If you have a short time in Belgium and want to see everything possible then these 2 cities can be combined into one long day trip. Trying to visit Bruges and Ghent in one day sounds ambitious at first, but in Belgium it is actually one of the most realistic double-city day trips you can do. The trains are reliable and the distances between these two are short. Both cities are compact enough that you can see the highlights without spending half the day on transport.
In a nutshell this is how I did it. I started early from Brussels, headed first to Bruges and enjoyed the most photogenic and most tourist-heavy city before it got too crowded, then moved on to Ghent for the second half of the day. This one day itinerary is designed to keep you going from one stop to another without wasting time while hitting all the main attractions in these 2 cities. It won’t be a relaxed day but not too rushed and hectic either. You will walk a lot, but that is exactly how these cities are best experienced.
How to Get to Bruges From Brussels
The easiest way to get from Brussels to Bruges is by train. Belgian trains are frequent, simple to use, and for a route like this they are far more convenient than hiring a car. You avoid traffic, avoid parking, and arrive close enough to the old centre that you can start sightseeing almost straight away.
If you are staying in central Brussels there are multiple stations which you can choose from. Brussels-Central is normally the handiest station to leave from. Brussels-Midi and Brussels-Nord also work, so you do not need to overthink it if one of those is closer to your accommodation. You can buy train tickets through the SNCB app, on the website, or from the machines at the station. You can read more about the process of buying tickets on my Day Trips from Brussels post where Ghent and Bruges also feature
For this itinerary, I would leave Brussels as early as you realistically can. Some time around the 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. mark will give you more time to take it a bit slower. Bruges is one of those cities that looks best before the main crowds fully arrive. The streets around the canals are calmer, the photos are better, and you will enjoy the centre more before the market squares start filling up.
Things to Do in Bruges
Bruges is an amazing city and one of the prettiest on my trip to Belgium. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t exactly great but it still didn’t dampen the spirits. The walk into the city centre starts at the city’s main park right next to the train station. It is around a 20 minute walk but fear not, Bruge’s charm makes the walk fly by.
Minnewater Park
While the main attraction that is shown in all the photos is the central square or the Grote Markt, the attractions start next to the train station with the Minnewater park. It is one of the calmest places to begin, the lake, greenery and old bridges contrast with the chaos of the city centre. I recommend walking slowly through it and take your time.
From Minnewater, one of the best next stops is the Begijnhof. In Bruges, the Begijnhof is a quiet courtyard made up of white houses surrounding a central green space filled with trees. It feels completely separate from the busy city centre, even though it’s only a short walk away.
Church of our Lady + Boniface Bridge
On your way heading into the centre, before you head straight for the largest squares, spend some time around the Church of Our Lady area and the smaller lanes near Bonifacius Bridge. Here you will start to see those postcardesque spots with the canals and old bridges. Bonifacius Bridge in particular is one of those spots that people love for a reason. It feels compact and cinematic. You do not need to stand there for ages, but you should absolutely pass through it and take the time to look around properly.
The Church of Our Lady also deserves a stop, even if you are not planning to explore inside. Its tower immediately stands out in the skyline and the surroundings are among the most attractive in the city.
Walk the Dijver and Stop at Rosary Quay
If there is one place in Bruges that almost everyone photographs, it is Rozenhoedkaai. And to be fair, it deserves the attention. This is one of the classic views of Bruges, with the canal, the stepped buildings, and the layered medieval skyline all packed into one frame. It is a worthwhile but small detour to grab those photos.
Grote Markt + Belfry
I soon made my way to the main attraction and you don’t need to plan this next stop. Sooner or later you are going to end up in Markt. This is the big Bruges square, where the iconic architecture surrounds it on each of the 4 sides of the square.
What stood out to me was the Belfry where the tower offers a sweeping view over Bruges. You should just have enough time to grab a ticket and climb this tower, however be weary of time. I would recommend to not go up if it has gone past 11am if you want to make Ghent on time.
To climb the tower is not free. It costs around €15 and there is no lift. You will have to climb 366 steps to reach the top and you will be rewarded with panoramic views over Bruges. You will also have access to the bell chamber and there is some history inside. You will spend around 45-60 minutes total to go up it. Honestly I skipped it as I was a bit pressed for time and it was absolutely pelting down with rain so I didn’t fancy to go even more into the wind to get even more wet. For more information check the official website for up to date information about Bruges Belfry tickets and opening hours
Take an Optional Canal Boat Ride
This is another popular activity in Bruges. A canal boat ride in Bruges is one of those classic tourist things that actually can be worth doing. The city does look great from the water and it gives you a different perspective from all the walking you will have been doing. Again do be aware of the time
If the queue is short and the timing works, go for it. If the line is long and you can already feel the day slipping away, skip it. That is the honest answer. A lot of blog posts write these activities as if time has no consequences. If you are looking to do both cities in one day every extra wait matters.
What I do think is useful about the canal ride is that it makes Bruges feel different from Ghent. Ghent also has waterways, but Bruges leans more heavily into the postcard canal experience. So if you have room for one more “classic Bruges” activity before leaving, this is a good candidate.
Walk along the Canals
If you don’t go by boat then make sure that before leaving Bruges, use whatever time you have left to wander a little beyond the most crowded core. This is where the city often becomes more enjoyable again. Streets with fewer people and quieter canals.
Some of the hidden corners are drifting towards Jan van Eyckplein, exploring some of the side streets, or simply taking a slightly less direct route back through the centre. The point is to get more of a sense of the city by exploring less visited areas.
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
Finally on your walk back to the train station pass by this magnificent cathedral in the form of Sint-Salvatorskathedraal. This is the oldest parish church in Bruges and has a more fortress-like look compared to some of the city’s buildings. It’s worth stepping inside for a quick look, especially for the tapestries and artwork. Entry to the cathedral is free, although some specific areas like the treasury may require a small fee.
How to Get to Ghent from Bruges
There is a small trick here to get to Ghent from Bruges. There are two stations in Ghent one of them is more central but it is smaller and not a lot of trains stop here. In fact if you were to come here from Brussels then you won’t have this option. This is getting to Gent-Danpoort. This station is smaller but it is within walking distance to Ghent’s main sites. The main station, Gent-Sint-Pieters is 30-35 minute walk from the centre and most likely you will need to catch a tram.
The journey is short. In around 30 minutes I was pulling up to Gent-Danpoort and trains are frequent to Ghent San Piters but are only hourly trains go on to Gent-Danpoort. As always check the timetables on the day using the SNCB app. I aimed to leave Brugge around 1pm to have some time to explore Ghent properly.
Things to Do in Ghent
I am not going to lie I was a bit tired arriving in Ghent so first thing I did was to stop at a coffee house, partly to shelter from the rain and wait to stop and another was to refuel. From the train station walk towards the center to the Belfry, it is the first stop when walking from the Danpoort area.
Visit the Belfry Area and the Heart of Old Ghent
The Belfry is one of the major landmarks in Ghent, and although it isn’t as big as the one in Bruges it is still worth going up if you so want to. It’s the best way to grab a view of Ghent from above. I didn’t go up here either partly to save some money and other was I simply didn’t want to climb a narrow tall staircase.
Even if you do not plan to go up the surrounding area is worth a visit. It has a Flemish old-town atmosphere where important buildings are surrounded and scattered next to each other in a compact space. I was looking at buildings and checking on google maps what was their function all the time in Ghent.
Korenmarkt and St.Nicholas Church
Just a few meters walk from the Belfry area, you will see a big church, that of St.Nicholas. St. Nicholas’ Church is one of the key landmarks in Ghent’s centre and is known for its distinctive Gothic architecture. Entry is completely free, which makes it an easy stop even if you’re travelling on a budget. It’s generally open daily from around 10:00 to 17:00.
Behind the church is the absolute centre of Ghent, one of the best places to orient yourself is around Korenmarkt. This is where the city immediately starts feeling alive. There is movement, and big historic buildings and the canals just nearby, everything that gives Ghent its charming character
St Michael’s Bridge
I continued walking straight past Korenmarkt and found myself to the best viewpoint Ghent has to offer. This is of course St.Michael’s bridge. I immediately found myself comparing it to every brochure that advertises Belgium. Here you will see everything coming together from the canals to the historic facades. You will definitely need to take pictures here. But even if you are not bothered about photos, it gives you one of the clearest overviews of Ghent’s identity.
Spend Time Along Graslei and Korenlei
Right next to it or should I say under St.Michaels Bridge are Graslei and Korenlei. These are the two opposite banks of the canal and are the next big thing. I would definitely not rush walking here but take your time, every two steps offer a different angle. It is one of Ghent’s most famous stretches and is the main reason that some people end up preferring it to Bruges. The waterside setting is beautiful, the buildings are dramatic, and the whole area feels both historic and alive.
What I liked most here is that even though Ghent itself feels more like a city just a few steps away this area felt peaceful and local even though there were people around us. I would definitely recommend walking along both sides of the canal, as the scene continuously changes.
Explore Gravensteen Castle
While walking along the canals, I made my way towards Gravensteen Castle. This is the one attraction that is unique to Ghent and is definitely different than anything in Bruges. Here you also have a choice whether to just admire it from the outside or going inside.
Once again I didn’t opt to go in as in my opinion the main thing to see is the fortification from outside. This is your last stop of the day so you can easily judge yourself whether you have time to go inside or not. Gravensteen Castle is typically open daily, but hours vary slightly by season:
- April – October: 10:00 – 18:00
- November – March: 09:00 – 17:00
Tickets cost around €12 for adults and last entry is around 45 minutes before closing.
Bonus: De Dulle Griet Pub
If you are up for it, a perfect way to finish your day trip is to have a pint (or more) at the De Dulle Griet pub. This pub got famous on tiktok and for one main reason. They take your shoes and they only give them back to you once you finish your glass of beer. It is a fun concept and worth checking out if you are with friends. It does open a bit later in the day after 5pm so if you decide to start with Ghent or by some miracle you finish early then you will need for it to open.
Bruges And Ghent in One Day – Timings
This is my recommended timing for visiting both Bruges and Ghent in one day.
- 07:45 – Catch Train from Brussels to Bruges
- 08:45 – Arrive Bruges
- 09:00 – Minnewater Park Stroll
- 09:45 – Sint – Salvator Cathedral
- 10:10 – Rosary Quay
- 10:40 – Belfry and Grote Markt
- 11:15 – Free Stroll / Roaming around / Canal tour
- 12:45 – Train to Ghent Danpoort (check timings)
Ghent
- 14:00 – Ghent Belfry
- 14:30 – St. Michael Bridge
- 15:00 – Graslei and Kornelei.
- 15:20 – Gravensteen Castle
As you can see these timings are manageable and can definitely do both cities at once. They are also slightly on the rushed side but end the day around 4pm. You will have more leeway if you want to spend more time at a particular place or another, you can do so. This is just a guideline to give you a rough idea.
Conclusion
Doing Bruges and Ghent in one day is absolutely worth it, and doable. I did it because I wanted to do other things in Belgium during my short stay and yet wanted to see both of these amazing unique cities. I was ready to accept that I wasn’t going to experience every museum, every tower, and every interior attraction in both cities. However that saved me money and the one thing that I wished I did was the belfry of Bruges and maybe the canal tour. Both activities should be doable in the above itinerary.
If you want more inspiration on what to do in Belgium then I listed 19 day trips from Brussels by train. For more cities in Belgium then read my one day in Antwerp, and finally if you crave a bit of nature from Brussels then read how to get to Hoge Kempen National Park!
