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.

Ghent is beautiful. We did the castle with the English audio guide which was very funny, definitely worth doing. Also a boat trip, there are loads going up and down the waterway. Just wander about and take in the city, walking along the river at night when all the lights are reflecting in the dead still water was stunning.

Bruges is gorgeous
the museum there is terrific
Just Toast for delicious breakfast and brunch

I heard so much about Ghent at night @xyzandabc. So gutted I was only there during the day! Already thinking about when I can go back.

In Brussels itself - the cafe on the top of the Musical Instruments Museum is fab with great views - you don't have to pay for the museum itself. I like the Magritte Museum. The Galeries St Hubert with the chocolate shops. Just beyond there is the Rue des Bouchers which used to be Tourist heaven for seafood restos and annoying waiters. But the Lobster House on that street is actually really good for food and service. For seafood go to Place Ste Catherine and the neighbouring Vismarkt. Wolf Food Hall. Grand Sablon. Whereabouts are you staying? Might be able to suggest local places to eat. Going out of town, the Atomium looks better from the outside. Taking 44 tram to Africa Museum in Tervuren takes you on a scenic route through the green spaces. If you like Art Deco then www.hortamuseum.be/ is a superb example.

I definitely prefer Ghent to Bruges as far fewer tourists but Bruges is probably prettier. My fave is Antwerp but more for the shops and cool restaurants. Red Star Line museum is fabulous. Also Leuven and Mechelen. Ypres and the battlefields are well worth a visit, but guess you won't have time to do all this.

Thank you all so much.
I'll study this thread and write down your fantastic suggestions and recommendations. 💐

I thought the food was poor in Bruges to be honest. None of the restaurants or cafes really stood out and they like to cram people in.
We did have a great hotel and it was a nice enough place but the food was a definite let down.
Not been to Ghent or Brussels for years so no help.

We went to Bruges and Brussels (and Ypres and Waterloo!) a few weeks ago. To be honest it was a bit hot for us to really enjoy it. You should have better weather.

As others have said, Bruges is gorgeous just to look at. We watched the film 'In Bruges' on the first night for context!

Unfortunately lots of places are shut on a Monday which scuppered our plans but we still had a lovely time just walking around. We went up the Bell Tower for the view and went on a canal boat trip. I think the quality depends on who is captaining the boat. We also went into churches that we might otherwise have missed.

We couldn't do the Brewery tour so we went to a Beer Cellar instead and ordered 'paddles' to try.

We went to the Groeningemuseum just before we left. It has art from over the centuries, all from artists who were based in Bruges.

In Brussels the Grand Place was stunning. Like a gilded version of the Bruges buildings. They also had a carpet of flowers while we were there.

We went to the Magritte Museum (because he is actually Belgian ) which was amazing too.

The EU museum was free and really interesting. Lots and lots of information that you can dip into. A bit sad to see the 'UK left' panel.

I can't recommend places to eat because our focus was vegan options rather than quality.

If you want traditional flemish food in Brussels try Nuetnigenough.
It's about a 5 minute walk from Grand Place away from main tourist area but down a main road.
Has great selection of beers as well as food

We love Belgium, so its nice to find that we're not the only ones.
Of the 3, Ghent is by far and away our favourite. In fact, I don't particularly like Brussels and find Bruges far too touristy.
Can I throw in Mechelen though? A lovely small city. The Musee von Busleyden is very interesting and Het Anker serves great beer and food, and is also a great place to say.
The Fine Art museum in Antwerp has just opened up again, which I'm looking forward to seeing, plus the station in Antwerp is amazing.
Wherever we go, there is generally a beguinage to check out.

Thank you for all your suggestions.
Got back recently.
We were based in Brussels and took a day trip on the train to Ghent.
Next day we took the train from Brussels to Bruges.
We loved Bruges- just a day trip so will absolutely go back soon.
One day in Brussels wasn't enough so hopefully will go back there and back to Bruges too.
As it was such a quick visit to each city we didn't book restaurants ahead.
We took the boat tour in Bruges and Ghent and a walking tour ( day ) in Brussels and a walking tour( (night ) in Bruges. Both were great.
For chips - Frites Atelier - delicious. Oh my - The truffle mayonnaise !!!
It's a chain - they are in Ghent and Brussels.
For coffee and cake, Aux Merveiileux de Fred was gorgeous- check out the chandeliers !!! It is a chain of coffee shops with branches in Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. They also have tea / coffee shops in France and the Netherlands.
Their cakes are awesome.
Oh to have something like this in my town.
There was a lovely Belgian linen shop in Ghent and Bruges called Home Linen with beautiful linen clothing and homewares.
I couldn't recommend our trip highly enough.
We walked our legs off and really enjoyed it.
We'll be back.

@MissAmbrosia
We went to the Lobster House on your recommendation and had a delicious meal there. Thank you.

This is great to hear - my trip is coming up at the end of the month and I'm excited! Frites Atelier and Merveilleux de Fred will be on the list for sure.

Happy to concur that Frites Atelier serve the best chips on the planet!