One of the best things about Brussels is how close it is to everything else. Belgium is a small country with an excellent rail network, so medieval Bruges, lively Ghent, fashionable Antwerp and the battlefield of Waterloo are all an hour or less away. Here is how to choose your day trip and make the most of it.
This guide is part of our complete Brussels travel guide.
Day trips at a glance
- Bruges: about 1 hour by train. Best for medieval charm and canals.
- Ghent: about 35–40 minutes by train. Best for art, atmosphere and a lively student city.
- Antwerp: about 35–50 minutes by train. Best for art, fashion, diamonds and architecture.
- Waterloo: just south of Brussels. Best for history lovers.
- Bruges and Ghent together: the most popular combination, ideal by car.
Bruges: the medieval fairytale
With its canals, cobbled lanes and gabled houses, Bruges is the most famous day trip from Brussels. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
- Don't miss: the Markt and the Belfry, the Burg square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a canal boat trip, the Rozenhoedkaai viewpoint and the peaceful Beguinage.
- Getting there: direct trains take about an hour.
- Tip: Bruges is very busy in the middle of the day. Arrive early or stay into the evening to enjoy it more quietly.
Read our detailed guide: Why is Bruges famous? 12 things to see in one day, or discover our private tour Bruges: A Fairytale Frozen in Time.
Ghent: art and atmosphere
Ghent combines a magnificent medieval centre with the energy of a large university city. It is often less crowded than Bruges.
- Don't miss: the Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by the Van Eyck brothers in St Bavo's Cathedral (paid entry to the visitor centre), the Graslei and Korenlei quays, the Belfry and the Gravensteen castle.
- Getting there: about 35–40 minutes by train to Gent-Sint-Pieters station, then a tram or a walk to the centre.
- Tip: stay for the evening, when the historic buildings are beautifully lit.
Bruges and Ghent in one day
The two cities are about 50 km apart, so you can see both in one day. By train it means juggling timetables and station transfers; by private car it is easy, with time for Ghent in the morning and Bruges in the afternoon, then a direct return to your hotel in Brussels.
This is exactly what our most popular private tour offers: Two Medieval Masterpieces. One Private Journey., a full day in Ghent and Bruges with a certified guide and a chauffeur.
Antwerp: diamonds, fashion and Rubens
Antwerp, Belgium's second city and a major port, mixes Flemish heritage with a modern, creative scene.
- Don't miss: the Grote Markt and its guildhouses, the Cathedral of Our Lady with paintings by Rubens, the Diamond District, the MAS museum and its free rooftop view, and the monumental Antwerp-Central station.
- Important for 2026: the Rubens House, the painter's residence, is closed for renovation until 2030 at the earliest. The Rubens Experience, the garden and the library remain open, with an entrance at Hopland 13.
- Getting there: about 35 minutes by direct InterCity train, longer on slower services.
Discover our private tour Antwerp: The Diamond City & Flemish Heritage.
Waterloo: where history changed
Just south of Brussels, Waterloo is where Napoleon was defeated on 18 June 1815. The battlefield site brings that day to life.
- Don't miss: the Memorial 1815 museum, the Lion's Mound (226 steps to a panoramic view over the battlefield), the circular Panorama painting of the battle and Hougoumont Farm.
- Getting there: the battlefield sites are spread out and not all are close to a station, so a car makes the visit much easier.
Discover our private tour Waterloo: Where History Changed the Course of Europe.
More day trips from Brussels
- Flanders Fields: the First World War battlefields, cemeteries and memorials around Ypres. See our tour Flanders Fields: Where History Lives in the Landscape.
- The Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge: forests, valleys and Second World War history around Bastogne. See The Battle of the Bulge.
- Dinant and Luxembourg: the Meuse valley, Dinant's citadel and Luxembourg City in one long day. See From the Meuse Valley to the Heart of Europe.
- Amsterdam and Holland: a full day across the border. See Holland and Amsterdam.
Train or private tour?
- Train: good value for a single city such as Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp, if you are happy to navigate on your own.
- Private tour: best for combining two cities in one day, for spread-out sites such as Waterloo or Flanders Fields, and for families or travellers with limited mobility. Pickup and drop-off at your Brussels hotel, a certified guide, a chauffeur in a luxury Mercedes, 100% private for up to 6 guests.
Not sure which trip to choose? Tell us what you love and we will design a tailor-made day. And before you leave the capital, see what not to miss in our Brussels travel guide.