Listed here are thrilling day journeys from Brussels by prepare with my complete checklist!
Should you’re in search of issues to do and locations to go whereas in Brussels, you’ll be glad to know that getting round close by areas is a breeze!
The capital is well-known for its environment friendly and in depth prepare community, and railway journey is handy and eco-friendly.
It’s the best technique to get anyplace, together with European cities like Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Cologne.
That mentioned, don’t fret about getting round as you intend actions and day journeys from Brussels by prepare.
In my checklist, I’ve put collectively useful data for you so we are able to make sure you’ll have a simple and improbable time as you travel Belgium!
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Prime Assets to journey Belgium
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Greatest Day Journeys from Brussels by Prepare – My prime picks
1. Ghent
- Buy train tickets with Omio. Take the prepare from Brussels South to Ghent St. Pieters and, for comfort, ebook tickets upfront.
- Prime exercise: Benefit from the sights through a guided boat trip via the medieval metropolis heart of Ghent!
Able to see well-preserved medieval structure and expertise a vibrant cultural scene?
Then Ghent is among the locations to go to in Belgium by prepare!
Now a college city, it was a serious medieval buying and selling heart identified for its textile business.
- A stroll via Graslei and Korenlei, picturesque streets by the banks of the River Lys, is already the most effective day journeys from Brussels!
- See the well-known “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” a Fifteenth-century masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, at St. Bavo’s Cathedral.
- Into historical past like me? Take a look at the museum and reveals on the metropolis heart’s medieval fortress of Gravensteen Citadel.
There’s a lot historical past in Ghent, regardless of the place you look or go, and I loved sightseeing and taking images.
It’s additionally a kind of brief journeys from Brussels, and getting there may be as fast as thirty minutes!
You’ll be able to at all times resolve beforehand where to stay in Ghent if you wish to prolong your keep on this beautiful historic place!
2. Bruges
- Buy train tickets in advance. Trains sure for Bruges cross via all main stations in Brussels (Brussels South, Brussels North, and Brussels Central), which suggests you may ebook beforehand for the station closest to you.
- Prime exercise: Get pleasure from your Bruges day journey from Brussels on a guided biking tour and study its historical past from a information who’s lived there most of their life.
Should you’re a fan of medieval structure, you’ll love UNESCO-listed Bruges with its charming cobblestone streets and historic buildings.
It’s the most effective day journeys from Brussels by prepare if you wish to escape right into a fairy-tale metropolis with picturesque canals and way more.
- House to the medieval bell tower Belfry with its carillon and 47 melodious bells—the opposite spotlight for me is the beautiful panoramic view of Bruges from the highest!
- Go to the central sq., Markt Sq., with its colourful and historic guild homes. They’re so distinctive and one in all a form, and they need to be in your checklist of what to do in Bruges in 1 day!
It’s value a long-term keep, and in case you resolve to take action, right here’s where to stay in Bruges when you’re visiting.
Whereas we’re at it, you’ll need to be aware of the best restaurants in Bruges as a result of no journey is full with out attempting out the native meals!
3. Antwerp
- Buy train tickets upfront. From Brussels South, ebook an advance journey to Antwerpen Central, which takes lower than an hour.
- Prime exercise: Look: an Antwerp day journey from Brussels is all nicely and good, however do you need to see the whole lot in a brand new gentle? Take into account becoming a member of a private evening tour like I did!
So far as day journeys from Brussels by prepare are involved, ensure you don’t miss Belgium’s cultural and trend capital!
Antwerp is named the “Cultural Capital of Europe” and was named so again in 1993, and it was obvious why throughout my journey.
From once you arrive by prepare till you begin strolling round, there’s an old-world allure to the whole lot, even with all of the modernity!
- The town is brimming with historic landmarks, and even Antwerpen Central is an architectural marvel by itself.
- House to the world’s prime trend academies, to not point out the well-known Trend Museum.
- Be sure to go to the Cathedral of Our Girl, a UNESCO World Heritage web site due to its beautiful structure. It’s also dwelling to masterpieces by famend Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.
- Talking of Rubens: in case you’re interested by his artwork and life, a visit to Rubenshuis is a should—it’s his former residence and studio!
- Antwerp is named the diamond district—I’ve by no means seen so many diamond shops in a single place, particularly in Vestingstraat, Pelikaanstraat, and De Keyserlei.
Antwerp is value including to your weekend journeys from Brussels by prepare, and it was merely a delight strolling round and having fun with the sights.
4. Leuven
- Buy train tickets here. That is one low-cost day journey to Belgium and a fast one at lower than forty minutes—ebook from Brussels to Leuven beforehand.
- Prime exercise: What a few self-guided walking tour to study extra about Leuven that you are able to do at your personal tempo in case you’re doing greater than only a at some point journey from Brussels?
Leuven is named a college city due to the presence of the Catholic College of Leuven, one of many oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.
What’s so attention-grabbing to me is how the college’s campus is unfold throughout town—this contributes quite a bit to the tutorial ambiance!
Based in 1425, the famend college, also called KU Leuven, has considerably formed European greater schooling.
Day excursions from Brussels are nicely value it with locations like M-Museum Leuven—we’re speaking about one other architectural gem housing different gems in visible arts.
Look, when in Leuven, right here’s one other must-try that I like to recommend is getting a style of the beer—attempt them the place you may: conventional pubs, breweries, and modern beer pubs!
Day journeys from Belgium may be lengthy and tiresome, so that you’ll need to know where to stay in Brussels—there are one of the best ones I do know!
5. Mechelen
- Get train tickets here. You’ll be able to ebook advance tickets from Brussels South straight to Mechelen. The journey ought to take at most forty minutes, typically not even half an hour lengthy.
- Prime exercise: Boost your go to with a self-guided escape tour—a metropolis recreation you may play whereas sightseeing to search out the key exit of Mechelen!
Should you’re in search of extra at some point journeys from Brussels so as to add to your itinerary, you should add Mechelen!
Although it could not appear as prevalent, there’s quite a bit to see within the metropolis, and identical to the remainder of Belgium, it has a lot historical past.
Strolling round quaint streets surrounded by medieval structure made me really feel like I used to be at one other time!
St. Rumbold’s Cathedral is a must-see—it has the very best Gothic tower in all of Belgium, and the climb to the skywalk was so value it for a view of the encircling space.
To essentially see and really feel Mechelen’s lifestyle, you shouldn’t miss Grote Markt, town’s central sq.: there are eating places, bars, and outlets, plus a canal boat trip received’t harm!
Whether or not you’re into them or not, visiting the Toy Museum was one in all my greatest day journeys from Brussels.
It was superb to see so many toys from around the globe, each previous and current.
6. Namur
- Get train tickets. E book an advance journey to Namur through Brussels South, lasting just a little over an hour.
- Prime exercise: Gamify your day journey from Brussels and discover common sights and hidden treasures via a city exploration game!
This was one in all my extra stress-free day journeys from Brussels by prepare—Namur, the capital of Wallonia, isn’t crowded with vacationers, not like different cities!
It’s an important place to go to after having fun with traditional Belgian food in Brussels for a extra laid-back sightseeing expertise.
- Don’t miss a go to to the Citadel: it has glorious picturesque viewpoints of Namur and is ideal for images! I actually took quite a bit.
- Should you’ve visited different cities and cities earlier than going right here, you’ll discover that St. Aubin’s Cathedral has a unique architectural fashion—it’s the one cathedral in Belgium with a Late Baroque fashion.
- After an extended day, winding down in one of many parks that look out on the Meuse and Sambre Rivers or strolling down riverside paths proper by it was stress-free.
Should you’re in search of different actions that can help you spend extra time nearer to nature, listed here are a number of the best hiking trails near Brussels.
7. Dinant
- Buy train tickets upfront. Relying on which journey you ebook beforehand, you may both go straight to Dinant from Brussels-Luxembourg or take Brussels with a switch to Namur.
- Prime exercise: Add this to your checklist of day journeys out of Brussels—a full day private tour so you may actually take pleasure in this charming little city!
Do you know that the saxophone inventor, Adolphe Sax, got here from Dinant? Now you do!
It’s value visiting for one of the best day journey from Brussels since you take pleasure in historic websites whereas being near nature.
You’ll be able to’t skip the Citadel of Dinant: the cliff-top fortress has a panoramic view of the city, a museum that includes its army historical past, and an Adolphe Sax exhibit.
Dinant is dwelling to the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame—this Gothic church is notorious for its distinct and spectacular onion-shaped dome.
From the citadel to the riverside, happening a cruise on the Meuse River actually made me admire Dinant much more from one other perspective, so it’s an exercise value contemplating!
With the encircling cliffs and the greenery in its approach, I think about it one of many most beautiful cities in Belgium!
8. Waterloo
- Buy tickets with Omio. From Brussels South, ebook an advance ticket to Waterloo through Braine-l’Alleud station, which ought to take lower than an hour!
- Prime exercise: For Waterloo excursions from Brussels, I like to recommend this instructional and guided private battlegrounds tour so you may study extra in regards to the space’s wealthy historical past.
Well-known for being the location of the well-known Battle of Waterloo in 1815, this city ought to be among the many objects in your checklist of prepare journeys from Brussels!
Should you go to on the proper time of the 12 months, other than museums commemorating the battle, chances are you’ll even be a part of and witness commemorative occasions and reenactments.
The Lion’s Mound monument is a must-see: the lion sculpture sits atop a man-made hill meant to commemorate the Prince of Orange.
The reveals on the Hougoumont Farm recounting the battle’s occasions are fascinating and supply a lot details about the top of the Napoleonic period.
When in Waterloo, you may’t skip out on the Customer Heart—not solely are there amenities for vacationers, however there are much more complete insights in regards to the Battle of Waterloo and guided excursions.
Talking of locations that have been battle websites or have a wealthy historical past referring to occasions that impacted the world, think about a Brussels to Ypres day journey.
9. Tournai
- Check schedules here. E book a visit beforehand at Brussels Central to Tournai, both direct or with a switch. The station is centrally situated, making metropolis exploration straightforward.
- Prime exercise: The easiest way to get to know in regards to the tales and legends of a metropolis whereas exploring is thru guided excursions like this private one!
Thought of a necessary cultural web site in Belgium and its oldest city, Tournai has a wealthy cultural heritage and a set of inventive and architectural gems.
It’s the birthplace of famend French poet, Symbolist chief, and Decadent Paul Verlaine.
Go to the uniquely formed triangular Grand Place, an enormous sq. that may be discovered in the midst of town: it was the proper place for me to loosen up, seize a chunk to eat, and people-watch.
Belgium is stuffed with architectural marvels, and the city’s model is the Romanesque and Gothic-inspired Tournai Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage web site.
One other UNESCO heritage web site is the Belfry of Tournai, a part of the Belfries of Belgium, with a improbable view of the encircling space when you attain the highest!
That is one other place that you simply’ll positively need to embrace in your checklist of day journeys from Brussels by prepare.
10. Luxembourg
- Check train schedules here. E book an advance ticket from Brussels South to Luxembourg with a switch to Namur.
- Prime exercise: Should you’re in search of the most effective day journeys from Brussels, I personally suggest this guided tour so you may see all of the highlights in Luxembourg in at some point!
Nonetheless in search of the best day trips from Brussels to different nations?
It’s time to develop your journey to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg capital, my dwelling nation, with its medieval allure and fashionable structure!
First in your checklist should be Grand Ducal Palace, dwelling of the Grand Ducal household and a Renaissance architectural gem.
Should you’d like one thing totally different so far as adventures go, like me, don’t skip Bock Casemates: historic underground tunnels and fortifications carved into town’s rocky cliffs.
For a extra laid-back go to, wind down and loosen up on the picturesque Grund District—it has a captivating riverside view of the Alzette with quaint streets, cafes, and outlets.
Check out Luxembourg tours now.
11. Paris
- Check schedules here. E book a ticket beforehand from Brussels South to Paris Gare du Nord for a lower than two-hour journey.
- Prime exercise: What a few stress-free one hour River Seine cruise so as to add to your day journeys from Brussels to Paris?
Who wouldn’t desire a day journey from Paris to Brussels by prepare, contemplating it’s close by?
I like benefiting from my holidays, so a go to to the Metropolis of Lights when it’s accessible from Belgium? Massive sure.
Each go to to Paris is full with a go to to the enduring Eiffel Tower, symbolic to France and one of the vital well-known landmarks worldwide.
Whilst you’re there, dropping by the Louvre Museum can also be a should for the Mona Lisa portray; I additionally went there to see the sculpture Venus de Milo and The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault.
Don’t neglect to see the French Gothic architectural masterpiece, Notre-Dame Cathedral, situated on the Île de la Cité, a small island within the Seine River.
Paris has to have a spot in your checklist of day journeys from Brussels by prepare!
12. Amsterdam
On prime of the checklist of issues Amsterdam is well-known for embrace the picturesque canals, historic and exquisite structure, to not point out the richness of its tradition!
- It was attention-grabbing to see the Secret Annex within the Anne Frank Home, the place she and her household hid throughout World Conflict II—I realized a lot throughout this go to than simply insights into the lives of her household.
- Should you love artwork and historical past like me, a part of your itinerary ought to be the Rijksmuseum, which showcases works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and different famend artists.
- In order for you a style of what Amsterdam is about relating to individuals and lifestyle, Dam Sq. was excellent for me: I noticed the Royal Palace, Nationwide Monument, and the Nieuwe Kerk but additionally loved road performers, outlets, and cafes!
Undoubtedly, for these causes alone, it is best to think about an Amsterdam day journey from Brussels!
Check out Amsterdam tours now.
13. Liege
It is among the oldest cities in Belgium. Should you’re into cultural occasions, festivals, and inventive exhibitions, then ensure to go to Liege!
What I really like about this place is how there appears to be one thing taking place all 12 months spherical.
One of many first locations to see is the Prince-Bishops’ Palace with its mixture of architectural types, together with Renaissance and Gothic.
Whereas in Liege, you additionally must climb Montagne de Bueren for town view—it was a should for me, although take observe that the staircase is taken into account one of many steepest on the earth.
Don’t neglect to go to the Liege Cathedral, also called Saint Paul’s Cathedral, with its notable Gothic structure and stained glass home windows, in addition to check out the non secular artifacts and artworks inside!
From the time you arrive on the spectacular Liege-Guillemins station, you’ll know this shall be the most effective day journeys from Brussels by prepare you’ve ever taken!
14. Cologne
- Buy train tickets with Omio. Take Brussels South and ebook a visit upfront for Cologne Central Station.
- Prime exercise: If we’re speaking about day journeys from Brussels to Germany, I like to recommend an old town beer tour—you received’t remorse it!
In fact, we are able to’t neglect one other close by metropolis throughout the border: day journeys from Brussels to Germany, particularly Cologne, ought to be in your checklist!
This German metropolis, on the banks of the Rhine River, is dwelling to iconic landmarks, a mix of recent and medieval structure, to not point out a vibrant arts scene!
The majestic Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom, is a Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Seeing the dual spires in particular person was a improbable sight, and so was the inside with its stained glass home windows.
This makes for an thrilling stroll: Hohenzollern Bridge offers a improbable view of town, the love locks on either side are fairly a sight!
Candy tooth or in any other case, you’ll love the Chocolate Museum and study quite a bit like I did: not solely do they present fashionable manufacturing of this well-known dessert, however the reveals additionally go way back to the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs about chocolate!
My ideas on day journeys from Brussels by prepare
An environment friendly and efficient railway system makes it extra accessible to discover neighboring cities and areas by prepare in Brussels.
This has allowed me to see Belgium in a different way as a result of every is only a prepare trip away!
My journey to Brussels and past allowed me to grasp the individuals extra via their tradition and historical past—with the bonus of having fun with Belgium’s pure wonders.
What has helped me quite a bit when planning prepare journeys is checking which station is closest to me and scheduling my journeys from there.
Don’t neglect to ebook tickets upfront for comfort for easy day journeys!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my weblog, discover professional insights for a unprecedented vacation via out of doors and sustainable journey like mountain climbing, biking, and crusing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys collectively! 🌍🚀
