Location: Lovaina
Day 1 - 1 Feb 2021
Leuven Station
Content: Taking a train from Leuven, the city where I did an exchange student programme, you can start exploring the small, yet beautiful country that is Belgium! π§πͺ
Location: Antwerpen
Day 1 - 1 Feb 2021
Estação central de Antuérpia
Content: Arriving to this stunning station in Antwerp. It is already a good impression right? π€© π― 10/10
Meir Antwerpen
Content: From the station you can walk directly to the city center and have a walk in the main shopping street of the city π More than many shops, this street has beautiful buildings and several cafes! π― 10/10
Stadsfeestzaal
Content: In the shopping street, you can find these beautiful Galeries! You have here several stands with tradicional Belgium products, shops and a supermarket. However, the best is really the building itself as you can see from the photos π π― 10/10
Nello & Patrache Statue
Content: You can take a walk and reach this cute statue π Right behind it you also have a famous beer traditional shop: BELGIAN BEERS AND BREWS - ABBEY N 8! It is an amazing place for you to get some Belgian beer π π― 8/10
Grote Markt
Content: Heading to the most famous square: the Grote Markt! It is actually similar to the Grand-Place in Bruxelles (you can check my previous BRUXELLES itinerary if you want to go there during this trip π). Here you have beautiful buildings as well. It is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and people usually relax sitting in the middle of the square having some beer π» Plus, you have right in the middle the famous Braboβs Monument. π― 10/10
Compagnie Belge
Content: If you wish to have some gelato you have right in the square this shop where you can buy some icecream! It is not a Belgian specialty but this one was pretty good. π― 7/10
Steenplein
Content: I also really enjoyed walking in the βriversideβ! There are a lot of people that sit here and enjoy the sunset. The environment is chill and festive βοΈ
Meir
Content: Going back to the train station you can again pass through the shopping street and grab a waffle to go in one of the trailers!! They are pretty good, and I advise going to the ones that seem less βfancyβ, they are more tradicional and usually better π€€π π― 10/10
Location: Gent
Day 1 - 1 Feb 2021
Gent Sint Pieters station
Content: Arriving to Gent St Pieters station! This station also has a cute entrance hall, I recommend looking above to the ceiling π It is the most central one in the city! π― 8/10
GHENT RIVER
Content: This hotel was recommended by some friends of mine. The location is great and the rooms are comfortable. A good option when going to Gent! π
Location: Gent
Day 2 - 2 Feb 2021
Korenmarkt
Content: You can reach the main square of the city easily by bus. Here you find a lot of turistic attractions, a mall, supermarkets and several cafes and restaurants π π― 10/10
St. Nicholas' Cathedral
Content: Right in the square, you can visit the St. Nicholas Church. It is one the oldest and remarkable landmarks in the city! It is famous for its gothic style and its stunning organ. Ps: It kind of remembers me of Winterfell (GOT lovers) ππ π― 8/10
St Michael's Bridge
Content: If you go up the street, you can arrive to the most famous bridge in Ghent, if not Belgium! This one is really worth it. Not only the bridge itself is beautiful but also the view you have over the river and cute Belgian buildings is stunning. π― 10/10
Graslei
Content: If you go down the stairs in one of the sides of the bridge you can arrive to the Graslei! A small harbor in the center of the city, where you have many cafes and restaurants. A great view to have a meal or take some pictures π π― 10/10
Location: Temse
Day 2 - 2 Feb 2021
Grasbrug
Content: If you continue walking further you can find more bridges (yet smaller). This one is cute and you also have a good view to the tradicional houses and river π
Location: Gent
Day 2 - 2 Feb 2021
Gravensteen
Content: Another castle! βΊοΈ This one is impressive since it is surrounded by water and it is huge π If you wish to enter you can buy the tickets in site or book in advance online! π― 10/10
Korenmarkt
Content: Coming back to the main square, you can find the famous Cuberdons! There are two trailers selling them near the supermarket (I leave here the map). This is a typical sweet from Gent. Not everyone likes it, you need to have a sweet tooth π but I loved it. π― 10/10
Location: Gante
Day 2 - 2 Feb 2021
Belfort van Gent
Content: Another remarkable attraction in Gent is the belfry! It represents the cityβs independence and prosperity and it is part of UNESCO WORLD Heritage. You can actually buy a ticket and go up to have a view over the whole city! π― 10/10
Location: Gent
Day 2 - 2 Feb 2021
Veldstraat
Content: Gent has the biggest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium! In the south of the city, you have shops nearly everywhere. A very famous street is the Veldstraat. For the time I lived in Belgium, it was one of my favorite places to shop! π π― 10/10
Citadelpark
Content: Coming back to the train station you can visit the biggest park in the city! It is really beautiful during autumn since it becomes all orange π also it has a cute lake with swans! It is also near the University of Gent. π― 8/10
Location: Bruges
Day 3 - 3 Feb 2021
Brugge, Station
Content: Arriving to probably the cutest town in Belgium! π We are going to spend 2 days here to really enjoy the city! From the train station (Brugge Central) you can easily head to the city center by bus.
Location: Brugge
Day 3 - 3 Feb 2021
Hotel De Orangerie
Content: This place was recommended by some friends of mine. The location is perfect and the decoration is just amazing π When I am back to Brugge I will definitely stay here.
Grote Markt
Content: One of the most iconic places in Belgium!!! The Grote Markt in Brugge is something from another era π The cute little houses are stunning, the colors, the atmosphere, everything π Here you can find several touristic attractions as well as cafes and restaurants! A great place to take some pictures, but if you intend to do some come early in the morning π Ps: I also leave here some pictures for you to see how it looks like during Christmas! π π― 10/10
CampanΓ‘rio de Bruges
Content: Right in the square you have the Belfry of Brugge! It is one of the main symbols of Brugge. You can again climb it and have a view over the city π π― 10/10
Steenstraat
Content: After the sightseeing, you can head to the main shopping street in the city. Here you have several shops as well as trailers that sell waffles and Belgian friture!
Koningin Astridpark
Content: This is a nice park for you to visit in the city! It has beautiful fountains and you usually see many people here walking their cute dogs π π― 8/10
Gruuthusemuseum
Content: If you like art there is a big museum in Brugge for you to visit! It is located in the medieval Gruuthuse. Even in the outside it is beautiful βΊοΈ
Jan Van Eyck Square
Content: A great way to end the day is heading to this location. You can have a walk along the river and have this view of this stunning buildings, bridges, lights and their reflection on the water π π― 10/10
Location: Brugge
Day 4 - 4 Feb 2021
Djiver Apartment
Content: This is one of the most iconic views in the city π The Djiver Mansions! You can have great light during the end of the day/sunset for pictures! This place is also famous for having BOAT TOURS that you can book. After all, Brugge is the βVenice of the Northβ πβοΈ π― 10/10
Wollestraat
Content: You probably go through this street several times when in Brugge but I cannot not mention it. It the street that leads to the Grote Markt but in it you not only have several restaurants but also a LOT of Belgian chocolate traditional shops!! If you want to buy real Belgian Chocolate this is the place!!! π π― 10/10
House of waffles
Content: If you want to have a waffle (not in take away π ), I totally recommend this place! It is more expensive but the portions are big and they have homemade Belgian chocolate π«π how amazing is that? π― 10/10
Location: Bruges
Day 4 - 4 Feb 2021
Graaf Visartpark - Brugge
Content: After getting lost in some streets (which I totally recommend since the city is full of wonders every time you turn the corner β¨), you can head to the his park to have a walk or ride a bike. π― 10/10
Location: Brugge
Day 4 - 4 Feb 2021
Sint-Janshuismolen
Content: In Brugge you can also find WINDMILLS! π This is just one of them but if you walk further right on this path you can find more. It is really cute to see and some of them are still active! π― 10/10
Location: Blankenberge
Day 5 - 5 Feb 2021
Blankenberge beach
Content: Going to spend a day on the BEACH π Yes, Belgium also has beaches! This one is not the most turistic but is really nice. It is located in a cute town that has a lot of traditional commerce and typical cafes and restaurants. It is also famous for having a lot of young people meeting in the beach! Even not during the summer is a nice place to visit since you can take a city break and breath some fresh air βΊοΈ Ps: you can arrive here also by train and there is only one station in the city. π― 10/10
La Cuisine
Content: This is a recommendation from my Belgian friends! If you want to gave some good food in Blackenberge this is the place, also the restaurant itself is really pleasant π
Blankenberge Pier
Content: In the end of the day you can head to the Pier and watch the sunset! It is a really nice walk to have, you are surrounded by ocean and you can have a great view over the beach and the town! π― 10/10
Location: Dinant
Day 6 - 6 Feb 2021
DINANT Gare
Content: Arriving to the smallest city that we are visiting on this trip. Dinant is just beautiful, I promise! π From the train station you can walk to the city center, in Dinant there is no need to use transports.
L'Inattendu "sur la croisette" Dinant centre
Content: This place was recommended by some friends of mine. They really enjoyed it specially because of the location and the views over the river and the city! π
Charles de Gaulle Bridge
Content: This is a very famous bridge! The bridge is also known as βSaxophone Bridgeβ since the father of the Saxophone, Adolph Sax, was born in the city. Therefore, in the bridge you can find several statues of artistic saxophones π· Before actually entering the bridge, by the riverside, you can get the most famous view in the city: the river + cute colourful houses + church + giant hill. How amazing is that? π Here you can truly feel the magic of the city and I swear that the photos are not fair to its beauty. π π― 10/10
Notre Dame de Dinant
Content: You can actually visit the cathedral! It is for free and it is so worth it π Itβs imponent and inside there are beautiful stained glasses. π― 8/10
Dinant Citadel
Content: One of the most famous touristic attractions in the city is the Citadel! It is a fortress that you can visit by buying a ticket. Ps: I unfortunately didnβt go to this place but Iβve heard (from good sources) that it is REALLY worth it. You can get an amazing view over the city! π― 10/10
Rue Adolphe Sax
Content: Going down, we can have a walk now on the opposite side of the river and appreciate the view. Plus, there are tons of bars and restaurants here! On a sunny day is a great place to be at π€ π― 10/10
CafΓ© Leffe
Content: Are you a beer lover? If so, you should visit CafΓ© Leffe π»π§πͺ It is a great place to have some beer, everything there is rustic and cool. Plus, the beer is just amazing. π― 10/10
Maison Leffe
Content: If you are interested into the History of Leffe Beer you can always visit the Leffe museum in the abbey where the beer was first created and brewed π± Right now, the beer is no longer brewed there but it was for many years and it is really interesting to know their history. π― 10/10
Patisserie-boulangerie et fabrique de couques Jacobs
Content: If you want to try some Belgian Patisserie This is the place. I am SERIOUS. This is a very traditional patisserie with AMAZING cakes, cookies, everything. I absolutely loved it. It is famous for having the Couque de Dinant (a very hard and sweet biscuit) but it also has several other amazing cakes. Totally recommend it. Ps: I ate a very sweet cake that was so good. It has the appearance of a small cheese π π― 10/10
Au Village Gourmand
Content: If you want to buy some Belgian beer that you cannot find in foreign countries or in the supermarket, this is the place. They have a HUGE selection of beers, of any type (really), from which you can choose from! π€© π― 10/10
Location: Leuven
Day 7 - 7 Feb 2021
Station LEUVEN
Content: Back to Leuven! This small city near Brussels has a lot to give and it is great for you to relax and live the Belgian lifestyle π§πͺ It is famous for its University and student life, therefore it is a city full of young people and places to hang out β€οΈ
Park Inn by Radisson Leuven
Content: I could not recommend this hotel enough! Great staff, well located (right next to the train station) and very good and comfortable rooms π π― 10/10
Leuven Town Hall
Content: You can reach the Town Hall by walking through the biggest street in the city: Bondgenotenlaan. It connects the train station to the Town Hall and it is full of shops! This place is seriously amazing! The architecture is stunning and it is located in a square (Grote Markt) full of restaurants. It is also here that they put the giant Christmas Tree during winter and beautiful Christmas lights π If you want you can visit it inside! π― 10/10
Resto Cafe Agora
Content: This is a great restaurant in the Grote Markt. The place itself is really pleasant and the food is very good (I recommend the filet mignon with cream cheese or the pasta with seafood π€€) It also has a nice terrace π π― 10/10
Groot Begijnhof Leuven
Content: Heading to a famous and antique Belgian neighborhood! This place is so beautiful and different, all the houses are as you can see from the photos (made of bricks) and everything is well preserved. You also have cute bridges and I recommend getting lost in the tiny streets π€© π― 10/10
Kasteelpark Arenberg
Content: Finishing the day in the AMAZING place. This is the University Campus and it is located far away from the city center, in Arenberg. You can take a bus, a bike, or have a long walk. As you can see you have a pretty big park where you can sit and enjoy the view with that beautiful castle! You can also explore the area and see the several buildings of the university, the river and just enjoy the forest ππΌπ π― 10/10
Pinocchio Waffles and Ice Cream
Content: Please donβt forget to come here!! This is a trailer next to Grote Markt that sells waffles for a cheap price. The waffles are pretty good and the chocolate is just π A waffle with chocolate topping is only 3β¬!! π― 10/10
Leuven Oude Markt
Content: Heading back to the city center, you cannot miss going to Oude Markt! This is the main square in the city for you to go out at night or during the end of the day and enjoy some bars and clubs. The environment is just great βοΈπ» π― 10/10
Location: Leuven
Day 8 - 8 Feb 2021
Kruidtuin
Content: Starting the day in this beautiful garden π This is the botanical garden of the city and it is famous for its stunning flowers all in shades of purple. The best time to visit is during SPRING when they are in full bloom and there is nice weather βοΈ The garden is super well preserved and treated. Really worth it π π― 10/10
Universiteitsbibliotheek en bibliotheektoren
Content: This is the biggest and most beautiful library in the city! As you can see it seems taken from a Harry Potter movie π€© The building itself is also pretty amazing and it is located in a nice square full of restaurants π π― 10/10
Hawaiian Poke Bowl - Leuven
Content: If you are a poke bowl lover this is the place for you. The restaurant is original and all the dishes are SO tasty and well served (the portions are big). The ingredients are fresh and the taste is just great! π― 10/10
Park Abbey
Content: If you want to have a walk in a really quiet and beautiful place, immersed in nature this is it π There is a huge lake with swans and ducks, an old Abbey that you can visit and a great cafe/bar for you to seat and enjoy some Belgian beers π§πͺ π― 10/10
Quetzal chocolate bar
Content: You cannot leave Belgium without eating a brownie!! The ones from this place are just the BEST! Iβve never eaten one so good. The brownie itself has a great texture and the chocolate is just the best (and homemade!) ππ€€π€€ π― 10/10
Downtown Jack
Content: This is one of my favorite bars in the city!! The decor has a real American vibe, you have snooker tables and the beer, music and environment are great! It is also very good for when it is raining outside or it is cold (what happens a lot in Belgium) and it is not comfortable to hang out in terraces. π― 10/10 As you can see, BELGIUM is a country full of history, antique attractions, great chocolate, amazing beer and places for you to enjoy at its fullest. I really enjoyed living here and I hope that when you come here it will be a memorable trip for you πβ€οΈ