Jul 13, 2023, 7:55 AM. These will require taking the train/bus to get to. Bruges Train: Buy train tickets to Bruges here Tour: Bruges day tours from Brussels Bruges is probably one of the most popular day trips from Belgium. Global Visa Wait Times. One of the advantages of visiting Belgium is the great connection it has to other European countries. The stunning Tros Marets Valley, located near Malmedy in the Belgian Ardennes, is a wonderful place to hike. Must visits in Ghent: Ghent's Saint Bavo's Cathedral, Gravensteen, Ghent City Museum, Graslei and Korenlei. The 19th-century La Hulpe Castle, also known as Solvay Castle, is just a short ride from Brussels. All in all, Ghent is a beautiful city that should definitely be on your Belgium bucket list. Whether you love nature, culture, food, or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you. These trains require a prior reservation and are international trains. The bluebell season is well known amongst locals who tend to head into the forest in droves making it feel ever so slightly like a Disneyland attraction. Its also possible to see the castle from a distance but note that the water docks, which offer the best view, are private property. The exact location has been preserved, but the trenches were rebuilt using sandbags. Located in the Warche Valley in the province of Liege, Reinhardstein Castle is another beautiful castle in Belgium. Easy to combine with: Waterloo Battlefield, Beersel Castle, La Hulpe Castle, Gaasbeek Castle, >> Read: The Best Indoor Activities in Brussels. This tale tells the story of the giants inviting the little people into their magical tower, far away from human destruction. Ypres is a little town located in the West Flanders province of Belgium and one of the farthest places to visit around Brussels in this guide. 1. The Baraque Michel itself is a pub that also serves as the starting point for hikes. This beautiful, artistic chapel was created by Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh in 2011. If you are going to Ypres to learn about WWI, consider investing in a day tour leaving from Brussels combining the most important WWI memorial sites in Ypres with a visit to Brugge. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Laura, a Belgian girl who exchanged her 9 to 5 for a life full of travel. As far as short trips from Brussels go, this one will require a slightly longer commute taking around 1h45 on the train or 1h15 in the car. A magnificent 7th-century abbey surrounded by a large park. 12 Epic Hikes in Belgium (Castles, Viewpoints & Belgium Itinerary: The Best Places in 3, 4 Is Ghent Worth Visiting? Ninglinspo. If that does not deter you, the sheer popularity of them just might do the trick. This is the Waterloo Battlefield Memorial, named after the historic Battle of Waterloo that was fought right here, destroying Napoleons imperial forces once and for all.The museum includes four different sites: The Memorial Museum (explaining the history of the battle with animated maps and a 3D film); the Panorama (a painting measuring 100 x 12 meters); the Lions Mound (climb the 226 steps of the mound you saw in passing and be rewarded with views over the battlefield grounds) and Hougoumont Farm (a multimedia show which includes memories of the soldiers who took part in the battle). Although not completely abandoned, this is Belgiums ghost town. Check out the Viator for day tours from Brussels.It is however noteworthy to mention that there are no tours running to the smaller villages or natural parks. THE TOP 10 Brussels Tours & Excursions in 2023 Brussels Tours Half-day Tours Private Sightseeing Tours Chocolate Tours Walking Tours Bus Tours Beer & Brewery Tours All Brussels Tours Art & Culture Private Drivers Transportation Services Unique Experiences Time of Day Morning Starts before 12pm Afternoon Starts after 12pm Evening and night 15 Best day trips from Brussels by a local (+ map) Voer-region. All details here. Make sure to look at this church from every angle while youre there. You'll stop first for photoshoot at Eiffel the proceed. Can be combined with: Dinant, Walzin Castle, Vves CastleLocation: Viroinval; 106 kilometers from BrusselsFondry des Chiens dubbed the Grand Canyon of Belgium is one of those unique places to visit in Belgium that will make you feel like you are abroad. You can find it in a small canyon, which you will have to descend if you want to get closer to the waterfall. Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel inspiration. Its an interesting place to visit but make sure to be respectful because its still home to a handful of people. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Hop aboard a spacious bus and sit back and relax on the drive from Brussels to Amsterdam. The most famous stretch of path is called cycling through water, a 200-meter bridge that traverses through a large pond of water. If booked in advance, trains can be a very affordable way to explore (85 to Paris and back). That is, if youre up for a 15-km (9,3 mi) hike in the Nature Park of Furfooz. Easy to combine with: Vves and Walzin Castle. De laatste maanden waren ideaal om wat meer te gaan ontdekken in eigen land. That being said, it is worth the drive! Practical details for visiting Mechelen: Parking in Mechelen can be a costly affair and during the weekend the parking garages in the city center tend to fill up quickly. Can be combined with: Charleroi, Thuin, Villers-la-Ville AbbeyLocation: 63 kilometers from Brussels. Storing your luggage is very easy enough, if you know where to go. Easy to combine with: Doel, Kalmthout Heath. Climb the Bruges Belfry for incredible views over the city. This 12th-century Abbey is extraordinarily well preserved, at least part of it. Admire the Gothic architecture of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and Dutch Baroque architecture of the . Embarking on a day tour from Brussels does not necessarily mean staying put in Belgium. Day trip to Brussels? - Amsterdam Forum - Tripadvisor A direct train from Brussels to Mechelen runs multiple times per hour and is the easiest way to get to the city. Taking safety measures. I will also update this list frequently, as I am from Belgium and am still discovering new places to visit there. They make their way through the center of town dancing to drum music and waving sticks to ward off evil spirits. Can be combined with: Mechelen, Antwerpen, Borrekens CastleLocation: 33 km from BrusselsDefinitely one of the top things to see around Brussels with kids go on a hunt for trolls.The Provincial Domain De Schorre is located a 15 km ride from Mechelen and is mostly known as the grounds where Tomorrowland is hosted.Aside from this famous festival, the grounds are also home to 7 giant (wooden) trolls. Make sure to keep some time to visit the Flanders Fields Museum which delves deeper into the role of Ypres in WWI. Visiting the Castle of Bouillon will take you back in history and reward you with a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Can be combined with: Charleroi, Binche, Villers la Ville AbbeyLocation: 70 km from BrusselsThe storybook town of Thuin is a well-kept secret, even for locals. Practical details for visiting Charleroi:Direct trains run hourly between Brussels and Charleroi South, journey time around 1 hour (each way). Here, 20 species of animals that live or used to live in the region are represented. Although the average Belgian is not patriotic at heart, the inhabitants of the larger Belgian cities tend to love their city with a fervent passion.Antwerp proudly states it is the center of the country and the rest of the country serves as a parking space to get to Antwerp, locals from Ghent tout their city to be the coolest & most alternative while locals from Mechelen simply smile and say their little oasis might be smaller but much more charming than anywhere else. Het openbaar vervoer komt niet overal en parken of bvb de Ardennen zijn eigenlijk alleen te bezoeken met de auto. The megaliths can be seen at multiple locations stretching over an area of 8 km (4,9 mi). Bruges Positioned hardly around 15km from the North Sea and 100km northwest of Brussels, Bruges day trip from Brussels is the best choice for a heavenly visit. Although there are quite some interesting things to see and do in Brussels, it can be nice to escape the city and discover what else Belgium has to offer. It used to be one of the most important Cistercian abbeys in Europe, and it was inhabited by monks until 1796 when it got pillaged and abandoned. Check rates and availability. Guided tours hosted by devotees are available in different languages. Yet another dreamy castle with turrets, moat, and drawbridge I hear you think. Theyre both absolutely stunning and theyre within walking distance of one another. A breezy 10-minute walk takes you from Ieper station to the Grote Markt (main square). October 12, 2022 So much to see, so little time! Inside you will find ample picnic places, a large peace bell, various traditional Japanese buildings surrounded by rivers, and little waterfalls that can be traversed on quaint bridges. The entrance to the open-air museum costs 15 and can be purchased at the entrance itself. High Fens. As such, Tournai perfectly fits among the best day trips from Brussels, any day! Plans to expand the harbour were postponed, and an estimated 15 to 20 people still live here today. Weather permitting, rent a bike and cycle to the castle. Make sure to book in advance if youd like to go on a walk with them because its a popular activity and places tend to fill up quickly. If you opt to take the car, park in the Parking Zilverpand (paid parking) and walk 5 min into the historical center. 20 Best Day Trips from Brussels by tours & train - tosomeplacenew Get the best day trips from Brussels - Belgium itinerary. The city of Antwerpen has a lot to offer, making it one of the most fun short trips from Brussels. It was once the most important commercial city in Europe thanks to the direct link with the sea. Try a beer flight at the amazing 2be Bruges Bar. If you want to join a guided tour for hassle-free roundtrip transfers, you can book Klook's Antwerp Half-Day Tour from Brussels. Getting There: From Brussels Midi (South) Station or Central Station, take the direct train route to Antwerp Central Station. Travel time: 45min. As this country is small and the capital is right in the middle, there are plenty of easy day trips you can do from Brussels. Can be combined with: High Fens National ParkLocation: 113 km from BrusselsDurbuy is by far one of the most beautiful towns in Belgium. Are you more of a nature lover? Can be combined with: La Hulpe Castle, Waterloo Battlefield Memorial, Gaasbeek CastleLocation: Hallerbos is 19 kilometers away from downtown BrusselsYou might have seen pictures of a forested area carpeted with bluebells, this is the famous Hallerbos or Blue Forest. Zeer interessante post. 15 Best Day Trips from Brussels - The Crazy Tourist Both are free of charge. I would love to do a day trip to Brussels to get a taste of that city during my 6 days in Amsterdam. These were made of some sort of local and natural concrete, which is called puddingstone. The best views over the castle can be found by walking around the main entrance and to the left-hand side. This is a very beautiful place to escape the city and enjoy nature. Other parts are slowly being reclaimed by nature which adds to the overall allure of the abbey.The kids will love exploring the grounds, duking in and out of the ruins, while adults might be interested in learning about the history of the abbey through their interactive app (simply scan the QR codes hung around the site). Payment is done by (credit) card or coins. It has beautiful sceneries that are quite different from the rest of Belgium, and its a great place to hike. The Yorkshire Trench and Dug-out & WWI Museums, 28. Doel. LOB_ACTIVITIES - Expedia Can be combined with: Borrekens Castle, De Schorre Boom, MechelenLocation: 45 km from BrusselsAntwerpen is roughly 6 times the size of Mechelen and one of the most populous cities in the country. Chiens means dogs in French, and according to the legend, this place was named Fondry des Chiens because a knight fell into the sinkhole with his dogs. Factually you are right, this one however is located in a lush forested area. Can be combined with: Charleroi, Thuin, BinchLocation: 40 km from BrusselsAnybody who is a fan of Harry Potter is going to love the Villers-la-Ville Abbey. Think connecting with local cultures, sustainable tourism and in-depth guides to known and lesser-known adventures. Whether youre looking for a new city to explore, a beautiful hike in nature, an enchanting castle or some historical sights, you will find the best day trips from Brussels in this article. The historical center is small and tends to get packed during the day. It would be easy to spend your entire city trip exploring what Brussels has to offer. Day Trips from Brussels Brussels to Brussels Categories Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises Cruises & Sailing Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions How to Get Around Best day trips in Belgium: castles & ruins. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. More useful information: Delve into all my Belgium travel guides for more inspiration on places to visit near Brussels. This castles history dates back almost a thousand years, and it was once owned by the notorious Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusade. 16 Day Trips from Brussels by Train (under 2 hours away) - Veggie Wayfarer There are quite some interesting things to see and do in and around Dinant and this region is completely different from the region around Brussels. Save. This fairy-tale castle comes with a proper moat, an impressive entrance hall perched in front of a drawbridge, and plenty of turrets.The original castle built on the grounds dates back to the 13th century and was built to defend the area from warring dukes. Its a great place to unwind and enjoy everything nature has to offer. De Haan has a mere 12.000 inhabitants and contains some of the countrys most beautiful Belle Epoque mansions (The town hall, Hotel Savoyarde), and holds the yearly Belle Epoque festival in July. It's the perfect place to stay if you want to explore more of Belgium or the surrounding countries. If youre interested in World War I, you may also like In Flanders Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele. Must see and do in Ghent: Explore the Gravensteen in the city center, sample a typical delight called a neuzeke (conical shaped, raspberry-flavored candy), wander around the Patershol neighborhood, pop into the St Bavos cathedral, and catch the sunset on the St Michaels Bridge before grabbing a drink on the Graslei. Chances are high you will have seen this ivy-covered castle on billboards around the airport.A beautiful domain is part and parcel of any castle and the Solvay Domain lives up to its reputation. 16. Below you will find a sprinkling of places to visit in Belgium that are geared towards a fun-filled afternoon for both young and old. Practical details for visiting Vves Castle:Entrance fee: Self-guided tours 8 for adults; Guided tours 65Duration of visit: Self-guided ~ 45 minutes; Guided ~ 1h15, Can be combined with: Vves Castle, Dinant, Furfoos National Park, Fondry des ChiensLocation: 91 km from BrusselsCan you visit inside: No The grounds can be visited in the summer weekly on Thursday at 10 AM. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam | GetYourGuide Radhadesh, near the small town of Durbuy, is not your typical European castle. Park your car right next to the Fondry des Chiens (the free parking lot above the village of Nmes). Ypres is a town in West Flanders, Belgium, and one of the best cities to plan great day trips from Brussels. There is more to the Kingdom of Belgium than Brussels alone. When the beer is being brewed, the smell of hops spreads throughout the city making it a quintessential part of everyday life in Leuven both for students (Stella Artois is the students beer of choice) and locals.Must see and do in Leuven: Visit the iconic city hall, take a tour of the university library, quench your thirst with a locally brewed Stella Artois, walk around the quaint Beguinage, and visit the Arenberg Castle. The station is a 20-minute walk from the Grote Markt (main square). dank ! Explore each destination as a guided day trip from Brussels or take the train. A few rules of thumb to follow when driving in Belgium: Not looking forward to figuring out how to train system works, or to facing the Belgian traffic? Practical information for visiting the High Fens:Public transportation will take around 3 hours (each way). Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a6abde0e50514f7b498357592ff564af");document.getElementById("c5baa473d9").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Find day trips to take today or this coming . Explore more of Brussels & Belgium with these in-depth guidesBrussel: How to spend an unforgettable weekend in BrusselsBrussels: Hidden gems in BrusselsCastles: 16 Castle hotels in Belgium for a romantic getawayFurther afield: 10 Reasons to visit Luxembourg, Your email address will not be published. It later served as a summer residence, with the Count of Egmont being its most famous owner. Although you cant visit the La Hulpe Castle inside unless you want to book an event, the castle and its domain are a great place for a stroll. Pin it for later:Did you find this post featuring the best day trips from Brussels helpful? The current construction was built at the end of the 19th century on the foundations of an older building, and its inhabited by John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Earl of Bornem. In the Nekker Provinciaal Sportdomein kids can go swimming (outside and inside) or play in the large open-air playground (2.9 km from Mechelen station).Must see in Mechelen with kids: The toy museum, Technopolis, Sint Romboutstoren, Vleeshalle, Grote Markt, swimming in the Nekker, street art walking tour. Er zitten echt een paar pareltjes tussen! The battles fought in Ypres were a deciding factor in turning the tables in favor of the allied troops who eventually won the war. The friendly giants dont only look amazing, theyre also part of a beautiful tale called The 7 trolls and the magical tower. Alternatively, find off-the-beaten-path hikes in Wikiloc.Tip: Not up for a hike? Upon arriving in Brussels and in advance of the MoCA, Minister Guilbeault will make a . Gatineau, Quebec - July 10, 2023 - Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will be co-hosting the 7th Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA7) alongside the European Union and China, on July 13 and 14, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Best road trips in Belgium - Lonely Planet The name of the castle refers to the late baron Frdric Brugmann de Walzin who had the castle thoroughly refurbished and whose descendants still live here today.Tip: The river Lesse running in front of the Walzin castle is a popular spot for Kayaking. Bruges This enchanting, medieval city is one of the most popular days trips from Brussels and one of the prettiest places in Belgium. Alternatively, head straight for the forested area and hunt them down without a map. Close to the town of Aywaille (which is almost pronounced like Hawaii), this unique valley is full of small waterfalls and pools, and its home to one of the most epic hikes in Belgium. Practical information for visiting Hallerbos: Aside from spotting bluebells, there are plenty of other hikes and leisurely strolls to be done amongst the ancient giant Sequoia trees in the forest. More information about our verified reviews . The Best Day Trips in Belgium (by a local) - World Wanderista Thanks to their relative proximity to each other this is perfectly feasible provided you have a car. My personal favourites are Baraque Michel, Walzin Castle and Reading Between the Lines. Book the best day trips from Brussels, Belgium directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Can you think of interesting day trips from Brussels that are missing from this list? This is Belgiums only national park, located in the province of Limburg. The 15 best day trips from Brussels to discover Belgium and beyond Today, Gaasbeek Castle can be visited, and it houses an impressive amount of artefacts, from furniture to paintings and tapestries. Marvel at the Grote Markt (main square), climb the 500+ stairs of the Sint Romboutstoren and spot the Atomium from the top.Just outside of Mechelen lies Technopolis, an interactive science museum for kids (2.8 km from Mechelen station). If a car is not an option, public transportation will also get you there. To this day the impressive Dinant Citadel still adorns the limestone wall at the very top and the beautiful Collgiale Notre-Dame de Dinant guards the bottom. Read 810,915 traveller reviews and view photos of different trips from Brussels to various destinations. This castle was built for the Marquis Maximilien de Bthune in French style and bought by the wealthy industrialist Ernest Solvay later. Can be combined with: La Hulpe Castle, Hallerbos, Waterloo Battlefield MemorialLocation: 15 km from BrusselsCan you visit inside: Yes, but not until renovations are finished in 2023One of my favorite short trips from Brussels is to the Gaasbeek Castle as it offers the possibility to both walk in the gardens and visit the inside of a real castle. Trains run regularly between Brussels and Antwerp, with the ride taking a pleasant 40 minutes after which you will arrive in one of the most beautiful and iconic train stations in the world. Once you arrive, begin a guided tour where the history of the city is revealed. The castle was completely destroyed and what you can see today is an exact reconstruction. Then one (or more) of the following nature escapes may just be the perfect day trip from Brussels for you! Please note:This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This guide covers a lot of places around Brussels, which might make choosing where to go slightly overwhelming. Now and then a light switches on to remind us of the nobility living in this privately owned castle.The original castle dates back to the 12th century and was built as a military fort guarding the strategically important Lesse river. Discover the treasures of Belgium on a full-day excursion from Paris. Located in the south of Belgium it is one of the further away day trips from Brussels, you will need a full day. The wildlife park at the Caves of Han complex is beautiful too. Find out what mischief you can get up to during a weekend in Brussels and a few hidden gems in the city you might not know about. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. , Jij bedankt Egidius! This place always reminds me of the African savanna. I am from Belgium and spent years exploring this little country, and in this post, you will find the places I think are worth visiting. Easily one of the most famous small and quaint cities in Europe, the city of Bruges is easily the most famous of day trips from Brussels. Once you enter it, you will notice numerous colourful statues of Krishna, the Hindu God. 6+ hours. Relevant article: Beautiful Places in Belgium. The train station is located a 15 min walk from the Grand Place (main square) in Charleroi. Image by Eddy Van 3000 used under CC BY-SA 2.0. This is one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Belgium. It was intended as a monument symbolising peace and fraternity between peoples. Practical details for visiting Bruges:Direct trains run between Brussels and Bruges multiple times per hour. You can also visit its beautiful park and museum garden, which will give you an overview of traditional species of fruit and vegetables. With new high-quality museums popping up every few months and one of the coolest hikes bear Brussels (The 21-kilometer Boule Noire), the city has a fair amount of activities to offer.Must see and do in Charleroi: Take a street-art tour, hike the terrils of Charleroi, learn about the mining history of the region in Bois du Cazier, visit one of the many very cool museums (glass museum, photography museum,..). The Semois Valley is known for its beautiful hikes, charming villages, and of course, the Semois River, which is a nice place to go kayaking. French and English troops fought here, and the battle marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Charleroi is embracing its colorful history, clearing out the cobwebs and undergoing a true revival. Its interesting to see how different it looks depending on where youre standing. When embarking on your day trip you will undoubtedly be wondering how to get around Belgium? Laure Wanders occasionally uses affiliate links when recommending products and services. Heb zelf nog veel te ontdekken in Belgi. The train station is located a 2-minute walk away from the main shopping street Bondgenoten Laan which leads straight to the Grote Markt (main square). You will find gigantic boulders here, and if youre visiting during spring, the nearby grassland will be full of beautiful blue flowers. For those visitors eager to explore the city without too many visitors, try and head out in the early hours of the day or, alternatively, after 18.00 when most tour groups have left for the day. The medieval city is well protected by an impenetrable limestone wall on the east. Its a beautiful park, but I was a little disappointed to see that theyre building a huge resort at Connecterra, which completely ruins the view. Nevertheless, its a beautiful place surrounded by nice hiking trails. The forested area is a popular place for picnics and leisurely strolls. 19 Best Day Trips from Brussels, Belgium - ViaTravelers Easy to combine with: Baraque Michel, Bayehon Valley, Reinhardstein Castle. Looking for some fun activities to do with kids in the vicinity of Brussels? And voila that was it! Top 10 BEST Day Trips from Brussels (Belgium)