A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Belgium

6 rules found

Essential restrictionsPhotos & dronesCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: no flash or tripods when taking photos in museums

Do

  • Personal photos without flash are generally allowed, except where marked
  • Flash, lights and tripods need the museum's prior written permission
  • Keep your distance from the works, as signed in each museum
  • Eat and drink only in the museum café or restaurant

Don’t

  • Don't touch exhibits or lean on walls and display cases
  • Don't use photos or videos commercially
  • Don't film staff so they can be identified (Musea Brugge)

Ignoring staff instructions can get you asked to leave immediately, and the police may be called if you refuse (KMSKA rules). Safe distances differ: at least 30 cm at Musea Brugge, 60 cm at KMSKA in Antwerp and 1 m at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: Musea Brugge – Visitor regulations

Cultural sensitivitiesTemples & religious sitesCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: cover shoulders and knees in churches and move quietly

Do

  • Covering shoulders and knees is the safest choice
  • Walk and speak softly inside and silence your phone
  • During Mass or prayers, give way to worship; some areas may be closed
  • Follow on-site signs and staff instructions on photography

Don’t

  • Don't enter in sleeveless tops or shorts
  • Don't photograph people who are praying
  • Don't eat, drink or give loud commentary inside

Dress requirements vary between Belgian churches and are usually reminders rather than grounds for refusal; dressing to cover shoulders and knees will satisfy even the stricter ones.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp – Visit

Local customsPublic transportCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: queue in order and keep quiet on transport and at night

Do

  • Join the end of the line in shops, bakeries and stations
  • Let passengers get off before you board
  • Talk quietly on board and use headphones for music
  • Keep your voice down in residential streets at night
  • Greet staff when entering shops and be on time for appointments

Don’t

  • Don't cut in line or hurry people in the queue
  • Don't stand or stroll side by side in bike lanes

There is no penalty, but it causes irritation; standing in a bike lane also risks a collision with fast-moving cyclists.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Advisor.travel: Belgium

Local customsEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: greet people in Dutch or French depending on the region

Do

  • In northern Flanders (Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp), use Dutch: 'Goedendag', 'Dank u'
  • In southern Wallonia (Liège, Namur), use French: 'Bonjour', 'Merci'
  • Brussels is bilingual French–Dutch, with French more widely used
  • If unsure, greet in the local language, then ask whether English is OK

Don’t

  • Don't open with French in Flanders or with Dutch in Wallonia
  • Don't joke about the language divide
  • Don't assume everyone speaks English

Belgium has three official languages, Dutch, French and German, with a small German-speaking area in the east. Using the 'wrong' language carries no penalty, but language is a sensitive issue in Belgium and may earn you a cool reception.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Wikipedia: Languages of Belgium

Local customsEveryday mannersCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: shake hands at first meeting; cheek kisses are for people you know

Do

  • Shake hands and make eye contact when meeting someone for the first time or formally
  • Say hello when you enter a shop before asking for anything
  • Let the other person start a cheek kiss and follow their lead

Don’t

  • Don't offer cheek kisses to strangers or people you have just met
  • A cheek kiss is a light touch of cheeks, not a real kiss

There is no penalty. The number of kisses varies: in Flanders usually one, three for celebrations; in Wallonia one or three, and male friends often kiss too.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Wikipedia: Cheek kissing

Local customsTippingCountry-wide guidance · Belgium

Belgium: service is included; round up or tip about 5–10% if pleased

Do

  • For good restaurant service, round up or leave about 5–10%
  • In cafés and bars, leaving some change is enough
  • Round up taxi fares; give porters a little per bag
  • Carry some euro cash for stalls and markets that take cash only
  • If unsure whether cards are accepted, ask before ordering

Don’t

  • Don't treat a tip as compulsory: service is usually included in the price
  • Don't pay with €200 or €500 notes; most shops refuse them

Not tipping is not rude. Since July 2022 Belgian businesses must by law offer at least one electronic payment method, but which cards are accepted varies, and cash is still accepted.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Official site: visit.brussels – Money, currency and change

Site-specific notes 3

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Carnival of Binche, Belgium

  • Rushing into the procession to grab oranges
  • touching the Gilles' masks and feather hats
  • setting off fireworks in restricted zones

Ghent

  • Using flash in the altarpiece gallery
  • pushing or running on the castle walls
  • stepping backwards near the edge of waterside steps to frame a shot

Grand Place, Brussels

  • Climbing the façades, statues and fountains
  • entering the Flower Carpet area and ceremony zones