Weather
September is the start of fall in Belgium, and although the weather is getting cooler and more autumnal, it can also be quite summery, with lingering heat. Nights will be cooler than the previous season, though, making this an enjoyable time to visit the country.
Although it's small, Belgium's climate varies between the coastal, inland, and highland areas. Coastal Flanders (the Flemish-speaking northern region of Belgium) tends to be the mildest region, with a maritime climate that tempers extremes of cold or heat. Capital city Brussels is inland, so it has more of a continental climate than coastal cities like Bruges or Antwerp, meaning colder winters and hotter summers but more moderate fall weather in September. Brussels sees an average high temperature of 66°F (19°C) and a low of 52°F (11°C).
Crowds & Costs
After the crowds and higher summer prices, September is Belgium's quieter shoulder season. With most local, European, and international travelers back to work and school, the crowds on the North Sea coast dissipate, and the popular cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp go back to having a steady stream of visitors rather than crowds. Prices are lower this month, too, and you'll likely be able to find a good deal on accommodation and greater availability.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Where to Go
September is a great month to spend time in the capital, Brussels, because the city hosts many arts, food, and drink events. September is the start of the fall arts season (whereas summer was more about live music), so you can attend all kinds of museum exhibits, operas, theater shows, and dance performances. Belgian Beer Weekend is also held in early September at Brussels' central Grand Place. Learn more about Belgium's famous beers and taste a few—around 50 different breweries participate.
Ghent—a northern city full of medieval history—is a lovely place to visit any month, but September's a perfect time. Not only will the summer crowds have thinned, but the city hosts the 10-day Ghent Festival, with music, comedy shows, theater, street art, and food vendors. When you're not taking part in the festival, visit Ghent's other wonders, including the medieval castle Gravensteen in the city center and the massive St. Bavo's Cathedral. The latter is a Gothic cathedral home to part of the famous Ghent Altarpiece, a set of 15th-century paintings created by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.
What to Do
While temperatures remain pretty warm in Belgium this month, the colors of fall advance across the country, starting in the higher forested areas of the Ardennes. Photographers and anyone fond of fall colors should head east. Hike in the forests and along boardwalks through grasslands, or sightsee pretty places surrounded by orange and red leaves, such as the turreted, 15th-century Vêves Castle.
Fall is also the mushroom-picking season in the Ardennes, with boletus, chanterelles, and morel fungus all growing in the forests. Unless you're an expert mushroom forager, it's a good idea to consult an expert or join an organized foraging tour, to avoid picking less favorable specimens.
Events in September
Brussels Gallery Weekend, Brussels. An opportunity to view Brussels through the lens of contemporary art when galleries and museums open their doors for exhibitions and tours.
Les Fêtes de Wallonie, Wallonia. This festival in Wallonia occurs in September and honors Belgian independence with a mass and traditional dances.
Belgian Beer Weekend, Brussels. Taking place in the Grand Place, a weekend devoted to all things Belgian brews.
Brussels Design September, Brussels. A design festival focusing on graphic design, furniture, and architecture.
More Helpful Information
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Best Time of Year to Visit Belgium
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