bargain. But it's not underselling itself either. A house with a hot tub, fireplace, and thoughtful interior costs an average of between 130 and 200 euros per night – depending on the region, season, and requirements. If you book outside of weekends or are flexible, you'll find real value for money.

The food is similar. We ate in small villages where the lunch menu consisted of soup, a main course, and a local beer. And all for considerably less than a salad on the Côte d'Azur. On the other hand, in Brussels, you're happy to pay upwards of 60 euros for three courses. So, as is often the case, anyone who spends a little time exploring the country will be pleasantly surprised – including in terms of price.

Holidays in Belgium aren't cheap. But perhaps that's precisely the point: you get something that doesn't scream loudly, but quietly convinces.We honestly expected more. More costs, more tourist prices, more room for improvement. Instead, a few weeks later, we were standing on the wooden terrace of a holiday home in the middle of the Ardennes and thought: We would have paid twice as much for this somewhere else.

Belgium is no bargain. But it's not underselling itself either. A house with a hot tub, fireplace, and thoughtful interior costs an average of between 130 and 200 euros per night – depending on the region, season, and requirements. If you book outside of weekends or are flexible, you'll find real value for money.

The food is similar. We ate in small villages where the lunch menu consisted of soup, a main course, and a local beer. And all this for considerably less than a salad on the Côte d’Azur. On the other hand, in Brussels, you're happy to pay upwards of 60 euros for three courses. So, as is often the case, anyone who spends a little time exploring the country will be pleasantly surprised – including in terms of price.

Holidays in Belgium aren't cheap. But perhaps that's precisely the point: you get something that doesn't scream loudly, but quietly convinces.

For our stay in Belgium, we chose a holiday home in the Ardennes: modern, bright, with a sauna and whirlpool, and a large garden. We booked for three nights in the spring. The price: €590.

To be honest, we expected more. Not more comfort, but more money. The facilities were high-quality: natural stone floors, large glass fronts, good mattresses, stylish furnishings without kitsch. And above all: peace and quiet. No neighbors in sight, no street noise. For comparison: A hotel of comparable standard would have cost us twice as much. And we would have missed out on the most important things: space, independence, the feeling of having arrived.

Of course, a stay in Belgium can also be more expensive, especially on the coast, in high season, or in particularly exclusive locations. But if you book carefully, you get a lot for your money. Not cheap, but honest.

What surprised us most? How quietly quality is evident here. No ostentation, no "Look, we're exclusive." Instead, clean lines, beautiful materials, well-thought-out spaces. In Belgium, there are accommodations that look like they came from an interiors magazine, without making you feel like you're in a showroom.

This is evident in all areas: A small farm shop with wine and cheese, where every product has been carefully selected. A restaurant that doesn't need stars because the menu simply works. A holiday home where the wood smells like your grandparents' old home, only with underfloor heating and a rain shower.

Belgium doesn't have a reputation as a design destination. Perhaps that's precisely its advantage. Those looking for a stylish aesthetic won't be disappointed here, but certainly won't be overwhelmed either. Instead of gold faucets, there's understated elegance. And if you look closely, you'll notice: Good design here isn't a luxury, but rather a commitment.

What really stuck with us was this feeling that everything was more straightforward than expected. No overcrowded parking lots, no daily planning of alternative routes, no discussions about whether to leave early enough to arrive "before the crowds." For example: We strolled through Dinant on a Saturday morning. River, old town, small boutiques. It was lively, yes. But not loud, not hectic. No comparison to a Saturday in comparable places in Southern France or Italy, where one often just goes with the flow.

The same was true when shopping: At the weekly market in Durbuy, we got fresh vegetables, bread, and cheese – without any crowds. And the salesperson had time for a quick chat. It wasn't anything spectacular, but that's exactly what it was. You don't travel in Belgium to tick off checklists. You travel to breathe. You don't notice it right away, but looking back, it was perhaps the greatest luxury.

In Belgium, you don't save by making compromises, but by making sensible decisions. What we've learned ourselves: It's worth taking a close look at the region and the season.

While prices rise quickly on the coast in summer, things are often much more relaxed in the Ardennes or inland, both in terms of price and atmosphere. The time of year also makes a difference: spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, less crowds, and often better availability. We've noticed this with restaurants as well. If you make a reservation for lunch, you'll often get cheaper and just as good food. And when shopping at the market, the rule is: think local, eat better. Belgium isn't a country of superlatives, but of details. Those willing to take a closer look will be rewarded – including in their wallet.

Our tip Don't look for the cheapest, look for what fits. Especially in Belgium, "small, quiet, and stylish" can often offer more than expensive and large.

Anyone looking for the cheapest vacation probably won't have Belgium at the top of their list. And that's perfectly fine. Because Belgium doesn't want to be a mass market, but a place for people who value peace, style, and quality. For us, that's exactly what it was: a country that doesn't advertise loudly, but quietly convinces. With well-thought-out accommodations, honest food, short distances, and moments that don't need to be staged to be special.

The prices? Fair, if you know what to look for. And above all: understandable.

Those who vacation in Belgium aren't paying for effects, but for substance. That's precisely why many accommodations here don't feel like a product, but rather like a retreat. At casapilot, we've found places that offer exactly that: peace, space, and comfort – without the surcharge that other regions have long taken for granted.