To ask if you prefer Ghent or Bruges

[OptimismvsRealism]

For a September long weekend

I know Bruges is the most delightful for photos but is it also too full to enjoy now?

Also wondered about Antwerp.

Yes another vote for Ghent, loved it. And agree with PP that the audio tour at the castle is brilliant!

We drove (it was much cheaper than taking the train for us), but left the car at a park and ride car park (near the expo I think?) and took the tram into the centre. Car was absolutely fine left there for a few nights.

Antwerp!

Or the Netherlands.

Not going against the grain here, I also vote for Ghent.

We spent an excellent 5 day break there, with one day in Bruges and another in Antwerp. Bruges was beautiful but my teen dc would not have wanted more than a day there. Ghent is a buzzy university town, small enough to navigate easily, big enough to be full of interesting stuff. We all loved it, definitely the best of the 3 cities to make a base in.

@Mimipoop Absolutely second the driving thing - we fell foul of this in May when we stopped there on our way to Efteling. Thought it would be a nice lunch stop to break up the journey, but poor DP was a nervous wreck afterwards after a very hairy experience trying to reach a car park through the convoluted warren of one-way streets. Then we spent the rest of the week panicking and trying to retrospectively pay for the city permit, as we had no idea that this was a thing!

Lovely city but we'll definitely be getting the train next time!

We didn't drive, did the whole thing by train (Eurostar to Brussels then local train). Very easy indeed.

The audioguide to the Ghent castle was indeed excellent, DD and I were laughing out loud at the casual swearing . (nothing dreadful but might raise an eyebrow if you were a more conservative type).

We stayed in Brussels and did day trips (very easy on the train) to both Bruges and Ghent. We liked both of them, but Ghent is a bit more 'real' and a bit bigger. I don't think either of them need longer than a day there though.

you might want to try leuven next time?

I prefer Ghent to Bruges but each only needs a day, so you could stay in Ghent and it's 30 mins on the train to Bruges. My favourite Belgian city is Antwerp. I live in Belgium though so go often - Ghent has the best Xmas Market.

Remember that Ghent has an LEZ though if youre driving and you need to pre-register.

I’ve driven to Bruges and stayed near cheaply and easily got them both it. It’s so close to crossing from Dunkirk and I got crossings for £12.50

We've done loads of European Roadtrips both in our car and campervan, so I didn't find it too bad. Driving around Brussels in our 'van was a bit full on though! Belgian drivers are definitely a bit on the 'assertive' side though I agree, but generally pretty considerate, although I agree it takes a little bit of getting used to! Nowhere near as bad as driving in Italy though, i definitely needed several stiff drinks after driving from Milan to Lake Como!

Thanks for the Antwerp recommendation, I've wanted to go for ages and we're thinking of heading over just before Christmas actually, so will have to check that out!

So, is Antwerp nicer than Brussels?

I'm a big Netherlands fan too.

I’ve not been but I can’t see how Antwerp could fail to be nicer than Brussels, given Brussels is disgusting

I agree about Brussels being a dump.

my last Belgium trip consisted of Eurostar to Lille, 2 nights in Lille. It’s a lovely city. Train from Lille to Ghent, think we had 3 nights in Ghent and fitted in a day trip to Bruges. Then train to Brussels and Eurostar back to uk.

Ghent definitely. The driving does prepare you for Brussels Friday night rush hour driving though 😅

Brussels is dirty. I like Ghent, Bruge and Leuven much better.

Gent 100%.

If you chose a city in the Netherlands instead, Leiden or Haarlem.

Brussels is awful. Apart from a couple of roads around the Grand Place, it is just grey and grimy. The area around Midi station is a huge and hideous building site at the moment.

Both Bruges and Ghent are lovely. Visited both in October so off season and not too busy. Ghent is considered (by some!) to be the vegan capital of Europe. We ate really well.

We spent an afternoon in Antwerp and about a decade on the Antwerp ringroad. Do not even consider this road unless there is literally no other option.

DP says Ghent is lovely. It's only an hour on the train so you can do both!

I disagree. Each city is easily 2 days.

Both have their charms but Ghent is definitely quieter. It's so easy to get the train from one to the other too. If you go to Ghent and want to experience real Belgian food, go to Patyntje. Not the cheapest but excellent.
Antwerp and Leuven are also nice and if you really want to see a lovely part of Belgium, drive east to the Ardennes which are absolutely beautiful with some interesting towns.
Brussels also has some lovely areas but off the beaten tourist track and need some research rather than just heading into the Grand Place which is lovely at night especially when all lit up.

Dinant is lovely

We love Belgium and did many happy long weekends there (pre DC!).

Ghent was definitely a favourite as has a nice university town buzz, famous altarpiece and fab art museum. Also go to all you can eat Ribs place (think called Amedeus).

Bruges beautiful but very touristy (not helped we went Feb half term so loads of valentines
couples).

We liked Brussels- it has great museums.

I also really liked Antwerp although a little more industrial. It had some great museums and quirky interesting places.

Lille (across border) is nice but not tons to see but good food.

DH has been to Leuven and says it is nice too.

If you visit Bruges please don’t have a carriage ride, the horses are not treated well and they should be banned.

Brussels is a great City, but massive so good to do a bit of research into areas if staying there as you could easily end up somewhere thats not the best. I've been 4 times and had a different experience every time as I've stayed in a different area. The St Giles neighborhood is definitely the best I've stayed in by far.