Bruges and Ghent Day Trip from Brussels
- Duration10.5 hours
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Overview
This full-day trip takes you from Brussels to Bruges and Ghent, the two best-preserved medieval cities in Flanders, in one comfortable coach journey. You walk along canals, cross the Markt square, pass the Belfry and finish in Ghent among its guildhouses, castle and cathedral. It is a shared group departure from a meeting point in Brussels, lasting about 10.5 hours. Choose a guided walking option or an independent day with an audio guide, with or without a canal boat ride in Ghent, depending on the option you book.
Highlights
- Bruges historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on foot
- The Markt square and the Belfry tower in the heart of Bruges
- Ghent's Graslei and Korenlei quays lined with medieval guildhouses
- A look at Gravensteen castle and the cathedral quarter in Ghent
- Canal boat ride in Ghent with the options that include it
- Guided walking tours in English, or an independent day with an audio guide
- Return coach from Brussels with free time in both cities
Full Description
Bruges, the medieval city of canals
Bruges is the place most people picture when they search for a Bruges day trip from Brussels. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a tight web of cobbled lanes, brick gables and quiet canals that has barely changed since the Middle Ages, when the city was one of Europe's richest trading ports.
Many travellers ask whether Bruges is worth visiting in a single day, and the answer is yes: the compact centre is best explored on foot, and about two hours of free time lets you wander the lanes, browse the chocolate and lace shops and stop at a canal viewpoint. The best time to visit Bruges is early in the day, before the streets fill, which is why our coach leaves in the morning.
The Markt, the Belfry and the Burg in Bruges
The Markt is the main square of Bruges, surrounded by stepped-gable guild houses and dominated by the Belfry, a tower of around 83 metres with a carillon of bells. Climbing it requires a separate entrance ticket that is not part of this trip, but the view from the square below is the classic image of the city.
A short walk away, the Burg square holds the Gothic town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. On a guided Bruges tour your guide links these places into one story of the city's wealth, guilds and rulers; on the independent options the audio guide and interactive map lead you between the same sights at your own speed.
Ghent, the canal port with a castle
Ghent is bigger and livelier than Bruges, a university city with a medieval core that many visitors find less crowded. Our Ghent day trip from Brussels gives you about an hour and a quarter in the old centre, enough to see the essentials on foot or with your guide.
The postcard view is the Graslei and Korenlei, two facing quays where the guildhouses of grain traders and sailors reflect in the Leie river. The options that include a canal boat ride in Ghent let you see these façades, bridges and hidden waterways from the water, which is the easiest way to understand how the port grew.
Gravensteen and St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent
Gravensteen, the Castle of the Counts, is a twelfth-century fortress that rises straight out of the town, complete with moat and towers. Opening hours for going inside change by season and the entrance ticket is not included, but the castle is worth seeing from outside during your free time.
Not far away, St Bavo's Cathedral houses the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, one of the most famous paintings in Europe. Visitors who want to see it should check the cathedral's visiting hours in advance and plan the entry during free time, as the altarpiece has its own ticket.
Itinerary
- Meeting point in BrusselsGather at the meeting point shown on your voucher; the coach leaves at 08:30.
- Coach to BrugesA comfortable drive of roughly an hour through Flanders.
- Bruges walk and free timeMarkt, Belfry and canals with your guide or audio guide, then about 2 hours of free time.
- Coach to GhentA short transfer of about 45 minutes.
- Ghent old town and canalsGraslei, Korenlei, Gravensteen and the cathedral quarter, with a canal boat ride on the options that include it, and about 1 hour 15 minutes of free time.
- Return to BrusselsThe coach drives back and arrives around 19:00.
What's included
- Return transport from Brussels by comfortable eco-friendly bus
- Panoramic introduction to Brussels and local recommendations
- Online audio guide with must-see sights and hidden gems
- Free time in Bruges (about 2 hours)
- Free time in Ghent (about 1 hour 15 minutes)
Not included
- Guided walking tours in Bruges and Ghent
- Canal boat ride
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance tickets to monuments and attractions
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10.5 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- People with limited mobility, as the streets are cobbled and the guided walks are on foot
- Travellers who want to enter museums and monuments, since entrance tickets are not included
- Anyone who prefers to stay in a single city all day
Meeting point
Departure is from a meeting point in Brussels; the exact location is shown on your voucher. Hotel pickup is not included, so please arrive about 15 minutes before the 08:30 departure.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; the streets of Bruges and Ghent are cobbled
- Bring a rain jacket or sun protection and a small bottle of water, as the day is mostly outdoors
- Lunch, refreshments and entrance tickets to monuments are not included
- The order in which you visit Bruges and Ghent can change on the day to suit traffic and crowds
- Free time in Bruges is about 2 hours and in Ghent about 1 hour 15 minutes
- Bring a valid ID or passport and your voucher on your phone
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Bruges and Ghent day trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The trip departs from a meeting point in Brussels, and the exact location is shown on your voucher.
How long is the Bruges and Ghent tour?
The trip lasts about 10.5 hours, leaving Brussels at 08:30, with free time of about 2 hours in Bruges and about 1 hour 15 minutes in Ghent.
What is the difference between the options?
Some options include guided walking tours in English with a radio system, while others give you an audio guide and interactive map to explore independently. Some also add a canal boat ride in Ghent. Each option's description in the booking panel lists exactly what it includes.
Is the canal boat ride included?
Only in the options that mention the boat ride in Ghent. If your chosen option does not list it, the boat ride is not included.
Are lunch and entrance tickets included?
No. Lunch, refreshments and tickets to monuments and attractions such as the Belfry or Gravensteen are paid separately if you want them.
Is this day trip suitable for children?
Yes, children who enjoy walking are welcome, and the booking panel shows the child rate. Strollers can be tiring on cobblestones, so a carrier is easier.
Is Bruges worth visiting on a day trip from Brussels?
Yes. The historic centre is compact and can be enjoyed on foot in a few hours, and pairing it with Ghent gives you two different medieval cities in one day.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Choose your date in the booking panel; it shows the departures still available, including the next days, and you receive your voucher after booking.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a light bag, water and your voucher. A power bank is useful if you use the audio guide on your phone.
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