This region is also home to whats argued to be Belgiums most beautiful view: the Tombeau du Gant viewpoint. Lets start with the best city escapes from Brussels. The train journey to Dinant takes around 2 hours (each way). Hop aboard a spacious bus and sit back and relax on the drive from Brussels to Amsterdam. Make sure to look at this church from every angle while youre there. Its just a 5-minute walk from the megaliths at Rue des Dolmens (Wris I), and its definitely worth the detour. This castle was destroyed though, and it had to be rebuilt a couple of times. This 12th-century Abbey is extraordinarily well preserved, at least part of it. The 10 best day trips from Brussels - Lonely Planet Can you think of interesting day trips from Brussels that are missing from this list? All in all, its one of these places worth including on any itinerary for Belgium. 10 Best Day Trips from Brussels Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. Brussels, much like the whole of Belgium, is quite well-known and yet not given much thought by travelers visiting Europe. This is due to the multitude of activities the city offers catered towards kids.Mechelen is great to explore on foot, the historical city center is car-free and can be traversed in a mere 45 minutes from one end to the other. The impressive Vves Castle combined with Dinant and the Furfooz National Park make for an action-packed day trip from Brussels, showing you some of the best sights the province of Namur has to offer. Thanks to their relative proximity to each other this is perfectly feasible provided you have a car. The area is home to pine forests, heathlands and large ponds. This tiny village, located on the Sambre river has a rich history that can be explored through a fun interactive urban game (only available in NL and FR) perfect to get the kids involved in a bit of history!If the kids are into biking, rent a bike downtown Thuin (18 for 4 hours) and head to the ruins of the Aulne Abbey. Give right of way to cars coming from your right-hand side, unless you are on the main road. Practical details for visiting Mechelen: Parking in Mechelen can be a costly affair and during the weekend the parking garages in the city center tend to fill up quickly. Take the train from Brussels to Charleroi South, once arrived in Chareri South change to a regional train that stops in Thuin. It was built in the 14th century but sold to quarriers at the beginning of the 19th century. Relevant article: Most beautiful places in Belgium. All in all, Ghent is a beautiful city that should definitely be on your Belgium bucket list. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. In recent years Mechelen was one of the only cities in Belgium that has had a steady influx of families with kids moving in. With over 3000 castles in Belgium there are options galore for a great day trip. Both are free of charge. The exact location has been preserved, but the trenches were rebuilt using sandbags. The most famous stretch of path is called cycling through water, a 200-meter bridge that traverses through a large pond of water. Its a very interesting experience and one of the best day trips from Brussels for history buffs. The Japanese Garden happens to have the prettiest cherry blossom trees in all of Belgium.This Japanese Garden is the largest in all of Europe with over 2.5 hectares of land. If you do opt to take the car, ample (free)parking is available around the domain. The landscapes here are stunning and look different depending on the time of the year that youre visiting. Upon arriving in Brussels and in advance of the MoCA, Minister Guilbeault will make a . The Tower of Eben Ezer, also called the Museum of Flint, is one of Belgiums more quirky sights. By Brussels City Tours. The train station is located a 15 min walk from the Grand Place (main square) in Charleroi. It's located at 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Brussels and it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to get there by train. Pets are welcome to join you on your walk, although they have to be on a leash at all times to preserve the surrounding natural environment. Usually, this is proceeded by the throwing of oranges, catching an orange is considered good luck! Admire the Gothic architecture of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and Dutch Baroque architecture of the . With multiple direct trains running hourly between Brussels and Antwerp, I would recommend taking public transportation (50 min train ride). A breezy 10-minute walk takes you from Ieper station to the Grote Markt (main square). I would love to do a day trip to Brussels to get a taste of that city during my 6 days in Amsterdam. If you are going to Ypres to learn about WWI, consider investing in a day tour leaving from Brussels combining the most important WWI memorial sites in Ypres with a visit to Brugge. There is a multitude of different hikes that one can undertake in the gently sloping landscape of the High Fens, both beginners and more advanced hikers will be able to enjoy what the park has to offer. If youre visiting the Semois Valley during the summer months, you will be able to admire the wooden Pont de Claies, which is Belgiums last seasonal footbridge. The chapel, which is called the doorkijkkerk in Dutch, is made from 100 steel sheets, and you can see the landscape through the construction. People watch or treat yourself to a shopping spree in one of the most upscale neighborhoods of Brussels, Le Sablon. In this medieval town, time feels like it stood still. This guide covers a lot of places around Brussels, which might make choosing where to go slightly overwhelming. Today, Gaasbeek Castle can be visited, and it houses an impressive amount of artefacts, from furniture to paintings and tapestries. Although not completely abandoned, this is Belgiums ghost town. 25 Best Day Trips from Brussels - Paulina on the road Its an interesting place to visit but make sure to be respectful because its still home to a handful of people. THE TOP 10 Brussels Tours & Excursions in 2023 - Viator The historical center is small and tends to get packed during the day. If you are traveling from Brussels within theSchengen Area by car or train you will not be required to show your passport at the border crossing. The regular IC train will get you there in 2 hours 5 minutes, the Thalys train in 1 hour 10 minutes. If you follow the blue trail, you will cross a beautiful forest before reaching a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley. The best views over the castle can be found by walking around the main entrance and to the left-hand side. LOCAL TRAIN (L): A slower train that makes stops at all stations between the larger cities. The 14th-century Beersel Castle is located right outside of Brussels. There is more to the Kingdom of Belgium than Brussels alone. All details here. Luxembourg and Dinant Day Trip from Brussels. Travel time: 1h50. Not far from Amsterdam, in the epicenter of the Dutch tulip fields lies the university town of Leiden. $1,642.54. Trains run regularly between Brussels and Antwerp, with the ride taking a pleasant 40 minutes after which you will arrive in one of the most beautiful and iconic train stations in the world. The Yorkshire Trench and Dug-out & WWI Museums, 28. I hope that you have found exactly what you were looking for in this list full of day trips from Brussels. How to get to Ghent from Brussels: Direct train from Bruxelles-Midi to Gent St Pieters. THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Brussels (UPDATED 2023) - Tripadvisor Tip: If you are looking for a light and breezy walk try the route that takes you from De Haan to Wenduine and back. Dankje! Minister Guilbeault to travel to Brussels to participate in the 7th 9 Best Day Trips from Brussels (with Map) - Touropia The wildlife park at the Caves of Han complex is beautiful too. Practical information for visiting the Villers Abbey: Entrance tickets to the abbey cost 9, tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance. Chiens means dogs in French, and according to the legend, this place was named Fondry des Chiens because a knight fell into the sinkhole with his dogs. When embarking on your day trip you will undoubtedly be wondering how to get around Belgium? Can be combined with: La Hulpe Castle, Waterloo Battlefield Memorial, Gaasbeek CastleLocation: Hallerbos is 19 kilometers away from downtown BrusselsYou might have seen pictures of a forested area carpeted with bluebells, this is the famous Hallerbos or Blue Forest. Whether youre looking for a new city to explore, a beautiful hike in nature, an enchanting castle or some historical sights, you will find the best day trips from Brussels in this article. Furfooz National Park is situated in the valley of the river Lesse and contains one of the countrys foremost archaeological, natural, and geological heritage.The park holds a large number of caves and caverns that were inhabited by man centuries ago. With large open spaces, offering sweeping views of this castle and plenty of different walking paths the domain is the ideal location to spend a sunny afternoon picnicking or simply enjoying the location.The inside of the La Hulp Castle was designed by Art Nouveau master Victor Horta, though sadly a visit to the castle is not possible unless the location was rented for an event or exhibition in which case an invite is required. Save. The travel time is 30-50 minutes. Relevant article: Beautiful Places in Belgium. The original castle dates back to the 12th century to defend the trade route between Cologne and the dukedom of Brabant.The current day castle is very much a product of the 18th century when Romanticism reigned supreme in every aspect of life, including architecture. Ride 6 stops and get off at the stop De Haan Vosseslag. There is more to the Kingdom of Belgium than Brussels alone. Multiple trains run daily ensuring you can easily go and come back in one day. Here are the seven best road trips in Belgium. Its a really fun and adventurous hike over rocks. If you are looking for a more charming escape from Brussels, the sleepy village of De Haan might be just what you need. You can also visit its beautiful park and museum garden, which will give you an overview of traditional species of fruit and vegetables. Hikes start at: Route du Bayehon 49-31, WaimesEasy to combine with: Reinhardstein Castle, Baraque Michel, Tros Marets Valley. If you are driving a car with a foreign number plate, you might need to register the number plate in advance before entering the city. Apart from cities, nature escapes and castles, Belgium is also home to other interesting places that are worth visiting. You'll be hard pressed to squeeze all of what Brussels has to offer into those two short days. Can be combined with: High Fens National ParkLocation: 113 km from BrusselsDurbuy is by far one of the most beautiful towns in Belgium. With new high-quality museums popping up every few months and one of the coolest hikes bear Brussels (The 21-kilometer Boule Noire), the city has a fair amount of activities to offer.Must see and do in Charleroi: Take a street-art tour, hike the terrils of Charleroi, learn about the mining history of the region in Bois du Cazier, visit one of the many very cool museums (glass museum, photography museum,..). Can be combined with: Dinant, Walzin Castle, Vves CastleLocation: Viroinval; 106 kilometers from BrusselsFondry des Chiens dubbed the Grand Canyon of Belgium is one of those unique places to visit in Belgium that will make you feel like you are abroad. The Best Day Trips From Brussels By Train - Kirstie Will Travel Then this section is the one for you! Antwerp is also the city of baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens, whose home and workshop can be visited. 1 Day trip from Brussels to Amsterdam, Map of the various short trips from Brussels, Most flexible option: Renting a car in Brussels, Hasstle free option: Day tours from Brussels, Where to store my luggage during my trip from Brussels, 24 Beautiful places in Belgium for your bucket list, One day in Brussels: A locals guide for a day trip to Brussels, 16 Day trips from Brussels by train: Places to visit near Brussels under 2 hours from the city, Hallerbos: Visiting the Bluebell Forest in Belgium. Can be combined with: Antwerpen, De Schorre, MechelenLocation: 57 km from BrusselsCan you visit inside: No. This is the Waterloo Battlefield Memorial, named after the historic Battle of Waterloo that was fought right here, destroying Napoleons imperial forces once and for all.The museum includes four different sites: The Memorial Museum (explaining the history of the battle with animated maps and a 3D film); the Panorama (a painting measuring 100 x 12 meters); the Lions Mound (climb the 226 steps of the mound you saw in passing and be rewarded with views over the battlefield grounds) and Hougoumont Farm (a multimedia show which includes memories of the soldiers who took part in the battle). Practical details for visiting Antwerp:Parking in Antwerp tends to get very expensive. They provide some of the best breakfast in town. As far as short trips from Brussels go, this one will require a slightly longer commute taking around 1h45 on the train or 1h15 in the car. October 12, 2022 So much to see, so little time! Then one (or more) of the following nature escapes may just be the perfect day trip from Brussels for you! Relevant article: Things to do in Charleroi, Can be combined with: De Schorre, Antwerpen, Borrekens CastleLocation: 23 km from BrusselsThe city of Mechelen is a great 1 day trip from Brussels for both kids and foodies. Check rates for renting a car before booking.Tip: Driving an electric car? This sandy nature reserve is located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, at the border with the Netherlands. Tip: Since 1928, the Last Post bugle call is played every evening at 8 pm at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. 1. It would be easy to spend your entire city trip exploring what Brussels has to offer. It later served as a summer residence, with the Count of Egmont being its most famous owner. Make sure to check if the bluebells are blooming on the Hallerbos website prior to your visit, this usually happens around mid-April. Find out where the city was founded in the 13th century at Dam Square. Travel time: 45min. The highlight of the processions is the Gilles, locals dressed up in a wax mask, wooden footwear, and traditional costumes. I am from Belgium and spent years exploring this little country, and in this post, you will find the places I think are worth visiting. Although the First World War took place over a century ago, some of its frontline trenches can still be visited near the town of Ypres today. EU Faces Cliffhanger Vote on Major Bill Protecting Nature and Fighting It is surrounded by pristine natural Dunes and 11km of uninterrupted beach, which offer a lot of opportunities for those looking to have an adventurous day trip from Brussels. If you are embarking on a road trip from Brussels, you might want to wait to try the Trappist Beer until you get home, at 6,9% it packs a kick. Read 810,915 traveller reviews and view photos of different trips from Brussels to various destinations. Can be combined with: Brugge, GentLocation: 125 kilometers from BrusselsThe Belgian coastline might not be home to pristine beaches like Bali and the water temperature most certainly does not mirror that of the Caribbean Sea but it does offer healthy sea air and kilometers upon kilometers of connected beaches to walk until your heart is content.The more well-known beach cities are a network of uninspiring buildings, drab cafs, and mediocre restaurants. THE 10 BEST Brussels Parks & Nature Attractions Nature & Parks in Brussels Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Events Classes & Workshops Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Sights & Landmarks To make it a little easier for you to plan your day trip, I have indicated what places are easy to combine. 1. The total journey time varies between 2 hours and 2h30 (one way). You will find the history of flint as well as an exhibition of fantasy art here. From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam | GetYourGuide My personal favourites are Baraque Michel, Walzin Castle and Reading Between the Lines. Quench the little explorers thirst in the Chalet de la Foret restaurant located 250 meters from the entrance. These animals tend to walk really slowly, and they basically force you to slow down, which is quite relaxing! 16 Day Trips from Brussels by Train (under 2 hours away) - Veggie Wayfarer Alternatively, take the car and park in the newly built Parking Rive Gauche. >> Read: Backpacking Belgium: A Locals Guide. The Semois Valley is known for its beautiful hikes, charming villages, and of course, the Semois River, which is a nice place to go kayaking. Top 10 BEST Day Trips from Brussels (Belgium) A few rules of thumb to follow when driving in Belgium: Not looking forward to figuring out how to train system works, or to facing the Belgian traffic? Easy to combine with: Baraque Michel, Bayehon Valley, Reinhardstein Castle. Easy to combine with: Vves and Walzin Castle. This castle, which is also called Chteau de Petite Somme, was transformed into a Hare Krishna temple and became a self-sufficient spiritual community in the late 1970s. Learn more. There are a few options: Public transportation, renting a car (provided you do not have your own) or taking one of the many tours on offer. De Haan has a mere 12.000 inhabitants and contains some of the countrys most beautiful Belle Epoque mansions (The town hall, Hotel Savoyarde), and holds the yearly Belle Epoque festival in July. If you do want to enjoy the forest in peace and quiet, consider setting your alarm bright and early to get a headstart. Get a taste of Belgium's prized beers along the Trappist Beer Trail William Perugini / Shutterstock The Trappist Beer Trail The ultimate beer pilgrimage Poperinge-Chimay; 630km; allow 3 days Embark on an epic beer-themed pilgrimage around Belgium. Copyright 2023 Laure Wanders - All Rights Reserved, 11. Although the average Belgian is not patriotic at heart, the inhabitants of the larger Belgian cities tend to love their city with a fervent passion.Antwerp proudly states it is the center of the country and the rest of the country serves as a parking space to get to Antwerp, locals from Ghent tout their city to be the coolest & most alternative while locals from Mechelen simply smile and say their little oasis might be smaller but much more charming than anywhere else. La Hulpe Castle is located in the Sonian Forest, which is full of beautiful walking trails. Ypres is a town in West Flanders, Belgium, and one of the best cities to plan great day trips from Brussels. dank ! THE TOP 10 Brussels Day Trips (w/Prices) - Viator . Practical information for visiting Borrekens Castle:Although the castle is closed to the public, the large domain surrounding the castle is not. These will require taking the train/bus to get to. Its safe to say there is a little something for everyone to explore. Lets explore the various options together.
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