How to spend 3-4 days in Belgium?

Posted by Max on 09/27/26 12:27 AM

We're planning a trip for next May that will take us from Paris to Amsterdam. Since that trip crosses Belgium, we were hoping to spend a few nights there.

Any thoughts on these options? (The main difference is whether to include Ghent, Antwerp, or neither.)

Simple: PARIS (morning) to BRUGES (2 nights), then day trip in BRUSSELS on the way to AMSTERDAM
Alt #1: PARIS (morning) to BRUSSELS (1 night), then day trip to GHENT on the way to BRUGES (2 nights), then AMSTERDAM
Alt #2: PARIS (morning) to BRUGES (2 nights), then BRUSSELS (1 night), then day trip to ANTWERP on the way to AMSTERDAM

Some background: I love art museums and will definitely spend a lot of time at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels. I also love charming quaint cities, hence the 2 nights in Bruges. But I don't have strong thoughts about Ghent and Antwerp, though they both seem compelling. The printing museum in Antwerp seems great. I love all churches and cathedrals.

Posted by PlannerMom

Wisconsin, USA

09/27/26 12:56 AM

222 posts

Does the simple plan give you enough time at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts? Alt#1 seems like it would be rushed before closing time. You can reserve a luggage locker at the train station online; I liked knowing that I would have one and they wouldn't all be full. Just make sure you choose the right Brussels station.

Posted by KD

09/27/26 01:13 AM

1976 posts

I really like Ghent. You don't want to miss St Bavo's and the Ghent Altarpiece.

Posted by lavandula

Sydney, Australia

09/27/26 01:22 AM

457 posts

I agree to knock out the simple option. If you stay in Brussels, stay near Brussels Central Station. Midi is the main train station but Central services the tourist areas better, plus there are safety / crime issues at Midi. The authorities are trying to clear this up but it takes time. Central is also closest to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.

I really don't like to choose for others between the cities in Belgium. They are all really good, although Bruges, being wonderful, also attracts a lot of tourists. A LOT. Ghent and Bruges are similar, but Ghent is a living city, with slightly fewer tourists, and a very wow castle. It is also a 25 minute walk or a tram ride away from the station. I also love Antwerp, but I think Antwerp might be slightly easier to get a handle on in a day trip. The cathedral is quite a distance from the station too, but it's shops nearly all the way from the station, so you feel like you are in the city the whole time. And the train station is very amazing (the railway cathedral). Dare I say I would choose Alt #2? For no other reason than that 25 minute walk from the station in Ghent. But honestly, if someone came here and said 'go to Ghent', I wouldn't disagree. I would also consider knocking out Bruges, because I hate shoulder to shoulder tourists that much.

Good luck, maybe others here will have strong opinions. 2 nights in Bruges is just about right. Shame you can't squeeze an extra day from somewhere else in your trip.

Lavandula

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

09/27/26 02:42 AM

3625 posts

It would be easiest to sleep in Brussels and visit Bruges as a day trip from Brussels: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/belgium/brussels.

Posted by seaway.sateen1i

09/27/26 03:07 AM

4 posts

What fun! I hope you have a great time whatever you decide.

I love Ghent. I spent 3 nights there and could have stayed longer. The history is amazing and there are many sites to see.

I did a day trip from Ghent to Bruges and that was enough for me. A night or two in Bruges would be plenty. It felt more like a gorgeous outdoor museum than somewhere to stay for too long. The boat tour is a must of course in Bruges.

Ghent is a university town and nicely lively. Great energy in the historic centre. There is a lot to see. I would want two full days minimum for Ghent. I actually enjoyed it more than Amsterdam. I wonder how long you have in Amsterdam…

You will be seeing enough historic areas to not mind missing Antwerp. There isn’t enough time to do it all.

I’d probably go with option #2. But as someone else commented, if you could add one more night, that would be ideal.

Have an amazing time.

Posted by Windyram

Belgium

09/27/26 03:35 AM

607 posts

Given your interest in art museums, here is some information:

Brugge. Groeningemuseum will be closed for renovation. However, the core of the collection will be on display at the museum BRUSK.
Gent. There is also a museum of fine arts here, the MSK https://www.mskgent.be/en/
Antwerpen. There is also a museum of fine arts here, the KMSKA https://kmska.be/en/about-kmska . The Mayer van den Bergh Museum is closed for renovation, but 90 of its masterpieces can be admired at the Maagdenhuis. Information about their churches can be found here https://mkantwerpen.be/en/home-4/