Brussels, Bruges and Ghent

[belgiumbound]

Any advice please on what to see, do and where to eat on day trips to Bruges and Ghent ?
We will be staying in Brussels.
Any tips on what to see, do and where to eat in Brussels please.

Thanks in advance.

I can help with Bruges. If you want something memorable, I’d suggest t’Zwart Huis. The menu isn’t huge, but there’s something for everyone, from pesto pasta to Thai curry to chilli con carne.
If that’s not for you, then try Terra Promessa for some of the best pizzas in the city! Cambrinus gets good reviews but we were quite cramped when we ate there.

Thank you.

I just came back from Bruges. Can't recommend a place to eat but you don't need guidance on where to go - it's gorgeous every corner a photo op! Just wander around (a good guidebook will help or is there such a thing as downloadable audio tours)? We went on to Amsterdam which was a totally different kind of thing altogether (a bit like a Brussels I suppose).

The centre of Ghent is really compact, so it will be easy to see a lot. The three beautiful spires can be seen from St Michael's Bridge. Along the river are all the fabulous guildhouses. I don't know the things you would prefer, but the riverside is gorgeous, and there are boat trips to see more of the city. The Gravensteen is the castle, full of torture instruments. St Barts cathedral has the famous triptych of the Adoration of the mystic Lamb by Van Eyk.

On a less arty level, there are some beautiful bars, such as the Gouden Mandeke and t'Galgenhuis, plus het Waterhuis en de bierkant (the water house on the beer canal). The Mandeke has a big stove to snuggle round on a cold day. There's also a jenever place next to the Waterhuis. Ghent has one veggie/vegan day per week if that's good for you; I like the Botaniste or Plus + on the river (latter daytime only). Amadeus does ribs. For waffles etc, try Amfora, Cafe Agrea by the cathedral or the expensive Cafe Max which has very smart waiters somehow avoiding getting covered with icing sugar as they whip swiftly around. Night time? Hot Club of Gent down a little alley just off the bridge by the Galgenhuis or Missy Sippy blues club (seldom blues, but more live music). But I think you said day trip, so possibly not very useful.

Can you tell I love Ghent? 😉

There was a recent thread which should help. Don't know how to add the link, but it was called "Things to do in Belgium" and covered all three cities. Agree with PP about Ghent: definitely my favourite of the three too!

Ghent has a great tourist card thats about E25 and you get an hour long boat cruise, free bike hire and entry into various museums and the castle. Ghent is great, loads of cool
bars - often look not much on street but have a terrace onto the canal/river at the back. Very compact city centre - highly recommend. Preferred it to Bruges. Knocke is a sea side town near Bruges, accessible by train, big beach with beach bars, lots of art shops and boutiques. Not pictureseque as such but different seaside experience to the usual.

That was probably mine! A lot of great advice.

Ive recently returned from a trip to those exact places.

Our favourite places in Brussels were the Grand-Place (of course!) - flamboyant and stunning near great shops. We were surprised by the Parc du Cinquantenaire which was just a few minutes’ walk away from our accommodation and blown away by the vast armed forces history museum there - and we aren’t even that interested in military history. We agreed it was the best museum we’d ever been to, and we’ve been to a lot. The Parc is beautiful too

As for places to eat, I think part of the fun of being on holiday is just wandering around and seeing what takes your fancy

I can and do spend ages in Grand Place in Brussels. It's beautiful.

You've reminded me to recommend Saint Gilles in Brussels. It is a suburb, which contains loads of art nouveau buildings and one of the old city gates with a museum and a battlements walk. I also like the tongue un cheek nature of the place. One of the restaurants has the sign: liberte, egalite, poulet. Sums up the area well.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. I only had a few hours in Brussels so just had a quick whizz round but I too liked the Parc du Cinquantenaire: it's quite something, isn't it? Hope you were impressed by Ghent too? Was it you whose son likes churches? I was one of the posters mentioning all the wonderful ones in Ghent.

Yes my son loved and loves churches and we enjoyed the beautiful ones in Ghent, thank you!

Bruges - Moules and Poulet in the main square (I believe from memory it's near the McDonald's). Ribs N Beer. If you would like to sample delightful Belgian beer I can recommend some wonderful places

Love love love Ghent!

You don't mention if you have kids in tow, but I would really recommend the castle. There is an self-paced audio tour that is laugh-out-loud funny, for both adults and kids (although not very young kids, it is rather gruesome in places)

If you like art, there are some corkers - lots of Bosch (ghent, brussels). The musical instrument museum in Bru is great. Wander around in the Sablon. We're away back to Bruges again shortly - also only 20 mins on the train to Knokke!

I’m not much help, but this brings back wonderful memories of two primary school visits to Belgium. I remember vividly the beautiful chocolate in Bruges and a day trip to miniature land in Holland, there was a sex shop in this little village and I ran in for a dare. Anyway enjoy, I’d love to return as an adult.

Bruges would recommend DeGasto to eat and take the boat trip around the city its lovely 12euro each.

Recently had two nights in Ghent and took day trip to Bruges. Preferred Ghent by far, too many crowds in Bruges. Really enjoyed our boat tour and just wandering around. I recommend the Thai street food place. We sat on their terrace next to the canal.

Thank you all so much for the info.
No dc coming.
Just me and a friend.
Unexpected trip and really looking forward to it.

Wittamer in Brussels on the Grand Sablon is very nice.

Definitely recommend the boat tours of both Bruges and Gent, lots of features of the buildings that can only be seen from the water

Ooh, great thread, I've just booked a half term break in Ghent, with history-of-art studying dd2 in mind. Day trips to Bruges and Antwerp planned, plus lots of mooching in Ghent itself. Thanks so much for the recommendations!

If you haven't already done so, do also have a look at the "Things to do in Belgium" thread, as that has yet more recommendations and also includes Antwerp. Have a great trip!

Will do, tyvm, @TreesAtSea

Thank you for all your recommendations. It is so helpful.

I just got back from Belgium! I loved it so much. Ghent was absolutely stunning. Bruges was lovely. Brussels I wasn't so keen on. So my tip is to try to spend more time in Ghent if you can - it's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to and I've travelled a lot. We followed this walking route which covers all the main highlights: iamaileen.com/ghent-walking-tour/

In Bruges we had a nice meal at FritBar - try their loaded fries with Belgian stew. Chez Albert for waffles, Oyya for ice cream. Wild & gevogelte Derycke is a deli which had incredible sausage rolls. In Ghent, Balls and Glory (meatballs!) and Joost Arijs for beautiful desserts.

Also chocolate is much more expensive in Brussels so if you want to buy some to take home with you buy in either Bruges or Ghent.