Castles of Belgium: Ghent, Chimay & Dinant - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Brussels, Transfer to Ghent

Welcome to Belgium! Upon arrival in Brussels, you'll take a direct hour-long train to Ghent and explore the historic city packed full of culture. Many of Ghent's monuments and museums will be free with your Ghent CityPass, like the SMAK for modern art, STAM for history, and the cutting-edge Design Museum. Discover the magnificent interior of Saint Bavo's Cathedral and the majestic "Ghent Altarpiece," a famous set of monumental paintings from 1432 by Renaissance painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. 

In the afternoon, head to the Leie River near the Grasbrug Bridge and board a boat that will take you on a relaxing 40-minute cruise along the canals of medieval Ghent. When you're dropped back at Grasburg Bridge, seek out a restaurant for a late afternoon or evening meal—Pakhuis is a favorite for mussels and oysters. For a nightcap, head to 't Dreupelkot, a bar famous for serving more than 200 varieties of gin. 

Day 2: Discover Gravensteen, Castle of the Counts

Visiting the famous Gravensteen Castle is a must-do whilst in Ghent. Located right in the heart of Ghent's historic center, it dates back to the 12th century. Built as a fortress for the count of Flanders (hence its moniker the "Castle of the Counts"), it became known for its bloody Viking battles and torture in its underground dungeons.

These days it's celebrated as one of Belgium's most majestic castles. It has a funny and lively audio tour voiced by Flemish comedian Wouter Deprez, who brings Gravensteen's dark history and eye-opening stories to life.

Day 3: Transfer to Chimay, Castle & Brewery Tour

Today, you'll be picked up by your private driver in Ghent and whisked away to the picturesque town of Chimay, around 2.5 hours away near the French border. On the way, you'll make a visit to the medieval moated castle Château de Beloeil. Surrounded by water and over 60 acres (25 ha) of manicured grounds, the castle has served both as a medieval fortress and a place to entertain the royals. Don't miss the rich collection of art objects from the 15th to 19th century. 

In Chimay, you'll find the 19th-century Scourmont Abbey, home to the Trappist monks who brew the world-famous Chimay Trappist beers. The interactive Chimay experience will uncover the secrets of how the beer and cheeses are made (there's also a cheese creamery on site). Post-tour, you'll get to stroll the grounds and taste the goods with a well-deserved Chimay draft beer at the Auberge (inn). 

Day 4: Transfer to Dinant & Visit Chimay Castle

The morning will start with a visit to Chimay Castle (also known as Château de Chimay), once the home of the Prince of Chimay. Perched high on a rock, the medieval château looks down on the Eau Blanche Valley and dates back over 1,000 years. Over the years, it's drawn musicians and artists alike and still holds a wide range of exhibitions and music performances. Destroyed by a fire in 1935, the castle later saw a full Renaissance-style restoration. 

In the afternoon, your private driver will take you from Chimay to Dinant (around an hour's drive), in the southern Ardennes region. Sitting on the picturesque Meuse River, you'll get to take in the spectacular clifftop views of the old citadel before nightfall. 

Day 5: Explore the Ancient Citadel of Dinant 

Dinant's skyline is impressive: tall mansions, a high church, even higher rock walls, and, to top it off, the citadel—the majestic fortress which sits over 328 feet (100 m) above the city and keeps a watchful eye over the land and water of Dinant. Besieged seventeen times over the centuries, the citadel was taken over in both World Wars. 

Climb the 408 steps to get to the top of the citadel or take the cable car (at an additional fee) and visit the museum, which commemorates its rich history and bloody battles. Come afternoon, you'll have time to relax and explore Dinant on your own and some of its other claims to fame. Namely, the hometown of the esteemed Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone and of Maison Leffe, where you can visit Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe to discover how the abbey brewed beers dating back to 1240.

Day 6: Visit a Trio of Castles on a Sightseeing Day from Dinant

Your penultimate day will be spent discovering the lush green hillside surroundings within an hour of Dinant and visiting a trio of castles. The first stop after being picked up from your hotel will be the Renaissance Château de Freÿr, which sits in the charming village of the Freÿr on the banks of the flowing River Meuse. 

Referred to as ''Little Versailles," the castle is a medieval hunting lodge built in the 15th century. Stroll the ponds, the fountains, and 300-year-old orange trees and hedge mazes that are open to the public during the summer months and on weekends. Post-visit, a spot of lunch back in Dinant will fuel you up for the castles on the east side of the River Meuse in the afternoon. 

On a steep rock 164 feet (50 m) above the Lesse River, the neo-Gothic Walzin Castle is one of the largest castles and former military strongholds in Belgium. It can't be visited on the inside, but the views and the gardens are spectacular. The final stop is Château de Vêves, with its four iconic fairy-tale turrets. The revered Middle Ages castle opens to the public in the summer months and on weekends. After a history-filled day, your driver will take you back to your hotel. 

Day 7: Transfer to Brussels via Château de la Hulpe & Depart

As your culture-packed week draws to a close, you'll take the two-hour train journey from Dinant to Brussels to end your trip in the Belgian capital. 

To tick another historic castle off your list, opt to switch out your train ride to a drive from Dinant to Brussels with your private driver, and you'll get to explore the 1842-built Château de La Hulpe (or Castle Terhulpen) on the way. While it's not accessible to visitors, you can amble around its exceptional heritage gardens. The fabulous French gardens are filled with decorative statues, rhododendron and azalea beds, and more than 450 species of wild plants. After your explorations, continue to Brussels for your onward journey. Safe travels!

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