Belgium travel guide: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp by train
A small country with three official languages, a beer list longer than most wine lists and cities so close together you can lunch in Ghent and dine in Bruges. Belgium is made for a rail trip.
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Bruges
Photo: Torben Gettermann / Unsplash
Belgium, close together and full of contrast
The train from Brussels reaches Bruges in about an hour. Five minutes' walk from the station you are among canals and gabled houses that have barely changed since the Middle Ages. Belgium is one of Europe's smallest countries, yet it holds two distinct cultures and three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Its food and beer culture is far bigger than its size.
It uses the euro and sits in the Schengen Area. Eurostar trains from London reach Brussels in around two hours, and high-speed services run from Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. For more nearby ideas, see our Europe travel guide.
Which city should you choose?
Brussels, the capital
The Grand-Place, art nouveau townhouses, the European quarter and strong museums. The obvious base for day trips. Read our Brussels guide.
Bruges, the medieval showpiece
Small, beautiful and crowded at midday. Stay the night and you will have it almost to yourself in the evening and early morning.
Ghent, the student city
As old and nearly as lovely as Bruges, with more students and fewer tour groups. Plenty of visitors end up liking it best.
Antwerp, fashion and diamonds
Belgium's second city has a big port, fashion boutiques and one of the grandest railway stations in Europe. City energy without capital-city stress.
Food and drink
There are two kinds of waffle: the light, rectangular Brussels waffle and the denser, sweeter Liège waffle. Chips come in a paper cone with mayonnaise, and mussels with chips is close to a national dish. Belgian beer culture is on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage, and many cafés hand you a beer menu that runs to several pages. Buy chocolate from a small chocolatier rather than at the station.
Getting around
Rail is the answer. Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp share one network, journeys are short and fares are reasonable, with weekend discounts. A car makes little sense in the cities, where parking is expensive and centres are often closed to traffic.
Good to know
Flanders in the north speaks Dutch, Wallonia in the south speaks French. Brussels is officially bilingual. English is widely understood.
Many museums close on Mondays.
Bruges is packed at summer weekends and through Advent. Go midweek if you can.
Hotel Amigo
Photo: Hotels.com
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Amigo
Frequently asked questions about Belgium
Which city in Belgium is best to visit?
Brussels is the practical base, Bruges the prettiest and Ghent the liveliest. With four days you can see all three by train.
Bruges or Ghent: which is better?
Bruges is more intact and romantic, Ghent livelier and less touristy. Many people base themselves in Ghent and visit Bruges for the day.
How long is the train from London to Brussels?
Eurostar takes around two hours from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi, with onward trains to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.
Where should I stay in Belgium?
Brussels has the widest choice of hotels and the best rail links. Our Brussels hotel guide picks the best.