Brussels may be Belgium’s bustling capital, but some of the country’s most magical experiences lie just beyond its city limits. Whether you're craving culture, coastlines, or cobblestones, these 6 unforgettable day trips from Brussels deliver the very best of Belgium—one city at a time.
Brugge: Belgium’s Fairytale City
![8[1]](https://authenticbrussels.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/81.png#2253)
Travel time: 1 hour by train
Why go: canals, medieval charm, romantic atmosphere
Stepping into Bruges feels like walking through the pages of a storybook. Its maze of cobblestone alleys, serene canals, and perfectly preserved Gothic architecture make it one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
Whether you're wandering past quaint chocolate shops, drifting under stone bridges on a boat tour, or simply gazing at the market square from a café terrace, Bruges is pure enchantment.
It’s no wonder visitors return again and again—it’s a city that never loses its magic, no matter how many times you visit.
Ghent: Medieval Meets Modern
![9[1]](https://authenticbrussels.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/91.png#2254)
Travel time: 30 minutes by train
Why go: vibrant student city, historical sites, art scene
Ghent doesn’t try to impress, it just does. This lively university city blends centuries of history with a modern, creative energy that you can feel in its buzzing streets and riverside bars. One minute you’re gazing at the masterpiece of the Ghent Altarpiece inside a centuries-old cathedral; the next, you're surrounded by colorful graffiti or sipping craft beer brewed in a former monastery.
With fewer crowds than Bruges but just as much charm, Ghent offers a perfect balance of old and new.
Ostend: A Beach Escape
![13[1]](https://authenticbrussels.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/131.png#2258)
Travel time: 1h15 by train
Why go: beach, seafood, art museums
When the city heat gets to you, nothing beats a salty breeze and a walk along the shore, and Ostend delivers. Belgium’s most famous beach town has long been a coastal retreat, where city-dwellers come to recharge by the North Sea.
Sink your feet into the sand, savor fresh shrimp croquettes at a local bistro, or dive into the world of modern Belgian art at Mu.ZEE. It's the perfect mix of seaside calm and urban culture, making it a refreshing and unexpected escape from Brussels.
Leuven: Beer, Books & Beautiful Squares
![11[1]](https://authenticbrussels.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/111.png#2256)
Travel time: 25 minutes by train
Why go: lively university town, beer culture, architecture
Just a short hop from Brussels, Leuven bursts with youthful energy and old-world elegance. Its Gothic town hall is one of the most impressive in Europe, but this is far from a sleepy historic town, students keep the cafés full, the conversations flowing, and the beer taps open late into the night.
Tour the birthplace of Stella Artois, climb the university library tower, or just get lost in the rhythm of student life in the Old Market, where laughter spills out of every corner.
Mechelen: Hidden Gem Between Brussels and Antwerp
![12[1]](https://authenticbrussels.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/121.png#2257)
Travel time: 35 minutes by train
Why go: less touristy, family-friendly, historic charm
Mechelen may not make the headlines like Bruges or Ghent, but that’s exactly why you’ll fall for it. This charming little city has everything you need for a perfect day out: winding canals, colorful façades, vibrant local markets, and fewer tourists.
You can climb the soaring St. Rumbold’s Tower for sweeping views, explore a powerful piece of history at the Kazerne Dossin memorial, or simply enjoy the calm vibe of a city that invites you to slow down and savor each moment.
Dinant: A Dramatic Riverside Getaway
Travel time: 1h45 by train
Why go: natural scenery, cliffs, fortress, river cruises
Tucked between cliffs and river, Dinant looks like something out of a fantasy film. The dramatic landscape alone is worth the trip: a massive citadel perched high above the Meuse, colorful houses lining the riverbanks, and a cathedral with a bulbous spire unlike anything else in Belgium.
Add to that a rich musical history (it’s the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone) and you’ve got a town as fascinating as it is photogenic. Whether you arrive by train, boat, or kayak, Dinant is an unforgettable way to escape the ordinary.
Our hotel is at the start of your Belgian adventure, right by Nord Train Station. Wake up in the heart of the city, step out, and let the best of Belgium unfold from here.
