For your first time to the land of chocolate, waffles, and beer, 4 days in Belgium is the perfect length of time for a great introduction. This simple 4-day Belgium itinerary will take you to the country’s top spots and give you all the essentials you need for a super chill quick trip.
Why visit Belgium?
Belgium is a tricky place to explain to people who haven’t experienced it for themselves. I don’t know anyone with a burning desire to go there, and it’s probably on very few bucket lists. Being in Belgium is a fantastic, lovely, delightful experience… but finding a particular reason to go there isn’t always easy.
Belgium isn’t a destination like London where I can easily come up with 9 ¾ reasons to visit. And it doesn’t have the packed-itinerary potential of countries like Italy, France, or Germany.
Instead, spending 4 days in Belgium is more like an actual vacation—a time to just wing it, chill out, drink a ton of beer, and eat a ton of the foods that make life worth living: chocolate, waffles, and mayo-covered french fries.
Belgium is a country full of cities that are full of great places to catch a buzz, fantastic spots to each lunch, and unbelievably gorgeous canal-side patios to just sit and watch the world float by.
Best time to visit Belgium
As it goes in much of Europe, the best weather in Belgium is going to be between May and October, with summer being your best chance for nice weather, fun festivals, and beautiful scenery. Summer is also the peak season for tourism in Europe, so consider that too.
If you’re planning a trip to Belgium before or after some time in Netherlands, spring is going to be the best time because FLOWERS! (Consider a day trip to the Keukenhof tulips fields outside Amsterdam while you’re there too.)
I personally visited Belgium at the end of March/beginning of April. All four cities I visited were pretty chill without a lot of tourists at all. As you’ll see in the photos, the weather was chilly and kind of sprinkle-y on some days, but we did get a little sun.
A quick trip to Belgium
I look at all my quick trips as an audition. Sometimes I leave feeling like I’ve seen enough, satisfied with simply getting to scratch off another country. Other times those couple of days are like cube of cheese on a toothpick at Costco—a small sampling, a teaser, encouraging me to return and spend more time. That tends to always happen with cheese. And countries where beer is made by monks.
So, here’s a super chill 4-day Belgium itinerary for you to follow when you’re ready to sample the good life.
If you want more quick trips that are nearby, consider working in a day trip to Luxembourg for something fun and different.
Belgium Itinerary Day 1: Brussels
Let me drop some truth on you. Brussels is not my favorite part of Belgium. It’s true; Brussels just doesn’t do it for me. It’s the Ed Sheeran of Belgian cities. Everyone else seems to like it, but I just can’t get into it.
Regardless, I still believe Brussels is worth a visit during your 4 days in Belgium. It’s the capital of Belgium and also the capital of Europe, oddly enough. It’s most likely the city you’ll fly into to visit Belgium, and it does have about a day’s worth of things to see and do. So, start your 4 days in Belgium here.
What to see and do in Brussels
Brussels isn’t like other European capitals that are full of world class museums and world famous monuments. There aren’t a whole lot of recognizable attractions in Brussels, but it still has its own flavor. Here are some of the most popular things to see and do in Brussels.
Grand-Place of Brussels
First of all, I love the simplicity of the name. It is indeed a grand place. This is the city’s main square and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s made up mostly of 17th-century buildings and is the location of Brussels’ famous ‘flower carpet’ in August and Brussels’ Christmas market in December.
It’s surrounded by restaurants and cafés and is full of tourists awkwardly trying to fit the entirety of the place into a single photo which is virtually impossible.
The Atomium
The Brussels Atomium is the enormous atom built for the World’s Fair in 1958. Five of the nine spheres are open to the public with lookout points, a restaurant, and exhibition space.
It’s considered the symbol of Brussels and, yeah, it’s weird. But I appreciate anywhere I can go to get a great overhead view of the city when I travel, so I’m including it in this 4-day Belgium itinerary. Get all the visitor info here.
Manneken-Pis & Jeanneke-Pis
Okay, file these under the “you have to see them just because it’s the thing to do here, not because they are even remotely worthwhile” category.
Manneken-Pis is the small fountain of a boy peeing that you’ve probably seen. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. Every now and then they put different outfits on it. In the 15th century, this was the major source of drinking water in the city, so at least it has some kind of significance.
Jeanneke-Pis is the female version that was commissioned in 1985 and therefore has no historical importance. So… you’re saying it’s just revolting and nothing more?
Regardless, you wouldn’t go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower, so you can’t go to Brussels and not see the Manneken-Pis. It won’t take very long. Go see it; get your pic; go get a beer.
What else to do in Brussels
Normally I would list the city’s many museums or other quirky things to check out, but this is a super chill 4 days in Belgium, remember? Besides, there aren’t any museums in Brussels that you’d be stupid to miss. (Like the Louvre in Paris or the Vatican Museum in Rome, for instance.) Check out this page to see a list of Brussels museums in case you do want to add one to your Belgium itinerary.
Otherwise, check out the three main things to do in Brussels above and spend the rest of your day eating good food, drinking amazing beer, and just strolling through the city.
Where to stay in Brussels
Even though I visited 4 different cities in 4 days in Belgium, I stayed in Brussels three of those nights. Brussels may not be my favorite city but Belgium is situated in such a way that Brussels does make a great base if you don’t want to move to a new hotel each night. Here are some great hotel recommendations for where to stay in Brussels.
Meininger Hotel Brussels City Center
The Meininger Hotel Brussels City Center is where I stayed during my 4 days in Belgium. It’s a hybrid hotel / hostel and it’s incredible! It’s located in an enormous former brewery from 1912 and is so much fun.
The rooms are enormous; the hallways are enormous; the common areas are enormous; but your total bill will be teeny tiny by comparison. There’s a really fun bar and lounge area and I could walk everywhere in Brussels I wanted to go.
Book your room at Meininger Brussels City Center here
Ibis Hotel Brussels off Grand’Place – Just 500 feet from the Grand Place, 5-minute walk to the main train station, modern rooms, hotel bar, great reviews—everyone’s favorite part of this hotel is the location.
Maison Grand Place 2BR 3 – This 2-bedroom apartment overlooking the Grand Place is such a great deal! You get the whole apartment for a seriously reasonable price, balcony, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, amazing views. Best reviews in the area!
See all available Brussels hotels on Booking.com and Expedia.
Where to drink beer in Brussels
Admittedly, my love for beer largely drove my 4 days in Belgium. Besides being the capitals of both Belgium and the EU, Brussels is nothing if not the capital of kickass drinking establishments. Don’t leave Brussels without visiting:
Delirium Café
The brand featuring the cute pink elephant boasts the most beers in one joint and has the Guinness World Record to prove it. The bar itself is in a nondescript alley with at least four floors. The place is, as must be everything in Brussels, enormous and the beer selection is even enormous-er.
I asked the bartender for a beer list (silly me) and he dropped what I thought was the Yellow Pages in front of me with the force of a Looney Tunes anvil. Any thicker and that thing would’ve crashed through to China. I panicked and ordered the signature Delirium Tremens and I ain’t even mad about it.
Seriously though, Delirium Tremens is one of the best beers in the world. There’s no shame in tossing aside the mile-long beer list and just ordering this.
A La Mort Subite
A La Mort Subite dates back to 1928 and makes you feel like you’re still there. This (enormous) place is straight out of your every art deco dream with fancy bow-tied waiters and pink beers you’ll never stop thinking about. (Get the house lambic.) A la mort subite is French for “sudden death.”
Cantillon Brewery
The Cantillon Brewery has been making beer since 1900 and makes only lambics (super fruity and quintessentially Belgian beers). You can take a tour to learn how they’re made then enjoy a lambic tasting in their historic location.
Brasserie du Lombard
At Brasserie du Lombard, get the Kwak in all its eccentricity or just choose randomly from the infinite beer options. Also, you can eat here! (One enormous problem Brussels has is that the majority of bars don’t serve food. Nonsense!)
Great Brussels tours
In the spirit of making your 4 days in Belgium as easy-breezy as possible, why not just let someone else take the wheel? Here are some of the most popular Brussels tours to add to your Belgium itinerary:
Brussels tasting tours
Hungry Mary’s Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels – Does it get any better than this? This 4-5-hour tasting tour has over 1,000 reviews and a 5-star rating! Includes a guided walking tour of the city and the chance to try “a minimum of 12 chocolate varieties,” minimum of 6 different beers, and cheese/cured meats/fries. Do I even need to list anymore tours?
Brussels Walking & Tasting Tour – If you’re not that hungry, opt for this less intense option. This 2-3-hour 5-star walking tour of Brussels is a great way to see the historic sites while also getting a taste for the quintessential Belgian foods. It claims the “best fries and waffles” in Brussels, so…
Brussels sightseeing tours
Best of Brussels: Private Luxury Tour – See all of Brussels’ top sights without having to worry about walking or transportation. On this (reasonably priced) private tour you’ll visit the most notable sites in town with your own personal tour guide in your own luxury vehicle.
Legends of Brussels Historical Walking Tour – You’ll visit the main historical sites and learn all about them from your expert local guide in about 2-3 hours.
Small-Group Highlights of Brussels Bike Tour – By far the most time- and cost-efficient way to see and learn about all the famous landmarks in Brussels.
This is only a sampling of all the awesome tours available in Brussels. There’s something for every kind of traveler here. Take a look at all the Brussels tours available here on Viator and here on Get Your Guide to see if something else sparks your interest.
Belgium is a small country and easy to navigate by train, but road trips are fun too! If you need a rental car for your four days in Belgium, see the best local deals here.
Belgium itinerary Day 2: Dinant
Just an hour from Brussels is the town of Dinant which makes the perfect day trip for the second of your 4 days in Belgium. Dinant is off the tourism radar for the most part and I found it so cool to visit a lesser-known Belgian town you’d probably never see otherwise.
What to see and do in Dinant
As small as it is, Dinant still has its fair share of worthwhile things to see and do. Let’s just say, it’s bringing sax-y back. You’ll get that in a minute. Here’s where you should spend your time in Dinant:
Collégiale Notre Dame de Dinant (the Collegiate Church of Our Lady)
A beautiful 13th century gothic cathedral right there on the banks of the Meuse River. It has a unique “bulbous roof” as the local tourism board puts it, one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe, but not even a website. It’s definitely worth checking out though; I just walked in off the street.
The Citadel of Dinant
High on the cliff behind the cathedral is Dinant’s citadel that you can reach either by cable car or by climbing the 408 beer-calorie-burning steps. Tour the citadel’s dungeons, kitchens, and the weapons museum, and get great views of the surrounding area. “I can see my next beer from here!”
Sax & The City
Dinant, Belgium is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the Saxophone. (Who knew!) Take a walk over the town’s main bridge and check out all the sax art. (I call this “Sax 5th Avenue” but the town of Dinant sadly does not.)
You can follow an official “sax” trail called Sax & The City, visit Adolphe Sax’s house, take a pic on “Mr. Sax’s bench,” and a lot of other sax-related things. Dinant is really quite quirky and adorable. I mean sax-y. Dinant is sax-y.
Take a river cruise
I love seeing towns from the water and I always opt for a boat trip when possible. In Dinant, you can choose from a few different river cruise options, and even purchase a combination ticket for the Citadel, the cable car, and a river cruise. (Obviously this is the best deal!)
Where to stay in Dinant
If you want to spend a little more time in Dinant than just a day trip, by all means! You’ll get to see (ahem, drink) more than most visitors to this quaint little town. Here two top-rated Dinant hotels to add to your Belgium itinerary:
Côté Sax Bed and Breakfast – This place has excellent reviews, a “wonderful” breakfast included, city views, and is in a great central location. (So many of the reviews praise the welcoming and friendly hosts too.)
La Merveilleuse by Infiniti Resorts – Okay, this place is too gorgeous. Just a 10-minute walk from the cathedral is this incredible property in a former monastery. This place has a real luxury feel but for more than reasonable prices. Plus, it’s part of the Leffe brewery. Sold.
See all available Dinant hotels on Booking.com and Expedia.
Where to drink beer in Dinant
When in Dinant, Leffe is the name of the beer game. You won’t hate it.
Maison Leffe – Leffe has been brewing beer since the year 1240 so clearly they know how make a good one. When in Dinant, stop by Maison Leffe, the “beer museum” and stunning drinking establishment set in a former convent.
Café Leffe – Just outside the Notre Dame cathedral is Café Leffe, a super friendly place to grab a beer. It’s right on the river with a great patio and great food. Really though, the staff here is so nice. Our waiter caught me pocketing one of their coasters and then presented me with a stack of all their different ones to take home. Adorable.
Great Dinant tours
Because Dinant is so small, most of the sightseeing here is self-guided, with one exception. One of the easiest ways to visit Dinant is on a day trip from Brussels, usually coupled with the country of Luxembourg. I visited Dinant this way and loved it!
You won’t have a ton of time in Dinant in case there were more things you wanted to see and do, but if you’re planning to take a day trip to Luxembourg before or after your 4 days in Belgium, look into the exact tour I took here: Luxembourg and Dinant Day Trip from Brussels.
How to get to Dinant from Brussels
By car – Dinant is just a 1.5-hour drive south of Brussels. If you have your own rental car, this would be the ideal way to get to Dinant and have the freedom to see all the things there.
By train – You can get from Brussels to Dinant by train in less than 2 hours, including one train change. As of April 2023 this will cost about $18.50 one way. Check out train schedules here.
By organized tour – This is what I did and by far the least stressful way to get to Dinant from Brussels. I took this day trip to Luxembourg from Brussels which included some time in Dinant. No driving, no switching trains, cost about the same actually.
Belgium itinerary Day 3: Ghent
‘Twas my brother who first recommended a visit to Ghent, and now I will recommend it to you. Ghent is just a 35-minute train ride from Brussels but feels a world away! This little Belgian town has solidified itself in my memory as the coolest place I visited during my 4 days in Belgium.
What to see and do in Ghent
If you can bring yourself to put down your beer mug, there’s actually a lot to see and do in Ghent. Start here with the most popular.
Gravensteen Castle
The very well preserved 12th century Gravensteen Castle has everything you want in a medieval castle: huge doors, a moat, great views, a guy dressed up as a knight, and a “museum of judicial objects,” i.e., terrible ways to die.
Gravensteen Castle is right in the center of the city so you can’t miss it. You can tour the castle on your own or even pick up the new “comedy audio guide” which sounds truly horrible given this castle’s gruesome reputation. So enjoy! Get all visitor information here.
St. Bavo’s Cathedral
This gothic 10th century cathedral is home to the world famous Ghent Altarpiece, the most stolen piece of art in the world and believed to be the most influential painting ever made. You can even check out the altarpiece in augmented reality now. They’re very proud of this.
Belfry of Ghent
The Belfry of Ghent is the tallest Belfry in Belgium and was built in the oh-so-lucky year of 1313. Head up to the top for just €10 to get panoramic views of all the bars you’re going to drink at later.
Take a canal cruise
As with most of the Belgian (and Dutch) cities, they are interwoven with beautiful canals on which you can take lovely little boat rides. This 50-minute guided Ghent boat trip is by far the most popular and is an absolute steal at just $10! (As of April 2023)
Try a cuberdon
Cuberdon is a traditional raspberry-flavored Belgian candy, invented in Ghent, with a sugary crust outside and a gooey inside. Melts in your mouth; becomes an indistinguishable squished purple mess in your coat pocket. Really though, they’re delicious and a Ghent icon so don’t miss them.
Check out the Great Butchers’ Hall
The Great Butchers’ Hall is a great place to grab a meal today. In the 15th century it was a covered market where the town’s meat products were inspected and traded.
My first goal after arriving in Ghent was to get some food and by some twist of fate I magically ended up at the Great Butchers’ Hall. Like I was helplessly pulled in by a beer magnet or charcuterie tractor beam. I had a delicious “discovery of East Flemish meats and cheese” and a beer that, even though I have no idea what it was, was still better than any beer you’ve ever had. 10/10 highly recommend.
Where to stay in Ghent
I didn’t stay in Ghent during my 4 days in Belgium but I really wish I had. I had no idea I would fall in love with this town so much so I hadn’t planned for it. So for you, I would definitely recommend staying the night in Ghent so you can enjoy as much of it as possible. Here’s the short list of places I’m going to use to book my next stay in Ghent:
Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere – …which must be Belgian for “Our dining hall looks like Hogwarts!” This gorgeous hotel is located in Ghent’s historic center in a former gothic monastery dating from the year 1278. They offer bike rentals, an excellent breakfast, and, I can only assume, eternal salvation.
NH Gent Belfort – This is the best-selling hotel in Ghent, is right in the city center, and has everything you could possibly need. I’ve stayed at other European NH hotels and have always had good experiences.
Ghent River Hotel – This place is so cool and right on the river in a perfect location. Plus, they advertise “2 meeting rooms and a crypt (up to 100 people)” so there’s that. Great facility, great views.
See all available Ghent hotels on Booking.com and Expedia.
Where to drink beer in Ghent
Besides the Great Butchers’ Hall, there are countless other places to drink beer in Ghent during your 4 days in Belgium. Honestly, I’m planning my next trip to Ghent around all the best beer-drinking spots.
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant – This is definitely one of the best spots to drink beer in Belgium. The interior is small and was super crowded when I went but the patio is where you want to be anyway. It’s big (naturally) and right there on the canal.
The Gruut brewery – It was here in Ghent that I tried maybe my favorite beer of all time: Gruut Blonde. Gruut is a beer made and sold only in Ghent that uses a “special mixture of spices called gruut” instead of hops. Life changing. I am Gruut, indeed. Stop by their taproom to see what I mean!
Trollekelder – Have a beer at this library-turned-pub inside a 15th century basement named for the owner’s love of trolls and other mythical creatures. Choose from 300 Belgian beers, because of course there are 300 beers to choose from. But they even make their own—Trollenbier.
Great Ghent tours
If you’d like to let someone else handle all your non-beer-drinking sightseeing in Ghent, add some of these popular Ghent tours to your 4-day Belgium itinerary. (I told you eating and drinking were the main activities in Belgium…)
Ghent Small-Group Chocolate Tour with Local Guide – If you haven’t had your fill of Belgian chocolate yet, this 2-hour tour has a 5-star rating and stops at Ghent’s best chocolate spots.
Ghent BeerWalk – If you want to learn (ahem, taste) even more about Ghent’s beer scene, join your expert guide for this 3-hour city beer walk. (You get to keep the glass!)
Guided City Food Tour with Food & Drink Tastings – Combine a walking tour of Ghent’s landmarks with tastings of popular Belgian foods and beverages. A local guide takes you to some pretty cool spots here.
Looking for something else? Take a look at all the available Ghent tours here on Viator and Get Your Guide.
How to get to Ghent from Brussels
By car – Ghent is an easy 1-hour drive northwest of Brussels. Once there, there are 15 parking areas in the city center alone – here’s all the Ghent parking info.
By train – I took the train to Ghent and it couldn’t have been easier – just a 30-minute direct train. As of April 2023, this costs $14 each way. See train schedules here. (Pro tip: there are also “direct” trains that are not express and make lots of stops, increasing this train ride to an hour. Don’t get on that one.)
By organized tour – If you’d rather just join an expert guide who can handle it all for you, I get that too! You’ll get insider commentary, discounts, and even half a day of free time in Ghent on this Ghent day trip from Brussels. (This is the only one that goes just to Ghent; most go to Bruges and Ghent.)
Belgium Itinerary Day 4: Bruges
Other than the oft-quoted line by Colin Farrell, I’d never heard a bad thing about Bruges, so this was the day of my 4 days in Belgium I looked forward to the most. And still, I have nothing negative to say; this town is utterly perfect.
Historical architecture, ridiculously perfect patios, easily walkable, and beer beer beer beer beer (to the tune of Rihanna’s “Work”).
What to see and do in Bruges
Well, just everything. Bruges is the kind of place where around every street corner is something that makes you go, “Ooh look!” After arriving in Bruges, drop your bags off and simply take off on a walk. Make it your plan to just roam and get helplessly lost, the only event in which I could ever win a gold medal.
Bruges’ historic center is small enough that you won’t end up too far away from your hotel and you’ll easily be able to find your way back. The fact that I’m not still strolling Bruges’ cobblestone streets to this day is a true testament to this fact. But while you’re out, be sure to stop by:
Market Square
Don’t miss checking out Bruges’ Market Square. And then that other square. There are two, one of them is called Markt and the other is Burg, and I was constantly confused.
Markt is the main square where you’ll see all that iconic Belgian architecture and all the people on all the horse carriages. It’s the center of the city and has been for like a thousand years.
Burg Square is where you’ll find the Bruges City Hall, courthouse, and Basilica of the Holy Blood that houses a cloth allegedly containing the blood of Jesus.
Climb the Belfry
While you’re in the center, don’t miss climbing the bell tower for the highest 360° views in Bruges. The wait can be long most times so go first thing in the morning if you prefer to have the place to yourself.
It’s 366 steps to the top and there’s a museum on your way up (or down). Keep your eye on the time so you don’t get the bejeezus scared out of you when the carillon’s 47 bells go off right over your head. Visitor information here.
Canal boat ride
Walking through Bruges is interesting, but cruising through Bruges is so much cooler! You can pre-book your Bruges canal tour here, or simply grab a spot on the nearest one you come across while strolling around town. (There are many.) Don’t worry, they’ll wait for you if they see you running down the street frantically waving your arms at them. I assume they just already know you’ve been drinking beer all day.
Check out the windmills
On the edge of town you’ll find some windmills that have been here since the 13th century. One of them, the Sint-Janshuis Mill, is open to visitors and is still used to grind flour. (Wait just a minute; flour isn’t used in beer-making! What is this nonsense?) Being located outside the city center, this cool spot gets missed by a lot of visitors.
Where to stay in Bruges
The great thing about Bruges is that the majority of its hotels have fantastic ratings and ideal locations. It’s really like you can’t go wrong here, but here are some of my top choices to help narrow it down.
St. Christopher’s Inn – This is where I stayed and perfect if you’re looking to keep your Belgium itinerary as budget-friendly as possible. It’s a hostel, but with private rooms. They have their own pizza kitchen and bar, and they host free walking tours and nightly beer tastings!
Boutique Hotel Sablon – Excellent reviews and right there in the city center. This place is on the affordable side of elegant and was completely renovated in 2019.
Dukes’ Palace Brugge – Another top-rated Bruges hotel is this one, basically your own medieval castle in the historic center. For something a little “fancier,” check out the Duke’s Palace.
See all available Bruges hotels on Booking.com and Expedia.
Where to drink beer in Bruges
Again, anywhere and everywhere. Just choose a place; I guarantee it will be fantastic and come with a sick view. If you think I’m kidding, you clearly haven’t been to Bruges. But if you want more guidance than that, be sure to stop by:
De Halve Maan Brewery – These are the producers of the famed Bruges Zot and the only brewery in Bruges city center. They offer tours, have a great terrace on which to drink and, most importantly, they have a 2-mile beer pipeline that shoots beer from the brewery across town into their bottling plant. Yes, I said “beer pipeline.”
2be – 2be is a bar I actually discovered during my canal cruise since its terrace is really only visible from the water. As our boat floated by, everyone on the terrace waved and smiled and it took me half a second to determine that’s where I needed to be next. The beer selection is everything.
Great Bruges tours
As the poster child for beautiful Belgian towns, Bruges has more than enough great tours to keep you occupied, teach you some stuff, and fill your belly. Check out some of the most popular Bruges tours here:
Guided boat trip and walk – This 2.5-hour combination walking and boat tour has all 5-star reviews and will help you see all the best of Bruges.
The Waffles and Beer Workshop – You get to learn how to make delicious waffles in their birthplace and drink beer while you do it. Totally worth donning an apron while on vacation.
Love, Architecture, and the Art of Bruges – This 2-hour tour focuses on just that, the beauty of Bruges. You’ll learn about history and all the fascinating details you would never know otherwise. (This is a crowd favorite!)
Want more? See all the available Bruges tours here on Viator and Get Your Guide.
How to get to Bruges
By car – If you’ll be heading to Bruges from Brussels, it’s a 1.5-hour drive. If you’ll be coming from Ghent, it’s just a 1-hour drive. (Belgium is so delightfully bite size.) Here’s where to park in Bruges.
By train – From Brussels, the train to Bruges will take you about 1 hour on a direct train and cost $20 one way. From Ghent, it’s a half-hour direct train that costs $11. Train schedules here.
By organized tour – Given the tourism baby that Bruges is, there are plenty of organized tours that go there. Check out all your Brussels to Bruges day trip options here.
Have an extra day and want to visit another city in Belgium? Want to go for 5 days in Belgium? Add historic Antwerp to your Belgium itinerary.
What to pack for your 4 days in Belgium
Regardless of what you decide to add to your Belgium itinerary, here are a few essential Belgium packing items:
- European plug adapter – so you can charge all your devices.
- Comfortable shoes are a must – In warmer weather I always wear Teva sandals or Chacos; in colder/wet weather I wear Sorel duck boots.
- Anti-theft purse – another must-have when traveling around Europe. I have bags from both Travelon and PacSafe and won’t go anywhere without them.
- Refillable water bottle – so you can always stay hydrated (while drinking lots and lots of beer)
- Belgium guidebook for all the extra sightseeing info you’ll need.
- Belgium customs and culture guide – I get one of these pocket-sized books for every new country I want to visit. (Want to know why? Check out my Culture Smart review here.) This one has Dinant on the cover!
I hope you have a great time in Belgium and that I’ve made planning your trip a little bit easier. As always, if you have any Belgium questions don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below!
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Quick & Easy Day Trip to Luxembourg: How to Guide + Itinerary
(I was the one who commented on the Lux day trip) ah gahhhd, I was planning on Brussels and going to the different cities from thereon; but after this read, is it just better to just hole up in Ghent and move from there (to Brussels/Lux, and then Bruges)? After Belguim, will be heading up to Netherlands.
I didn’t love Brussels but a lot of other people do. Also, Brussels still makes a great home base since it’s easy to travel to and from and is in a great central location to visit places like Luxembourg! Your trips sounds amazing. 🙂
So, I lived in Germany in 1997 with my first husband and we would always take trips during long weekends. I specifically remember disliking Brussels, but LOVING Bruges, Dinant and Ghent… and not really spending enough time in any of them! Fast forward to this September: I’m taking my mom to Amsterdam, Belgium and Hungary (because she’s Hungarian, but I found such a great flight going through Amsterdam that I decided we’re taking the long way there with lots of stops and beer in between). Imagine my surprise when I found your brilliantly-written travel blog saying the same things I already thought in my head! Seriously, I feel like I now have a travel soul-sister! Thank you for making my day with your great suggestions and wonderful humor!
You just made my day Colleen! Thank you so much! And I love that y’all are taking the long way – that sounds like so much fun! I really want to head back to Belgium and spend a little more time in those cities (plus Antwerp maybe).
This was a great post! I am literally laughing out loud. Well, I will be spending a day in Brussels so I hope I have a pleasant experience. I’ll let you know. After Brussels, it’s on to Ghent and to Bruge, each for a full day. Thanks for the info on restaurants and drinks. I’ll be sure to check them out.
Haha, thank you Angie!! I mean, you kinda have to spend some time in Brussels – I don’t blame anyone for that. And I hope you have a better experience than I did! Ghent and Bruges on the other hand: Amazing!
You missed out in missing Antwerp! You gotta pencil that in for the next trip!
I totally will! For this short trip it was a toss-up between Antwerp and Ghent and we went with Ghent… but Antwerp next time!
great article. good to hear you do not need loads of time to see belgium.
i havent been to belgium yet, eventhough it is very close to where i live lolz.
Thanks Stephanie! You should check it out then!
I just got back from a trip that included Bruges, Ghent and Brussels; and while I didn’t hate Brussels – Bruges and Ghent were SO MUCH BETTER!!! Some things I really liked in Brussels were Cantillon Brewery (worth going to Brussels for just this), a tasty restaurant called Fin de Sicle, and Moeder Lambic bar.
This part of our trip was all about the beer (husband’s a brewer), so we also went to 3 Fontenein Brewery just outside of Brussels (also super tasty). In Bruges we skipped de Halve Maann and went for Bourgogne Des Flandres Brewery which has an adorable little patio canalside with delicious beer! They had a nice self-paced tour, and the brewer was happy to answer questions. The other spot in Bruges I’d recommend is De Garre – a bit of an adventure to find it in a tiny alley, and a beer you can only get there, served with cheese (like all beer should).
Ghent was the town for me that I just wanted to wander! The bars are all super quirky, and it is the cutest damn town! I think this is one place where my husband and I will definitely be back to. We still want to explore more of Western Belgium, and Ghent will definitely have to be a few days of that.
Loved reading your post! Helped us plan our trip tons!
Thanks Kaitlyn! That all sounds SO amazing! You’re right–Ghent is such a cool, unique place! I definitely want to go back and spend more time there. And of course try even more beer than I had the first time. Thanks so much for your suggestions! I’m going to use your comment for my return visit for sure!
I found your writing so amusing. You have a gift. I have been a Travel Agent for 31 years and have read a lot of travel articles. Love your wit. I want to read more.
Thank you so much Sherry! That’s such a compliment! Feel free to stick around and read as much as you like. 🙂
I felt the same way about Brussels and LOVED Ghent. Yes, that’s LOVE in all caps for a reason. But Dinant…that’s totally new to me. Can I do it without returning to Brussels? I just might try.
Oh good–I was afraid I was totally alone in my Brussels experience.
And yes, LOVED Ghent! You can totally visit Dinant without returning to Brussels lol – It’s really close to France, Luxembourg City, and Germany 🙂