Brussels works well as a base, but one of the best parts of visiting Belgium is how easily you can step beyond the capital. In less than an hour, you can trade grand boulevards and busy city streets for medieval architecture, canals, cobblestones, and a noticeably different pace.

Ghent and Bruges are the two day trips I would prioritize on a first visit. They are often grouped together because both are historic, scenic, and easy to reach by train, but they do not offer the same experience. Ghent feels lively and lived in, while Bruges delivers the romantic, storybook setting Belgium is known for.

You could technically combine them into one long day, but I would not. Each deserves enough time to wander, stop for lunch, and experience more than its most photographed streets.

Ghent

Best for: Canals • Medieval architecture • Lively atmosphere • A city that feels local

Ghent is the day trip I would recommend to travelers who want history without feeling surrounded entirely by tourism. Its medieval center is striking, but the city’s university population, cafés, restaurants, and everyday energy keep it from feeling preserved solely for visitors.

It is compact enough to explore on foot, though a canal boat ride offers a helpful introduction and a different perspective of the waterfront.

What I’d Prioritize

• Graslei and Korenlei – The historic waterfront and one of the most memorable views in the city.

• Gravensteen – Ghent’s medieval castle and one of its most recognizable landmarks.

• St. Michael’s Bridge – A classic viewpoint across Ghent’s historic skyline.

• A canal boat ride – An easy way to understand how the city is laid out while seeing its architecture from the water.

• Time to wander – Ghent is especially rewarding when you step away from the direct route between landmarks.

How I’d Spend the Day

Morning: Arrive, walk toward the historic center, and explore St. Michael’s Bridge and the waterfront.

Midday: Take a canal boat ride, followed by lunch near the center.

Afternoon: Visit Gravensteen, browse the surrounding streets, and stop for coffee, chocolate, or a Belgian beer before returning to Brussels.

✦ Editor’s Note
Ghent deserves more than a quick photo stop. The city’s appeal is not limited to one landmark or canal view—it is the combination of historic surroundings and everyday life that makes it memorable.

Bruges

Best for: Storybook scenery • Romance • Canal views • A classic first visit to Belgium

Bruges feels more immediately cinematic. Its medieval center, quiet canals, cobbled streets, and carefully preserved architecture create the postcard version of Belgium many travelers arrive hoping to find.

It is also more heavily visited, particularly through the middle of the day. Arriving early—or staying through late afternoon—can make the experience feel much more relaxed.

What I’d Prioritize

• Markt Square – The heart of the historic center and an essential first stop.

• Burg Square – Smaller than Markt, but surrounded by some of the city’s most beautiful architecture.

• A canal cruise – One of the best ways to appreciate Bruges’ bridges, facades, and waterside views.

• The quieter side streets – Step away from the main squares to find a calmer, more atmospheric version of the city.

• A long café or chocolate stop – Bruges is best enjoyed with enough time to pause rather than rushing through every landmark.

How I’d Spend the Day

Morning: Arrive before the busiest part of the day and explore Markt and Burg Square.

Midday: Take a canal cruise, then stop for lunch or a relaxed café break.

Afternoon: Wander beyond the main squares, visit a chocolatier, and enjoy the canals once the pace begins to soften.

✦ Editor’s Note
Bruges may be popular, but that does not make it overrated. The key is to experience it at a thoughtful pace rather than treating it as a race through the city’s most photographed corners.

Ghent or Bruges: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Ghent if you want:

• A more energetic, lived-in city

• Medieval architecture with a local atmosphere

• Canal views without quite the same concentration of visitors

• A destination that feels especially rewarding after the main sights

Choose Bruges if you want:

• The classic storybook image of Belgium

• Romantic canals and beautifully preserved streets

• An easy, visually impressive first day trip

• A city centered around atmosphere and historic scenery

If your itinerary allows, visit both. The contrast between them is part of what makes Belgium so interesting.

Can You Visit Ghent and Bruges in One Day?

It is possible, but I would not recommend it for most first-time visitors.

You would spend much of the day watching the clock, navigating stations, and moving between highlights rather than experiencing either city properly. Both are compact, but each becomes more memorable when there is time for a meal, a canal ride, and some unplanned wandering.

One city per day is the better choice.

Getting There from Brussels

Both cities are easily reached by train, making a rental car unnecessary.

For the smoothest day:

• Leave Brussels in the morning.

• Check the walking or tram route from the arrival station to the historic center.

• Avoid scheduling a rigid return unless you have evening plans in Brussels.

• Give yourself enough time to enjoy the city beyond its central square.

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes for cobblestones and long walks

• A light layer or compact umbrella

• A portable charger

• Enough flexibility to stop when a café, canal, or side street catches your attention

Continue Exploring Belgium

• Planning Your First Trip to Belgium

• Choosing Your Cities in Belgium

• Belgian Cafés, Beer & Chocolate

From The Edit

Ghent and Bruges work so well as day trips because they offer an immediate change of scenery without complicated logistics. The train journey is short, but the experience feels completely removed from Brussels.

I would not try to decide which city is objectively better. Ghent is the one I would choose for atmosphere and a sense of everyday life; Bruges is the one I would choose for romance and unmistakable visual charm. Together, they show why Belgium deserves more than a brief stop on the way somewhere else.

One afternoon turned into one of my favorite days in Belgium.