You can take amazing day trips from Brussels due to it’s location in the heart of Europe. You don’t even have to stay in the country of Belgium! It’s super simple to get to Paris or Lille in France, Düsseldorf or Cologne in Germany, Delft or Amsterdam in The Netherlands, and even to the tiny country of Luxembourg. But on a quick stopover in Brussels, it’s a shame not to see more of the beautiful country of Belgium. Here are five terrific day trips you can take during your stay in Brussels.
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1. Bruges
The absolute best place to visit in this list of day trips to Brussels is Bruges. This is a charming canal city in the Flemish region of Belgium dating from 1st century. It’s golden age was from the 12th to 15th centuries, and then it became one of the world’s first tourist destinations in the 1850s. It continues to delight visitors to this day with its colorful buildings, stone bridges, winding canals, and medieval architecture.
Definitely prioritize taking a guided boat and walking tour of the city. You will learn all about the history of the city and see the most significate sites. Then ascend the 366 steps of the Belfry tower in the Market Square for a panoramic view of the city. Nearby you can visit Basilica of the Holy Blood and view a relic of Jesus’ blood said to have been brought to Bruges by crusaders.
If you still have time, visit one of Bruges’ many museums. My personal favorite is the Gruuthusemuseum featuring artifacts from the city’s long history. Art lovers will enjoy the impressive collection of Flemish and Belgian art at the Groeningemuseum. And if museums aren’t your thing, you can tour the Brewery De Halve Maan. This family-owned brewery has been in operation for over 500 years!
Logistics
You can get to Bruges from Brussels very easily by train. There are multiple departures to and from Bruges, and the journey takes about an hour. So you can leave early in the morning and get back to Brussels in the evening, allowing a full day in Bruges.
Or you can book a group tour from Brussels. A group tour will usually include a walking tour of the city, so you will not have to book that separately. Some tours include a stop both in Bruges and Ghent with walking tours in both places, so that’s a good option if you have limited time.
2. Ghent
Ghent is another fairy tale city and is quite worthy of a place on this list of great day trips from Brussels. The city dates back to the 7th century and was one of the most important cities in Europe from the 11th-16th centuries. Like Bruges, Ghent is a canal city and features well-preserved medieval architecture. The biggest difference is the fact that Ghent is the home of a major university, so it has a youthful and energetic vibe.
Again, you will want to take a tour of the city to get oriented. Ghent offers a variety of fun options, like a food tour, guided boat trip, and even self-guided scavenger hunt! For panoramic views, climb the Belfry of Ghent. You should also visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a renowned 15th century altarpiece.
Fill your remaining time by visiting the Gravensteen Castle (also called Castle of the Counts). This well-preserved 12th century castle offers a glimpse into medieval life, including a collection of torture equipment. Or there’s no shortage of museums to keep you occupied. Another alternative is to visit a small side street filled with graffiti called Werregarenstraat. Here you can experience the college town vibe of the city. It’s a nice contrast to all of the ancient buildings and grandeur architecture.
Logistics
Ghent is another place that is very easy to get to from Brussels by train. There are multiple departures to and from Ghent and the journey takes about 30 minutes to an hour. It will be easy to have an entire day in Ghent if you take the train.
You can book a group tour from Brussels that includes a guided walking tour of the city and free time. Ghent is also often included in group tours with Bruges or with Antwerp.
3. Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city and is located only 30 miles away from Brussels. Like Brussels, it is filled with beautiful medieval buildings and guildhalls, charming squares, and stunning churches. So why is it a must visit on a day trip from Brussels? I’ll give you three reasons: art, fashion, and diamonds!
Antwerp was the home of Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. Visit his home, Rubenshuis, which now houses his many of his masterpieces. Art and culture aficionados will also enjoy visiting the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Museum aan de Stroom.
Fashionistas will love Antwerp. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts located in the city launches the careers of up and coming fashion designers. Many remain in the city and fill the city’s fashion district with trendy boutiques and designer stores. Take time to browse through all the shops on the Meir or one of the many shopping centers in the city. And visit the ModeMuseum to learn more about Belgian fashion.
And if art or fashion aren’t your thing, maybe diamonds are! Take a guided tour of Antwerp’s “Diamond Square Mile” to learn about the rise, fall, and resurrection of the city’s diamond industry. You can also take this self-guided diamond and jewelry tour. And visit the DIVA Museum to see jewelry from the 15th century to the modern era. Need a souvenir? Here are some great places to buy one!
Logistics
You can get to Antwerp in under an hour on the train. Like Bruges and Ghent, there are trains coming and going between the cities at all times of day. So you can easily spend as little or as much time in Antwerp as you like. Or you can book a guided tour from Brussels. An Antwerp and Ghent combo tour is also available.
4. Dinant
If you are outdoorsy, you will enjoy visiting Dinant. Located about 60 miles away from Brussels, Dinant is known for it’s stunning natural beauty. It offers kayaking or canoeing on the Meuse River, rock climbing in the cliffs, hiking trails, and adventure sports at Dinant Adventure Park.
If this sounds a little too adventurous, Dinant offers a few less strenuous ways to enjoy nature! Take a cable car up the rock of Dinant to visit the Citadel fortress. You can also take a guided tour the La Merveilleuse Cave. And a relaxing boat cruise along the Meuse River is always a delight.
Major sites to see include the Gothic-style Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and the Renaissance-style Castle of Freÿr. Admire the colorful saxophone sculptures on Charles de Gaulle Bridge, and then visit the Adolphe Sax Museum to learn about the inventor of the saxophone who was born in Dinant. Then quench your thirst with a tasting and a tour of Maison Leffe to learn about the history and brewing of the Leffe style of beer.
Logistics
Dinant is a bit further away from Brussels but can still be reached via train in about two hours. You can get there and back in the same day. Group tours to Dinant alone are not easy to find, but you can book a combo tour to both Dinant and the small country of Luxembourg.
5. Ypres
Last on our list of day trips from Brussels is Ypres (also called by it’s Flemish name, leper). But if you are interested in World War I or military history, Ypres is THE place for you! Ypres was the site of multiple battles in WWI due to it’s strategic location. Today you can visit the battlefields, memorials, museums, and cemeteries associate with the war.
Take a guided tour to explore the Ypres Salient battlefields. Also visit In Flanders Fields Museum, state-of-the-art museum providing an in-depth look at WWI. Pay tribute to fallen soldiers at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Essex Farm Cemetery, and Langemark German War Cemetery. Other sites of note include St. George’s Memorial Church built to honor fallen soldiers, Hill 60 battlefield which is now a park, and Caterpillar Crater created by a massive mine explosion during the war.
Several museums in town also showcase WWI history. Visit Hooge Crater Museum to see artifacts and a reconstructed trench and dugout. Sanctuary Wood Museum features a preserved section of original WWI trenches. And Pond Farm Collection offers a collection of WWI artifacts and provides a perspective on the war’s impact on the area.
Make sure to end your day at Menin Gate Memorial. Every evening at 8 p.m., the Last Post Ceremony honors soldiers who died in battle.
Logistics
Ypres is about 75 miles from Brussels and can be reached by train in about two hours. You can get there and back in one day, even if you stay to see the Last Post Ceremony held at 8 p.m. There are group tours from Brussels as well.
What tops your list of day trips from Brussels?
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