Car Rental Belgium

Belgium is located in the heart of the Low Countries. Sharing borders with France and Germany, you can clearly see the Germanic influence in the east and the Franco similarities in the west. Renting a car in Belgium gives you the freedom to cross the country and enjoy this compact but diverse nation.

The speed limit on the major highways is 120km/h with a minimum of 70km/h, while on other routes the maximum speed is 90km/h. In built-up areas the limit is 50km/h and in residential areas this can drop to 20km/h. It’s compulsory for all passengers to wear seatbelts and when driving in urban areas you must give priority to trams.

The comprehensive series of major Belgian roads are indicated by an A prefix, and are also given an E number to show their position in the wider, European network. In Belgium, these E numbers tend be used most often.

Highways connect the bustling cities of Belgium, making it an easy country to navigate. The A10 links the city of Brussels and coastal Bruges, skirting the suburbs of Ghent on the way and continuing onwards to Ostend, where you’ll find ferry links to the United Kingdom.

The R0 and A4 connect Brussels to Charleroi in the west of Belgium and the A1 leads north to the port city of Antwerp.

Belgium is more than just the home of the EU. Sandwiched between Germany and France, unearth a historic land where ancient battles were fought between feudal kings, and where medieval cities still stand.

Uncover the capital

Brussels has a vibrant, multicultural heart. Make the Place Royale your starting point. This spacious plaza, surrounded by white-stone buildings, is home to some of Belgium’s most fascinating museums.

Spend a day hopping between the Magritte Museum (dedicated to the Belgian surrealist artist), the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and the Musical Instruments Museum to broaden your horizons. Round off your tour with a trip to the Musée Hergé – a modern, cubic building emblazoned with this artist’s iconic Belgian detective, Tintin.

Wander through the covered shopping arcades of Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for a taste of old-fashioned luxury and sample authentic Belgian chocolate in one of the capital’s many historic chocolatiers. Mary Delluc, owner of the Mary boutiques, has been selling chocolate since 1919 and was honoured with her first Belgian Royal Warrant by King Leopold II.

Head to the small town of Waterloo near Brussels and learn about the infamous battle which took place in 1815. Informative signs reveal military strategies and monuments, including the triumphant Lion’s Mound, scatter the emerald green fields.

Step into a medieval masterpiece

Visit the medieval town of Bruges, one of Belgium’s top tourist destinations. Picturesque cobbled streets, lined with period buildings, are punctuated with the gothic spires of churches. This old town is best explored at a slower pace, as you walk by the teal canals , and step inside 12^th-century churches, adorned with colourful frescos under ancient arched naves.

Modern art and ancient heritage

Head along the coast to the buzzing port of Antwerp, Belgium’s second biggest city. Its old town brims with baroque gems; a delightful mixture of old heritage museums and modern art behemoths. For exceptional seafood, visit one of the fresh-fish markets.

Museum Plantin-Moretus, an old printing house, opened its doors to the public back in 1876. The medieval building dates back to the 16^th century, and tucked away inside there lies a magnificent library. On the other side of the coin, the modern Museum aan de Stroom, opened in 2011,is a contemporary art complex stretched across 10 storeys. If you like your art innovative, cutting-edge and interactive, this is the space for you.

Admire the works of one of Belgium’s most famous painters at the enchanting Rubenshuis. The birthplace of Peter Paul Rubens, this 17^th-century mansion is set in beautiful gardens and features 14 authentic works by the artist.

The centre of Flanders

In the northern Flanders region, Ghent is a small city with one foot still firmly in the Middle Ages. Here, 14^th-century buildings contrast with colourful street art. Visit Gravensteen – the nearby fairy tale castle of the counts, perched on the river Lieve – and the striking, sky-blue Belfry of Ghent. Explore the wider area of Flanders with a hire car and discover the Flemish art cities of Mechelen and Leuven with their picture-perfect facades.

Drive between the cities of Belgium and uncover the soul of the nation. Medieval history, modern art and famous painters are just the start of the story in this European treasure. Discover it all with car rental from Hertz.