Bed & breakfasts in Belgium

Unlike a whole holiday home, at a B&B you book per room. Ideal for a short escape for two, a stopover on a longer trip or a weekend when you would rather not cook yourself. The host welcomes you in person, shares tips for the loveliest spots nearby and has breakfast ready in the morning.

From a charming room in a townhouse in West Flanders to a quiet guest room in the Ardennes: below you can see, for each B&B, which rooms are on offer, what breakfast includes and the price from which you can book. Choose your room, book directly with the host and pay no commission.

Belgium is a country of short distances and plenty of character, perfect for a B&B stay. In a single weekend you can combine a walk in the Ardennes with a visit to a historic city, or a day by the sea with an evening in a cosy village café. A B&B as your base keeps you close to local life.

B&B hosts in Belgium often do it out of love for their home and their region. Many rooms are set in restored townhouses, farmhouses or village homes with a story of their own. You will find a homemade breakfast, a warm welcome and the honest tips you will not read in any guidebook.

A B&B sits between a hotel and a holiday home. As in a hotel, you sleep in a room and need to prepare nothing: breakfast is ready for you in the morning. But unlike a hotel, there is no anonymous front desk. The host usually lives in or next to the house and welcomes you in person. That is the difference between simply staying somewhere and feeling truly welcome.

Compared with a holiday home, you give up some privacy and independence, as you share the house with the host and sometimes with other guests. In return you gain comfort and company: no shopping, no washing-up, no end-of-stay cleaning, and always someone to point you the way. For a short trip for two, that ease often outweighs the extra space of a whole house.

In the Ardennes you will find B&Bs in old farmhouses, village homes and restored townhouses, often with a view of the hills and within walking distance of the woods. They make ideal bases for an active weekend of walking, cycling or kayaking, with a homemade breakfast to look forward to in the evening. The choice is widest around Durbuy, La Roche, Spa and the Semois valley.

In Flanders and on the coast, B&Bs are more often found in towns and villages: a charming room in a townhouse in Bruges or Ghent, a guest room in a farmhouse in the Flemish Ardennes or an address within walking distance of the beach. Anyone combining culture, food and a short city break is often best placed in an urban B&B. Choose the region that suits your trip and see which rooms are free.

A B&B is at its best for couples and solo travellers who want a short, carefree trip. There is nothing to plan but your arrival: the bed is made, breakfast is ready and the host helps you think through your days. For a stopover on a longer journey or a final night before an early flight or train, a B&B is both handy and personal.

If you are travelling as a family with young children or in a large group, a holiday home is usually more practical: more space, a kitchen of your own and full privacy. Some B&Bs, though, rent several rooms together or even the whole house, so a family weekend in a B&B can work perfectly. Look at what is possible per address and arrange it with the host.

Breakfast is, for many guests, the very reason to choose a B&B over a holiday home. In Belgium it is almost always included in the room price, and what it involves varies greatly from house to house. One host lays out a generous buffet with fresh rolls, local cheeses, charcuterie, fruit and eggs, another serves a carefully prepared plate of regional produce at a laid table. Either way, you start the day without shopping or washing-up.

Many B&B hosts take pride in working local and fresh: bread from the village baker, homemade jam, honey from a nearby beekeeper or fruit from their own garden. If you have an allergy, a diet or a preference, let them know in advance. In a small B&B the host can almost always accommodate it, something that rarely works in a large hotel. Ask when you book until what time breakfast is served, as that too differs from house to house.

Start with the region and the purpose of your trip. If you want to walk, choose a B&B in the Ardennes near the trails. If you are coming for culture and restaurants, an urban B&B will suit you better. Then look at the rooms: how many people, a private or shared bathroom, and what breakfast includes. Those three things largely determine your comfort.

Read what previous guests say about the welcome and the breakfast too, because that is exactly where a good B&B makes the difference. If you have a specific question about arrival, an allergy or a pet, ask it before you book. A B&B host replies personally and quickly, and that contact beforehand is already a good taste of your stay.