Return to Bruges or continue on to Antwerp?

Posted by HappyTrvler on 03/21/24 03:24 AM

We’re booked at hotel in Bruges for Sat/Sun/Monday nights in April.
Plan was to day trip to Ghent on Monday to see Altar Pieces then return to Bruges that evening, then head to Antwerp Tuesday morning.

Now, Am wondering if it’s less or more hassle to just checkout of Bruges on Monday and store luggages at Ghent train station then continue onto to Antwerp Monday evening to get 2 full days in Antwerp before we leave Belgium, but shortchange us Bruges by one night.

With current train station renovations in Ghent, concern is the luggage locker availability ?

Grateful for any suggestions.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

03/21/24 04:18 PM

32767 posts

I have been to Bruges (Brugge) more often than I can count, but I don't think I have ever spent as long as three nights in one go there ... but that's me and I usually just return to my favourite places.

I have spent as much as 5 nights in Ghent (Gent) because we like it a lot, it has in our humble opinion, the best chocolates in Belgium, ergo the world, and there is loads to do in the vicinity...

Antwerp (Antwerpen) is intense, have been there several times but never more than a day - never slept there... perhaps too intense for us to stretch ... be glad you are taking the train, the traffic there any time is positively awful.

don't know if any of that will help...

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

03/21/24 05:46 PM

7312 posts

Antwerp has much more to do than Bruges, although its beautiful spots are more spread out than Bruges'. I rate Antwerp far above Brussels. I don't know about the lockers but it's easy to train to Ghent from Antwerp for half a day. Mystic Lamb requires pre booking.

Posted by Born a Travelin’ Man

Sacramento, CA

03/21/24 06:12 PM

189 posts

Just visited all 4 of the cities mentioned, in the last week. Ghent was our favorite for the Mystic Lamb altarpiece, the castle and Van Hoorebeke chocolates. Bruges is pretty, but has such large crowds that it loses some luster for me. Brussels was our least favorite, but we loved Tonton Garby sandwiches. Maybe the best sandwiches we’ve ever had, anywhere.

Posted by HappyTrvler OP

04/02/24 01:06 AM

70 posts

Thank you for replies. Very helpful. Based on recommendations, we figured why not spend night in Gent! Was trying to avoid the one night stay hassle but this actually works out because we could drop luggages off at hotel and have a leisure time checking out Gent after seeing the Mystic lamb (bought tickets!, thanks for nudge).