9 Private History Tours in Belgium Worth the Day

1.Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges

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

Walk Bruges with a private English-speaking guide such as Martin, Piet, Sam, or Patrick. In about two hours, you’ll see the Markt, Belfort, Beguinage, Minnewater Lake, major churches, museums, Tanner’s Square, and Burg Square, with stories, historic images, and local dining advice.

“Martin Gotzes delivered one of the most outstanding tours I’ve ever experienced. Over the course of two unforgettable hours in Bruges, he brought the city’s rich history to life in a way that was both deeply informative and completely engaging—for both me and my teenage son. Martin has a rare gift for storytelling, seamlessly blending centuries of history with vivid anecdotes, physical artifacts, and visuals that gave us a sense of what Bruges looked like decades ago. His depth of knowledge was matched only by his enthusiasm and ability to make complex history accessible and memorable. Beyond the history, Martin added a local touch we didn’t expect—sharing insider tips on…”

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2.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. See Grote Markt, Rubens landmarks, the Cathedral, Vlaeykensgang, and the Plantin-Moretus garden, with stories, local tips, and optional hotel pickup.

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

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3.Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 191 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Bruges with a private guide such as Martin, Patrick, Wouter, or Louis, and see the Market Square, Beguinage, Minnewater, Rosary Quay, and more in two hours. Expect local legends, funny stories, history, and a flexible route in Dutch, English, German, French, or Spanish.

“Jonathan was a fantastic guide. Lots of knowledge of Brugge and it’s history.”

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4.From IEPER Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Travel by private vehicle from Ypres with guide Soren or Sabine to Hill 60, Sanctuary Wood, Tyne Cot, Saint Julien, and Essex Farm. Expect maps, photographs, family-history research, hotel or station pickup, and a flexible four-hour visit in English.

“We wanted to follow the footsteps of George Osborne, a soldier who joined the West Surrey Regiment in 1912 and retired in 1947, having fought in both WW1 and WW2. Sabine not only showed us where he had been but had researched him, discovering his second Military Medal documents, which she gave to us. We really appreciated her knowledge and ability to share the story with us.”

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5.Private Historical Tour: Legends of Antwerp

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

Walk Antwerp’s old center with a private English-speaking guide such as Beren, Luc D, Joske, Flip, or Pearson. Hear the story behind the city’s hand symbol, visit medieval lanes, pass Rubens-linked sights, and finish near the Cathedral of Our Lady.

“We had a great tour with Flip of Antwerp. He is very knowkageable and passionate aboujr this beautiful city.”

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6.Antwerp: Private 3-Hour Historical Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 70 reviews · 3 hours

Meet your private guide in central Antwerp for a three-hour walk through Grote Markt, Vlaeykensgang, Groenplaats, Meir, and past Rubens House. You’ll also tour Central Station, with Dutch, English, French, or German guidance. Guides such as Luc and Rosemarie tailor the pace and route to your group.

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

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7.Antwerp: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 2 hours

Join a private guide such as Flip or Arie for a two-hour walk through Antwerp’s historic center. See Grote Markt, Rubens House, Vlaeykensgang, Plantin-Moretus, and the Cathedral of Our Lady, with stories, legends, food tips, and local facts in English, Dutch, or Spanish.

“De sfeer in Antwerpen is tijdens de Kerstperiode natuurlijk speciaal, de gids was vlot en vriendelijk en je leert altijd weer wat bij. Soms zijn er wandelingen dat bijvoorbeeld wordt afgesloten met een drankje. Dit was niet het geval en dan is het eigenlijk vrij duur voor een wandeling van 2 uur geleid door 1 persoon.”

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8.From Ypres: WWI Battlefields Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 4 hours

Meet English-speaking guides Søren Hawkes or Sabine in Ypres for a private four-hour drive through the Flanders battlefields. Walk original trenches at Sanctuary Wood, see the 1917 Caterpillar crater, visit Tyne Cot and Essex Farm, and tailor the route to Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, or family connections.

“Everything was great. The guide was friendly & very informative.”

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9.Private Antwerp’s Diamonds and Jewellery Old City Center Historic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Antwerp’s old center with a private English-speaking guide, from DIVA and Grote Markt to Saint Paul’s Church and designer ateliers. Meet jewelers such as Pascale Masselis and Rembrandt Jodan, hear how Antwerp’s diamond trade changed, and visit creative studios not usually found on a standard city walk.

“Margaret was a great guide - knowledgeable and patient, tailoring her time to the things about which we were most excited. We were disappointed we went on the day DIVA was closed, but we loved everything else! Our visit to Pascale Masselis was interesting and fun. A genuine thank you to Margaret and to Lauren and Marta of Pascale Masselis. ❤️”

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