When I planned my trip to Belgium, I had one extra day and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to visit Bruges or Ghent. Both are great cities and come up frequently on travel itineraries. In the end, I couldn’t decide and so like so many other travelers, I decided to cram two cities into one day. It was a very busy day, but I got to see two great cities in Belgium. Not only that, I learned which I would revisit on a return trip to Belgium.
Since I know I’m not the only fast paced traveler, I decided I’d write out my itinerary to help others planning their own day trip to Bruges and Ghent.
Bruges and Ghent in One Day
This itinerary assumes that you’re starting somewhere other than Bruges or Ghent. Additionally, it assumes that you’re basing yourself out of Brussels (because that’s what I did on my trip and what I think is the most popular). If you’re basing yourself out of a different city, you’ll want to review train schedules and adjust your day accordingly.
That said, this itinerary gives approximations for times. You’ll want to review train schedules so you can get the exact times, but this itinerary will gives you a good idea of how long you need in each city. Note that in Belgium, you can purchase a ticket and use it at any point that day. So if you find yourself enjoying Ghent so much, consider staying for just a little longer and catching a later train.
Now let’s finally get into this itinerary for one day in Bruges and Ghent.
7:30 – Depart Brussels
If you’re starting in Brussels, your first step will be to get to Bruges and that means taking a train. From Brussels Central Station, you’ll have about an hour on the train before you reach Bruges. I recommend trying to get an earlier train (take a nap on the train if you need to) so you can get to Bruges between 8:30 and 9:00 am. The city is just starting to come to life so you’ll get to take in a bit of the city before it becomes very busy.
8:30 – Arrive Bruges
The best architecture in Bruges is the Market Square and to get here, you’ll have a twenty minute walk from the train station. Buses also run through Bruges, but the walk wasn’t bad so I went on foot.
As you enter the Market Square, take a good look at your surroundings. The architecture here is beautiful and its so colorful. Turn around to take it in at each angle. If you’re here in the morning, the square may not be super lively but as the day goes on, it becomes busier and busier. All of the tourists to Bruges will inevitably end up here.
Beyond the Market Square, there’s a handful of sights that I’d recommend with your short time. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood (noting that the Upper Chapel is more impressive than the Lower Chapel) which was originally built to hold drops of Jesus Christ’s blood that was brought back from Jerusalem. Boniface Bridge is one of the most photographed spots in Bruges and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fantastic view, but I recommend getting here early in the day when there are fewer people.
Nearby Boniface Bridge you’ll find the Church of Our Lady which has beautiful interior (though you’ll have to pay an entrance fee if you want to see it properly—thrifty travelers can pop in for a quick peak before reaching the ticket counter).
You’re in Belgium, so if you aren’t sick of chocolate yet, there’s a few stores to try. My recommendations are Dumon and The Chocolate Line which both have great chocolates (though these are not the only places in Bruges to find delicious chocolates).
For something a little different, consider taking a sightseeing boat down the canals of Bruges. Yes it’s touristy, but I still highly recommend it. You’ll see the city from a different angle and with the narration provided by the captain so you can learn just a little bit more about the city you’re visiting. There are tour boats around the city and all offer similar prices. I boarded my boat near Rozenhoedkaai and paid 12 euro for a 30 minute tour (in 2023).
Before you leave Bruges, take some time to grab a bite to eat. There’s still one more city to explore and it’s no fun doing it on an empty stomach. When you’re ready to leave, head back to the train station.
1:30 – Depart Bruges
I recommend leaving Bruges around 1:30. I felt that the five hours that I had in Bruges was just enough to get a feel for the city and get some lunch before heading off to the next city.
You’ll have a thirty minute journey from Bruges to Ghent, so take this time to sit and relax before you arrive in Ghent.
2:00 – Arrive Ghent
When you arrive in Ghent, you’ll have to decide if you want to take the bus or just walk to the main sights. From the train station, it’s about a 30 minute walk and while I did it, I can say it’s not the most interesting walk. The choice is yours.
In Ghent, you’ll find sights similar to Bruges. You’ll visit market squares to admire the architecture, picturesque canals, and have the opportunity to take another sightseeing boat. How you spend your time is up to you, but here’s where I recommend focusing your time.
Visit Korenmarkt Square for the quintessential Belgian city square, though you can also visit Vrijdagmarkt Square and Sint-Baafsplein. Sint-Michielsbrug (or St. Michael’s Bridge) is the most photogenic area of the city, so don’t skip it. For churches, you can visit St. Nicholas’ Church, though I think that St. Bavo’s Cathedral is just a bit better. Graffitistraat is a small alley that’s covered in graffiti and street art and offers something a little bit different from your normal sightseeing.
You’ll also have the option to do a canal boat tour while you’re in Ghent. However, since I did a canal boat tour earlier in Bruges, I skipped the one in Ghent. I have mixed feelings about skipping it, but the choice is yours. When I visited, the canal boat tours in Ghent were slightly cheaper and also longer than the canal boat tour in Bruges, so that might affect your decision, but again, it’s your choice.
Because I skipped the canal boat tour and I didn’t have a meal in Ghent, I felt like I needed less time in Ghent, but you may feel different. When you’re ready, head back to the train station for your train back to Brussels.
5:00 – Depart Ghent
After a busy day of exploring, board your train back to Brussels. From Ghent, it’s thirty minutes back to Belgium’s capital.
5:30 – Arrive Brussels
Phew! It was a busy day, but you’re back in Brussels. If you still have energy, by all means, go out and explore, but I was definitely ready for a break when I returned.
With More Energy
For an itinerary like this, I find that energy is more important than time. You’re already trying to visit Bruges and Ghent in one day, so it’s going to be a busy day regardless. The real question for me comes down to how much can I reasonably cram into the day and still have energy left for the remaining days of my trip.
So, let’s say you have a bit more energy, what else could you do in Bruges and Ghent? In Ghent, you could take a canal tour, but since you already did one in Bruges, I think this feels a bit redundant, but it’s your choice. You could climb The Belfry in each city. While I saw The Belfry from the outside in both Bruges and Ghent, I didn’t actually go up to the top. I chose to stay on the ground both to save time and money. But for a nice view of the city you’re in, consider a climb up to the top.
Is One Day in Bruges and Ghent Enough?
I think the answer to this question depends on the traveler. I’ll fully admit that I’m a fast paced traveler who crams in more than they probably should. Bruges and Ghent were no exceptions and by visiting these two cities in one day, I had to make sacrifices. I experienced Bruges and Ghent on a surface level. While I definitely got a feeling for which city I liked better (Bruges), I left wishing I could have spent a bit more time seeing these cities.
That all said, if I were to do my trip again, I’d do things the exact same way and that includes cramming Bruges and Ghent into one day. If it’s your only chance to see these two cities, I think it’s reasonable to combine them. Just realize that you’ll only get a surface level appreciation for these cities and you may leave feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface.
Getting Around Bruges
Bruges is a very walkable city. Plus, I found the city much more interesting than Brussels (where the interesting architecture doesn’t seem to extend much beyond the main tourist hub at the Grote Markt). However, it is a nearly 20 minute walk from the train station to the Market Square. You can save some time and energy by taking public buses to get to and from the train station.
Getting Around Ghent
While it is possible to do everything on foot, I recommend utilizing the tram to get to and from the train station. From Ghent’s train station, it’s a 30 minute walk to get to Korenmarkt (the closest sight on this list to the train station). Tram tickets cost 2.5 euro per ride, or 7.5 euro for the whole day.
Honestly, the walk from the train station to Korenmarkt isn’t very interesting, so I recommend spending the extra bit of money to take the tram. I especially recommend taking the tram if you’re also visiting Bruges in the same day like I was. Give your feet a little rest. All three tram lines have a stop at the Ghent train station, so no matter where you are, you should be able to make it back to the train station with no problems.
Once you are in the historic center, it’s best explored on foot. However, you could rent a bike. The city is full of bikers so you’d fit right in.
When to Visit Belgium
Belgium, and by extension Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent, can be visited all year round. In summers, expect warmer temperatures and the most crowds. In winter, you’ll find fewer crowds, but colder temperatures. Shoulder season can be an ideal time to visit.
I visited Belgium in mid-March. While the temperatures were cool and I experienced some rain, crowds felt manageable. Plus, prices were lower than had I traveled during summer.
Final Thoughts
Cramming two cities into one day is a lot and in general I don’t recommend it, even for fast paced travelers. However, I’m still glad I visited Bruges and Ghent in one day because it allowed me to see two different cities. I definitely left with a favorite (sorry, Ghent) and I know now where I want to return and spend more time on a future trip.
Continue Your Adventure
Belgium: Belgium is full of great cities. Brussels is the capital and a highlight for me was my DIY chocolate tour. Bruges was gorgeous, Ghent has a few interesting sights, and Antwerp has so much to see. Find everything you need to start planning your trip with my Belgium Travel Guide.
Itineraries: Starting in Paris, travel to Belgium before finishing in Amsterdam on this amazing 10 Days in Paris, Belgium, and Amsterdam Itinerary. With less time, try my long weekend in Belgium.
More in Europe: In just a few hours, you can reach more great cities in Europe. To the west is Paris which is great whether you have two days or five days. To the east is Amsterdam which I visited in one busy day.