Belgium may be small, but it’s packed with charm and history. In 2024, the city had 45 million international visitors, including people from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. I have lived in Belgium for ten years and I’ve explored this lovely little country in depth. Here’s my recommendation for the perfect 7 day Belgium itinerary that you can do entirely by train.
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Quick overview of the best Belgium itinerary for 7 days
- Day 1 and 2: Brussels
- Day 3: Relocate to Bruges
- Day 4: Day trip to Ghent
- Day 5: Full day in Bruges
- Day 6: Day trip to Ostend
- Day 7: Return to Brussels
Planning your 7 day Belgium itinerary
This 7-day Belgium itinerary combines the country’s most iconic destinations with coastal charm, all accessible by Belgium’s train network. It’s perfect for first-time visitors to the country. This route covers Belgium’s highlights using Brussels as your starting point and Bruges as your base for exploring Flanders. All destinations are connected by frequent trains.
Day 1: Arrive in Brussels
Brussels Airport connects to many major international cities. From there you can grab a taxi, take the Airport Express train to the city centre or alternatively buses 12 or 21 which take 30-45 minutes but are a lot cheaper.
Most international trains like the Eurostar arrive at Brussels Midi Station. From this station you can take the Metro Line 2 or 6 to De Brouckère which takes 10 minutes or use one of the taxis waiting outside.
After you’ve checked into your accommodation, get your bearings in Brussels. The magnificent Grand Place, the beautiful Mont des Arts and the famous Manneken Pis statue are all within walking distance of each other. If you have time, why not book a guided walking tour. Browse the chocolate and waffle shops for souvenirs or your first taste of Belgium’s world-famous sweet treats.
Enjoy dinner at a traditional Belgian restaurant such as Chez Leon, famous for its moules-frites (mussels and fries) paired with Belgian beer.
For convenience, book a private transfer in advance from the airport to your accommodation in the centre.
Where to stay in Brussels
The best area to stay for your 7 day Belgium itinerary is near Grand Place in the historic city centre. The Sainte-Catherine district is another excellent choice, known for its trendy restaurants and bars. Both areas give you easy access to metro lines for getting around the city.
The best places to stay in Brussels
If you’re looking for a hotel, check out the fabulous Motel One Brussels. This boutique-style accommodation is a short walk from the centre and has free WiFi.
For a well-priced and stylish B&B option, try the B&B DRUUM, close to the lively Sainte Catherine area of Brussels. Set in a 19th century mansion, each room has been designed by artists to create truly unique living spaces.
Browse and book the latest accommodation deals in Brussels for your dates using the map below:
Day 2: Brussels highlights
On day 2 of your 7 day Belgium itinerary, you’ll see more of the city’s highlights. For more information, read my full 1 day Brussels itinerary guide.
Morning
Take a taxi or Metro Line 6 to Heysel station (30 minutes) to visit The Atomium, designed to resemble nine giant atoms. You can go inside and enjoy panoramic views from the top. Afterwards, walk 5 minutes to nearby Mini Europe, where you can see miniature replicas of famous European landmarks. On the popular hop-on hop-off bus tour you can have a relaxed view of these and more of Brussels’s major sights over 2.5 hours.
Lunch
Return to the city centre by metro to Sainte-Catherine for lunch. Try Rugbyman no. 2 for its excellent seafood, or for a more casual option, Brasserie Surrealiste or Brasserie Grimbergen Bruxelles which serve great Belgian beer.
Afternoon
After lunch, discover the sweet history of Belgian chocolate at Choco-Story Brussels, including tastings and live demonstrations. Alternatively, explore the Magritte Museum, dedicated to Belgium’s famous surrealist artist René Magritte, known for his thought-provoking surrealist paintings.
Evening
End your Brussels evening with dinner at the Wolf Food Market and choose from a range of international options. Afterwards, enjoy Belgian beer at Delirium, which stocks over 3,000 brands of beer. If you didn’t already see it, the Mannekin Pis is just around the corner.
Buy the Brussels City Card for admission to many Brussels museums, plus free public transport.
Day 3: Relocate to Bruges
Bruges was once a thriving port city. During the Golden Age of Bruges, from the 12th century to the 15th century, international merchants would arrive by canal here to trade everything from spices to wool. In the Victorian era, Bruges became one of the world’s first tourist destinations. It attracted wealthy visitors to explore its grand medieval architecture and impressive towers, which are still proudly standing today.
The historic centre of Bruges is only around 1.5 miles (2.5 km) in diameter and only takes around 45 minutes to explore on foot. This means you can take your time on your one day Bruges itinerary. That said, it’s worth researching in advance, so you can plan which attractions you’d like to see.
Discover all the attractions of Bruges on this top-rated one-day guided tour from Brussels.
How to travel from Brussels to Bruges
Check out of your Brussels accommodation and head to Brussels Central station or Brussels Midi station. Take the direct train to Bruges, which takes 1 hour and costs around €17.50. Trains run frequently and no advance booking is needed.
Bruges train station is about 1.5 km south of Bruges city centre. Take bus 1 or 11 from the station to ‘t Zand square (5 minutes) or walk for 15-20 minutes through pleasant residential streets.
Where to stay in Bruges
The Hotel de Orangerie is a wonderful boutique venue set in a renovated 15th-century convent on a canal. A more affordable option that’s also full of character is Hotel Jan Brito, a historic building located in the heart of Bruges.
Find out the latest availability and prices of accommodation in Bruges here or explore the map below.
Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, walk to Grote Markt, the main square of this medieval city. Dominating the square is Bruges’s famous Belfry Tower, built in 1240, which you may recognise from the the popular 2008 movie In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell. You can enter the tower and climb to the top. As night falls, Bruges lights up, casting a magical warm glow across the medieval houses and canals. It’s so romantic.
Grab a Musea Brugge Card for entry to 11 museums, including the Belfry Tower.
Day 4: Day trip to Ghent
According to Lonely Planet, the historic Belgian city of Ghent is Europe’s best-kept secret. Spending a day in Ghent is easy as it’s compact and walkable. There are plenty of things to see and do here, including canal boat tours for a unique perspective on the city and its stories. Here in my dedicated post are more things to do on a one day Ghent itinerary.
Alternatively, stay in Brussels and take this popular guided tour to both Bruges and Ghent.
How to travel from Bruges to Ghent
Take an early train to Ghent, which takes just 22 minutes from Bruges and costs around €10. Trains run every 15 minutes, making this an easy day trip. The train arrives at Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
Take tram Line 1 from directly in front of the train station toward Wondelgem, getting off at Korenmarkt stop in the city center (15 minutes, around €3). Buy tickets from machines at the tram stop or use contactless payment.
If you prefer to stay overnight in Ghent, choose accommodation in the historic centre for maximum convenience.
For the latest accommodation deals for your dates, explore the map below:
In the morning, visit Ghent’s fortified Gravensteen castle. It houses exhibitions showcasing historic suits of armour, weapons and even gory medieval torture devices.
Book a customised walking tour of Ghent with a local guide who will show you the city’s best kept secrets.
In the afternoon, head to Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. This Gothic cathedral dates back to 942 and is home to a famous multi-panelled religious artwork. The Van Eyck brothers painted the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in 15th century and it’s known as one of the most important artworks in European history.
In the evening, take the tram back to Gent-Sint-Pieters, then catch the direct train back to Bruges.
Read more in my full review of Ghent here.
Day 5: Full day in Bruges
Day 5 of this 7 day Belgium itinerary is a chance to relax and explore more of Bruges.
One of Bruges’ best tourist attractions is Historium Bruges in the central Grote Markt. This attraction uses the latest immersive and virtual reality technology to transport you to the time of city’s Golden Age. I highly recommend a visit to this museum as it really brings the story of Bruges to life.
Avoid the queues and book your ticket to Historium Bruges in advance.
The canal network and bridges that run through Bruges are particularly pretty. From March to mid-November, depending on the weather, there are Bruges canal boat trips available for tourists.
Enjoy fine dining at one of Bruges’ excellent restaurants. De Vlaamsche Pot serves tasty traditional Flemish cuisine. Enjoy evening drinks at an atmospheric pub like Café ‘t Brugs Beertje, known for its extensive beer menu.
Book your Bruges canal trip with optional beer tasting here.
Day 6: Day trip to Ostend
Take the train to Ostend, which takes just 13 minutes from Bruges with frequent trains. The train station in Ostend is within walking distance of the seafront (5 minutes to the beach).
Ostend has sandy beaches, stylish beach clubs and fresh seafood. Cultural highlights include its annual dance music festival and Hollywood-style walk of fame. Marvin Gaye spent time in Ostend in the early 1980s, where he found peace and inspiration to write his hit song Sexual Healing. The music video was also filmed here.
On your day in Ostend, explore its seafront promenade. Visit Fort Napoleon, a star-shaped fortress with coastal views and historical exhibitions about Belgium’s military past. Enjoy seafood lunch at beachside restaurant. Ostend is famous for its fresh North Sea seafood, particularly mussels, shrimp, and sole.
Return to Bruges by train and enjoy your final dinner in Bruges. Try local specialties like waterzooi (creamy fish or chicken stew) or carbonnade flamande (Belgian beef stew made with beer).
Take a 90-minute guided tour to learn more about the city through the eyes of its most famous artist.
Day 7: Return to Brussels
Check out of your Bruges accommodation and take train back to Brussels (1 hour, around €17.50).
If you have time, visit any Brussels attractions you missed, such as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Do some final shopping for Belgian chocolates, waffles or beer. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert near Grand Place offers luxury shopping in a beautiful 19th-century arcade.
Brussels Airport can be accessed by train from Brussels Central station. Allow at least 90 minutes total travel time including check-in for international flights.
The best ways to get to Belgium
Belgium’s central location in Europe makes it highly accessible by various modes of transport. Whether you’re arriving from a neighbouring country or further afield, here are the best ways to come on your backpacking Belgium trip.
If you’re exploring Europe by car, Belgium is easily accessible. The country is surrounded by France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, making cross-border travel seamless.
The country has several international airports, with Brussels Airport being the largest, while others in Charleroi and Antwerp are great for budget airlines and regional flights.
Belgium is part of Europe’s extensive high-speed rail network, making it an excellent destination for train travel from Paris, London, Amsterdam or Cologne – all of which are less than 3 hours away.
Budget-friendly bus services like FlixBus and BlaBlaBus operate routes to Belgian cities from across Europe.
For those travelling from the UK, ferries to Calais or Dunkirk in France provide a scenic option. From there, it’s just a short drive or train ride into Belgium.
The best time to visit Belgium
May to September brings the best weather for both outdoor activities and sightseeing. Summer provides warm temperatures perfect for coastal activities and canal boat tours, though July-August can be crowded in Bruges. June and September have the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
In spring (March and April), you’ll see Belgium’s beautiful blossom and bluebells, but the weather can be unpredictable. Winter is a lovely time to visit if you like cosy Christmas markets and hot mulled wine.
Frequently asked questions for a Belgium itinerary
Is 7 days enough for Belgium?
Yes! Seven days gives you time to see the main highlights without rushing, plus experience different regions. Belgium is compact, so you can cover significant ground while still enjoying each destination. This itinerary covers the most popular and accessible destinations perfect for first-time visitors.
Is English widely spoken in Belgium?
In major tourist areas and hotels, yes. Northern Belgium (Flanders) speaks Dutch/Flemish, but tourist staff usually speak excellent English.
Should I book accommodations and activities in advance?
Yes, especially in Bruges during summer months and weekends. Popular attractions like the Atomium and Historium Bruges offer skip-the-line tickets worth booking ahead. Train tickets don’t need advance booking, but museum entries and canal boat tours benefit from pre-booking.
What should I pack for Belgium?
Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets, layers for changeable weather, and a light rain jacket. Even in summer, evenings can be cool. A day pack is useful for day trips when you want to leave luggage at your base.
Final thoughts on the best 7 day itinerary for Belgium
Belgium brings a perfect mix of ancient cities, natural beauty and coastal escapes, all within a compact and easy-to-navigate country.
From the cosmopolitan heart of Brussels, to the fairy-tale streets of Bruges and Ghent and the coastal charm of Ostend, it has something for every traveller.
This 7-day Belgium itinerary will leave you with unforgettable memories of medieval architecture, world-class beer and chocolate, and the unique charm of this often-overlooked European gem.
Next up, check out the ultimate itinerary for one day in beautiful Bruges.
