12 Top Day Trips from Brussels
Basing yourself in Brussels while exploring the rest of Belgium is a great idea. Centrally placed, Brussels is in a prime position for further exploration of the countryside. It's a particularly convenient base for scenic trips to locations in the middle and north of the country like Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges, and it's also within just a few hours' drive of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the tiny country of Luxembourg.
Some of the most famous tourist attractions and things to do within easy reach are the historic battlefields of Waterloo and the towns and villages of the Flanders region, where you'll also find the attractions and battlefields of Ypres.
For those who aren't keen on packing and unpacking constantly as they travel, staying in the capital and renting a car or enjoying the convenience of expert guided tours for a series of day trips is a smart option.
Plan your adventures with our list of the top day trips from Brussels.
Bruges
Bruges, 104 kilometers northwest from central Brussels, is Belgium's most popular destination, with an old town district packed with some of the country's most famous historic tourist attractions, including the belfry, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Markt square and Bruges' canal-side architecture.
Although it can be a good idea to overnight in this historic city, so you can explore the top sites early, when the old town streets are at their quietest, if you're short on time, it's simple to visit Bruges as a day trip from Brussels.
Bruges & Ghent
If you want to tick off both Bruges (104 kilometers northwest) and Ghent (58 kilometers northwest) all in one day from Brussels, it's worthwhile doing a bit of pre-planning beforehand, so you can decide which must-see places to visit, as you will have less time for ambling between sights.
If you're day tripping to Bruges and Ghent with your own transport, you can easily add on a visit to Laarne Castle, 11 kilometers east of Ghent.
Although rebuilt extensively in the 17th century, this pentagonal fortress, surrounded by a moat, was originally constructed to defend Ghent in the 11th century.
The interior is furnished in the French and Antwerp styles and displays exceptionally beautiful Brussels tapestries that depict the Emperor Maximilian hunting; they date from the 16th century.
On the first floor is a collection of silverwork, which comprises chiefly French and Belgian silver from the 15th to 18th centuries. One of the most famous pieces here is a plate designed by Rubens in 1628, which belonged to the Tsarina Catherine II.
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Waterloo
The little town of Waterloo in Brabant, 18 kilometers south of central Brussels, has become world famous through the historic battle of June 18, 1815 when the French army under Napoleon met the united armies of Britain, Hanover, the Netherlands, and Prussia.
The battlefield is located to the south of Waterloo, mainly in the parish of Braine-l'Alleud, and now appears as a peaceful scene of pastures and fields of cereals.
The Butte du Lion (also known as lion hill) rises above the former battlefield and is visible from afar. It was constructed between 1823 and 1826 on the place where the Prince of Orange received his fatal wounds.
The hill was built up with 32,000 cubic meters of earth from the battlefield to a height of 40 meters.
On the summit is a sculpture of a lion by Arthur-Louis van Geel, which weighs 28 tons and is more than four meters long. The lion stands with its right paw on a globe and looks to the south from where the French came.
From the platform beneath the monument, up more than 226 steps, is a panoramic view of the battlefield.
Antwerp
The Dutch-speaking city of Antwerp was once the cultural capital of Belgium's Flanders region, known for its numerous guilds of craftsmen and artists.
Its most popular tourist attraction is the Grote Markt (Grand Place), a prominent square that features the ornate Brabo Fountain as well as the Town Hall (Stadhuis), the Ethnography Museum and the Folk Museum.
Antwerp's best Gothic churches include St. Paul's Church (Sint-Pauluskerk) which originated in 1517, and the Cathedral of our Lady which dates back to 1352. While the Baroque interior and collection of art at St. James' Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) is equally impressive.
For art lovers, the Rubens' House is the main sightseeing highlight but they will also appreciate the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a collection of more than 1,000 works by the Old Masters.
Luxembourg
The tiny country of Luxembourg sits at the southeast corner of Belgium, connected to Brussels by a major highway. It covers less than 1,650 square kilometers and houses only around 500,000 people, but it is an important political center in Europe due to its central location.
Luxembourg City is home to many European political institutions, including the Secretariat of the European Parliament, European Investment Bank, statistical office Eurostat, and Publications Office of the European Union.
The Council of the European Union also holds its sessions here several times a year, and there are around 11,000 international civil servants who reside here annually.
The Old Quarter of the capital city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its numerous historic castles; impeccably tended gardens; and fortresses, including the Walls of Corniche which offer stunning views over the Old Quarter.
- Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Luxembourg
Amsterdam
The capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is known for its vast array of tourist attractions, as well as its rich history and cultural events. One of the city's most famous features is the network of 160 canals that shape the inner neighborhoods, including the aptly named Canal Ring.
An art-lover's paradise, there are numerous museums, including the famous Rijksmuseum with its seven million pieces of artwork; the Van Gogh Museum which features his paintings, drawings, and letters; and the Rembrandt House Museum which was the artist's residence for 20 years.
Other must-see museums include the Anne Frank Museum, the Jewish Historical Museum, and the Museum of the Tropics focusing on the former colonies of the Netherlands.
Aalst
Once the capital of a largely autonomous Flanders, Aalst straddles the banks of the river Dender and is a rather laid-back place, famous for its thriving flower industry. The town is 28 kilometers northwest of Brussels.
Photographers won't want to miss the colorful spectacle of Aalst's flower market (Bloemenveilinghal), which is held every morning in Albrechtlaan.
In the Grote Markt (main town square) the original Town Hall (Schepenhuis) is a particular highlight for history fiends. Begun in 1225 and now the oldest building of its kind in Belgium, this ancient sandstone edifice traces the entire evolution of Gothic architecture over three centuries.
A short distance east of the Grote Markt is the Sint-Martinuskerk. The choir and ring of chapels in this church are the work of famous architects Herman and Dominic de Waghemakere who built Antwerp Cathedral.
The interior is graced with a collection of outstanding artwork, including the painting St. Roch and the Plague Sufferers attributed to Peter Paul Rubens, which hangs in the chapel to the left of the right-hand aisle.
Moorsel
If you're visiting Aalst on your day trip, don't miss dropping in to Moorsel, five kilometers east of Aalst and 32 kilometers northwest of central Brussels.
Here, you'll find a moated castle (waterkasteel), which dates from the Renaissance period and is constructed entirely of red brick. It was built in 1520 as a summer residence by Charles de Croy, Abbot of Affligem and later Cardinal of Tournai.
Afterwards check out Moorsel's main church, the 13th-century Sint-Martinuskerk which according to tradition, grew out of a 7th-century communion chapel dedicated to St. Gudula. The present church contains three Baroque altars by Jacob Ulner.
The countryside here is extremely pretty, full of rolling farmland, so a drive in this area is a great way to experience Belgium's gorgeous landscapes.
Oudenaarde
Oudenaarde (in French "Audenarde") is a quiet township with a thriving textile industry. It sits in the south of East Flanders where the Flemish Ardennes gives way to the coastal moorland traversed by the Scheldt, 60 kilometers west of Brussels.
For architecture and history fans, Oudenaarde is, after Ghent, of great interest because of its impressive buildings in the Scheldt Gothic style.
The main attraction is its magnificent Town Hall, built between 1526 and 1537 according to plans by the Brussels civic architect Hendrik van Pede on the site of the Courthouse (Schepenhuis), which had been pulled down. The architect followed the Late-Gothic style of the city halls of Brussels and Leuven and introduced Renaissance elements.
Once you've finished admiring the town hall, check out the lovely St. Walburga Church (Sint-Walburgakerk); the Bishop's Palace, built around 1600 and one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Belgium; and the Church of Our Lady of Pamele, distinctive for its tall narrow choir windows, the corner towers of the choir, and the octagonal crossing tower.
- Town Hall
- Market
- Sint-Walburgakerk
- Hospital of Our Lady
- Beguinage
- Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Pamele
- Huis de Laiaing
- Liedtskasteel
- Abdij van Maagdendale
Huizingen Domain
For nature lovers, the drop-dead gorgeous landscaped gardens and miles of walking trails of the Huizingen Domain, 15 kilometers south of Brussels, are an unbeatable day out.
There is plenty of history here as well. The park was originally part of private chateau property, with the first chateau built on this site dating from the 15th century. The real extension and landscaping of the area began, though, in the mid-19th century. There is a lake with rowing boats for hire and an outdoor swimming pool.
Those with little ones in tow will find plenty to keep them occupied with a petting zoo and plenty of playground facilities. For many visitors, though, the domain is simply a great spot for picnicking and strolling between the flower beds.
Ath
The little town of Ath (in Flemish Aat) was founded in the 12th century when Baldwin IV, Count of Hainaut, purchased the title to the area. Ath is 58 kilometers southwest of Brussels.
Because of its strategic importance, he fortified it by building several castles.
The 23-meter-high Burbant Tower (Tour de Burbant) is a relic of Baldwin IV's original stronghold, built in 1168. The walls are up to 3.7 meters thick leaving little room actually inside the tower. The rest of the castle was demolished in the 16th century.
In the central city, the 12th century Church of Saint-Julien is well worth a visit to see the sturdy tower with its four turrets and carillon of bells, while the Grand Palace is home to the 17th-century Town Hall and a number of fine 18th century houses.
Hasselt
Hasselt, 85 kilometers east from Brussels, is the lively capital of the province of Limburg. In the center of town is the busy Grand Place (Grote Markt), rimmed by several old patrician houses.
Head northeast from the Grand Place to visit the Gothic Saint Quentin Cathedral (Sint-Quintinuskathedraal), built in the 15th century on Roman foundations. The cathedral's interior of Gothic-style frescoes is a highlight of a Hasselt trip.
A short walk from the Grand Place is the Our Lady Church (known both as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk and the Virga Jesse Basilica). It was built between 1728 and 1740 but destroyed during a WWII bombardment in 1944. In the early 1950s, it was rebuilt true to the original form.
On the east side of the inner town, you'll find the Museum Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof, devoted to local and town history. The most outstanding exhibit is the oldest known monstrance in the world dating from 1286.
