1 Week in Belgium - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Belgium: Antwerp, Dinant & Brussels

Perfect for first-time visitors to Belgium, you'll embark on a seven-day highlights tour to cover Antwerp, Dinant, and Brussels. Visit the largest chocolate museum in the country in Antwerp, explore Gothic architecture in Dinant, and transfer to Brussels to explore many of the city's best museums, from art to history-themed.

Your highlights tour begins with an immediate train transfer from Brussels to Antwerp, where you'll explore the city's beautiful railway station upon arrival. If it's a pleasant day, head to one of the city's river beaches, Sint Anneke or Sint Annastrand, on either side of the Scheldt River, and relax in the sunshine with a cold beer. Begin Day 2 at the largest chocolate museum in Belgium, Chocolate Nation, and learn all about the different types of cocoa plantations while indulging in delicious chocolate treats. Spend the afternoon at De Koninck City Brewery to sample local Belgian beer.

Depart Antwerp and head for Dinant. Visit Grotte la Merveilleuse, one of the most beautiful caves in the world, treat yourself to a portion of moules-frites (mussels and fries), and explore the 13th-century Gothic Church Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dinant. Adventurous travelers will enjoy an afternoon of climbing and zip lining through the Dinant forest. Then Day 5 takes you to Brussels, Belgium's capital. See the notorious Manneken Pis statue, then take the day to tour one of the many museums, such as the Fine Arts Museum, the City Museum, and the Jewish Museum. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Best of Belgium: Antwerp, Ghent & Brussels

Another Belgium classics highlights tour that shows first-time visitors the top cities in the country; this itinerary swaps Dinant for two nights in Ghent and also includes a day trip to Bruges. Embark on a culinary and architecture tour in Antwerp, sample confectionary delights in Bruges, and learn about Belgian beer in Brussels.

Arrive in Antwerp by train and marvel at the station's architecture before heading straight for Grote Markt on the first stop of your walking tour. Stroll through Vlaeykensgang Alley, go shopping on Meir street, and conclude your first day with a visit to Rubens House. Take the Waterbus across the River Schelde to Sint Anna beach and enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine. Transfer to the picture-perfect city of Ghent and hire bicycles for the day to enjoy this fairytale-like location at your own leisurely pace. Board a train to Bruges for one day and take in the sights of the Belfry of Bruges and Market Square.

Hop on another train, this time to Brussels, to see the Atomium, the Manneken Pis statue, and the Royal Palace. Sample a range of Belgian beers such as witbiers ("white beers") and dubbels ("doubles"), and pair it with classic Belgian dishes such as waffles, moules-frites, waterzooi, or even Brussels sprouts. Marvel at the Royal Greenhouses at the Castle of Laeken, stroll through the Bois de la Cambre city park and hire a row boat to Chalet Robinson on Robinson Island for a spot of lunch before departing Belgium. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Belgium Culinary Highlights: Ghent, Antwerp & Brussels

Gastronomy-forward travelers, particularly those with a sweet tooth, will delight in this seven-day culinary-focused tour of some of the best food and beer spots in Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels. Tour the breweries in each of the cities, explore the largest chocolate museum in Belgium, and save room in your stomach for a visit to the Chocolate Village in the capital.

Begin your gastronomy-focused tour in Ghent. You'll explore sights such as Sint-Michielsbridge ("Saint Michael's Bridge"), Korenmarkt, and Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) before diving into the culinary part of your itinerary. Head to the Patershol neighborhood to tour the Brouwbar microbrewery, then venture on a self-guided food tour of some of the best spots in the city. Try old-fashioned sweets at Confiserie Temmerman, choose from over 215 varieties of jenever at 't Dreupelkot bar, and tuck into a hearty Belgian stew at Ooost.

You'll get as excited as a kid in a candy shop at Chocolate Nation in Antwerp, a museum where you can learn all about chocolate production while sampling some indulgent creations. Embark on another culinary walking tour to try dishes such as Belgian frieten (fries), waffles, moules-frites, and, of course, more chocolate. Make your way to City Brewery De Koninck in the afternoon for a tour of the themed exhibition rooms and the chance to sample locally brewed beer. Spend your final two days eating your way around Brussels with a bonus visit to the interactive Belgian Chocolate Village. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Castles of Belgium: Ghent, Chimay & Dinant

This culture and history-focused weeklong itinerary skips the capital city altogether and includes a historic voyage to the castles of Ghent, Chimay, and Dinant. It's ideal for travelers with a keen eye for historic architecture, as well as a penchant for (Belgian) beer.

Commence your tour of Belgium in the Flemish city of Ghent, where you'll collect your CityPass to gain free entry to the SMAK modern art museum, the STAM history museum, and the Design Museum. See Saint Bavo's Cathedral and Grasbrug Bridge, then enjoy a traditional Flemish dinner at Pakhuis. Next, you'll head to Gravensteen Castle, the first of many castles on this itinerary. Journey two hours south toward the French border to the city of Chimay on Day 3 and start the day at the medieval Château de Beloeil. Explore the grounds of Scourmont Abbey in the afternoon and tuck into beer and cheese made at the on-site creamery.

Begin Day 4 at Chimay Castle and enjoy the views over the Eau Blanche Valley, then head east to Dinant, where you'll be based for the next three nights. Keen hikers will enjoy the 408-step climb to the top of the citadel, whereas less avid walkers can opt for the cable car. Discover how beer was brewed at Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe almost 800 years ago. Spend your penultimate day exploring a trifecta of castles, including Château de Freÿr, Walzin Castle, and Château de Vêves. Learn more

More Great Belgium Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Belgium? Check out these other Belgium itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.