Belgium is a country where you can explore impressive architecture, historic sculptures, and fascinating museums. Key cities include Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges, Charleroi, and Liège. For a short trip, you can choose a few of these cities and enjoy Belgium at your own pace.
Known for its prestigious art cities, unique beers, and delicious food, Belgium offers an unforgettable travel experience. A 3-day Belgium itinerary is perfect for a short vacation or as part of a larger Europe trip starting in Brussels when you arrive and discovering the country’s highlights along the way.
Belgium in 3-Day Belgium Itinerary
Day 1: Start with Brussels
Brussels is known for its sculpture, art, and architecture of the place. Start your tour in Brussels from the centre of the city with Grote Markt, which is an open market area with beautiful medieval architecture, statues, and the infamous Baroque guild halls. Visit the Manneken Pis and how a little boy’s need to relieve himself, relinquished a war. Explore the cheeky statues of Janneken Pis and Manneken Pis.
From there you can head straight to Atomium’s futuristic land. Among them, you can also see the miniature versions of the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the mini-Europe which is quite famous and a fun spot for tons of pictures.
Visit the comic museum and immerse yourself in the world of comics and learn about the history of Tintin and other comics. In Brussels also don’t forget to explore the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert and see the stunning Art Nouveau architecture at the Musical Instrument Museum. In the evening walk to see the charming Sainte-Catherine neighborhood and explore historic pubs like Delirium Café or À la Mort Subite.
Day 2: Explore Burges
Take an early train to Bruges which is about an hour train ride away. To travel to Burges, you can get a train to Burges from Bruxelles Midi/Brussel Zuid, Brussel Centraal, and Brussel Noord. Explore the city starting from the central square and climb the Belfry tower and get the views from the tower. The Basilica is open for visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:15 PM. Explore the beautiful sculpture walls.
Then in the afternoon take a canal boat tour and visit the Groeningemuseum for Flemish art which restores six centuries of Flemish Visual Arts. In the ferry ride through the canals of the city, you can enjoy different architecture, through the boat rides. Lastly visit the peaceful monastery of Begijnhof. Enjoy tasting chocolates while visiting Bruges, from factories from The Old Chocolate House, and Choco-story.
After the sunset, go on a walk through illuminated buildings and find a traditional fine dining restaurant near Burg Square. You can also end the night with beer tasting in the pub Brugs Beertje.
Day 3: End Your Trip with Ghent
You can book a ticket from Bruges to Ghent which is a 40 minutes-ride away. Start your tour of Ghent with the visit to the famous Ghent Altarpiece which is also known as Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The church’s twelve-panel masterpiece is one of the famous destinations of Ghent. Visit Saint Bavo’s cathedral is a masterpiece of architecture.
Even though you can enter the chapel for free, the chapel that holds the masterpiece of mystic lamb has entry free where you can get discounts on advance booking. The Ghent City Museum or the STAM museum is another must-visit while visiting Ghent. As the day ends, enjoy leisure time lingering in the cafes and taking Instagram pictures in the peaceful area of the north of popular cathedrals.
Travel Tips To Save Time on Your Belgium Travel
Rail Pass: Purchase a rail pass for easy travel between cities from the website of SNCB. If you are over 26, you can enjoy free 10 train rides in Belgium all over Belgium. Having an issued rail pass, will help you in enjoying your Belgium trip smoothly and plan it spontaneously.
Book Accommodation in Brussels: Book your visit in Brussels as your base, and book accommodations in Brussels for easy commuting in between cities as well as to and from the airport.
Museum Card: If you are planning to visit all the famous museums in Brussels purchase the Museum card in advance, to easily get in and save time.
Remember to try local specialties: Chocolates, waffles, and beer are what Belgium’s culinary tradition is known for. Don’t forget to have an exceptional gastronomic experience while staying in Belgium.
Alternate Tours to Plan in Your Belgium Visit
Even though it’s a small blueprint of your 3-day Belgium tour, you can plan your tour according to your favorite activities. Here are some alternate options that you can also enjoy for a short stay in Belgium.
UNESCO Sites Tour: If you want to see the prestigious heritage site and understand the long-standing history of Belgium, you can plan your itinerary to fit in the UNESCO sites like sites like the Grand Place in Brussels, the Belfries of Belgium, and Neolithic Flint Mines of Spiennes.
Battle of Waterloo Tour: You can see that battleground where Napoleon was defeated. You can explore the Lion’s Mound, Memorial 1815, and Hougoumont Farm. Battle of Waterloo ground is just a 25-minute train ride away from Brussels Midi.
Castle Road Trip: As you plan your trip, and if you want to visit something other than the ordinary tourist spots, you can enjoy a road trip visiting the castles. The majestic medieval castles, like Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, Château de Modave, and the fairytale-like Château de La Hulpe are perfect for a romantic short tour or as shooting locations for your surreal photos.
Activities to Include in Your 3-Day Belgium Itinerary
Chocolate & Waffle-Making Workshops: You can sign up for an afternoon class of chocolate or waffle-making workshop during your trip with your friends or partner to make a long-lasting memory. You can sign up for classes in Brussels online and enjoy the process and taste the delicious treats you make hands-on.
Taste Belgian Chocolates: Join a chocolate-tasting tour at famous shops like Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, or Godiva.
Photoshoot At Rozenhoedkaai: At dusk, stroll along the Rozenhoedkaai, easily one of Bruges’ most beautiful and photographed locations. The old buildings and canals are illuminated, and the light transforms the water into something magical. Take a leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets to soak in the romantic hues and the tranquil beauty of the city lit at night. Ideal for night photography or as a secluded spot to relax and enjoy the serenity by the water.
Belgium is a beautiful country with UNESCO sites, museums, and medieval architecture providing scopes for cultural immersion and memorable gastronomic experiences. Whether you are looking for a small trip during your Europe tour or a small summer getaway with your friends or partner, Belgium is the perfect fit. To avoid crowds you should plan your vacation accordingly in July and August. With the help of this itinerary, make a trip that makes you smile.