Visiting Bruges and Ghent from Brussels in One Day – A Guide

Traveling to Brussels can be an exciting opportunity, giving you access to many European landmarks, art and culture. But if you’re looking for a more laid-back journey, there are some beautiful, picturesque towns within reach; most notably, Bruges and Ghent. Fortunately, it is possible to see both in just one day with a guided tour, and here’s our guide to help you make the most of your day trip.

Why Visit Bruges and Ghent

Bruges and Ghent are located near each other and remain two of Belgium’s most captivating cities, brimming with medieval architecture, creative art and cultural antiquities. Here are some highlights to look forward to when visiting:

• Bruges: Known for its unique canals, the city of Bruges is all at once a modern destination and a medieval wonderland, with stately brick buildings nestled between grand canals, making it a great spot for both sightseeing and photography.
• Ghent: Home to one of the best preserved Gothic cities in Europe, Ghent is a vibrant, historic center where you can visit local beer breweries, explore the 1000 year old castle or visit some of the oldest churches in Belgium.

Benefits of a Guided Tour

Though traveling to these two cities is fairly straightforward, hiring a guided tour can provide a smooth and enjoyable experience. A guided tour means that you don’t need to search for transportation and will show you the attractions with an expert who can explain the history and monuments in detail. Reducing the need for navigation makes it a particularly appealing option for those short on time. Going with a tour also brings added convenience when it comes to budgeting as some packages will include food and transportation in their price. Additionally, as English is widely spoken in Belgium, hire English-speaking guides are easy to come by and can give insight into unique locations which may easily get overlooked without local expertise.

Where To Find A Guided Tour from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges

Arranging a tour from Brussels to Bruges and Ghent is surprisingly straightforward. There are several tour companies available ranging from private firms to those catering to large groups. Whether you’re looking for a romantic ride for two or a group outing with friends, there should be an option which fits your timing and budget. For those looking for a hassle-free way of finding great tours, one of the best websites is GetYourGuide, which offers great selection of both private and group tours available right from Brussels. It features customer reviews, current pricing and the duration of the tours themselves. It even allows you to filter your search based on start times should these be important for you. If budget is no issue for you, private tours starting from Brussels can even be arranged through sites such as Viator or Trip Advisor where experienced guides may accompany you as you explore neighboring towns.

Arrival from Brussels

The duration of your tour depends greatly on where exactly you depart from in Brussels and which towns you choose to visit. In general, tours leaving from Brussels normally arrive in Bruges first before continuing to Ghent and usually span the entire day with departures beginning at 9am and returns around 6–7 pm. It’s recommended that you plan on leaving early, as the best of both cities will be enjoyed if arrived at early morning hours. Most tours will include some time for taking photographs of landmarks and having multiple stops for food or snacks so make sure to account for those too when planning your time accordingly. Some tours may even include some shorter activities such as boat trips or horse-drawn carriage rides.

What to Bring

Even though day trips tend to be less physically demanding than longer ones, there are a few important items that you should still bring with you including:

• Comfortable walking shoes: You’ll be spending most of the day walking around so wearing comfortable shoes is important.
• Hat or Sunscreen: If it’s sunny out, make sure to use sunscreen or bring a brimmed hat as both cities can get quite warm.
• Light Rainwear/Umbrella: There’s always a chance of rain in both cities so plan accordingly with an appropriate jacket or umbrella.
• Camera: Both cities have plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and mementos so don’t forget your camera!

Final Thoughts

The closest Belgian cities to Brussels are Ghent and Bruges and can both be visited within the same day easily. Considering the ease of transportation, affordable prices as well as convenience, it makes perfect sense to explore them both in one go. With the help of touring companies, you can find private or group tours to accompany you, taking the hassle out of finding your way around. When organizing your trip however, be aware that there will be long periods of travel involved so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and plan accordingly when bringing provisions such as snacks or hats. For those looking for an enjoyable, hassle-free experience then we recommend checking out GetYourGuide. The website offers an easy route to finding great tours that start from Brussels going all the way to Bruges and Ghent for an all-inclusive adventure featuring informative guides along the way.