Five Day Belgium Itinerary – How to Spend 5 Days in Belgium

Belgium may be a small country but it’s certainly not lacking in amazing sights, world-famous cuisine and captivating history! My guide to spending 5 days in Belgium will take you on an exciting journey through the heart of Europe.

If you’re planning a trip to Belgium and unsure of where to start, I got you covered! This 5 day itinerary for Belgium offers the perfect blend of historic cities, delicious food, cultural experiences and natural beauty. 

As a small country with a very well-organized transportation system, you will be able to easily get around by train and tick off all of the top highlights on this Belgium itinerary in a short period of time. 

Join me on an unforgettable Belgian adventure as we delve into centuries-old traditions and uncover the country’s hidden gems. Get ready to savour world-famous chocolates and indulge in Belgian waffles, accompanied by a wide array of artisanal beers (of course).

So without further ado, let’s dive in and plan the ideal 5 day Belgium itinerary!

➤Looking to spend 7 days in Belgium? Don’t worry, I’ve covered that too!

While this Belgium travel itinerary mainly focuses on five days in Belgium, I have also included a bonus section at the end for those interested to spend more time in Belgium’s stunning Wallonia region in the south. 

The Ultimate 5 Day Belgium Itinerary – How to Spend 5 Days in Belgium

Highlights of 5 Days in Belgium 

• Belgian food – Get ready to taste all the incredible cuisine that the country is known for. Your five days in Belgium will involve tasting traditional waffles, chocolates, fries and beer!
• Medieval towns – Step into a real life fairy tale when you visit the well-preserved medieval towns of Bruges and Ghent, with their charming canals, cobblestone streets, and historic buildings.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites – This 5 day Belgium itinerary includes several UNESCO sites such as the Grand Place in Brussel’s central square, the historic center of Bruges, the Belfry of Ghent and the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp. 
• Natural Beauty – Venture into the Belgian countryside to explore picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, and idyllic towns such as Dinant. 
• Art and Culture – Immerse yourself in the rich history of Flemish art when you visit iconic museums such as the Rubens House, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the MAS Museum in Antwerp.

Belgium Itinerary Overview 

I would recommend arriving in Bruges a day before this itinerary begins so you can check into your hotel and prepare for the trip. This way you will wake up in Bruges and be ready to begin the day of sightseeing.

Day One – Explore the highlights of Bruges on the first day of your Belgium itinerary. 

Night One – Bruges

Day Two – Travel to Ghent in the morning and spend the day seeing the highlights of the historic center, having lunch along the canals and visiting Gravensteen Castle. 

Night Two – Ghent

Day Three – Take a day trip from Ghent to Antwerp by train and tick off the city’s top highlights before returning to Ghent in the evening. 

Night Three – Ghent

Day Four – Take the train from Ghent to Brussels in the morning and spend the rest of the day seeing the main highlights of Brussels. 

Night Four – Brussels 

Day Five – Take a day trip from Brussels to Dinant by booking an organised tour or taking the train. 

Night Five – Brussels

To make this a 7-Day Belgium Itinerary:

Night Five – Dinant

Day Six – Explore the hidden gems around the Wallonia region of Belgium. Discover the lesser known castles and beautiful nature parks of the area.

Night Six – Dinant

Day Seven – Spend the morning exploring the smallest city in the world, Durbuy followed by an afternoon stop in Namur on your way back to Brussels. 

Five Day Belgium Itinerary Map

Click the square in the top right hand corner of this map to view each location of this Belgium itinerary. I’ve also included the optional locations at the end if you have an extra few days to spend in the south!

Getting Around Belgium

Train – Belgium’s extensive and reasonably priced train network makes it very easy to travel between all stops of this itinerary in a short space of time.

For example, trains run frequently and reliably between cities throughout the day which means you don’t have to plan your travel day ahead of time. Simply show up at the train station and you likely won’t have to wait long for the next train.

When it comes to getting around each city, you’ll find that walking is the best way to go. The historic centers of each city in Belgium are compact and well set-up for pedestrians. Exploring a new place by foot is all part of the experience anyway!

Car – While you certainly don’t need to rent a car for the first part of this itinerary (days 1-4), you might consider having a car to get around the Belgian countryside.

Once you leave Brussels and make your way to Dinant, having a car will allow you to explore more of the villages and castles that are not accessible by public transportation. 

This is especially the case if you’re planning to spend more than 5 days in Belgium. See the final section of this itinerary for more info on planning your time in Wallonia, the south region of Belgium (also known as the French speaking region). 

If you just want to take a day trip to Dinant and return to Brussels on the same day, a car is not necessary. 

Best Time to Visit Belgium

Like most destinations in Europe, Belgium sees a big increase in tourist numbers through the summer months of June-August. The weather is warm and sunny, kids have time off school and families plan their summer holidays around this time. 

This means that flight and hotel prices are usually higher during this time of year. If you’re anything like me and hate the idea of navigating through heavily crowded streets, then I would recommend missing summer altogether.

Aim for planning your Belgium itinerary during shoulder season instead. Spring or autumn is a great time of year to travel Europe with a good chance of nice weather and a fraction of the summer crowds. 

I’d say you can’t go wrong with visiting Belgium during May/early June or September/early October. You’ll also benefit from lower prices during these months which is a win-win!

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Belgium?

Are you travelling to Belgium from overseas? If you are, then you’ll need to get travel insurance before you go.

The last thing you want is to have an unexpected medical emergency occur while you’re in a different country with no insurance to cover the costs!

Even if you don’t end up using it, getting travel insurance is a small investment to make for peace of mind. This allows you to focus on having a memorable, relaxing vacation instead of worrying about what could go wrong. 

I always go with Heymondo. They’re one of the most reliable companies that will provide you with simple and flexible coverage. Whether you’d like to protect against medical emergencies, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, Heymondo has you covered!

As a reader of The Road Is Life, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance by using the link below!

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What to Pack for 5 Days in Belgium

• Universal Travel Adapter – No matter where in the world I travel, I always take one of these handy adapters with me.
• Portable Phone Charger – If you’re like me, your phone will be in full use for most of the day capturing photos and videos of your beautiful surroundings in Belgium. Ensure your phone never runs out of battery by bringing a portable charger. 
• Travel Tripod – This is a great way to capture amazing travel photos without relying on strangers to take your shot. They’re lightweight and fold up very small to fit in your day pack or even hand bag. 
• Collapsible water bottle – Bring a water bottle to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Comfortable Walking Shoes – This Belgium itinerary involves quite a lot of walking, make sure to pack a pair of comfy shoes to avoid sore feet or blisters. 
• Rain Jacket – No one likes to see the word rain in the forecast for their upcoming trip but getting good weather is sometimes a matter of luck. Better be safe than sorry and pack a rain jacket just in case. 
• Travel Umbrella – Belgium’s weather can quickly turn from sun to clouds to rain at any time of year, don’t get caught in a downpour without one of these!
• Day Pack – An essential item for carrying your items while out and about exploring a city.

Five Day Belgium Itinerary

Day 1 – Bruges

Kicking off this itinerary in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Bruges is often referred to as the “Venice of the North.” With dreamy canals flowing between rows of centuries-old buildings, there’s no denying that a visit to Bruges is like stepping into a storybook. 

For a more detailed post on spending the day in Bruges, you can check out my complete Bruges guide here. 

Highlights of Bruges

Canal Cruise/Walking Tour – The perfect way to start your day in Bruges is by getting an intro to the city on this popular tour. The tour begins with a guided walk through the cobbled streets followed by a scenic canal cruise. 

This is one of those must-do activities when you’re in Bruges and a great way to get a different perspective of the city. Bruges is known to get very busy during peak season, be sure to book your cruise online to avoid missing out. 

➤Find tour prices and availability here

Market Square – The bustling heart of Bruges also known as the “Markt” will wow you with its colourful, well-preserved buildings and massive bell tower (the Belfry of Bruges). Some of the buildings date to the 9th century which makes this square over a thousand years old!

Market Square is an ideal starting point for exploring the historic center of Bruges. From here you can wander down cobblestone streets, take a boat tour along picturesque canals, or indulge in delicious Belgian chocolates and waffles from nearby shops and street stalls.

My personal favourite waffle spots in Bruges were Lizzie’s Waffles and Chez Albert. With many outdoor cafes, it’s also a nice place to stop for a meal or a coffee while people watching and taking in your surroundings. 

Rozenhoedkaai/Quay of Rosary – The most photographed scene in all of Bruges is located right in the heart of the historic center. The “Quay of the Rosary” offers visitors a postcard-perfect view of the city’s enchanting medieval architecture. 

No trip to Bruges is complete without a quick pause here to admire the timeless beauty of Bruges and snap a few photos. Tip: avoid the big crowds and capture a more magical scene by stopping here during early morning or sunset hour. 

Belfry of Bruges – This imposing medieval tower is hard to miss standing prominently in the Market Square since the 13th century. For one of the best views over Bruges and surrounding countryside, make your way to the top of the Belfry of Bruges.

The jaw-dropping tower is one of the city’s most iconic buildings and included among the many UNESCO listed landmarks that make up the historic center of Bruges. At the top of the steep and narrow 366 steps, a panoramic view over the city awaits. 

Opening Hours – 9am – 8pm (hours may change depending on season, find current info here)

Tickets – €14/adult, €12/child

Historium Bruges – A visit to Historium offers a fun and interactive way to learn about the history and culture of Bruges. Take a virtual reality journey through time to experience Bruges during its Golden Era of the 15th century. 

After your VR tour, head up to the top of the building for yet another breathtaking view over the Markt and Belfry Tower. This is one of the top-rated attractions of Bruges and a must-do for those with children. 

Opening hours – 11am – 6pm daily (Open until 10pm on Saturday)

Tickets – €21

➤Book your ticket to Historium Bruges online

Horse-drawn Carriage Ride – Wandering through the pretty streets of Bruges is a great way to explore the city and find stunning scenery around each corner. For a different experience, you could take a horse-drawn carriage instead!

This is a unique and romantic way to see the best sites of Bruges and a highlight that will leave a lasting memory from your time in Belgium. Horse-drawn carriages depart from the Market Square of Bruges and there is no need to book ahead of time. 

Hours of operation – 9am – 6pm daily (year round)

Tickets – €60 per carriage (max 5 people)

Learn to Make Belgian Chocolate – What better place to learn how to make chocolate than Bruges? If the art of chocolate making is something you’ve always been curious about, check out this fun 2.5 hour workshop. 

Learn to make pralines, mendiants and hot chocolate from scratch and get a box to take some of your work home! This is a perfect activity if you get stuck with a rainy day in Bruges. 

➤Find prices and availability for the chocolate workshop here

Where to Stay in Bruges

Budget

Snuffel Hostel – Stay in the heart of the historic center with all of the main attractions at your footstep at this highly-rated, clean hostel. The Snuffel Hostel is the ideal choice for those following this Belgium itinerary on a budget. It’s also a great place to socialise and meet like-minded travellers. 

Mid-Range

Hotel Ter Brughe – This lovely canal-side hotel is located a stone’s throw from the Market Square and offers great views from its cosy rooms. The building is full of character and you’ll be able to start your day right with their fabulous breakfast. 

Luxury 

Hotel De Orangerie – Treat yourself to a stay in a gorgeous 15th-century former convent located along one of the main canals of Bruges. You’ll certainly feel like royalty at this historic hotel as you wake up in a beautifully decorated room and sip your coffee with outstanding canal views.   

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