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
4,906 reviews
5
2,811
4
1,136
3
470
2
266
1
223

Nice tour

Nico was amazing. Local guide not so much. Hot sunny day and both cities were very crowded so that made it slightly less enjoyable. But the cities were amazing and a must see if in Belgium

J8728SWpaulafMay 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Ghent is Great! Brugge is Brutal

Okay, so Niko was fantastic, let me just say that right away. We toured Ghent with Niko, and he’s adorable and so sweet. He is so enthusiastic, and he’s clearly very knowledgeable. However, our “local guide” in Brugge was not good. He wandered away from our group at one point. We couldn’t find him for several minutes. He told us what style of architecture everything was, but almost nothing else. It seemed like he didn’t want to be there. That was disappointing. I should note, though, that it was very hot, and we were all tired, so this may be biased due to me being grumpy. I still recommend the tour— just plan for a long day. Thankfully, the bus is air conditioned.

logf158May 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great way to see the cities

Nico was a great guide in Ghent and on the bus! Our local guide in Bruges wasn’t good and we wished we could have stayed with Nico for that portion! Overall, a great way to see the two cities

gabriellef783May 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Good glimpse of each city

This was a giant tour of probably 100 people. We had a double-decker bus plus another single-tiered bus on the tour. Our guide was largely Spanish-speaking, but there was a good balance of English as well. We spent a good amount of time in each city but the free time does feel rushed. Probably better to spend a day in each place for maximum enjoyment.

Brianna_MMay 25, 2026VIATOR

Great way to see these...

Great way to see these two fun historic cities in Belgium. Good narrative by the guide, enough personal time, good food choices. Highly recommend!

David_KMay 24, 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