You may think of France as the ultimate European destination, I mean it does have the Eiffel Tower, amazing patisseries, and a romantic feel. After all, it is the most visited country in the world.

However, across the border lies a hidden gem often overlooked by travelers: Belgium.

It doesn’t have the Eiffel Tower, but it checks all the other boxes. Plus it is much less crowded, so you can be up close and personal with the amazing cities and countryside.

Belgium is a country often overlooked by travelers and I’m not sure why. Maybe it doesn’t get the press that the larger European countries do, or maybe Americans are just really bad a geography and don’t know it is a country at all.

Here are the best things we did on our most recent family vacation, and you can do it if you have 3-5 days available.

How to Begin Planning Your Belgium Trip

Belgium’s compact size makes it perfect for a multi-city tour. The excellent train network connects all major cities within 1-2 hours, making it easy to base yourself in one location or move between cities.  You can also rent a car if you are traveling with your family, or if you like a good road trip. For a 3-5 day itinerary, Brussels makes an ideal central hub, though each city provides quality accommodations.

Ghent

Ghent, Belgium may not be the best known city, but if you love art and architecture, you will find it go be your absolute favorite. Here are some of the best things to do in Ghent.

Must-See Sights:

• Gravensteen Castle: This medieval fortress has a torture exhibit, and it isn’t for the feint of heart. But you can skip it and see how the fortress defended the city for 100s of years. The free audioguide is very well done
• Saint Bavo’s Cathedral: Home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, considered one of the world’s most important paintings
• Graslei and Korenlei: These picturesque quaysides along the Leie River showcase perfectly preserved guild houses
• Boat Tour: Boat in Gent-This is a must do when you visit Ghent. The guide tells the history of Ghent in a way you won’t get anywhere else.

Local Flavors:

• Try cuberdons (raspberry-flavored cone-shaped candies) from shops all around the city
• Sample jenever (Belgian gin) at traditional bars
• Enjoy waterzooi, Ghent’s signature creamy fish or chicken stew, it is really great if it is raining all day, like it wasa for us.

Why Ghent Stands Out: Unlike Bruges, Ghent maintains its authentic character as a living city rather than a museum. The combination of students, locals, and fewer tour buses creates a more genuine Belgian experience.

Honestly, I could have stayed in Ghent the entire 5 days. It was such a beautiful city and I didn’t even scratch the surface of things to see and do. Make sure to give yourself some good time in this city.

Bruges

Why Visit: This perfectly preserved medieval city feels like stepping into the past, with its cobblestone streets, romantic canals, and stunning Gothic architecture. Bruges is the city that makes most people fall in love with Belgium.

Must-See Sights:

• Belfry of Bruges: Climb the 366 steps for panoramic views over the red-roofed cityscape
• Basilica of the Holy Blood: A truly beautiful church in the Gothic and Romanesque architecture style.
• Canal Boat Tour: Essential for understanding the city’s layout and history while enjoying unique perspectives of medieval buildings
• Chocolate Museums and Shops: Visit Choco-Story Museum and sample pralines from legendary chocolatiers like Leonidas or local artisans. The museum was a big hit with our kids, and the samples were pretty good too.

Hidden Gems:

• Begijnhof: This tranquil courtyard complex once housed religious women and now gives you a quiet spot away from tourist crowds
• Groeningemuseum: Features masterpieces by Jan van Eyck and other Flemish Primitives in an intimate setting

Best Experiences:

• Take an evening stroll when day-trippers have departed and the city regains its romantic atmosphere. Please stay in Bruges overnight at least one of the nights. It is a completely different experience and the evening and early morning were our favorite times in the city.
• Browse the Saturday market at Markt square for local produce and crafts. My husband bought 3 pounds of cheese at the Saturday market and brought only about half a pound home, because he ate the rest on the trip!

Brussels

Why Visit: As Belgium’s capital and the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels is a busy modern city that also has old-world charm and lots of beautiful architecture.

Must-See Sights:

• Grand Place: This UNESCO World Heritage site is Europe’s most beautiful medieval square. The ornate guildhalls and Gothic Town Hall surround you on all sides and each side is more beautiful than the next. It poured the entire time we were there, but look past the rain, and see the stunning buildings.
• Manneken Pis: The famous bronze statue of a urinating boy has become Brussels’ quirky symbol.
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts: Home to an exceptional collection of Flemish Primitives and works by Magritte, Rubens, and Bruegel.
• European Quarter: Visit the European Parliament and Commission buildings to understand Brussels’ role in modern European politics.

Food Experiences:

• Sample authentic Belgian waffles from a street vendor (avoid tourist traps near Grand Place)
• Try moules-frites (mussels and fries) at Chez Léon or Aux Armes de Bruxelles
• Eat your weight in chocolate at dozens of chocolate shops lining the streets of the old city.

Practical Tips:

• Many museums are free on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month
• The city center is very walkable, but trams are efficient for longer distances
• Book dinner reservations in advance, especially for traditional brasseries

Antwerp

Why Visit: Belgium’s second-largest city is famous for diamond trading, architecture and art. Antwerp is a much more modern city than the others on the list, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have charming spots and a lot to do.

Must-See Sights:

• Cathedral of Our Lady: Marvel at Rubens’ masterpieces in this Gothic cathedral, including “The Descent from the Cross”
• Rubens House: The former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens showcases his life and work in beautifully restored surroundings
• Diamond District: Explore the world’s diamond trading center near Central Station

Unique Experiences:

• Browse the weekend antique market along the Schelde River
• Explore the trendy Zuid district for contemporary art galleries and designer boutiques
• Take a harbor boat tour to appreciate Antwerp’s importance as Europe’s second-largest port

Culinary Highlights:

• Visit traditional brown cafés for local beer and hearty Flemish cuisine
• Try Antwerpse handjes (hand-shaped cookies) from local bakeries

Dinant

Why Visit: This picturesque town along the Meuse River is a nice change of pace from the larger cities in Belgium. Plus it is in Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium, and we wanted to expereince both. While this is a good hour and a half drive from most of the Flemish cities already mentioned, it was a beautiful road trip.

Must-See Sights:

• Citadel of Dinant: Perched dramatically on limestone cliffs, this fortress has military history exhibits
• Collegiate Church of Notre Dame: Famous for its distinctive onion-shaped spire and beautiful Gothic architecture
• Saxophone Museum: Celebrate Adolphe Sax, Dinant’s most famous son and inventor of the saxophone
• Charles de Gaulle Bridge: Lined with colorful saxophone sculptures honoring the city’s musical heritage

Natural Beauty:

• Take a Meuse River cruise to appreciate the dramatic landscape
• Walk along the riverfront promenade for scenic views

Local Specialties:

• Taste couque de Dinant, traditional hard honey biscuits shaped in decorative molds
• Visit local breweries producing regional beers

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Brussels (Grand Place, museums, European Quarter) Day 2: Bruges (canals, Belfry, chocolate tours) Day 3:Ghent (Cathedral, Gravensteen, canal cruise)

Sample 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1-2: Brussels and Antwerp (visit the 2 largest cities) Day 3: Bruges (medieval immersion) Day 4: Ghent Day 5: Dinant (natural beauty and relaxation)

Belgium was among our favorite family trips. We loved exploring the different cities, eating really delicious food, and learning new things together. We would not hesitate to visit again. I hope you might too.