June is the start of summer in Belgium, but it's still the shoulder season before the summer rush. That makes it ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the good weather and summer concerts and festivals without the high prices or oppressive crowds. Explore the medieval and modern culture in Ghent, see an enormous reenacted battle in Waterloo, and enjoy some live music. Here's what you can see and do in Belgium in June.

Weather

June is the start of summer in Belgium, but the weather remains cooler this month than later in the season. Belgium's climate varies between the coastal, inland, and highland areas. Coastal Flanders (the Flemish-speaking northern region of Belgium) tends to be the warmest/mildest region, with a maritime climate that tempers extremes of cold or heat. On the other hand, the southern, inland Ardennes hill and forest region is cooler.

Capital city Brussels is inland, so it has more of a continental climate than coastal cities like Bruges or Antwerp, meaning warmer summers and colder winters. Brussels sees an average high temperature of 68°F (20°C) this month and a low of 53°F (12°C).

Crowds & Costs

June is the shoulder season for travel to Belgium, before the summer peak of July and August. If you can travel this month rather than later in the summer, you'll benefit from lower prices, thinner crowds, and greater availability of transport, accommodation, and restaurants.

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Where to Go

Now is a great month to visit one or two of Belgium's most famous cities without the late summer crowds of July and August. Check out Ghent, a northern city full of medieval history and modern art and culture. Check out SMAK (focused on modern art), STAM (a history museum), and the Design Museum. Visit the medieval castle Gravensteen, located in the city center, and the massive St. Bavo's Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral home to part of the famous Ghent Altarpiece, a set of 15th-century paintings created by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Take a boat tour to see more of Ghent's medieval treasures along the Leie River.

History enthusiasts might want to head to Waterloo, south of Brussels, in mid-June. Around 800 historical re-enactors recreate the Battle of Waterloo, the 1815 battle in which armies of the UK and Prussia defeated the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. The reenactment is quite a sight to behold and is enjoyable whether you know much about the real-life history or not. It's held at the weekend closest to the date of the actual battle, June 18.

What to Do

With pleasant, sunny weather that's not too hot, June is an ideal time to go hiking in Belgium. There are lots of established trails to choose from, whether you want to do a coastal walk on the North Sea coast or through the forests of the Ardennes. Keen hikers looking for a real adventure will enjoy the five-to-seven-day Grande Randonnée 56, which traverses through Wallonia's Eastern Townships, near the border with Germany. Highlights of the multiday trek include misty upland heath and bogs, meadows full of wildflowers, and Belgium's highest point, the 2,277-foot (694-m) Signal de Botrange.  

June is the start of the summer festival season, so you'll never be far from an outdoor concert, show, or other events. Don't miss the five-day Fête de la Musique, held in Brussels and dozens of other towns across Wallonia. Another reason to hit up Brussels this month is to attend BRIFF, or the Brussels International Film Festival, with film screenings and awards.

Events in June

Fête de la Musique, Brussels and around Wallonia. Music concerts are held in the capital and throughout Wallonia over five days in June.

BRIFF, Brussels. Brussels International Film Festival showcases local and international films.

More Helpful Information

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