Belgium turned out to be one of the most varied countries I moved through on this stretch of the trip. In two weeks, I went from bigger northern cities like Antwerp and Ghent to postcard-famous Bruges, then into Brussels, and finally deeper into Wallonia with stops like Villers-la-Ville, Charleroi, Namur, and Dinant. For a relatively small country, Belgium packed in a lot of contrast.
Part of what makes Belgium interesting is the split between regions. Flanders in the north is Dutch-speaking, Wallonia in the south is French-speaking, and Brussels sits between them with its own bilingual identity. That alone gave the trip a different feel from place to place, and it made Belgium feel much bigger in character than it does on a map.
Starting in Antwerp
Coming from the Netherlands where this whole voyage began, I started in Antwerp with a short stay and a first proper taste of Belgium. I had heard mixed things about the city beforehand, but I ended up liking it a lot more than expected. The center was beautiful, the skyline from across the river stood out, and the city had enough grit and scale to feel interesting right away.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the pedestrian tunnel under the river. Built in the 1930s, it ended up being one of the most memorable little urban experiences of the stop. Antwerp felt like a strong opener: historic enough to feel distinct, but big and active enough to set the tone for a bigger country route.
Bruges and Ghent
From Antwerp, I made my way to Bruges. There is no denying that Bruges is gorgeous. The canals, medieval streets, and overall look of the city make it one of those places that photographs beautifully from almost every angle. At the same time, it was also the stop where the pressure of tourism felt heaviest. That made it harder for me to fully settle into the city in the same way I could elsewhere.
Even so, Bruges still delivered on atmosphere. The beauty was obvious, and the beer scene helped too. But if Bruges felt polished and heavily visited, Ghent felt like the balance I was looking for. Ghent ended up being one of my favorite cities on the whole route. In my eyes, it had the charm of a historic town with enough size and local energy to keep it from feeling overly staged. It had tourism, but not in a way that overwhelmed the place.
The canal system, the old center, and the general walkability of Ghent all made it easy to enjoy at a slower pace. It was the kind of city that made me want to stay longer, and I was glad I did.
Living in Brussels for a Few Days
The last major stop in this northern stretch was Brussels. A lot of people seem to expect something more romantic or obviously beautiful from Brussels and end up underwhelmed, but I genuinely liked it. Staying there for several days made a difference too. It gave me time to feel more settled rather than just passing through quickly.
What stood out to me most about Brussels was the mix of eras in the city. You could feel traces of much older Europe in the center, then shifts into later architecture and more modern city life without it ever feeling totally disconnected. Brussels may not hit everyone the same way, but for me it worked because it felt like a real place to live in for a bit, not just a place to tick off.
Into Wallonia: Villers-la-Ville and Charleroi
After Brussels, I moved southward into Wallonia, and the trip started to shift again. One of the most memorable side trips was to Abbaye de Villers-la-Ville, a massive ruined abbey dating back to the 13th century. It was beautiful, atmospheric, and one of those places that made me stop and really take in the history around me.
That same day ended in Charleroi, which was almost the opposite kind of stop. Charleroi did not strike me as conventionally pretty at all, and I could understand why locals felt frustrated by the city’s reputation. But even there, I found something interesting. It had an urban, rougher side that made it feel worth experiencing in a different way. It was not beautiful like Dinant or Ghent, but it still added range to the journey through Belgium.
Namur, Dinant, and the Final Stretch
From there, the route moved into Namur, where I got a better feel for Wallonia’s smaller-city rhythm. Namur stood out because it felt like a city without being separated from the surrounding countryside. The citadel views over the rivers, the urban core, and the nearby farmland all gave it a setting that felt distinct from the northern part of the country.
Then came Dinant, which ended up being one of the most visually striking places on the Belgium stretch. Set along the Meuse River, with the citadel rising above it, Dinant had that kind of compact dramatic beauty that makes a place instantly memorable. I spent time walking both riverbanks, heading up to the citadel for wide views, and taking in the city’s setting. The surrounding countryside only added to that feeling.
By the end of the two weeks, what stayed with me most was how varied Belgium had been. I came for the cities, the beer, and the route itself, but I left with a stronger appreciation for how different each stop felt. Antwerp gave me a strong start, Ghent became a favorite, Brussels felt more livable than many give it credit for, and Wallonia added history, scenery, and a very different pace to close the journey.
Belgium ended up being much more than a quick stop between other countries. It held its own.
