There’s plenty to do in Brussels in your metropolis break. But if you wish to mix issues up a little, it’s additionally the perfect metropolis to make use of as a base for day journeys round different parts of Belgium. Especially in such a small country, you can simply do some Brussels day journeys to different fantastic cities inside solely a few hours. Here are some suggestions for day journeys from Brussels.
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Bruges/Brugge
Brugge might be the hottest day journey from Brussels. It’s a metropolis of medieval architecture, although a lot of it was rebuilt inside the ninetee bunth and twentieth centuries to mirror an earlier age.
Start inside the central square, the Markt, which is the place you’ll discover the well-known Belfort. Climb the 366 stairs for a fantastic view of the city. Also close by is the metropolis corridor constructing and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the place supposedly they’ve a few drops of Christ’s blood.
If museums are your thing, check out Groeningemuseum, which options artwork from the 14th to twentieth centuries, or Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, which has Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, a marble statue that was the one artwork by Michelangelo to leave Italy throughout his lifetime.
Located shut to the coast, Bruges is additionally a metropolis of many canals and a canal tour is a enjoyable way to see the city. Other enjoyable actions include a go to to Choco-Story, which is a chocolate museum, and Frietmuseum, which shows the historic past of frites (fries).
You can do a Brussels to Bruges day journey by your self if you’d like. Trains from Brussels to Brugge take roughly 1 hour and leave Brussels Centraal station very regularly.
If you’d rather have one other person deal with the logistics, check out a Bruges tour from Brussels like this one.
Ghent
Another popular Brussels day journey is to the metropolis of Ghent. Once in Ghent begin in Korenmarkt, the main square, and admire the views from St. Michielsbrug, the bridge that crosses the Leie River.
From there, check out the Baafskathedraal and St. Nicholas Church. Nearby you’ll additionally discover the Belfort. Like the one in Bruges, you can climb this one for spectacular views, however there is an elevator option for many of the way up if you don’t need to climb the stairs.
Castle Gravensteen is reason sufficient to go to Ghent. This restored medieval castle, with a partial moat, is simply what you would think about a castle to be. There are interesting historic shows inside the museum part inside, however you can additionally stroll throughout the different rooms and the outside sections and get a good really feel for what a medieval castle might have been like.
Brussels central train station to Ghent St. Peters station is roughly 35 minutes.
If you’d rather go on a tour to Ghent, check out this one.
Bruges and Ghent in a single day might really feel a little rushed, however it’s possible. You could mix the 2 and do a Ghent and Bruges day journey from Brussels, like this one.
Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s second biggest metropolis and a popular spot for fashion, meals and clubbing. But if that’s not your scene, don’t worry. There’s loads of historic past and structure to be loved right here as well. Start inside the Grote Markt, a pedestrian market sq. the place you’ll discover the spectacular Renaissance-style metropolis corridor constructing amongst others.
The Onze Lieve Vrouwkathedraal is Belgium’s largest cathedral, constructed in a Gothic style between 1352-1521. Inside you’ll discover artwork by Rubens. More artwork by baroque artist Pieter Paul Rubens can be admired at Rubenshuis. The Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten is one other spectacular artwork museum with centuries of Flemish artwork.
Wander alongside the riverside and inside the Zurenborg space to take inside the Antwerp’s structure and skyline, and to get a really feel for the general vibe of the city.
You can do an Antwerp day journey by your self by taking the train from Brussels central train station to Antwerp central station, which takes roughly forty five minutes.
Rather skip the hassles of getting there yourself? Consider taking a day tour from Brussels to Antwerp.
Leuven
Not a lot of vacationers make it to Leuven, however it’s shut to Brussels and worth a day journey if you’re looking for a charming metropolis with fewer crowds. It’s a college metropolis with a enjoyable youthful vibe. Start inside the Grote Markt, the central square, and take a look on the metropolis corridor building. This spectacular constructing is one of many most well-known examples of Gothic structure inside the world.
If you’re looking for some relaxation, take a stroll through Groot Begijnhof (Great Beguinage). This Unesco World Heritage site is a group of houses, convents, gardens, parks, squares, and streets which originates from the thirteenth century. In the seventeenth century, pious women who didn’t belong to a convent lived here. Today it homes college students and professors from the oldest catholic college in Europe, and it’s a peaceable place to wander through.
Leuven additionally boasts the longest bar inside the world. This is definitely a lengthy street lined with many separate bars. Go to Oude Markt for your choice of over forty bars and cafes. Great for late night drinking or a relaxing night meal outside.
Brussels central train station to Leuven takes roughly 25 minutes. Or consider a brief day journey from Brussels, like this one.
Amsterdam
You actually ought to spend greater than a day in Amsterdam. There are meals excursions and canals and museums galore. The metropolis is worth a number of days on the least, however when you actually need to do a day journey from Brussels, a day journey to Amsterdam is possible.
Train choices from Brussels Centraal vary from simply over 2 hours to three hours. Make sure you check train schedules earlier than you plan this kind of journey in your own.
Or you can book a day journey from Brussels to Amsterdam as a tour like this one.
Check out our full post on Amsterdam for what to see whether or not you come for a day or more.
More Brussels day trips
There are loads of issues to do in Brussels, and the metropolis makes a nice base for a lot of different day journeys alongside with these listed above.
Do you enjoy a little list ticking? Luxembourg isn’t too far away, and also you could take a tour like this one to spend the day there.
Are you interested in war history? There are battlefields throughout Belgium that you can visit. Learn about the Battle of Waterloo, discover World War I battlefields in Flanders, or hear tales of the World War II Battle of the Bulge. These are all day excursions you can take from Brussels.
As you can see, Belgium has a lot to offer. And the nice factor is, a lot of it may be explored whereas basing your self in Brussels. Enjoy the waffles, fries, beer and chocolate as well as to all of the gorgeous surroundings and detailed architecture. Spend a week or extra in a single city, and plan your self a few Brussels day journeys to see different parts of the country.
You might additionally enjoy:
- Brussels Chocolate Tour Review
- Amsterdam Food Tour Review
- Copenhagen Food Tour Review
- How to Spend a Week in Paris
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