Belgium History Tours: Our 15 Picks

1.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges

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

Walk Bruges’ major sights in about 2 hours 15 minutes with an English-speaking guide. Hear stories of medieval trade, beer, swans, emperors, and Bruges’ proud city politics. Guides such as Martin, Victoria, Sander, and Louis have been praised for humor, local insight, and clear storytelling. The tour ends at Burg Square.

“We had a fantastic and very informative walking tour of Bruges. Legends has been great in every city/town we visited and this one will be added to the list.”

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2.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp

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

Spend about two hours walking Antwerp’s old center in English with guides such as Arie, Beren, Luc, or Marc. You’ll see the Grote Markt, Rubens sites, the Bourse, Vlaeykensgang, and Nello and Patrasche, then finish with practical tips beside the Cathedral of Our Lady. The listed group price is just $3.62 for up to six people.

“Arie was incredibly knowledgeable and cared about our experiencing, frequently checking to ensure that he was hearts and understood. We learned so very much about the history, art and culture of the city. Personal stories enhanced our appreciation for this speak city.”

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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. Expect stories at Graslei, Gravensteen, Vrijdagmarkt, St Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, and more. The tour lasts about two hours, welcomes up to 35 people, and uses a pay-what-you-want model at the end.

“Ksenia was excellent tour guide. The tour is great and highly recommended for anyone. The city is magical.”

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4.Brussels: Historical Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,206 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Walk Brussels’ historic center with a French- or English-speaking guide such as Lou, Clemens, Paul, or Ian. In 150 minutes, you’ll see Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Royal Galleries, cathedral, palace, and Mont des Arts, with a Belgian waffle, Mary praline, and practical food tips.

“Clemens was a very friendly, interesting, knowledgeable and entertaining guide. We all enjoyed the tour very much and learned a lot! The chocolate and waffle tasting was an excellent added bonus. We are so glad we did this tour, which helped us get our bearings in beautiful Brussels. Clemen’s bonus restaurant recommendations were great as well.”

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5.Brussels: Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting

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

Spend about 2.5 hours walking from Grand Place to Place Royale with an English-speaking guide. Hear the stories behind City Hall, Manneken Pis, Gabrielle Petit, and Brussels’ major squares, then taste a warm waffle and Mary chocolates. Guides such as Ian, Sarah, Clemens, Paul, and Lou are known for lively storytelling and useful advice.

“It was great experience. Our guide gave us very good historical information on Belgium and Brussels. Food taste of waffles and candy was good too.”

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

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

Meet your English-speaking storyteller by Bruges’ Belfry and spend about two hours tracing the Markt, Rozenhoedkaai, Boniface Bridge, Burg Square, and old hospital district. Guides such as Pascal, Nick, Arthur, and Alistair bring local history to life with humor, useful food tips, and occasional chocolate or waffle samples.

“Alistair was a very informative and interesting tour guide, showing Bruges' main attractions with insight and humour. A very enjoyable 2 hour walk, despite the rain.”

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

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

Walk Bruges with a local Legends guide such as Sam, Louie, Mauricio, or Victoria. In two hours, you’ll see the Belfry, Beguinage, Lake of Love, canals, churches, and lesser-known corners while hearing legends, jokes, and practical tips. 360° VR scenes show how key places looked in medieval times.

“Woulter was a great guide, full of knowledge and made the history and legends of Bruges really engaging. Fantastic tour and would recommend as you learn lots about Bruges.”

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8.Ghent: 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

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

See Ghent from its canals on a 40-minute guided cruise from Graslei. Your Dutch, English, or French-speaking guide covers medieval buildings, the Great Butcher’s Hall, Gravensteen, Rabot, and more. Open and covered boats operate according to the weather, and written commentary is available in Spanish, Italian, and German.

“Despite the super rude greeting at the ticket office the tour was interesting and good value for money.”

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9.Historical Walking Tour in the Old City

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

Spend two hours walking Antwerp’s Old City with an English-speaking Urban Insight Tours guide. Follow a route from Het Steen through Grote Markt, Vlaaikensgang, Handelsbeurs, and the cathedral, with stories about Roman conquerors, Spanish rulers, local legends, and modern Antwerp. Guides such as Shabnam, Sergio, Joris, and Anna-Lena also share practical restaurant and bar tips.

“Sergio was very personable and inclusive of everyone. His knowledge was great and he answered all questions that we had. I would highly recommend Sergio.”

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10.Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges

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

This private two-hour walk takes you from Markt through Bruges’ medieval heart to Burg Square, with stops at the Belfort, Beguinage, Minnewater Lake, churches, museums, and old trade quarters. Guides such as Martin, Piet, Sam, Patrick, and Mauricio explain the city’s past, answer questions, and share food and beer tips. Hotel pickup and a private pace make it easy to tailor.

“Walking tour is an ideal way to get an overview of the city, some of its history and some local insights. Great to do this in a small walking tour and to do it early in the day before the crowds of day trippers and late risers join. It gets very crowded and think a bigger tour would be problematic.”

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11.Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp

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

Spend about two hours with a private English-speaking guide exploring Antwerp’s old center. You’ll see Grote Markt, St. Carolus Borromeus Church, the Bourse, Rubenshuis, the fashion quarter, Plantin-Moretus, Vlaeykensgang, and the Cathedral of Our Lady. Guides including Luc, Johan, Edna, Flip, and Arie tailor the walk to your interests.

“Great tour of central Antwerp architecture and history. Our guide Edna was very engaging and informative. Definitely recommended.”

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12.Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City

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

Spend about two hours walking Antwerp’s old center in English with a local guide. Visit Het Steen, Grote Markt, Vlaeykensgang, the cathedral, and more. Guides such as Britt, Sergio, Muriel, Casper, Shanmon, and Joris bring the streets to life with history, humor, and useful suggestions for food and museums.

“An excellent tour in the old city of Antwerp. Our guide Sergio was knowledgeable and approachable, offering us informations, historical facts, and leading us for two hours to discover the city. He was pleasant and responsible, taking care of the group, while delivering many stories that introduced us to the city.”

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13.Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 191 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Bruges with a private guide such as Martin, Louis, Kobo, or Wouter, following a flexible route through the Markt, Burg Square, Beguinage, Minnewater, and Rosary Quay. Expect medieval stories, local legends, photo stops, and practical tips, plus a booklet with discounts for boat rides, restaurants, museums, and shops.

“Kobo was the best guide we could have hoped for! He was friendly, funny and incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Bruges. We highly recommend this private walking tour and most importantly, Kobo!”

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14.Private Historical Tour: Legends of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 125 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Walk Antwerp’s historic center with a private English-speaking guide such as Beren, Luc D, Joske, or Flip. Hear the stories behind the hand symbol, the city’s giant, its Golden Age, Rubens, medieval lanes, and Plantin-Moretus printing heritage. The route covers major sights but does not include museum admission.

“Great guide pearson. We had a good time together. A lot of history to share. Very enjoyable time !!! We love it. Thanks.”

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15.Private 3-Hour Historical Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 70 reviews · 3 hours

You’ll spend three hours walking Antwerp’s historic center with a private guide in English, Dutch, French, or German. See Grote Markt, Brabo Fountain, City Hall, Our Lady Cathedral, Vlaeykensgang, Groenplaats, the Meir, Rubens House, and Central Station. Guides such as Luc and Rosemarie can shape the route around your interests.

“Goed, enkel helaas met momenten moeilijk te verstaan (stadsdecibels)”

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