Day trips from Brisel

Brugge

The medieval 'Venice of the North' — a UNESCO old town of canals, the Gothic Belfort, baroque squares, and the oldest stock exchange in Europe. The best-preserved medieval city in Belgium, with every stone dating from the 13th to 15th century.

What to see

• •Grote Markt with the Belfort (366 steps to the top, €15)
• •A canal boat ride (€12, 30 min)
• •The Basilica of the Holy Blood (relic dating to 1150)
• •Begijnhof — the shaded béguinage courtyard, carpeted with daffodils in spring
• •The Choco-Story chocolate museum
• •A pint of 'Brugse Zot' from the De Halve Maan brewery

Tips

• 💡Set off early (7-8am train) — Brugge fills up with coach tours around 11am.
• 💡The Belgian Rail Weekend Ticket is €10 return for the weekend — the best deal in Europe.
• 💡Canal boats don't take reservations; queues are typically 5-15 min.
• 💡An overnight stay is worth considering — once the coaches roll out, the city is magical.

Gent

A hip university city between Brussels and Brugge — less touristy, just as medieval. Three towers in a row (St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfort, the Church of St Nicholas), van Eyck's *Mystic Lamb* polyptych, and canals without the crowds.

What to see

• •St Bavo's Cathedral and van Eyck's *Ghent Altarpiece* (€16, audio guide included)
• •A walk along the Graslei and Korenlei quays — arguably the country's finest facades
• •Gravensteen — the medieval castle in the centre (€13, climb the ramparts)
• •Werregarenstraat — the legal-graffiti alley where anyone can paint
• •Try Tierenteyn mustard from 1790 and the local Gulden Draak beer

Tips

• 💡Pair it with Brugge in the same day — the Gent → Brugge train is just 25 min.
• 💡Buy van Eyck's *Lamb* tickets online in advance — daily slots regularly sell out.
• 💡The best night view is from the Sint-Michielsbrug bridge — the three towers light up around 9pm.
• 💡It's a student town — restaurants run about 30% cheaper than in Brussels.

Antverpen(Antwerpen)

Belgium's second city and the capital of the global diamond trade. Rubens's hometown, a giant Gothic cathedral, a 1905 art nouveau railway station (regularly ranked among the world's five most beautiful), and a modern scene anchored in the Eilandje quarter.

What to see

• •Antwerpen-Centraal station — an attraction in its own right, neo-Renaissance dome and all
• •The Cathedral of Our Lady with four Rubens altarpieces (€12)
• •Rubenshuis — the painter's house-museum in his original studio (€12)
• •MAS museum in the Eilandje quarter — free rooftop with views over the port
• •The Diamond District around the station — 84% of the global trade
• •Try Elixir d'Anvers liqueur and De Koninck beer

Tips

• 💡The central station is an attraction — leave 15 minutes to walk through it before you step outside.
• 💡Rubenshuis is closed for renovation until 2027 — check the website before you go.
• 💡Eilandje (the docks) is the hipster quarter — restaurants, the MAS museum, and a concert venue.
• 💡We don't recommend the Diamond District for tourist purchases — go for the atmosphere, not the shopping.