Belgium in July: Weather Tips and Festival Galore

Belgium's weather in July is hot, but it’s not always dry! It’s one of the wettest months, with 70mm to 90mm of rainfall across July. The temperature in Belgium in July ranges from 14°C (57°F) to 23°C (73°F). However, this does vary depending on where you are in the country, as the inland cities tend to be warmer than the western coastline.

In the coastal regions around Ostend, the temperatures are a bit lower, with highs of 20°C (68°F) due to the winds off the western coast. In terms of the weather in Bruges in July, the rainfall is lower at 47mm, and the temperatures reach highs of 21°C (70°F).

For a seasonal overview, check out our article on the best time to visit Belgium.

From amazing festivals to great weather conditions to massive, city-wide parades, a trip to Belgium in July has a full events calendar that needs to be experienced!

• Ommegang: If you love medieval festivals and history, the Ommegang festival at the start of the month in the capital will be right up your street. With music, performances, and parades, it’s an immersive experience that celebrates the arrival of Charles the Fifth to Brussels back in 1549.
• Belgian National Day: This is the biggest festival in Belgium and takes place on July 21st. It celebrates Leopold I being crowned as the first King of the Belgians in 1831. There are huge parades throughout the country, including the main one in Brussels. Remember that most businesses will be closed as it’s a public holiday.
• Gente Feesten: The beautiful city of Ghent has its annual festival that lasts 10 days in mid to end July. You’ll find live theater, dancing, music, parades, and loads of cultural entertainment across the city.
• Tomorrowland: The ultimate electronic dance music festival takes place in Antwerp, Belgium, in mid-to-late August. Celebrated around the world, crowds come in amazing costumes for days on end to rave the night away!
• River cruises: With the warmer weather and crowds on dry land, head to the Zenne River in Brussels for an iconic boat tour around the quaint architecture around the suburbs such as Naast.
• Visit Belgium’s best waterparks: Hot weather and summer vibes mean it’s the perfect time for a splash around in a waterpark. Some of the best water parks include Aqualibi, Walibi Belgium, and Bellewaerde Park—perfect for the whole family.

The cooler temperatures along the Flemish coastline make July the perfect month for a multi-day cycle trip in Belgium. There are a whole host of amazing cycle routes around the area, thanks to its largely flat topography. This is one for the history buffs as you’ll travel around prominent World War I battlefields and memorials such as Ypres as you rack up the miles.

If you’re looking to stay in the cities of Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels, July is the perfect time to soak up the prominent beer gardens all around. Belgian beer is very specific in its taste, strength, and historic brewing practices. With the sun shining down and the festival vibes, July in Belgium is the ideal time for a beer tour or brewery experience, such as the De Halve Maan Brewery in Bruges, De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery, or the traditional Trappist brewery, Benedictus-Abbey (Achelse Kluis) in Achel. For city adventures, check out our tours to Bruges.

With the winds of the Belgian coast kicking up, the sunny weather, and the coastal communities in full flow for the summer holidays, Belgium in July is also a great time to try your hand at sailing. The beaches around Ostend offer the perfect beginner experience up to experienced boat hands. In fact, sailing has been part of Belgian culture here since the 16th century!

Need Help Planning a Trip to Belgium in July?

So from exciting cultural festivals to beach getaways to historic bicycle tour adventures, Belgium in July has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Remember if you’re visiting in the summer months, expect crowds and try to book in advance to avoid price hikes and fully booked trips! If you’re having trouble putting together your dream summer itinerary, get in touch with our in-country travel experts who can create a customized trip to Belgium to suit your needs and interests.