Belgium may be small, but it puts the proof to the saying that size isn’t everything.
This is a sugary Waffleland where medieval towns meet modern art, and every corner tempts you with chocolate, beer, and golden fries.
I mean, where else can you wander a UNESCO-listed square in the morning, see a Magritte masterpiece by lunch, and end the day debating whether waffles or beer deserve the top spot on your personal bucket list?
This one week in Belgium itinerary hits all the high notes: medieval towns, Baroque cathedrals, world-class art, and food worth the flight alone.
Overview & Tips
Here’s a snapshot glance at what you can see with this Belgium itinerary:
- Day 1 – Ghent
- Day 2 – Bruges (Day Trip)
- Day 3 – Brussels (Day Trip)
- Day 4 – Ghent
- Day 5 – Antwerp (Day Trip)
- Day 6 – Leuven (Day Trip)
- Day 7 – Ghent or Dinant or Ypres
Quick Tips
Here are some things to know about visiting Belgium:
- Capital City: Brussels
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Official Languages: Dutch, French, German
- EU Member: Yes
- Tourist Visa: Schengen Visa required (for non-EU travelers)
- Best Time to Visit: April–June or September–October (milder weather, fewer crowds)
- Getting Around: Trains connect major cities; walking and biking ideal in town centers
- Famous For: Medieval towns, chocolate, beer, waffles, Art Nouveau, and EU institutions
What You Need To Book In Advance
Why Ghent Works as a Base
I hate moving around frequently when I travel. It sucks some of the joy out of it all. And takes so much time.
So I advise basing yourself in the super cool city of Ghent, for these key reasons:
- Trains run often and are fast (most day trips under 1 hour).
- It’s smaller and easier to navigate than Brussels.
- There are lenty of restaurants, shops, and sights for downtime.
- It’s less expensive than Brussels or Bruges for lodging.
Otherwise, I would split your time between Ghent and Bruges.
Where to stay in Ghent?
Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel is a stylish 4 star hotel with a rooftop bar. It has a real focus on design and a restaurant in a glass roofed atrium.
Housed in a former baronial residence, the Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof Ghent is a Neoclassical mix of marble floors, Ionic columns, and sweeping staircases.
The late 19th century, Neo-Gothic post office building on Ghent’s main square was reborn last year as 1898 The Post. It’s a plush, 38 room boutique hotel with a beautiful cocktail bar.
On my last visit, I stayed in Hotel Harmony. It’s a classy 4 star boutique hotel with chic rooms right on the embankment in Patershol.
If you’d prefer to split your time between Bruges and Ghent, check out my 2 days in Bruges itinerary with the hotels I recommend.
7 Days in Belgium: What To Do
Day 1: Explore Ghent
When it comes to Belgium, Bruges gets all the buzz. But Ghent is the place to find the less touristy magic. It’s a walkable city with character: castles, cathedrals, street art, and cafes with personality.
Start your day at Gravensteen Castle. The romantic castle will satisfy your Pinterest dreams, though in reality it’s most rebuilt.
Still, you’ll enjoy the moody stone walls, panoramic, views, a quirky torture museum, and an over-the-top medieval gift shop to buy your knight in shining armor costume.
The best part? The audio guide is narrated by a terrifically funny comedian, who makes it all come to life.
Next, head to St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see the city’s #1 attraction, the Ghent Altarpiece.
This piece, by Jan van Eyck, is one of the most important paintings in the history of western art.
It’s a monumental painting with 18 hinged panels. Every inch glows with jewel-toned color, precise realism, and hidden references.
It’s a beautiful piece, and also one of the most stolen artworks in history!
After your cathedral visit, grab some lunch and then climb the Belfry. Take a stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei streets that flank the banks of the River Leie.
And stroll through the picturesque Patershol neighborhood for dinner. Or take a food tour.
Patershol is a quiet neighborhood (and where I stayed) full of winding cobblestone streets and restored brick facades like the House of Alijn and the Mason’s Guild.
>>> Click here to book a historic walking tour of Ghent
Day 2: Day Trip to Bruges (30 min by train)
Day 2 takes you to Bruges, the capital of West Flanders.
Known as the “Venice of the North,” this perfectly preserved medieval city still radiates the grandeur of its 14th and 15th century heyday.
Market Square is the colorful heart of the city. It’s ringed by old gabled “gingerbread” style buildings.
Since 1300, it’s been crowned by a leaning bell tower with a fabulous set of bells.
You’ll want to climb the 366 steps. Book a time slot online and time your list for the quarter hour, when a giant revolving barrel rings 47 bells to a tune.
Having polished that off, take in a museum, either the Groeninge Museum or the Memling Collection. Either way, you’ll see some first rate Flemish Primitives art.
For myself, I prefer the Memling, which is set in the medieval hospital of St. John’s.
The museum is included in the Bruges Museum Card and I thought it was worth a visit just to see the gorgeous Memlings. I admire him. He’s my favorite Flemish Primitive after Jan van Eyck.
>>> Click here to pre-book a Memling museum ticket
Next door is the Church of Our Lady. It houses a delicate Michelangelo sculpture. Bought with money from Bruges’ lucrative cloth trade, it’s the only piece by the artist to leave his native country in his lifetime.
Stop for a waffle or lunch, then take a one hour canal cruise. You’ll have a swan’s eye view of the city’s architecture.
At 4:00 pm, take the last English tour at the De Halve Maan (Half Moon) brewery. Belgians, who seem to speak better English after a beer, love to show off their beer expertise.
The happy gang will regale you about their hundreds of beer and the important of pairing each beer with the right glass. And you can quaff down a free pint at the end.
If you want to see more than one brewery, book yourself this popular brewery tour of the city.
Before heading back to Ghent, polish off your day at the Rozenhoedkaai. It’s Bruges’ most photographed spot, and at sunset it’s pure magic.
The canals glow golden, the medieval gables light up, and the Belfry rises in the distance like a storybook skyline.
Day 3: Day Trip to Brussels (40 min by train)
On day 3, hope of the train or drive to Brussels. What are the best things to do in there?
Start at the stunning Grand Place, lined with ornate guildhalls and the iconic Town Hall. It’s a beautiful spot serving up a real wow moment.
After that, you’ll want to wander through the historic city center, explore world class museums, and indulge in Belgian favorites like chocolate, fries, and waffles.
You could opt for a chocolate tour, of course. Or just hop in and out of myriad chocolate shops yourself.
When you are done in the historic center in the Old Town, head up to the Sablon neighorhood in the Upper Town.
Take in the views from Monte des Artes. Then, visit one of Brussels best museums, the Magritte Museum or the Old Masters Museum. Both are included in the Brussels Card.
The Magritte Museum houses the world’s largest collection of works by Belgium’s master of Surrealism, René Magritte.
It’s a place where logic takes a smoke break and nothing is quite what it seems. Apples float, bowler hats fall from the sky, and a pipe famously denies being a pipe.
The Old Masters Museum has the opposite vibe and is better suited for those who like Flemish and Baroque art. Saints get dramatic, sinners get grisly, and every panel begs a closer look.
You’ll see eerie Flemish Primitives with haunting gazes and glowing Dutch Golden Age works so precise they feel photographic. It’s a crash course in drama, devotion, and devilish little side characters.
It’s worth a visit just to see Jacques-Louis David’s Death of Marat!
Should you go to the Atomium? It’s often listed as a must-see in Brussels, but I found it somewhat underwhelming.
It’s big and unusual, and you can go inside for views. But it’s a trek from the center, the lines are long, and the interior isn’t all that exciting. With only one day in Brussels, I’d probably skip it.
For dinner, you can try Rue de Boucher in the Lower Town. (But stay away from the waiters trying to wave you in).
Or, for a more authentic experience, dine in the Ixelles area. The last train back to Ghent get leaves around 11:45 pm.
If you want to sample it all, consider booking a guided food tour.
>>> Click here to book a walking tour of Brussels
Day 4: Ghent
On day 4, stay in Ghent and have a more relaxing day after a couple of day trips.
If you’re an art lover, head to the southern part of town and visit the city’s fine art museum, MSK. The collection gives a strong snapshot of Northern European art, from Bosch and Rubens to Van Dyck and Magritte.
Labels are clear enough. You won’t miss an audio guide unless you want extra detail.
Don’t skip Bosch’s Christ Carrying the Cross, a chaotic tangle of grotesque faces where Christ nearly vanishes. It’s a masterclass in medieval symbolism equating ugliness with evil.
Magritte’s Perspective II is another standout, swapping Manet’s elegant Parisians for coffins, a surreal twist filled with quiet dread. And if you time it right, you may even see conservators at work on the Ghent Altarpiece.
For avant-garde flair, visit S.M.A.K., Ghent’s contemporary art hub since 1999. Expect bold, thought-provoking shows mixing global names—Warhol, Bacon, Beuys, Sol LeWitt—with Belgian stars like Broodthaers, Borremans, and Panamarenko.
It won’t appeal to everyone, but modern art fans can easily spend a couple of hours here. Guided tours (about 90 minutes) offer more context.
Grab lunch at a cafe or the historic brasserie, Pathuis. Or you could keep it simple with Belgian waffles. There are two kinds: Belgian Waffles (large, rectangular) and Liège Waffles (sweet, dense, and chewy).
You can try them at House of Waffles or Oyya. You can even take a waffle making class to learn the secrets of the trade.
After you’re fueled up, take a wander down Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraatje). Instead of banning graffiti, Ghent turned this alley into an open canvas.
The walls are layered with tags, murals, and fresh paint, changing daily as artists add new work. Tucked off Hoogpoort near Korenmarkt, it’s a splash of color you can’t miss.
Polish off your day with a canal cruise. You’ll get a swan’s eye view of the city’s gorgeous Flemish architecture.
Day 5: Day Trip to Antwerp (1 hour by train)
On day 5, it’s time to visit Antwerp, Belgium’s “second city” after Brussels.
Like Bruges, it was an important trading city. And it was the hometown of painter Peter Paul Rubens.
Antwerp was partially destroyed in WWII. But, like Rotterdam for example, it’s reborn as an edgy, creative city of high tech and European fashion.
Start in the Grote Markt, Antwerp’s grand central square. It’s ringed by ornate 16th century guild halls and the Renaissance-style city hall.
Grab a coffee at a cafe terrace and take in the lively scene. Then, look up at the Brabo Fountain, a statue tied to the city’s founding legend.
Step inside the Stadhuis, Antwerp’s historic city hall, before making your way to the Cathedral of Our Lady. This soaring Gothic church isn’t just you’re run-of-the-mill church.
It houses Rubens’ masterpieces, including The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross.
For more of Rubens, head to his former home and studio, the Rubenshuis, now a museum dedicated to his life and art.
If shopping’s on your list, stroll Meir Street, a mix of international brands and historic architecture.
For luxury, head toward Schuttershofstraat for designer boutiques (think Chanel, Hermès).
For quirky or avant-garde, check the Nationalestraat and surrounding streets in the Fashion District, home to Antwerp’s famed “Six” and concept shops.
Then wander down to Het Steen Castle, a small but atmospheric fortress on the Scheldt River, once the city’s first stone fortification.
Modern Antwerp shines at the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), where striking contemporary architecture meets sweeping rooftop views of the city and harbor.
Don’t leave without stopping by Antwerp’s Central Station. It’s more palace than train hub. Its grand iron and glass interior is often ranked among the most beautiful stations in the world.
>>> Click here to book an Antwerp walking tour
Day 6: Day Trip to Leuven
Leuven is a hidden gem an hour or so by train from Ghent. It’s often overlooked, but every bit as picturesque as Bruges or Ghent .
Its elegant streets are lined with ornate facades, peaceful squares, and centuries old buildings that quietly impress. With fewer crowds and plenty of charm, Leuven offers a more relaxed glimpse of Flemish beauty.
It’s a cool university town with the gorgeous University Library (Groot Begijnhof), famous art, and a craft beer scene (home of Stella Artois).
>>> Click here to book a guided walking tour of the city
Start your day at the Grote Markt, the city’s main square. All the historic buildings are here: the exuberant Gothic Town Hall, St. Peter’s Church, the Recto’s House, and other guild houses.
On Saturday mornings, there’s a huge food and antique market just off the main square.
Pop inside St. Peter’s. The church has an impressive art collection. The most famous piece is The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts.
Instead of dramatic gestures, the apostles are calm, almost meditative. The stillness and realism are very different from Leonardo’s more theatrical Last Supper.
The university is just a short walk away. It’s a survivor, having been rebuilt after both WWI and WWII.
You can purchase a ticket at the visitor’s center on the ground floor.
If you’re up for it’s worth climbing the bell tower for panoramic views of the city. But, be forewarned, it’s a steep, winding climb on a metal staircase.
Then, visit either the Botanical Garden or the Stella Artoise Brewery.
The brewery is the largest one in Belgium and one of the oldest in the world. Be sure to pre-book an English speaking tour.
Spend your evening in the Groot Beginhof. It’s one of the city’s most atmospheric historic quarters and a UNESCO site to boot.
It’s like a little village within the city: cobbled streets, narrow alleys, canals, small brick houses, gardens, and squares. Most of the buildings date from the 16th to 18th centuries and are built in traditional Flemish brickwork.
>>> Click here to book a walking tour of Leuven
Day 7: 3 Options
On your final day in Belgium, you have tree options: (1) day trip to Dinant; (2) learn about WWI at Ypres and Flander’s Field; or (3) relax in Ghent and do more sightseeing. Pick one based on your personal interest.
Ghent
If you opt to stay in Ghent, browse the Vrijdagmarkt or local boutiques. Sample local specialties like waterzooi or cuberdons. Or relax in Citadelpark or by the canals, like the locals do.
You could do another brewery visit (e.g., Gruut Brewery). Or indulge in a food tour or chocolate tour.
Dinant
Alternatively, head to Dinant. You don’t really need more than half a day to explore.
Dinant is a beautiful city located in the state of Namur in Belgium. Regionally, it belongs to the French-speaking area of Wallonia.
It’s dramatically set along the Meuse River, with cliffs rising behind it and a riverfront aesthetic you’ll swoon over. The best views are from the Pont Charles de Gaulle.
Aside from enjoying the town’s sheer prettiness, the top attraction is the Citadel of Dinant. It’s perched atop a cliff, offering sweeping views of the river valley. Simply perfect for photos and panoramic moments.
To reach the Citadel complex, you can either walk 408 steps to reach the top or hop on a cable car.
If you’re interested in military history, you’ll find a museum dedicated to World War I events, including the massacres in the Battle of Dinant of 1914. There’s even a reconstructed trench area in the museum that gives visitors a powerful connection to the past.
You’ll also want to step in the Collegiate Church of our Lady. It’s a jaunty take on Gothic architecture, with a slender tower and onion dome.
Dinant is also famous for inventing the saxophone. There are quite a few saxophones around the city for some colorful photo ops. And even a tiny saxophone museum.
Polish your day off with a river cruise or huddle into a cute cafe and try one of the Leffe beers.
Ypres
History buffs will want to visit Ypres and Flanders Field. However, this is tough to visit via public transport.
If you opt to split your base between Ghent and Bruges, you can book a guided day tour from Bruges. Or just rent a car for the day and drive from Ghent.
Ypres is a pleasant market town in West Flanders. Its Flemish name is Ieper, though in English you’ll often see Ypres.
Ypres was the site of some of the most brutal battles of World War I. The “Ypres Salient” was repeatedly fought over, and the city itself was nearly destroyed. But it was painstakingly rebuilt.
>>> Click here to book a full day tour of Ypres and Flandres Fields
The two key memorials to see are:
- Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing: inscribed with the names of Allied soldiers who have no known grave. A bugle ceremony called the Last Post is held here every evening since 1928 (except during WWII).
- In Flanders Fields Museum: the Cloth Hall, which uses immersive exhibits to tell the stories of WWI, including the toll on local and foreign soldiers.
Flanders Fields isn’t a single site but the collective name for the WWI battlefields, cemeteries, and memorials surrounding Ypres.
Tyne Cot Cemetery is about 15 minutes from Ypres. It’s the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world.
Rows upon rows of white headstones and a wall of names. Unforgettable!
And don’t miss Hill 60! You can actually walk through preserved WWI trenches, craters and bunkers.
It feels very raw and less manicured than some of the cemeteries, which makes it powerful. You’re literally walking where soldiers once stood.
You can also visit Hill 62, which is a bit of a time capsule. It also has preserved trench lines and dugouts you can walk through.
There’s a collection of WWI relics, photos, and curiosities displayed in eccentric ways.
The original owner, who opened it after the war, left it to a woman who worked there, and it’s still privately managed today.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my one week in Belgium itinerary. You may find this either Belgium travel guides useful:
- Best things to do in Ghent
- One day Ghent itinerary
- Best things to do in Bruges
- 1 day in Bruges itinerary
- 2 days in Bruges itinerary
- 1 day in Brussels itinerary
- 2 days in Brussels itinerary
Pin it for later.
