Things to Do in Belgium in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Belgium
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer weather with longest daylight hours - sunrise at 6:15am, sunset at 9:30pm gives you 15+ hours of potential sightseeing time
- Outdoor café culture is at its absolute peak - every square and street corner buzzes with terraces serving local Jupiler and abbey beers until late evening
- Festival season is in full swing with major events like Gentse Feesten drawing millions of locals, giving you authentic cultural immersion impossible other times of year
- Perfect temperature range of 14-22°C (57-72°F) for walking the cobblestone streets without overheating - ideal for exploring medieval city centers on foot for hours
Considerations
- Peak tourist season means accommodation prices increase 40-60% compared to spring, and popular attractions like Bruges' Belfry can have 45-minute wait times by 11am
- Light rain occurs 12 days of the month, typically lasting 30-45 minutes in late afternoon - can disrupt outdoor market visits and walking tours
- Many locals take their annual holidays in August, so some neighborhood restaurants and smaller attractions may have irregular hours or temporary closures
Best Activities in August
Brussels Historic Walking Tours
August's extended daylight hours make Brussels perfect for comprehensive walking tours covering Grand Place, Royal Quarter, and EU district. The 22°C (72°F) maximum temperature prevents overheating on cobblestones, while outdoor café stops become part of the authentic experience as locals embrace terrace season.
Bruges Canal Boat Tours
August offers the most pleasant canal touring conditions - mild 14-22°C (57-72°F) temperatures and long evening light until 9:30pm. The frequent light rain actually enhances the atmospheric medieval experience, and covered boats protect you during the 30-minute showers.
Ghent Festival Cultural Experiences
Gentse Feesten transforms Ghent into Europe's largest cultural festival during late July into early August. The mild evening temperatures allow comfortable outdoor concert attendance until midnight, while the festival's free street performances showcase authentic Flemish culture impossible to experience other times.
Belgian Beer Terrace Tours
August is terrace season when every Belgian embraces outdoor drinking culture. The 75% humidity and mild temperatures create perfect conditions for sampling abbey beers, lambics, and local brews at outdoor cafés. Daylight until 9:30pm means extended tasting sessions in atmospheric squares.
Ardennes Forest Hiking
August's mild 14-22°C (57-72°F) range makes the Ardennes perfect for multi-hour hikes through dense forests around Dinant and Durbuy. The light rainfall keeps trails from being dusty, while the humidity creates lush, green landscapes ideal for photography.
North Sea Coast Beach Towns
Belgium's coast from Ostend to Knokke reaches peak season in August with 22°C (72°F) temperatures perfect for beach walks and seafood terraces. The North Sea remains cool for swimming, but the extended daylight hours make seaside cycling and fresh mussel dining ideal.
August Events & Festivals
Gentse Feesten
Europe's largest cultural festival transforms Ghent's medieval center with 600+ free concerts, theater performances, and street art. Over 1.5 million visitors experience authentic Flemish culture, traditional folk music, and contemporary acts across 10 days.
Brussels Summer Festival
International music festival featuring indie, rock, and electronic acts in Parc du Cinquantenaire. The outdoor venue takes advantage of August's extended daylight and mild evening temperatures for comfortable concert experiences.
Carpet of Flowers
Brussels' Grand Place is covered with a massive begonia flower carpet measuring 77m x 24m (252ft x 79ft). This biennial event occurs only in even-numbered years, making 2024 and 2026 viewing years - not 2025.