Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Belgium by Train Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Brussels
Belgium - Antwerp - Ghent - Bruges - Brussels
In Antwerp, we’ve planned a tour with a local guide to immerse you in the rhythm of Belgian city life, along with dinner at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. Then, it’s on to Ghent, home of canals lined with colourful buildings, show-stopping architecture and cobbled streets leading to cheerful market squares. Bruges is the trip’s Medieval interlude, complete with a UNESCO-listed historic centre, Gothic buildings and swans gliding along the canals.
Your final stop is Brussels, where you’ll see the architectural highlights, including the Grand Place, Royal Quarter and countless Art Nouveau buildings, with a knowledgeable private guide leading the way. And to ensure you end your trip in style, your Concierge will bag you a table at one of the city’s best restaurants for your final evening.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Your train trip across Belgium begins at London St Pancras, where you’ll board the Eurostar and settle in for the three-and-a-half-hour journey to Antwerp via Brussels.
When you arrive in Antwerp, check into your centrally located hotel for the next two nights. Head outside to explore your new surroundings or relax with a refreshing drink.
This evening, you’ll set a stylish tone for your trip with dinner at the city’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, where you can toast to your adventure.
Today is all about delving into the vibrant city of Antwerp. On both sides of the Scheldt River, you’ll find an eclectic mix of buildings, including a Medieval fortress, a Gothic cathedral, Baroque churches and Art Nouveau constructions.
Spend the day with a local guide who’ll use their knowledge of the city to create an itinerary completely tailored to you, whether it be a grand tour of the must-see monuments or a wander off the beaten track to discover some hidden gems.
When you’ve said farewell to your new friend, you’ll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. In the heart of the elegant Het Zuid district, tap into your creative side on a visit to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA), which displays work by Magritte, Modigliani, Rubens and many more. We also recommend a stroll around PAKT, a former industrial site that’s been transformed into an urban oasis full of creative projects, cafés and stylish restaurants.
Wake up bright and early, it’s time to board your train to Ghent. Just over an hour away, which sits at the confluence of the Lys and Scheldt. Tune into our destination-specific playlist for the journey, lose yourself in a good book or sit back and watch as the landscapes unfold outside your window.
When you arrive, check in for two nights in a neo-Gothic-style hotel located in the very heart of the city; the perfect spot for stepping out to explore.
Set off to explore Ghent’s colourful houses and winding waterways today.
As you wander along the canals, watch cyclists weave their way through the streets and boats glide beneath bridges – you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in the Netherlands. But Ghent beats to the sound of its own drum.
Discover the city’s Belfort van Gent, the 299ft belfry that towers over Ghent’s old city centre, before heading to the impressive Gravensteen Castle of the Counts, just a short walk away.
In between visiting famous buildings, continue your explorations along cobbled streets, sip local ale in lively squares and make sure to head to one of the city’s countless markets. Whether flower, book or flea, we’re sure you’ll find something to entice you.
Another day, another train journey and today you’re bound for Bruges. In just 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself in a city of romantic canals, bridges and Medieval facades – no wonder it’s dubbed the ‘Jewel of Flanders’.
When you arrive, check in for two nights in a charming hotel with enviable water views. The rest of today is all yours. Head out on a stroll around your new surroundings, and when the evening rolls around, why not ask our clued-up Concierge for their top restaurant recommendations?
History buffs are in luck, because today you’ll be glimpsing into Bruges’ past. Head to the historic city centre, which stands as a living reminder of the city’s Golden Age. Recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding universal value, Bruges enchants visitors with its cobbled streets, gabled houses and iconic landmarks.
Wander around the market square and admire its belfry, explore the scenic Rosary Quay and visit the 13th-century bell tower of the Church of Our Lady. Fancy seeing the city from a different angle? Hop aboard a private boat and cruise through the city’s winding canals.
Outside the centre, you’ll find the peaceful Minnewater Park with its photogenic Lake of Love, as well as the Beguinage, where charming houses surround a lush courtyard.
Your penultimate day starts early at Bruges train station. Spend the hour journey to Brussels reading, staring out the window (the views are worth it) or going through your camera roll, reminding yourself of the adventure so far.
Once in the capital, a local guide will be ready to whisk you around their favourite sights and architectural highlights, such as the Baroque Grand Place and Art Nouveau classics, which are all thanks to architects like Victor Horta and Paul Hankar.
End your Belgian adventure in style: spend your final night in one of the city’s top hotels, then toast to your holiday with an incredible meal at an award-winning restaurant. Cheers to that.
Before you bid farewell to Belgium this afternoon, you’ll have the morning to swing by Brussels’ historic main square, wander past the Grand Palace and delve into the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. And, a visit to Brussels wouldn’t be complete without a little chocolate, so if you have a sweet tooth, why not opt for a private guided chocolate tour? Then, after lunch, it’s back to the train station for your two-hour journey home to London.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
BOAT TRIP ON THE CANALS OF BRUGES
Bruges is a city of water, and there’s nothing quite like taking in the view from its many canals. Your boat will glide along the quays between traditional houses and duck underneath historic bridges. This is a wonderful way to enjoy a different perspective as you learn more about the city from your guide.THE SECRETS OF BELGIAN CHOCOLATE
This gourmet walking tour combines some of the most beautiful places in the Belgian capital with its most incredible flavours. Led by a private guide, it begins in the impressive Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, where you’ll be given a summary of local history and culture, along with your first chocolate sample. Once acquainted with the basics, it’s time for a sensory analysis and a sample of Belgium’s most superior chocolate.
Why visit Belgium with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Belgium
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption