Ghent and Bruges Day Trip from Brussels

From€55
10 minutes – 30 minutes
Brussels, Belgium

About this activity

Experience the charm of Ghent and Bruges on a guided day trip from Brussels, featuring medieval architecture, picturesque canals, and vibrant street art.

Highlights

  • Explore Ghent's medieval architecture
  • Visit Bruges' Belfry Tower
  • Stroll along Bruges' picturesque canals
  • Discover Ghent's vibrant street art scene
  • Enjoy free time in both cities

Full description

Discover the enchanting cities of Ghent and Bruges on this guided day trip from Brussels. Wander through Ghent's medieval streets, admire its impressive architecture, and explore its vibrant street art scene. In Bruges, climb the Belfry Tower for panoramic views, stroll along the picturesque canals, and immerse yourself in the city's rich history. With free time in both cities, you can indulge in local cuisine, shop for souvenirs, or simply soak in the unique atmosphere of these Belgian gems.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Brussels
  • Guided tours of Ghent and Bruges
  • Free time to explore both cities
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Pass by: The 91-metre-tall belfry of Ghent is one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city centre of Ghent, Belgium, the other two belonging to Saint Bavo Cathedral and Saint Nicholas' Church.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Pass by: A quay in the historic city center of Ghent, Belgium, located on the right bank of the Leie river.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

The Saint Bavo Cathedral an 89-meter-tall Gothic cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. It is the seat of the diocese of Ghent, is named for Saint Bavo of Ghent, and contains the well-known Ghent Altarpiece.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Pass by: The current castle dates to 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

St. Nicholas' Church is one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks in Ghent, Belgium. Begun in the early 13th century as a replacement for an earlier Romanesque church.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Roman Catholic basilica in Bruges, Belgium. The church houses a venerated relic of the Holy Blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

The Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium, dates mainly from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Its tower, at 115.6 metres in height, remains the tallest structure in the city and the second tallest brickwork tower in the world.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8

The Bruges City Hall is one of the oldest city halls in the entire Netherlands region. It is located in Burg Square, the area of the former fortified castle in the centre of Bruges.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9

The famous area is called the "Lake of Love" and" Lovers bridge" . It’s a romantic place to be with someone you love! An amazing location within the confines of the city.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10

The Burg Square is the political center of Bruges. It is a lovely place where architecture lovers can enjoy the amazing mix of beautiful buildings.

Duration: 20 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only preserved beguinage in the Belgian city of Bruges. There are no more Beguines living there, but since 1927 it functions as a convent for Benedictines, founded by canon Hoornaert.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
12

There will be time for an optional but unforgettable canal tour.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately
  • Confirm your booking details and contact information
  • Be aware of the meeting point and departure time

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
  • Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Access to the Mystic Lamb at St Bavo's Cathedral is not possible on Sundays
  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • Our guides are pleased to guide the tours in English, Spanish and/or French depending on the language need of our guests on the tour
  • Please note that we cannot accomodate latecomers

Traveler reviews

4.2
4,960 reviews
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224

Beautiful cities and...

Beautiful cities and wonderful tour guides. Plenty of time to walk around and get a snack. Andrea and Helen were very knowledgeable and inclusive of the group.

Lisa_NJul 6, 2026VIATOR

Great tour!

This was a pretty good tour. Lots of great information, and I love that we had time to explore the areas by ourselves, but I do feel some of the tour was rushed. I would have loved more time at our last stop. I didn't particularly like the canal cruise as it was so crowded and we were playing bumper boats.

Kenneth_SJul 6, 2026VIATOR

Awesome tour!

Our tour guide Niko was amazing! The bus was brand new and enjoyable. The only downside I had was the second guide in Brugge didn’t use the headsets so it was hard to take pictures and listen. Since I love photography, I missed out on the history part in Brugge because I wondered around nearby the group taking pictures. With Niko I had the best of both worlds- I got to hear it and get the pictures I wanted.

Dagnika_MJul 6, 2026VIATOR

Great trip, but a little more info available in reviews.

This was a well-organized and fun trip with a nice balance of time between guided tour and free time in the two towns. For planning purposes, you should know that we got about an hour in Ghent and longer than that in Bruges. Traveler should also know that there are quite a few additional expenses involved, most likely. There are things in both towns that are free to look at, but most things charge entrance fees and the tour does not go in them. So if you want to do activities in the towns, plan ahead for your short time, and know that there will be additional expense. The Canal tour cost extra.

Monica_JJul 5, 2026VIATOR

Super!

Our trip to Bruges and Ghent was fantastic, and we owe a large part of that experience to Juliana. She was an exceptional guide: very kind, fun, and always willing to answer our questions. We were impressed by how detailed she was in each explanation. She shared a wealth of interesting information about the history, architecture, culture, and traditions of both cities, making the tour very entertaining and enriching. It is clear that she is passionate about what she does, and that made the tour an unforgettable experience. Without a doubt, I would recommend her to anyone who wants to get to know Bruges and Ghent in a pleasant, comprehensive, and very well-organized way. Thank you very much, Juliana!

Monica_TJul 2, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Access to the Mystic Lamb at St Bavo's Cathedral is not possible on Sundays Comfortable walking shoes are recommended Our guides are pleased to guide the tours in English, Spanish and/or French depending on the language need of our guests on the tour Please note that we cannot accomodate latecomers