Belgium is one of Europe’s underrated gems.
Towns and cities stuffed with medieval buildings, soaring bell towers and meandering canals tell of its rich history. And the best beer, chocolate and waffles in the world are reasons enough to visit Belgium.
Furthermore, as this is a small country, you can cover a lot of ground in just 7 days. But how should you make the most of your precious week in Belgium?
This is where I can help. Based on multiple visits, I have crafted a one-week Belgium itinerary that will allow you to see the best this country can offer, without feeling frazzled.
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How Many Days Are Enough for Belgium?
If you are visiting Belgium as a city break to Brussels, then two days will allow you to hit its highlights, leaving room to try its beer, chocolates and waffles.
However, Belgium is so much more than Brussels. As a minimum, five days in Belgium will allow you to explore Ghent and Bruges plus a few other cities.
Spend one week in Belgium and you will be able to visit all of these cities as well as some lesser-known places such as Leuven, Hasselt and Mechelen.
7-Day Belgium Itinerary in a Nutshell
- DAY 1: GHENT
- DAY 2: ANTWERP
- DAY 3: BRUGES
- DAY 4: BRUSSELS
- DAY 5: LEUVEN
- DAY 6: HASSELT
- DAY 7: MECHELEN
This is a fast-paced week, designed to showcase Belgium’s best cities and UNESCO sites. But if you prefer slower travel, omit a few of these cities from your itinerary. It’s a tough choice but I would cross off Antwerp, Mechelen or Hasselt.
Further in this article, I have made a few suggestions of places to include if you have just five days in Belgium.
My Tips for Planning Your Week in Belgium
My top tip for spending a week in Belgium is to pick a few cities as bases, using them as hubs to visit other destinations as day trips. As you won’t have to spend time moving between hotels, not to mention packing and unpacking, this helps you make the most of your precious time.
This is a small country, blessed with an excellent train network that runs frequent services between the main cities. Furthermore, the centres of all places in this Belgium itinerary are within walking distance of the train station (although Ghent is a little bit of a stretch).
Thanks to its excellent train connections, Brussels is one of the best cities to base yourself in Belgium. However, if you are in Belgium for one week, I recommend splitting your time between Brussels and Ghent, Antwerp or even Bruges. My preference is Ghent but Antwerp and Bruges are also good choices.
One Week Belgium Itinerary
Your week in Belgium is one of two halves. You will use Ghent as a base for the first three or four days, moving to Brussels for the second half of the week.
If you find it helpful to map things out, here’s one showing the stops on this Belgium itinerary.
DAY 1: GHENT
Why visit Ghent?
Ghent is picture-postcard perfect. It has oodles of history and culture, friendly locals, glorious architecture and meandering canals. It is also home to a lively bar scene and a growing number of breweries.
GAZE AT THE MYSTIC LAMB IN ST. BAVO’S CATHEDRAL
Jan van Eyck’s masterpiece, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, aka The Ghent Altarpiece, has been restored to its former luminous glory and is sited in the cathedral’s Villa Chapel.
ADMIRE THE VIEW FROM ST. MICHAEL’S BRIDGE
This Ghent landmark offers the best vantage point from which to admire the city centre and its iconic quays, the Graslei and the Korenlei.
CLIMB GHENT’S BELFRY
Ascend to the viewing platform at the top of the UNESCO-listed Belfort of Ghent for a bird’s eye view of the city centre.
TAKE A BOAT TOUR OF GHENT’S CANALS
Learn more about the city on a relaxing 50-minute trip along Ghent’s canals.
>>> CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR GHENT BOAT TOUR
VISIT THE CASTLE OF THE COUNTS
Venture behind the forbidding walls and turrets of Het Gravensteen to learn more about Ghent’s history and for fabulous views over Ghent’s city centre.
JOIN A BEER TOUR WITH A LOCAL
This excellent beer tour was my favourite thing to do in Ghent. Liselot, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, introduced us to five types of Belgian beer in three bars.
>>> CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR
Ghent travel tips
Depending on what you plan to do, the CityCard Gent can be excellent value. As ever, do the maths to see if it will save you money.
Ghent St. Peter’s Station is a 30-minute walk to the historic city centre. However, tram line 1 runs from the station to the city centre every ten minutes.
DAY 2: ANTWERP
Travel time from Ghent to Antwerp by train: 1 hour
Why visit Antwerp?
With its striking modern architecture, hipster coffee bars, superb restaurants and vintage clothing shops, Antwerp is Belgium’s capital of cool. However, this modern city retains reminders of its 16th-century golden age with magnificent medieval churches and Rubens’ legacy.
Best things to do in Antwerp
SEE THE RUBENS QUARTET IN THE ONZE-LIEVE-VROUWEKATHEDRAAL
Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady is one of Belgium’s finest Gothic churches and is home to four early paintings by Peter Paul Rubens.
EXPLORE ANTWERP’S GROTE MARKT
Close to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal is the Grote Markt, lined with restored medieval guildhalls and the Stadhuis.
VISIT THE UNESCO-LISTED MUSEUM PLANTIN-MORETUS
Occupying the former mansion of the 16th-century printer Christopher Plantin, this museum is another work by Rubens and the world’s two oldest surviving orienting presses.
VISIT RUBEN’S HOUSE (RUBENHUIS)
Antwerp’s favourite son lived in this mansion for most of his adult life and it was restored and opened as a museum in 1946. Its permanent collection includes works by Rubens as well as his peers and contemporaries, including Anthony van Dyck.
DAY 3: BRUGES
Travel time from Ghent to Bruges by train: 30 minutes
Why visit Bruges?
Bruges deserves its many accolades. With its tangle of medieval buildings lining a labyrinth of narrow canals, this is one of Western Europe’s most beautiful cities. Try to ignore the tourist crowds. You would be crazy to spend a week in Belgium and not visit Bruges.
Best things to do in Bruges
TAKE A CHOCOLATE TOUR OF BRUGES
Crammed with more than 70 chocolate shops, Bruges is a chocoholic’s dream. Do your DIY chocolate tour of Bruges to taste the best and learn more about Belgian chocolate at Choco-Story.
CLIMB THE BELFORT
Belfort, at the heart of Bruges, occupies the south side of the Markt. Climb the narrow belfry staircase to the roof for fabulous views over the city.
VENERATE THE PHIAL OF THE HOLY BLOOD
Helig Bloed Basiliek (Basilica of the Holy Blood) is named after one of the holiest relics in medieval Europe, a phial purporting to hold a few drops of Jesus’s blood.
CRUISE THE CANALS OF BRUGES
See the best of this UNESCO-listed city by taking a cruise along its waterways.
TAKE IN THE VIEW AT ROZENHOEDKAAI
A strong contender for the prettiest location in Bruges, the much-photographed Quay of the Rosary marks the spot where the Groenerei and Dijver canals meet.
DAY 4: BRUSSELS
Travel time from Ghent to Brussels by train: 35 minutes
Why visit Brussels?
Brussels is the Marmite of Belgium: you will love it or hate it. Whilst I don’t hate it, I’m not keen on it either. But what is beyond doubt is that Brussels is one of the best bases in Belgium for day trips by train.
The city is not without its charms.
It is lively and cosmopolitan. Brussels’ Grand Place is jaw-dropping, it has some of the best Art Nouveau architecture to be found anywhere and charming squares.
ADMIRE THE BUILDINGS OF THE GRAND PLACE
Home to Brussels’ gable-roofed guild houses and its Hôtel de Ville, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Europe’s most magnificent squares.
STROLL THROUGH THE MONT DES ARTS
This landscaped garden and stone staircase connect the Lower Town and Upper Town. From its terrace, there are fine views of Brussels.
TAKE TIME OUT IN THE PLACE DU PETIT SABLON
The small and pretty Place du Petit Sablon is a refuge from the busy city and close to the lovely Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon (Notre Dame du Sablon).
STOP FOR COFFEE IN ROYAL GALLERIES OF SAINT HUBERT (GALERIES ROYALES SAINT-HUBERT)
These magnificent glass-vaulted galleries form one of Europe’s oldest and finest indoor shopping arcades. This is a great spot to stop for a coffee or a refreshing Belgian beer.
DELVE INTO ART NOUVEAU AT THE VICTOR HORTA MUSEUM
Housed in the former residence and studio of Victor Horta, one of the movement’s leading lights, this museum is an Art Nouveau wonderland.
HAVE THE BEST WAFFLE OF YOUR LIFE
You cannot leave Belgium without trying a waffle and one of my favourites was at Aux Gaufres De Bruxelles. Grab a pavement table and savour.
DAY 5: LEUVEN
Travel time from Brussels to Leuven by train: 25 minutes
Why visit Leuven?
The small university city of Leuven is one of Belgium’s treasures.
It has a UNESCO-listed library, Belgium’s oldest botanical garden and a magnificent town hall. But it is perhaps best known as the home of Stella Artois beer.
TOUR LEUVEN’S STADHUIS
Leuven has one of the most magnificent Gothic town halls I have seen, giving the one in Brussels a run for its money. Today, the Stadhuis is used mainly for weddings and other functions, but you can visit its historic rooms on one of the daily tours.
ADMIRE THE LAST SUPPER IN ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Across Grote Markt from the Stadhuis is Sint-Pieterskerk (St. Peter’s Church), which is home to The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts. This exceptional piece of 15th-century art shows Christ and his disciples in a typical Flemish dining room.
VISIT LEUVEN’S UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
For the price of one ticket, you get to visit the library’s magnificent wood-panelled reading room and climb its 74-metre-tall bell tower for sweeping views over Leuven.
STOP TO SMELL THE ROSES IN LEUVEN’S BOTANICAL GARDEN
Founded in 1738 by the University of Leuven, the tranquil Leuven Botanical Garden (De Kruidtuin Leuven in Dutch) is the oldest botanical garden in Belgium. Covering an area of over two hectares, it has a wide variety of trees, plants, flowers and shrubs.
EXPLORE LEUVEN’S GREAT BEGUINAGE
The UNESCO-listed Groot Begijnhof of Leuven is one of the largest remaining beguinages in the Low Countries. This labyrinth of cobbled streets, straddling two canals is a wonderful area to stroll around.
DAY 6: HASSELT
Travel time from Brussels to Hasselt by train: 80 minutes
Why visit Hasselt?
Although Hasselt is a longer day trip from Brussels, it is well worth it. This unassuming small city has the largest authentic Japanese garden in Belgium, some of the best street art in Belgium and a museum dedicated to Belgian gin.
RELAX IN JAPANSE TUIN HASSELT
Covering six acres, the Japanese Garden of Hasselt is the real deal. Designed as a traditional 17th-century garden, it has ponds filled with koi carp, a tea house, a Shinto shrine and a peace bell. Visit in late Spring for the dazzling display of cherry blossoms.
DISCOVER BELGIAN GIN AT THE JENEVER MUSEUM, HASSELT
Learn more about jenever, a Belgian gin, when you visit the Jenever Museum Hasselt. At the end of the self-guided museum tour, conduct a spot of empirical booze research at the tasting bar with your free shot.
DISCOVER HASSELT’S STREET ART
Hasselt is one of Europe’s great street art cities and you can explore its murals on a self-guided tour. Simply download the free Street Art Cities app.
EXPLORE HASSELT’S BEGUINAGE
Hasselt’s beguinage is another of the thirteen in Belgium collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and was home to beguines until 1886. Today, it is the site of the House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture.
DAY 7: MECHELEN
Travel time from Brussels to Mechelen by train: 30 minutes
Why visit Mechelen?
Home of the primate of Belgium and the country’s ecclesiastical capital, Mechelen is brimming with charm and history. This hidden gem is an easy day trip from Brussels and is mercifully crowd-free.
EXPLORE MECHELEN’S BEGUINAGES
Mechelen has two beguinages. Klein Begijnhof (Small Beguinage)) was the first to be founded, with beguines living there from 1256.
Mechelen’s UNESCO-listed Groot Begijnhof (Large Beguinage) was founded at the end of the 16th Century and features a Baroque church and many convents.
REFLECT ON BELGIUM’S DARK PAST
During the Nazi occupation of Belgium (1940 – 1945), Mechelen’s Dossin was chosen as the transit point for those destined for the concentration camps of eastern Europe. These dark times are recalled over three floors at Kazerne Dossin, the excellent museum across the road from the barracks.
STROLL ALONG THE RIVER DIJLE
Explore Mechelen by walking along the Dijle Path. This pontoon walkway extends from the charming Haverwerf to the city’s Botanic Garden.
TASTE THE LOCAL BREW
Gouden Carolus, one of Belgium’s best beers is brewed in Mechelen. Learn more on a 90-minute tour of Het Anker Brewery, which includes tasting two of their Gouden Carolus beers and a small present.
More Destinations for Your Belgium Itinerary
Not everyone has the same interests and tastes, and perhaps some of these cities don’t rock your boat. If that is the case, here are a few other destinations you should consider adding to your Belgium itinerary.
DINANT – As pretty as a picture postcard, Dinant lies alongside the River Meuse in the Ardennes and is where Leffe beer began.
NAMUR – Located at the confluence of two rivers, Namur has a monumental hilltop citadel and a charming Old Town filled with vintage shops and small museums.
YPRES – The heart of the World War I battlefields
OSTEND – Spend a weekend in Ostend strolling through rolling dunes and dipping your toe into the chilly waters of the North Sea.
TOURNAI – This under-the-radar Belgian town is home to a magnificent UNESCO-listed cathedral
LIÈGE – For some of the best waffles and beer in the world.
A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary
But how should you adapt this itinerary if you have only five days in Belgium?
To maximise your time, I recommend sticking with one base. Faced with a tough choice, I would plump for Ghent and visit Brussels, Bruges, Leuven and Antwerp as day trips.
The downside of using Ghent as a base for day trips is that its train station is not as conveniently located as those in Brussels. However, if you want to stay in Ghent’s historic centre and don’t fancy walking to the train station you can hop on the frequent tram service.
What is the Best Time to Visit Belgium?
For mild weather, fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation, visit Belgium between March and May, and in September and October.
During the summer months (June – August), you can look forward to warmer days and nights and more festivals. The flip side is that there are a lot more visitors.
Although winter in Belgium can be damp and grey and dreary, the twinkling lights and mulled wine of its Christmas markets will lift your spirits.
Getting There
Brussels, the capital city, is Belgium’s main international transport hub.
Most flights to Belgium’s capital land at Brussels International Airport, 14 km northeast of the city centre. From here, regular trains run to the city’s three main railway stations.
Brussels-Charleroi airport, 50 km south of the city centre, serves budget airlines. There is a shuttle bus service from here to the city centre.
Brussels is also a major international train hub, including the Eurostar train from London. You can even visit Brussels as an easy day trip from London.
Getting Around
I travelled around Belgium by train several times. Its services are frequent and reliable and the system is easy to navigate, even as a first-time visitor to Belgium.
The price of tickets is based on distance and no seat reservations are necessary or even possible. There’s no need to pre-book and no cost advantage in doing so.
Thanks to Weekend Return Tickets, it is cheaper to travel on Saturdays and Sundays, costing you little more than a one-way ticket.
You can plan your train journeys here.
Where to Stay in Brussels
To make the most of your time in Brussels, especially if you are a first-time visitor, stay in the city centre, close to the Grand Place and Brussels Central Station.
Here are my recommendations:
Splurge: Hotel Le Dixseptième
I stayed at this elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the city centre. It is perfect if you are looking for a stylish and peaceful refuge just minutes from the train station.
Here are some other choices of accommodation that may suit other tastes and budgets:
Mid-range: B&B Villa 36
This 3-star guesthouse close to Brussels City Hall has garnered fabulous reviews. Breakfast is included in the room rates.
Where to Stay in Ghent
When choosing accommodation in Ghent, base yourself in the city’s historic centre to be close to the attractions included in this itinerary.
These are my recommendations:
Mid-range apartment: Snooz Ap Holiday & Business Flats
I stayed at this superb apartment in the heart of the historic city centre. This could be for you if you are looking for an affordable, comfortable and well-equipped apartment that includes a washing machine, The roof terrace was a welcome bonus.
Here are some other choices of accommodation that may suit other tastes and budgets:
Mid-range hotel: B&B Inn Between
For a first-rate accommodation choice that is closer to the train station, take a look at this 4-star B&B.
Splurge: B&B The Verhaegen
Ready to treat yourself? If so, stay at this guesthouse housed in a historic building in the heart of the city.
Solo Travel in Belgium
Belgium is an easy solo travel destination. It is compact, has an excellent transport infrastructure and has history and culture in spades.
You need not be lonely as a solo traveller in Belgium. There is a lively bar and restaurant scene and taking a beer tour in either Brussels or Ghent is an excellent way to meet other travellers.
A priority for women travelling alone is staying safe as a solo traveller.
As a whole, Belgium is a relatively safe solo travel destination. That said, I found that the immediate vicinity of Brussels Centrale station was not too pleasant after dark. Ghent felt far more relaxed.
In recent years, there has also been the threat of terrorist attacks.
As ever, a little bit of common sense goes a long way. Although Belgian cities have low crime rates, remain vigilant. Keep your belongings close to you and use your hotel safe to store valuables.
Ready to spend a week in Belgium?
Have a fabulous time! For more in-depth information about the destinations on this itinerary, dive into my guides:
- One Day in Ghent, Belgium: Itinerary + 20 Awesome Things to Do
- Is the Ghent City Card Worth It
- Where to Stay in Ghent, Belgium: The Best Areas for All Travellers
- Top 10 Chocolate Shops in Bruges, Belgium You Must Visit
- One Day in Brussels: Itinerary and Best Things to Do
- One Day in Leuven, Belgium: Top 10 Things to Do
- Visiting De Kruidtuin Leuven: The Oldest Botanical Garden in Belgium
- 10 Reasons to Visit Hasselt: Belgium’s Hidden Gem
- Chasing Cherry Blossom in Japanse Tuin Hasselt
- For The Love of Gin: Visiting the Jenever Museum Hasselt, Belgium
- 11 Awesome Reasons to Visit Mechelen, Belgium
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.