My wife and I are going to spend about 4 days visiting Antwerp/Ghent/Brussels/Bruges, after 9 days in the Amsterdam/Hague area (departing from The Hague).
Which of these four cities would be best to use as our "base of operations", given that we will obviously be making short train trips each day? We want to sleep in one place, be near the train station, have some nearby amenities (restaurants) and not have to worry about nighttime safety.
And - what will be the best way to get back to Amsterdam, which is where our flight departs from?
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
245 posts
We just did a similar trip and stayed in Antwerp. Easy to get around Belgium and easy connection to Amsterdam. As a bonus, Antwerp has one of the prettiest train stations around.
Posted by
Green Bay
20353 posts
Ghent would be the most central, with Bruges, Brussels, and Antwerp short train rides away in different directions.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5063 posts
But Bruges is so charming! I attached my recent Trip Report, a few sections might be helpful.
Safe travels!
Posted by
92 posts
Covering all of those places in only four days seems exhausting. You could easily spend two full days in just Bruges or Brussels. My personal suggestion would be to leave Antwerp for another time and concentrate on the other three cities unless there's something super compelling in Antwerp that you want to see.
Bruges would be the prettiest and most quiet place to spend the night. Walking around the city in the evening after the day trippers leave is, I think, an essential part of experiencing the charm of that city.
If being central is more important to you, however, then Ghent and Brussels are better options. Keep in mind that the main train station for Ghent (and Bruges too for that matter) is not centrally located. In Brussels though, you can find a hotel that is both convenient for sightseeing and close to one of the main train stations.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7061 posts
I did all four cities with Brussels as my base. It's easy to do day trips to the other three cities and with the time you have 1 day in each would be doable (that's what I did). Sure it would be nice to spend 2 or 3 days in each but not everybody has that much time to give them. I was satisfied that I saw most of what I wanted in the time I had. With that being said, if I were to go again I'd stay in Ghent rather than Brussels. It seemed more to my liking than Brussels with a younger vibe due to the University there. Many here would suggest you stay in Bruges but I'm not sure I'd spend 3 or 4 nights there myself. Any of the four cities would work since they are easy to connect with short train rides. Antwerp and Brussels have the shortest direct trains to Amsterdam but either Ghent or Bruges is just a short train from either of them so 1 change on the train trip to Amsterdam.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
245 posts
I echo Nancy’s statements.
We did all 4 in our time in Belgium and it’s busy but easy to do.
I rank the 4 cities this way:
Ghent > Bruges > Antwerp > Brussels
The altarpiece in Ghent is magnificent! Plus it has delicious chocolate (all 4 do but Van Hoorebeke in Ghent was my favorite) and a nice little castle. Bruges is pretty but doesn’t feel entirely real and is very crowded. Although I stayed in Antwerp, I’d have stayed in Ghent if I had a do over. Brussels has the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten at Ton Ton Garby.
Posted by
OP
Pgh & Sarasota
6 posts
Thanks so much to all of you!
I know it will be hearty travel, but we have a lot of daylight!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5063 posts
We just returned from those areas. I loved Bruges. There is a frequent free Centrum Shuttle that loops from the train station throughout the old town. The crowds are there about 12-4:00pm, especially on weekends, then calm returns. I already want to return! Safe travels.