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BRUSSELS and Beyond: Day Trips to Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent
Going on day trips from Brussels to the other Flemish medieval jewels such as Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent is fun, easy, and surprisingly affordable. Just hop on the next train that will take you to each of them in less than one hour and for around 10 €uro.
I’m a busybody with a chronic case of FOMO.
But Belgium got the cure.
It is relatively small, in fact, the fifth smallest country in the European Union. It slumbers there, nestled between Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, pretty much undisturbed in the middle of the continent, not bragging about its beauty. And beauty it has all right!
During my stay in Brussels, Belgium’s and secretly also Europe’s capital, I actually managed to visit three other beautiful cities, one more intriguing than the other, so that I list them here fair and square in alphabetical order: Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent.
This Way to the Whole Story ->What to Do on a Day Trip to BRUGES
Bruges is without a doubt one of Europe’s most captivating cities, and due to its central location, it is easily accessible from many spots in Belgium and the Netherlands. This makes Bruges an ideal day trip destination. With its picturesque canals and romantic bridges, idyllic alleys and squares, magnificent historic townhouses, and the impressive Grote Markt Square, you might think you have stumbled into a medieval knight’s tale.
In this post, I show you what to do on a day trip to Bruges.
Best Street Art in GHENT
Street art is an integral part of Ghent’s cityscape, even if it doesn’t necessarily compete for attention with the medieval architecture. The scene ranges from spontaneous graffiti and tags to large-scale murals by internationally renowned artists. Some works are carefully commissioned, while others emerge from the city’s independent graffiti culture. The most famous example is Werregarenstraat, better known as Graffiti Street, whose walls are constantly being repainted and therefore never look the same for long. Beyond this famous alleyway, street art can be found woven into the cityscape in various neighborhoods.
In this post, I’m taking you to the best street art spots Ghent has to offer.
Weekend in GHENT – Medieval Heritage Meets Metropolitan Vibes
Nobody told me that two days might be rather short for a visit to Ghent. In fact, few cities blend centuries of rich heritage into modern urban life as effortlessly as Ghent. Massive medieval structures, picturesque canals, and centuries-old guildhalls form one of Belgium’s most atmospheric historic centers. Yet, behind its magnificent facades, Ghent is a vibrant university city boasting a truly unique energy. Less crowded than Bruges and far more laid-back than Brussels, it strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity.
Best Street Art in ANTWERP – From Merksem to the City Center
In the first part about the best street art in Antwerp, I introduced the brand-new murals around the Zomerfabriek in Antwerp’s Berchem district. Well, that’s certainly not all the city has to offer in terms of urban art. You’ll stumble across amazing murals not only all around the city center. The northeastern suburb of Merksem, in particular, is a fantastic open-air gallery showcasing some of the best street art in Antwerp.
Best Street Art in ANTWERP – Fresh Murals at Zomerfabriek
Anyone entering the area around Zomerfabriek in Antwerp’s Berchem district immediately feels its unique vibe. Where the old Nieuw-Zurenborg gasworks burned tons of coal until the mid-20th century, the blaze of top-notch urban subculture now glows brightly. I was lucky enough to visit Antwerp in early summer as the annual Meeting of Styles festival takes place. Hence, I saw the new works almost before the paint had even dried. Therefore, I can present you with the best street art currently adorning the walls of the Zomerfabriek.
And let me tell you: these murals are fresh in every sense of the word!
What to Do in ANTWERP in Three Days – The Obvious and the Unexpected
So you’re looking for a city trip to a place that’s as trendy as Amsterdam, but without the crowds? A place bursting with Flemish architecture and history like Brussels, but without the hectic pace of a capital city? And one with the creative energy and outstanding design of Copenhagen, but without the Scandinavian price tag? Don’t look any further, as Antwerp unites all those strong suits and still keeps a very laid-back vibe.
In this comprehensive guide to Antwerp, I show you what to see and do in three days – the obvious as well as the very unexpected.
KINDERDIJK – a Day Trip into Authentic Dutch Heritage
In my post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands, I raved about the trendy, dynamic, and multicultural vibe of Holland’s second-largest city. Although I fell in love with Rotterdam instantly, there were moments when I missed the cutesy, traditional side of the Netherlands. Luckily, I found exactly that just about half an hour east of the city. In Kinderdijk, nineteen historic windmills rise along the waterways and make a day trip from Rotterdam a truly authentic experience.
For centuries, they have shaped a landscape that is not only picturesque but, above all, functional. Here, it becomes clear how closely the country’s history is intertwined with the constant struggle against the elements. However, it’s the authenticity that makes Kinderdijk so very special. Those mills are not merely an attraction for visitors, but part of a historic water management system that has been used for centuries and remains largely intact to this day. In 1997, UNESCO honored Kinderdijk as an exceptional testament to Dutch engineering by recognizing it as a World Heritage Site.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 2: South of the Nieuwe Maas
The number of amazing murals in Rotterdam is so overwhelming that it was simply impossible to squeeze it all into one single post. Therefore, after having guided you through the best street art that you’ll find in the northern part of the city in my post Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 1: North of the Nieuwe Maas, here comes what Rotterdam has to offer in the calmer, more residential neighborhoods south of the Nieuwe Maas River.
