Welcome back to this weeks blog post! This week I will be sharing my experiences of taking day trips to some of Belgium’s most popular cities. Living in Brussels allows for much exploring because of it’s central location and functional railway service. Instead of staying inside over the weekends, Brussels offers the opportunity to take ‘day trips’ to completely new cities.
In South Africa, ‘day trips’ are limited to visiting neighboring towns because the major cities are too widespread. Surprisingly, in Belgium it is possible to explore a new city in just one day. Below I will be sharing 3 exciting day trips in Belgium and give insight into the depths of Belgian culture.
Ghent: A City of Art & Canals
Ghent is a city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. Belgium has 3 main regions: the Dutch-speaking Flemish region, the French-speaking Walloon region and the Brussels-Capital region. This is important to note because the influence of each culture is evident in each region. In Ghent, because of the influence of the Dutch culture the locals are more open to tourists. Additionally, the city’s buildings reflect a Flemish architectural style called gable-roofed houses. It is a beautiful city where canals weave through the streets, creating a peaceful and charming experience.
The first day trip I took was to the city of Ghent, accompanied by my partner from London. We took an early morning train from Gare du Midi to Ghent-Sint-Pieters. A one-way ticket cost €7.70 (youth fare), and the train ride is only a quick 30 minutes.
To get from the train station to the city center there are a few options available. You can take a 30 minute walk following the the green signposts to the center. There is also bicycle renting available from De Fietsambassade nearby the station. Using a bicycle to get around is very common in Ghent. Additionally, the tram lines 1 or 3 go directly to the city. We chose to walk and got to experience many of the local thrift stores.
In just a few hours we got to explore some of Ghent’s most appreciated locations.
Activities in Ghent:
St. Bavo’s Cathedral
A captivating cathedral in the city’s center. Inside was kept a masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers called The Adoration of The Mystic Lamb, currently under restoration. This is a twenty-paneled painting that depicts Jesus as the Lamb of God and many other biblical figures. I previously did not know much about Van Eyck but the artwork was truly a sight to behold. A single ticket to visit the Ghent Altarpiece costs €12,5.
Graslei and Korenlei
These are both historical quays in Ghent. Graslei is located on the right bank of the Leie river and Korenlei on the left. In the 11th century the quays were used as a port for Ghent. Today it’s the perfect place to enjoy the view from a quayside cafe or even take a guided boat tour.
Gravensteen Castle
A moated castle built in 1180 by Count Philip of Alsace as a fortress for Ghent. It was later used as a court and cotton factory and was restored in the 19th century. This castle truly reflects the medieval history of Ghent. There are tickets available to to explore the interior and it also has a viewpoint of the whole city. We chose to only explore the exterior of the castle on this trip.
Ghent is overflowing with historical buildings and exciting activities. A traveler can experience the Dutch culture of Belgium. It is the perfect city for a day trip- and might I even suggest a weekend getaway with a partner?
Bruges: A Medieval city
Bruges is a city located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is well known for it’s cobbled streets, Gothic architecture and serene canals. It also has an interesting history in Belgian culture.
The second day trip I ever took was to Bruges with a friend. Our trip began with a 1-hour train ride from Gare du Midi to Bruges station. A one way ticket cost €7.70 (youth fare). Like Ghent-Sint-Pieters, Bruges station is a 20 minute walk or a short bus ride from the city center. I highly recommend walking to have a true experience of this fairy tale city. The city center is known as De Markt or Old Market. Historically it was used for trading but now it is lined with restaurants. It also has historical buildings like the Belfry Tower that can be climbed for a viewpoint of Bruges.
There are many fun activities to do in Bruges. Like canal boat tours, Museum visits (Bruges has works from Salvador Dali) or even horse-drawn carriage rides. While our day trip was centered around Christmas festivities we also dipped our feet into the local activities. We explored a shopping street called Steenstraat and visited boutique stores. For example Kathe Wohlfahrt, which is an all-year-round Christmas store or Confiserie Zucchero, a candy store. Their handmade hard candies are delicious!
Before visitng Bruges, it is important to know the city’s interesting history and how it has contributed to Belgian culture:
DE HALVE MAAN BREWERY
This is one of the oldest beer breweries in Belgium and it was established in Bruges.
CHOCOLATE CAPITAL
The city is home to over 50 chocolatiers.
best waffles in belgium
Bruges is known for it’s delicious waffles and it is the city thought to have the best waffles in Belgium. I highly recommend trying waffles from Chez Albert or House of Waffles.
Swan population
Since the 15th century swans have been the symbol of Bruges. There are swan motifs on many of the buildings and real swans residing along the canals.
Bruges is a picturesque Belgian city that feels like a step back in time. Its compact size makes it perfect for a day trip, offering a more intimate and immersive experience of Belgian culture.
Leuven: A City of Life & Food
Leuven is a vibrant city known for a high student population, diverse food scene and stunning architecture. A city that is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was nearly destroyed in WWI and WWII. It is a modern Belgian city with wide, open streets and a blend of classic and gothic style architecture.
The third day trip I took was to the city of Leuven and I was accompanied by a friend. It was during the festive season and we were looking for the best Christmas market in Belgium. Which we found here! We took a 20 minute train ride from Gare du Midi to Leuven station. A one-way ticket cost €6.70 (standard fare). Thereafter, to get to the city center from the train station we did a 15 minute walk.
This day trip was mostly filled with festive cheer. There were live Christmas carols on the streets and a huge market a few minutes away from the town hall. Although, the Christmas festivities are only in November-December, Leuven has festivals throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
Leuven is a big city and caters to many interests, here are some of the activities available to do.
Activities in Leuven:
ST. Peters Church
A beautiful church built in the 15th century in a Gothic architectural style. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to religious paintings by the Dutch artist Dieric Bouts. The second UNESCO World Heritage site in Leuven is called the Benguinage of Leuven (a small medieval village).
Leuven Town hall
A breath-taking architectural work that was built in the 18th century. It is named Belgium’s most beautiful town hall and must be seen in person. It features 236 detailed biblical statues and during the Christmas it is decorated with lights.
Oude MARKT
A square in Leuven where many diverse restaurants are located. It is here where you can experience Leuven’s rich food scene from Chinese to Italian. It was nicknamed the ‘worlds longest bar‘ due to the amount of restaurants and bars that are there. Another food street to consider is Tienstraat.
Stella artois
Stella Artois is a world-renowned Belgian beer brand and it’s brewery is located in Leuven. The brewery offers tours as well as tastings for those who are Belgian beer enthusiasts.
Leuven is a Belgian city that invites travelers to experience it’s lively atmosphere. It is the perfect city to spend time with friends and dive deeper into the Belgian food scene.
Conclusion: Why You Should Visit These Cities
A day trip is the best way to explore surrounding areas and become more familiar with different cultures. It is also great fun to take day trips with friends and loved ones and have new experiences together. After reflecting on my past 3 day trips I feel inspired to continue setting time aside to travel and discover.
Ghent, Leuven and Bruges individually offer a unique experience of Belgium. Ghent offers a peaceful environment with art and canals. Bruges an authentic environment with expressions of Belgian history and Leuven an inviting environment to share with friends and family. If you are traveling to Belgium or are planning a future day trip, I highly recommend these 3 cities. Whether exploring medieval castles, cruising along the canals or sharing a meal with friends, these destinations offer an unforgettable adventure.
Do you have a favorite city for a day trip? Feel free to connect with me on social media and let me know!
“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.”
Matthew 28:9