A Day Trip From Brussels: Antwerp Or Ghent?

When I visited Brussels, I knew I wanted to embark on a day trip to another city in Belgium. In fact, I had postponed my trip to Brussels for several years to ensure I had enough time for an excursion rather than a rushed Friday to Sunday visit. The only challenge was deciding which city to explore on my day trip!

The obvious choice would be the picturesque city of Bruges. However, I personally felt that I could save Bruges for my next visit to Belgium. The weather forecast predicted clouds, but to my delight, it turned out to be an amazing and sunny day. Additionally, Bruges is farther away compared to Antwerp and Ghent. Moreover, Bruges has a romantic ambiance more suited for couples, whereas, as a solo traveler, I was seeking a different experience this time.

Choosing between these two cities proved to be quite difficult, so I ended up visiting both in a single day! While it may not be the recommended approach, it allowed me to get a taste of both cities. I still managed to enjoy approximately four hours of sightseeing in each.

The distance between all relevant cities is short, which is what makes day trips a perfect choice in this part of Europe. The best way to travel is by train. It's both quick, comfortable and reasonably cheap. Do not even consider to rent a car! Between Brussels and Antwerp it takes around 50 minutes (+/- a few minutes due to traffic) by train. Between Brussels and Ghent it only takes 35 minutes. It takes about an hour to travel between Antwerp and Ghent, but I do not actually recommend doing the same type of double day trip as I did.

From Brussels you have several options of which train station to use. There are three major stations in the city. North, Central and South. I used Brussels Central (French: Bruxelles-Central, Dutch: Brussel-Centraal) as it is the most convinient station if you are staying in the city center near all the tourist attractions. If you would do the reverse and do a day trip to Brussels this is the station you must aim at. Brussels South (French: Bruxelles-Midi, Dutch: Brussel-Zuid) is the largest station in Brussels, and all of Belgium. If you are staying towards the Southern part of Brussels this is the station you should depart from. The area around it is sketchy though. I wouldn't mind with Brussels North (French: Bruxelles-Nord, Dutch: Brussel-Noord). It's not near any of the tourist attractions in Brussels so there's no reason why you should stay in the vicinity, and there's also no reason why you should choose it over the other two if you are closer to those.

In Antwerp there is only one reasonable alternative and that is the Central Station. It is located within walking distance of everything you need to see. In fact, the train station in Antwerp is one of the sights so even if you arrive by another mean of transport you should check out the Central Train Station. It is a beautiful building and contrary to many other cities in Europe the area surrounding it is quite good and interesting to explore.

When you arrive in Ghent you will most likely arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters. It is the main train station in the city, and one of the busiest stations in Belgium. However, you are more than two kilometers (1.5 miles) from the center of the city. You will either have to walk for 30 minutes or take a tram, which will take you there in approximatiely 15 minutes. Take tram line 1 towards Evergem. When you exit the train station you will find the tram stop if you walk about 100 meters towards the left at Koningin Fabiolalaan.

Antwerp - Capital of the World's Diamond Trade

Anyone who has played the Europa Universalis series by Paradox Interactive has probably wondered why the relatively anonymous city of Antwerp is so important and one of the most valuable cities in Europe. The fact is that Antwerp has one of the richest histories of any city in Central Europe and, for several hundred years, was one of the most significant trading centers in the world. It was, and still is, particularly renowned for its diamond trade.

The Bourse of Antwerp (Antwerp Stock Exchange) was the world's first purpose-built commodity exchange. Today, the building is tucked away in an alley, and unless you know it's there, you will likely walk right past it. This is quite indicative of Antwerp in general. During World War II, the city suffered the heaviest damage in Belgium, particularly focusing on the port, which was vital for trade. The city center also witnessed substantial destruction.

Present-day Antwerp is a modern city that has aspired to compete with London, Milan, New York, and Paris as the Fashion Capital of the World. There are still historical buildings and monuments to explore, and the Grote Markt with its 16th-century Guildhalls is absolutely stunning!

Ghent - The Medieval City

Ghent had its prime during medieval times, and that feeling is something the city has been able to preserve even today. Walking these streets is like stepping into another time period. In the 13th and 14th centuries, over 600 years ago, this city was one of the wealthiest in Europe. So, if Antwerp had its prime in the 16th and 18th centuries, Ghent had its prime some 300 years earlier, and this influence is still reflected in the city's atmosphere today.

The main sights of Ghent include Gravensteen, St. Nicholas Church, the Belfry, and St. Bavo's Cathedral, all of which have histories tracing back to the 13th century! In some cases, there are even earlier versions of these buildings on the same sites, dating back several hundred years prior! Walking the streets of Ghent is like taking a stroll through history!

Before I decided to visit both cities on the same day, I was heavily leaning towards Antwerp as my choice. However, after the trip, I must say that it was fortunate that I didn't go for it, as I found Ghent to be much more captivating.

Since we are discussing a day trip, my preference would be Ghent. Antwerp is also a wonderful city, and I did enjoy my visit there. If you have the time to visit both, I would recommend doing so. However, I feel that Antwerp may be better suited for a full weekend. While Antwerp may offer more shopping and dining options, its historic sights are not as numerous or prominent. Therefore, for travelers seeking a relaxed and leisurely weekend with a mix of experiences, Antwerp could still be the preferable choice.

But when it comes to day trips, we embark on a quest for a day brimming with captivating sights and memorable experiences. And in that regard, Ghent exceeded my expectations with its enchanting blend of history and stunning architectural marvels. The city resonates with a rich tapestry of stories and is adorned with an abundance of beautifully preserved old buildings, each whispering tales of the past.

So, to answer the initial question, "A Day Trip From Brussels: Antwerp Or Ghent?", my answer is unequivocally Ghent!