Belgium · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Best History Tours in Belgium

29 tours  ·  from $3

Guild houses, cloth halls and the wars fought over both. The 15 below are compared on how much ground they cover, how long they take, and whether the guide gets past the facade of the buildings and into what happened inside them.

Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges - Starting at the Markt and the Belfort
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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges

1.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,541 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $3Our pick

Walk through Bruges in English with a local guide, following a 2-hour-15-minute route from the Markt to Burg Square. Hear stories of medieval trade, swans, beer, French rule, and Flemish art while seeing the city’s main sights. Guides such as Victoria, Martin, Sander, and Louis are praised for clear storytelling and local tips.

“Classic Walking Tour. Great info and guide Wouter and both made the city come alive! Had time to stop to sample and buy chocolates. Also lots of stops so travellers can rest.”

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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp - Carolus Borromeus Church brings Rubens indoors
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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp

2.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,837 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Start at Grote Markt and finish by the Cathedral of Our Lady on this two-hour English walking tour. Guides such as Arie, Luc, Beren, and Frans connect Antwerp’s monuments with local legends, Rubens, trade, printing, fashion, and the tale of Nello and Patrasche.

“Gaston was a wonderful guide. He spent just the right amount of time at each stop, so we were able to hit the major sites without feeling rushed. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Antwerp.”

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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent - Graslei, Korenlei, and Ghent’s trading waterfront
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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent

3.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,761 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3

Start at St Michael’s Bridge and walk through Ghent’s medieval core with an English-speaking local guide. See Gravensteen, the three towers, St Bavo’s Cathedral, Werregarenstraat, and more. Guides such as Tatiana, Kasia, Kenny, and Sophia are praised for warm storytelling and useful food and beer tips.

“Tatiana was a knowledgeable, professional, exciting tour guide. She shares her love and appreciation of Ghent with her guests.”

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Brussels: Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting - Grand Place and the symbols in the stone
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Brussels: Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

4.Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,165 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Walk from Grand Place to Place Royale with a guide such as Ian, Sarah, Clemens, or Paul, learning Brussels history and culture along the way. The 2.5-hour route includes a warm waffle, Mary chocolates, major landmarks, quiet parks, and practical tips for the rest of your stay.

“Clemmons was a great tour guide. He was knowledgeable and fun ans pointed us to the best chocolates in Brussels! We only had 1.5 days and Brussels and I feel like this was a great way to see the highlights of the city.”

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THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips - Meeting the yellow umbrella at the Belfry
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THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips

5.THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 925 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $3

Start at Bruges’ Markt with an English-speaking storyteller, then walk to the Belfry, Burg Square, Rozenhoedkaai, Boniface Bridge, the old hospital, and more. Expect about two hours of history, humor, local tips, and possible chocolate or waffle samples.

“Our first time to visit Bruges and this was a wonderful way to see the city and learn the history. Our Tour Guide was AMAZING! Highly recommend this tour!”

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Brussels: Historical Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting - Grand Place: beginning under Brussels City Hall
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Brussels: Historical Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

6.Historical Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 642 reviews · from $40

Explore Brussels with guides such as Louise, Ian, Sarah, and Sancar as you walk from Grand Place to Mont des Arts. You’ll see the city’s key landmarks, taste a Belgian waffle and royal-supplier praline, and get practical tips for food, drinks, and further sightseeing.

“was a lot of walking, but at a good pace was worth it with trying waffles and some chocolate.”

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Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Bruges - by Legends - Starting at Markt and the Belfry
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Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Bruges – by Legends

7.Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Bruges – by Legends

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 483 reviews · from $2Best value

Walk Bruges from Markt to De Burg with a local English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide. You’ll hear legends at the Belfry, Beguinage, canals, brewery, and hidden lanes, plus see 360-degree VR views of medieval Bruges. Guides include Sam, Louie, Mauricio, Victoria, Thomas, and Patrick.

“The tour was interesting, informative and off the beaten path. Well worth the time and got to better understand Bruges and its history.”

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Ghent: 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center - Setting out from Graslei 4
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Ghent: 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

8.40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 430 reviews · 40 min · from $12

Cruise Ghent’s center for 40 minutes with a local guide in Dutch, English, or French. You’ll pass Graslei, the Great Butcher’s Hall, Dulle Griet, the Old Fish Market, Gravensteen, and Rabot. Boats may be open or covered, and written text is available in Spanish, Italian, and German.

“Very enjoyable. We had to swap days in a pre-booked ticket snd this was no problem. Very accommodating. The guide was excellent. Multi linguistic, knowledgable and amusing. We went out at 18.10 and light was perfect as we caught sunset which was great for photography.”

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Antwerp: Historical Walking Tour in the Old City - Pace, access, and the practical tradeoffs
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Antwerp: Historical Walking Tour in the Old City

9.Historical Walking Tour in the Old City

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 373 reviews · 2 hours · from $3

Follow an English-speaking volunteer guide from Het Steen through Antwerp’s old city, Grote Markt, Vleeshuis, Handelsbeurs, Vlaaikensgang, and the cathedral. Guides such as Sergio, Shabnam, Joris, and Anna-Lena bring local legends and practical food tips to a two-hour walk.

“A wonderful tour. Our guide was really informative and knew pretty much of all Antwerp’s history. Recommended!”

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Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges - Starting at the Markt and the medieval city
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Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges

10.Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 315 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Explore Bruges with a private English-speaking guide such as Martin, Piet, Sam, or Patrick. In two hours, you’ll connect the Markt, Belfort, Beguinage, Minnewater, brewery, museums, and Burg Square through medieval stories, local legends, and practical food and beer tips.

“We started our cold day in Bruges feeling very excited, and our guide, Martin, was friendly and upbeat. He asked whether we preferred a light tour or a more historical one, and we specifically said we love history. Unfortunately, the tour ended up being quite light with very little depth. The main reason for my 2-star rating, however, is that the tour was cut short—something we only realized the next day. The description clearly states that it includes visits to the Minnewater Lake and the Princely Beguinage, but we did not visit either of these locations.”

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Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp - Hendrik Conscience Square and Carolus Borromeus Church
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Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp

11.Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Walk Antwerp’s historic center with a private English-speaking guide such as Luc, Johan, Edna, or Flip. Expect Grote Markt, Rubens landmarks, the Bourse, Plantin-Moretus Museum, Vlaeykensgang, and Cathedral views, plus tailored tips for the rest of your stay.

“My wife, myself, and a close friend were guided by Our guide, Luc D. What a fabulous time we had. Luc showed us around the Grote Markt. and surrounding streets. We visited churches, cafes, and the hidden gems of the city. Luc brought buildings alive with his descriptions and the history connected to them. The stories Luc told were so interesting. The time flew by. We learned so much about the history of Belgium and the importance of Antwerp in Europe. The tour was unforgettable. I highly recommend the tour and Luc D in particular.”

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2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included - Gruuthuse Museum, beer, and Our Lady’s Church
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2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included

12.2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3

Walk Bruges with local guides Peter or Joost on a two-hour English tour for up to six people. See the Belfry, canals, Gothic buildings, breweries, art sites, and medieval streets, with a Bruges chocolatier praline included when the shop is open.

“I truly enjoyed the tour with Peter! He made it very informative and interesting, and also so fun! Great experience overall! Thank you, Peter! Highly recommending!”

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Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City - Starting beside Het Steen and the Scheldt
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Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City

13.Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3

Join Urban Insight Tours for a two-hour English walk through Antwerp’s old center. Guides such as Britt, Sergio, Muriel, Casper, Shanmon, and Joris have led this route, covering Het Steen, Grote Markt, Vlaeykensgang, and the cathedral, with local suggestions and a small surprise.

“Great guide, very educational walk with a touch of humor. Interesting places discovered. In the old part of Antwerp!Auto-translated”

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Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour - From Market Square to the medieval center
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Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

14.Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 191 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your guide under the red umbrella in Bruges’ Grote Markt for a private two-hour walk through the city’s medieval center. Expect Market Square, Rozenhoedkaai, the Beguinage, Minnewater, and more, with stories, local tips, and time to customize the route.

“Patrick was a great guide! We learned a lot and had a wonderful time!”

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Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends - Manneken Pis keeps the history light
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Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels – by Legends

15.Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels – by Legends

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Explore central Brussels on foot with a Legends guide such as Dan, Julien, Patrick, or Isabella. In 2.5 hours, you’ll connect guildhalls, comic art, churches, opera, royal squares, and Belgian legends, ending at Mont des Arts with a fine city view.

“Isabella was wonderful. Informed, friendly and attentive. She took the time to explain all of the beauty in and around brussels.”

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New in Historical Tours

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