Navigate the Linguistic Divide

Belgium is a country divided into distinct linguistic regions, and understanding this is crucial for a smooth trip. The northern region (Flanders) speaks Dutch (Flemish), the southern region (Wallonia) speaks French, and a small eastern sliver speaks German. Brussels is officially bilingual but predominantly Francophone.

A major faux pas for travelers is assuming everyone speaks French. In Flanders (which includes popular tourist cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp), initiating a conversation in French can sometimes be met with coldness due to complex historical and political tensions.

If you are in Flanders and do not speak Dutch, it is always better to initiate the conversation in English rather than French. Belgians have an exceptionally high level of English proficiency, so you will have no trouble getting around.