5 days from Brussels

Posted by IggyStooge (Atlanta) on 05/05/26 10:39 PM

I asked a similar question a couple of months ago centered on art. This is more of a general question. We are flying into Brussels airport on July 27th at 19:25 and out of Brussels on August 2nd at 17:00, six nights and five full days. Right now the plan is half the time in Antwerp and half the time in Lille.

If you were doing that, what two places would you go? Or one place? Interested in anywhere that's not Ghent, Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam or Harlaam, as we have been there. I'm not interested in what might match my interests, I'm really more interested in what other people would do if they had this agenda.

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

05/05/26 11:15 PM

7327 posts

I generally dont respond to posts asking for things to do if the poster wont indicate what types of things interest them. To me that's a waste of both our times. However, having stayed in Lille, with a car, we spent most of our time exploring nearby WWI battle sites, memorials and cemeteries. There's more than enough historic and cultural sites within the city to easily fill a day or two.

Posted by IggyStooge OP

Atlanta

05/06/26 12:26 AM

129 posts

Thanks CJean. I didn't write it well. I'm not asking for things to do or places to go. I'm pretty sure what we are going to do. I'm interested in what others do, that was my reason for the post. Sure, maybe someone suggests something that sounds interesting and I might think about doing it, but this was meant more to see what other posters thought was interesting for themselves. For once I was not trying to fish about ideas for myself! I'm one of those people who actually enjoys looking at other people's travel pictures!

Posted by lavandula

Sydney, Australia

05/06/26 08:54 AM

348 posts

There are actually a few recent threads on Lille; there is one on the France forum right now. So no need to wonder, you can dive right in!

Lavandula

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

05/06/26 12:29 PM

8731 posts

I might fly into BRU and out of AMS if my local itinerary suited that. Are you flying from the USA? There is enough to do by unreserved commuter train daytrips in either country. Do you need to visit both? Do you intend to spend most of your time just in the city where you are sleeping?

Antwerp is indeed good for several days, as are Leiden, Utrecht, and Den Haag. OTOH, you can visit both Lier and Turnhout in one day, while sleeping in Antwerp. (Just for example.) Places like Amersfoort or Mechelen are good for either a full day or a half day.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/belgium/day-trips-from-brussels-768c7c85-75b9-4374-ad13-ae36967bc521

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/belgium/day-trips-from-brussels-besides-bruges-and-ghent