Is Belgium Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Belgium is generally a safe country to travel for solo female travelers. Violent crime is low, however, like every other place in the world, it's always wise to stay cautious and vigilant, especially during night hours or when visiting isolated areas. As a solo female traveler, it is recommended to keep in touch with family, avoid sharing specifics about accommodation and travel, and follow travel advisories. Also, be aware of pickpocketing in busy tourist areas or public transport.

Safety rating

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How safe is Belgium?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Belgium, overall, is considered quite safe for solo female travelers even at night. The well-lit urban areas, like Brussels and Antwerp, have plenty of people around which will significantly reduce the risk. However, it is always advisable to stay vigilant and avoid less populated or poorly lit areas. Use your discretion in more rural regions where it can be more isolated. Public transportation or taxis are widely available and reliable. It is always wise to let someone else know your whereabouts, especially when traveling alone.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Belgium, including buses, trains, and trams, is generally safe, efficient, and reliable. Passengers are typically respectful, and it's quite commonplace for solo female travelers to use these transportation systems. However, just like any other place in the world, you should always remain aware of your belongings and surroundings to avoid petty theft. Occasional delays may occur, but timetables are typically adhered to.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Belgium is generally considered to be quite safe for solo female travelers. Street harassment, while not completely absent, is not highly prominent either. Respect for personal space is significant amongst Belgians. However, just like any other city, occasional cat-calling in crowded or touristy areas might occur. But overall, most encounters are likely to be polite and non-threatening.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Belgium generally boasts a low rate of petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, especially when compared to other European countries. These types of crimes usually happen in crowded places like public transportation, main tourist attractions, and major events. However, by taking some basic precautions such as keeping an eye on your belongings and avoiding isolated places at night, such risks can be mitigated. Travellers are advised to be vigilant especially in larger cities like Brussels and Antwerp.

Is Belgium worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 84 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Ghent, Family travel

Ghent is a really nice and historic city to visit. I do think around 3 days in Ghent will be enough to explore the city. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, we felt very safe. You can take a really nice boat tour, during this a guide will tell you all about the city’s history. Also nice museums are around, like the ‘museum voor schone kunsten’. You will also find some nice bars and pubs.

Posted: March 7, 2025
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Brussels, Solo travel

Its safe city 4 girls due to low crime rates, well-lit streets, reliable public transport. The city promotes gender equality U will find the best cultured food at Molenbeek, which is also very central!

Posted: March 5, 2025
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Jane

Jane

France

Brussels, Solo travel

Europe by train 1/17 • Brussels Reassuring first stop for my solo trip ! Belgians are very nice, and there are so many things to do. Even in the neighborhoods I was told to avoid (like the courthouse), I had zero problem at all 🏃‍♀️‍➡️ very walkable ! I walked by foot from the center to the Centenaire park, it was very pleasant 🏺 Musées royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Musée des Beaux-Arts, street art 🍔 fries and waffles, of course! Go to Fritland and Maison Dandoy are a must ❤️ museums are great, people are nice, historic center is beautiful. You can eat well for a decent price 💔 outside the historic city center, it is much less lively and it can feel a bit unsafe. Much of the city was also under renovation

Posted: February 9, 2025
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Brussels, Solo travel

I was I Brussels beginning of February and it was very cold. I like public transport, its fairly cheap. I highly reccommend going to turist info point to get map and recommendations on what to see, they are super friendly and nice.

Posted: February 4, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Belgium, Solo travel

I loved my experience in Belgium. I went to Brussels, Brugge, Oostende and Ghent. The places were all gorgeous and not too crowded, the weather was rainy until June but I love rain so I was quite happy, Definitely would love to go back any time!

Posted: January 7, 2025Experienced: April, 2024
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Gabriela

Gabriela

Brazil

Ghent, Solo travel

I spent 4 months in Ghent as an exchange student and it was the best experience of my life!! I stayed with a great hostess, made lots of friends, saw beautiful places and had an amazing time. As a woman I never feel unsafe, and was always treated with respect even though I do not speak Flemish. Would totally recommend visiting for at least 2 days so you can see everything in that beautiful city.

Posted: January 4, 2025Experienced: August, 2024
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Bruges, Group travel

Hi Bruge is a beautiful historical city. It has a magical quality. I loved the wafers and chocolate. It is also very safe and has a good transportation system. Their mos famous food is muscles. They also have a fruit flavored beer. People are very helpful.

Posted: December 29, 2024
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Ghent, Group travel

Small, cozy place, felt super safe, nice bike infrastructure and amazing nature, the city centre is gorgeous, the beer is delicious! Public transport is safe and convenient, museums are very interesting. Not so many tourists as it isn’t the most touristy place.

Posted: December 26, 2024
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Belgium, Solo travel

I felt safe in Belgium in general “not really in the evening”. I like that they are a week ticket for students with only 20 euros and we can go to all Beligum with train. I got lucky that someone hosted me and I felt pretty safe in the neighborhood in Brussels.

Posted: September 12, 2024
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Luísa

Luísa

Belgium

Brussels, Solo travel

I visited Belgium and stayed in Brussels with a friend. I explored the Grand Place, tasted amazing chocolates and waffles, and enjoyed the vibrant culture and beautiful architecture. It was unforgettable!

Posted: August 6, 2024Experienced: June, 2024
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Is Belgium safe for women?

Safety index

4 /5

Based on 130 local experiences

Crime index

2.3 /5

Based on 130 local experiences

Nele

Nele

Brussels

I lived in Brussels for 8 months and the “most horrifying” experiences were (high) people speaking to themselves, people asking you for money or something like that. Would not recommend gare du midi/ gare du nord at night but it’s tolerable. Nothing ever got stolen, I never got catcalled and felt safe.

Posted: March 25, 2025
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Brussels

To be honest, out of all the places I’ve visited, Brussels was the worst in terms of overall safety and cleanliness. There were a lot of homeless people in the metro and men urinating in front of the main station.

Posted: March 18, 2025
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Meet locals in Belgium

Jasmijn

Jasmijn

About Me

Hi, I’m Jasmijn and love travelling. I’m always looking for new ways of connecting with people.

Speaking

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Cristina

Cristina

About Me

Hi! I come originally from Spain but I've worked and lived abroad for the past 25 years. Since 2016 I've changed career paths to me more aligned with my values. I no longer work as a consultant in a big company, instead I accompany women throughout their entire motherhood (including birth). I'm also a qualified massage therapist (women only) and I'm fascinated by creating significant human interactions (women only 😅)... Having a cup of coffee and a chat with a good friend or even a total stranger can save lives ❤️‍🔥

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Belgium

Jasmijn

Jasmijn

Antwerp

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hi, I’m Jasmijn and love travelling. I’m always looking for new ways of connecting with people.

Speaking

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Cristina

Cristina

Belgium

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Hi! I come originally from Spain but I've worked and lived abroad for the past 25 years. Since 2016 I've changed career paths to me more aligned with my values. I no longer work as a consultant in a big company, instead I accompany women throughout their entire motherhood (including birth). I'm also a qualified massage therapist (women only) and I'm fascinated by creating significant human interactions (women only 😅)... Having a cup of coffee and a chat with a good friend or even a total stranger can save lives ❤️‍🔥

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Belgium

Sarah

Sarah

About Me

Hi, I’m Sarah Currently searching some places to visit during my 4 days stay in Brussels in April

Speaking

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Seda

Seda

About Me

Hello. I am Seda, currently a ESC volunteer in Latvia : ) Very interested in discovering new cities and befriending new people : )

Speaking

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Safety in Belgium