Beautiful Belgium

Rebecca Rudd
Jan 17
3 min read

If you are looking for chocolate, charm and chic vibes, take a trip to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent!

The Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen — Enjoying a drink in Brussels

My Experience:

I have visited Belgium twice: back in December 2022 where I went to both Brussels and Bruges and then Ghent in the summer of 2024 (as part of a Baltic cruise).

I really loved all three places and I would definitely recommend a visit to all three. For the winter trip, I chose to stay in Brussels but then did a day trip to Bruges and, for me, this worked really well! I was only in Ghent for one day (due to the cruise itinerary) but this was enough time to enjoy a warm, sunny day mooching around this picturesque town.

See below for my highlights of each place!

Top Sights of Destinations Visited

Brussels (pictures below):

I visited Brussels (and Bruges) during the festive season so there were lots of Christmas markets on the squares with lots of fun activities to do like curling and ice skating! Below are some of the other sights that I enjoyed:

Atomium: a piece of modernist architecture created in 1958 providing exhibitions, history and incredible city views.
Grand-Place (a UNESCO World Heritage Site): the central plaza of Brussels known for its stunning Baroque and Gothic architecture and considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
The Chocolate Museum (Choco Story): a brilliantly interactive and tasty museum where you can try delicious Belgium chocolate, learn its history and see a chocolate making demonstration... Any excuse to eat some chocolate!
Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert: three shopping arcades - the King's Gallery, the Queen's Gallery and the Prince's Gallery- providing a range of upmarket shops, chic bars and cafes and even a cinema, showcasing a range of art house films.
Manneken Pis: a bronze statue of little boy (with an extensive wardrobe of various costumes) urinating. This fountain is a cheeky and beloved icon of Brussels with many tourists flocking to take a snap of him.

Bruges (pictures below):

I was only in Bruges for a day so it was imperative that I did as much as possible! Here are some of my highlights:

The Market Square: the heart of Bruges. This square- dating back to the 10th century- is lined with a range of cosy cafes and restaurants.
The Belfry Tower (Belfort): also located on the market square, this medieval landmark provides panoramic views of the city in just 366 steps!
Canal Cruise: see the city from the water! A chance to put your feet up and enjoy a relaxing ride along the canals...
Horse- drawn Carriage: another way to see the city in the style!
The Basilica of the Holy Blood: a Roman Catholic Chapel located on the square .

Ghent (pictures below):

Like Bruges, I was only in Ghent for one day so, in all honesty, I probably didn't see all that this place has to offer! As I was on holiday, I was keen to wander and soak up the atmosphere as opposed to rushing around trying "fit everything in!". Below are some of my highlights:

Enjoying the cuisine: from the chocolates to the waffles, from the beers to the fries, there are lots of tasty treats to try and savour! In Ghent I even tried some cuberdons - coned-shape jellies- which were fab!
St. Michael's Bridge: a bridge with a view! A bustling, busy part of Ghent, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from to sit and watch the world go by!
Canal Cruises: like Bruges, here you can explore the city from the comfort of a canal boat cruise!
The Ghent Belfry (a UNESCO World Heritage Site): the tallest belfry in Belgium, offering iconic views of the city. There is the option of a lift for part of the climb.
Other tourist attractions include: Castle of the Counts, St. Bravo's Cathedral and the Museum Voor Schone Kunsten which houses a wide and varied collection of art pieces from the middle ages to the 20th century.

Need to knows!

Currency:	The Euro (EUR).
Language:	Dutch, French and German.
Plug type:	Types C & E.
Travel:	From Brussels airport (BRU) to the city centre there are regular buses and trains at a reasonable price: approximately 10 euros for a single ticket on the train and approximately 5 euros for the bus. If you want to travel from Brussels to Bruges (and vice versa), the train takes around one hour.
Cash or card?	Card is used in most places but I would still recommend carrying a small amount of cash for travel, some cafes and some of the more remote towns and villages.