Day Trips from Bruges: The Best Day Trips Around Bruges

One of the most charming cities to visit in Flanders is definitely Bruges: designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is known worldwide as the "Venice of the North". However, for those who want to explore the immediate surroundings of this fairy-tale place, it is essential to know that just a few kilometers away lie equally captivating cities not to be missed, such as Damme with its medieval flavor, or the ancient Ostend overlooking the North Sea, the unlimited natural landscapes of the famous Zwin Reserve, or the town of Ghent with its ancient bridges, canals, and churches.
We therefore present the best day trips from the city of Bruges.
See also: Things to see in Bruges

Located just 6 kilometers from the city of Bruges, this ancient Flemish city is unique for its typical medieval context, picturesque and truly special with its central square, which also houses the city hall, the true heart of this village, as well as the Sint-Janshospitaal dating back to 1249, and the De Grote Sterre (an ancient 15th-century house), which along with its delightful shops and cafes, make this place unique and a must-visit. To reach it, the private electric scooter tour is recommended.
Other attractions not to be missed include the Onze Lieve Vrouw church, which stands out in the landscape with its 45-meter high tower from which one can climb to enjoy the surrounding view, the city walls, and the ancient windmill.

In Dutch Gent, it is an important port city famous for its museums, art galleries, and romantic navigable canals, located between the Lys and Scheldt rivers.
Among the must-see attractions is the Beffroi, a medieval civic tower that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, and St. Bavo's Cathedral, in Baroque style, with its unique stained glass windows. There's also Gravensteen Castle, the typical medieval atmosphere of the Patershol district rich in small and unique shops, historic palaces, and excellent restaurants.

The locality's uniqueness is especially evident in its picturesque views visible when crossing its bridges, including the Grasburg Bridge, which has become famous for overlooking the old fish market, the Lys canal, St. Michael's Church, and the palaces along the Graslei bank.
See also: Things to see in Ghent

This is a wonderful city that was established in ancient times on the North Sea, originally a small fishing village, today a peak of atmospheres rich in ancient traditions and renewed modernity. Don't miss the Koninklijke Gaanderijen (royal gallery), a portico made of columns that stretches along the sea for 400 meters, the LeopoldPark, the museums Mu.Zee and Stadsmuseum Oostende, the famous home of painter James Ensor, emblematic of the life of society that inhabited the city of Ostend in the early decades of the 20th century.

You should also know that the most beautiful church in this city is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1907; it is an enormous building distinguished by its neo-Gothic style, characterized by its spires and decorative stained glass windows. This city is also associated with the singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye: his splendid album Midnight Love is said to have been born after his stay in this beautiful Flemish city.

It consists of marshes, salt meadows, and forests, all dreamlike places ideal for lovers of long walks, but also perfect for cycling enthusiasts. It is home to many species of birds, with storks and herons being the most notable. Situated between the Netherlands, Holland, and Belgium, the majority (well 125 hectares) is located entirely within the latter.

A trip to this place is also suitable for lovers of sustainable tourism, the sea, and extraordinary environments; visiting it represents a particularly interesting experience, especially for children, thanks to the interactive museum included in the reserve. The best season to discover it is in the fall.

It is a renowned destination in Flanders: it features around 300 monuments and palaces (most of which are open to visitors), among which baroque and gothic churches stand out; this is where the oldest Belgian brewery, Het Anker, is located, as well as the famous Grote Markt, the distinctive "Market Square" where you will find the gothic town hall, which is a complex of various buildings that includes the Belfry, the Grand Council Palace, and the Cloth Market. Also noteworthy is St. Rumbold's Cathedral (in Flemish Sint-Romboutskathedraal) built between 1200 and 1530, majestic and spectacular with its bell tower towering at 100 meters and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Children will also have fun in this city: for example, you can visit the toy museum or the Technopolis educational center.

This town is the ideal place for lovers of vacations and travel not only in the spirit of relaxation and culture but also for those who are history enthusiasts: this city, unfortunately, was the scene of World War I. After the 5 battles that leveled it to the ground, it was almost faithfully reconstructed and now houses a great number of museums, war cemeteries, statues, memorials, and churches, places where every year the victims who lost their lives during the world conflict are remembered.

Among the sites not to be missed, we recommend the characteristic market square (Grote Markt), which is still home to an interesting weekly market, as well as wonderful emblematic buildings from medieval and Renaissance styles. The In Flanders Fields museum is also worth visiting, located inside the historic Lakenhalle building and covering some aspects of the first conflict as experienced by the Belgian people. Don't miss the church of St-Maarten en St-Niklasskerk, located just behind the Lakenhalle.

The capital of the eponymous province, it is the most well-known and important city in Flanders and boasts numerous historic buildings in Gothic style. You absolutely must not miss the Rubenshuis, the home of Flemish painter Rubens, where some of the artist's works can still be found, then the Grote Mark (market square), where you will be amazed by the majestic Brabo fountain and surrounding the town hall and the palace of the Ancient Guilds of Arts and Crafts; these last palaces are faithful reconstructions following a major fire in 1587 and another in the 19th century.

Also very special is the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site: it is majestic with its 7 naves, tall colorful stained glass windows, a gigantic organ, all enriched by an exhibition of works by Rubens. Among the historic buildings, there is also the castle of Het Steen, a medieval fortress located on the banks of the Scheldt, which was the city's prison and now houses the National Navigation Museum.

Known as Leuven, it is a famous Belgian university city that enjoys a beautiful location on the banks of the Dijle; it is here that Erasmus of Rotterdam and Justus Lipsius taught and today retains much of its original architectural heritage. Also here, you cannot miss the famous Grote Markt, with the gothic church of St. Peter where you can admire the painting of the Last Supper by Flemish painter Dirk Bouts.

There is also the town hall, whose two lateral facades host 236 figures representing notable faces in the city's history. Along Naamsestraat are many university buildings that are still in use, including the Prenmostratensian College, founded in 1571, the College of Arras, and the Royal College (the Koningscollege) founded in 1579 by Philip II of Spain. Also worth checking out is the famous beguinage, the historic quarter characterized by typical red bricks; it is undoubtedly a romantic and enchanting area, crossed by a tributary of the Dijle River. Founded in the 13th century, it currently hosts about a hundred homes and a church.

Located close to the French border, in Flemish Kortrijk, it is also a fascinating city, although it has been rebuilt numerous times due to the world conflicts. Extremely distinctive is the old town, rich in many buildings that, although rebuilt, still retain the typical Flemish atmosphere. The Grote Mark has had and continues to have great importance: with its 14th-century belfry, once the site of the cloth market (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the gothic church of Sint Maarten, and the town hall dating back to 1421 with a facade adorned with small spires and niches with various statues.

Among the museums not to miss, we suggest the Broelmuseum where you will find works by Emmanuel Vierin, Roelant Savery, and others in modern style, and the Vlasmuseum, which illustrates the processes and development of the textile industry.

Just an hour from Bruges, you can reach the Belgian capital, characterized by a cosmopolitan atmosphere where tourists and artists from all over the world are the main characters, from the Gothic style of the Grand Place with its town hall and the Maison du Roi to its rich history. Indeed, this city is tied to its past, so don't miss the city museum or Museé de la Ville, or the Cinquantenaire Park, located near the EU headquarters, which includes 3 museums: the military history museum, the Cinquantenaire museum, and Autoworld.
See also: One day itinerary in Brussels