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Five days in Belgium - Brussels or Antwerp for a day

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My adult daughter and I are flying to Belgium at the end of Apr and staying for 5 days before heading to the Netherlands. Originally we were going to spread the days between multiple cities, with Ghent as our home base but after additional research we have decided to spend 3 of those days in Ghent as the flower show, Floraliën Gent starts on our 3rd day there.

Our 4th day we will head to Bruges for the day. That leaves us undecided for the 5th day. Antwerp or Brussels. My daughter isn't into spending much time at museums so we would most likely spend the day wandering and looking at architecture. I gather Grand Place is pretty spectacular to see. Would it make any sense to do a half day in Brussels and then take the train the Antwerp and spend a half day there? Is there another town that would be better to see?

Posted by
3903 posts

Antwerp is one European city Americans too often miss out on—though Europeans find Antwerp to be among their favorite cities to visit. Antwerp has an incredible Grote Markt that rivals Brussels’ Grand Place. a beautiful, pedestrianized medieval center with its massive cathedral the centerpiece. Antwerp definitely would fulfill your desire to “spend the day wandering and looking at architecture.”

I’ve been to Antwerp many times and recommend spending an entire day ( or two) there because splitting one day between two large cities doesn’t give you enough time in either.

It also makes logistical sense to visit Antwerp just before the Netherlands as it’s just 80 minutes by train from Antwerp to Amsterdam.and one hour from Ghent to Antwerp.

Posted by
8670 posts

I made repeat visits to Antwerp and Brussels this week, and I prefer a full day in Antwerp. Antwerp does require a lot of walking, because it is a much larger city than Ghent. However, it seemed like 65% of the transit escalators in Antwerp were broken, a real issue with heavy bags. Even the railroad platform escalators at the BRU station often shut down. Locals (including mothers with children) frequently picked up my bag for me because of my grey hair! (age 74).

I personally would stay in one hotel and day trip by cheap unreserved trains. Because there is more to do in Antwerp, I like stayiing there.

Posted by
360 posts

I would go to Antwerp. Brussels is not so good for a day trip as the rewarding sites are very spread out.

Posted by
5211 posts

I'm having difficulty figuring out what were the "rewarding sights" in Brussels. I don't remember much about the Grand Place, so clearly I didn't think it was "pretty spectacular". I have not been to Antwerp, so can't compare the two.

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