10 Days in Belgium: Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges Itinerary for Culture, Canals, and Cuisine

A richly paced 10-day Belgium itinerary weaving Brussels’ grand squares and Art Nouveau, Ghent’s medieval towers and Van Eyck, and Bruges’ storybook canals—plus world-class beer, waffles, and chocolate.
A beautiful cityscape of Brussels with the iconic Town Hall tower and vibrant gardens.
Photo by Petar Starčević on Pexels

Belgium is small in size and outsized in cultural impact. From the UNESCO-listed Grand Place to the Flemish Masters, Art Nouveau architecture, UNESCO beer traditions, and lacework and chocolate craftsmanship, few places reward curiosity like this crossroads of Europe. In ten days, you’ll savor Brussels’ cosmopolitan pulse, Ghent’s lived-in medieval core, and Bruges’ Gothic silhouette mirrored in quiet canals.


History is never far: guildhalls that bankrolled the Renaissance, cathedrals hiding Van Eyck altarpieces, and citadels that once guarded trade routes. You’ll taste it too—moules-frites, waffles, pralines, and spontaneous-fermentation lambics that only happen here. Belgium’s trains make it effortless to hop between cities in under an hour.

Practical notes: Cards are widely accepted; tap-to-pay is the norm. Many museums close on Mondays; dinner reservations are advised on weekends. Pack a light rain layer, plan for cobblestones, and bring an appetite—this itinerary blends headline sights with neighborhood cafés, beer halls, and hands-on tastings.

Brussels

Brussels pairs postcard beauty with a sly sense of humor—comic-strip murals, surrealist Magritte, and a centuries-old square that still dazzles at night. Explore the Grand Place, Manneken Pis’ many costumes, and Art Nouveau gems by Horta. Then dig into the city’s edible icons: wafels, pralines, and a beer culture that runs deeper than any tap list.

Top sights: Grand Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Mont des Arts, Sablon antiques, Magritte Museum, Atomium and Laeken greenhouses, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and the Comic Strip Route.

Day 1: Arrival and Grand Place glow-up

Morning: Travel to Brussels. Grab an espresso and a light breakfast before departure if you can—tomorrow, we’ll eat like locals.


Afternoon: Check in, then take your first stroll to the Grand Place. Admire the 17th-century guildhalls and the ornate Town Hall. Wander the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for window-shopping and a pick-me-up hot chocolate at Laurent Gerbaud or pralines from Pierre Marcolini.

Evening: Dinner at Nüetnigenough (beer-braised carbonnade, stoemp, chic Belgian dishes) or Fin de Siècle (hearty classics; no reservations). Nightcap at A La Mort Subite, a Belle Époque café pouring lambics and gueuzes in vintage glamour.

Day 2: Sablon, Magritte, and Beer & Chocolate tour

Morning: Breakfast at MOK Specialty Coffee (filter-forward) or Café Capitale. Walk the antique shops of the Sablon, duck into the Magritte Museum, and sample pralines at Wittamer, Neuhaus, and Mary for a sweet compare-and-contrast.

Afternoon: Join this beloved tasting walk—history and flavors in one go:
Hungry Mary's Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels

Hungry Mary's Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels on Viator
Expect artisan chocolatiers, local taverns, and insider stories of Grand Place and Manneken Pis.

Evening: Feast on mussels and frites at Le Chou de Bruxelles (dozens of sauces). For post-dinner beers, head to Moeder Lambic Fontainas for an expertly curated tap list and staff who love to talk styles.


Day 3: Hands-on chocolate, Atomium and Laeken

Morning: Learn to temper, fill, and taste like a pro:
Belgian Chocolate Making Class and Tasting in Brussels

Belgian Chocolate Making Class and Tasting in Brussels on Viator
After class, grab a quick, excellent seafood lunch standing-up at Noordzee – Mer du Nord (shrimp croquettes, fish soup, razor clams).

Afternoon: Metro to the Atomium for 360° views and retro-futuristic vibes. Stroll the royal domain of Laeken and (seasonally) the Royal Greenhouses. Alternatively, museum-hop at Cinquantenaire (Art & History Museum, AutoWorld) and the triumphal arch.

Evening: Eat around Sainte-Catherine: Henri (modern bistro), or share plates at Vismet if you favor seafood. Beer lovers detour to Brasserie Cantillon (Lambic brewery/museum; go earlier if you want the tour) or cozy up at Poechenellekelder by Manneken Pis.

Day 4: EU Quarter, parks, and comic art

Morning: Coffee and viennoiserie at Hinterland. Walk the Parc de Bruxelles to the Royal Palace, then explore the Parlamentarium in the EU Quarter for an interactive look at European politics. If you prefer art, try the Royal Museums of Fine Arts (Rubens to Magritte).

Afternoon: Follow the city’s Comic Strip Route murals en route to the Belgian Comic Strip Center. Sandwich stop: cult-favorite Tonton Garby (made-to-order cheese compositions). Shop along Rue Antoine Dansaert for Belgian design.


Evening: Dinner in the Marolles at Le Wine Bar des Marolles (seasonal plates, deep cellar). End at musical, candlelit Goupil le Fol, a Brussels original pouring fruit liqueurs in a bohemian warren.

Ghent

Ghent is where medieval drama meets everyday life—students on bikes, locals chatting along the Graslei, and spires that light up at night. It’s livelier than Bruges after dark and a dream for art lovers, with the Van Eycks’ “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” and cutting-edge contemporary museums.

Highlights include St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the castle of Gravensteen, the Belfry, STAM city museum, street art in Werregarenstraat, and a canal cruise. Patershol’s lanes are perfect for dinner-hopping.

  • Where to stay (Ghent): Search a range of central hotels and apartments on Hotels.com (Ghent) or find characterful flats on VRBO (Ghent).
  • Getting there from Brussels (Day 5 morning): Trains to Ghent St. Pieters run every 10–20 minutes, 30–40 minutes travel time, typically €9–€14. Check times and book on Omio (trains in Europe).

Day 5: Brussels → Ghent, Graslei first look

Morning: Depart Brussels after breakfast; aim for a 9–10 a.m. train (Omio). Drop your bags and fuel up at Mokabon, Ghent’s old-school coffee bar, or Take Five Espresso for specialty pours.

Afternoon: Walk the Graslei & Korenlei waterfront, cross St. Michael’s Bridge for the city’s signature view, then visit the interactive STAM museum for Ghent’s story. Light lunch: Balls & Glory (juicy stuffed meatballs with stoemp) or Broodjeshuis for quick sandwiches.


Evening: Dinner at architectural brasserie Pakhuis (seasonal Belgian classics). Beer afterward at Dulle Griet—order the “Max” in the iconic coachman’s glass and leave a shoe as collateral for the tradition.

Day 6: Van Eyck and a fortress in the city

Morning: See the meticulously restored Adoration of the Mystic Lamb at St. Bavo’s Cathedral (reserve a time slot in peak season). Ascend the Belfry for carillon views.

Afternoon: Tour Gravensteen castle’s ramparts and armory. Coffee at OR Espresso Bar, then browse Patershol’s boutiques and ateliers. If you’re into contemporary art, pair MSK (fine arts) with S.M.A.K. (contemporary) near Citadelpark.

Evening: Splurge at Vrijmoed (two-Michelin-star creativity; book well ahead) or Oak (elegant, seasonal). Nightcap with canal views at Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, a locals’ standby for Belgian taps.

Day 7: Ghent by bike or boats, then jazz

Morning: Rent bikes and follow the Leie River toward Sint-Martens-Latem (artists’ village) for a pastoral ride; or stay in town for a guided canal cruise from the Graslei.


Afternoon: Casual lunch at De Graslei café terraces or try ribs at lively Amadeus. Explore street art in Werregarenstraat and pop into the striking De Krook library building for architecture buffs.

Evening: Dinner grazing in Patershol—cozy spots like Al Castello (Italian) or regional cuisine in intimate townhouses. Finish with live music at Hot Club de Gand, a tiny, vaulted jazz bar tucked off an alley.

Bruges

Bruges is Belgium’s fairytale—steeples, swans, cobbles, and canals. By day it’s a tapestry of Gothic brick and gilded squares; by night, lantern-lit reflections turn the city into a Rembrandt. Beyond the views, you’ll find honest Flemish cooking, deep beer lists, and master chocolatiers.

Top sights: Markt and the Belfry, Burg Square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Begijnhof, Minnewaterpark, and windmills along the outer canals. A boat ride is practically mandatory.

Day 8: Ghent → Bruges, private walk and boat ride

Morning: Catch a morning train to Bruges (Omio), drop bags, then coffee at Vero Caffè or Brewed Specialty Coffee. Nibble a first waffle at Chez Albert en route to Markt.


Afternoon: Explore with a local and glide along the canals:
Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride

Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride on Viator
You’ll tick off Markt, Burg, hidden courtyards, and classic viewpoints, then see Bruges from the water.

Evening: Dinner at De Stove (intimate seafood-driven kitchen) or Réliva (locally sourced, modern Flemish). Finish in the atmospheric cellar bar Le Trappiste with Trappist ales and candlelight.

Day 9: Belfry, basilica, windmills—and a night of legends

Morning: Climb the Belfry early to beat lines; the carillon views are worth the steps. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood for Romanesque/Gothic layers and the venerated relic. Coffee-and-cake stop at Li O Lait.

Afternoon: Wander the whitewashed Begijnhof and Minnewater (“Lake of Love”). Rent bikes to reach the windmills (Kruispoort area) along the green ramparts; it’s a peaceful loop.

Evening: After a cozy bowl of fish stew at Cambrinus (and an encyclopedic beer list), join this crowd-favorite storytelling walk:
Bruges at Night: Murder, Mystery & Dark Stories Small Group Walk

Bruges at Night: Murder, Mystery & Dark Stories Small Group Walk on Viator
Warm up with a thick hot chocolate at The Old Chocolate House afterwards.


Day 10: Slow morning and departure

Morning: Breakfast at Black Bird (excellent shakshuka and pancakes) or Margritt for pastries. Pick up gift boxes at The Chocolate Line (wild flavors by Dominique Persoone) or classic pralines at Pralinette.

Afternoon: Train to Brussels Airport (BRU) takes ~1h20–1h30 with a change in Brussels-Midi; expect ~€22–€28—check options on Omio (trains in Europe). If flying within Europe, you can also compare short-haul flights on Omio (flights). Bon voyage!

Evening: In transit.

Optional add-ons (if you have extra time)

  • Antwerp (40 min by train from Ghent): Cathedral of Our Lady (Rubens masterpieces), MAS Museum’s rooftop, fashion quarter, and De Koninck brewery tour.
  • Leuven (25 min from Brussels): Historic university town with a spectacular town hall and convivial Oude Markt.

Food & drink cheat sheet (by city)

  • Brussels: Waffles: Maison Dandoy. Chocolate: Pierre Marcolini, Laurent Gerbaud, Mary. Beer: Moeder Lambic, A La Mort Subite, Cantillon. Mussels: Le Chou de Bruxelles. Seafood standing bar: Noordzee.
  • Ghent: Coffee: Mokabon, OR Espresso Bar. Hearty bites: Balls & Glory, Amadeus (ribs). Upscale: Vrijmoed, Oak. Beer: Dulle Griet, Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. Music: Hot Club de Gand.
  • Bruges: Cozy cafés: Vero Caffè, Li O Lait. Classic Flemish: De Stove, Réliva, Cambrinus. Bars: Le Trappiste, De Garre. Sweets: The Old Chocolate House, The Chocolate Line.

All featured activities (bookable)

City-to-city trains in Belgium: They’re frequent, affordable, and easy. Compare times and buy tickets on Omio (trains in Europe). For buses, see Omio (buses in Europe).

In ten days, you’ll sip world-class ales, master pralines, climb belfries, and glide along canals. With short train hops, historic neighborhoods, and rewarding food stops, Belgium fits big travel into an easy, elegant route.


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