The Flemish Region is the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium, home to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, Mechelen, Hasselt, Ypres and the North Sea coast.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Bruges from Brussels or Ghent
A UNESCO-listed medieval centre of canals, cobbled squares, the Markt with its 83 m belfry, the Minnewater lake and beguinage.
Highlights: Climb the 83 m Markt belfry for views over the medieval rooftops · Take a canal boat tour from the Rozenhoedkaai or Dijver · Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood on the Burg square · Walk the Minnewater lake and Princely Beguinage · See Michelangelo's Madonna and Child in the Church of Our Lady
Ghent from Brussels
A lively medieval city with Gravensteen castle, Graslei and Korenlei quays, St Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece.
Highlights: See the Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers in St Bavo's Cathedral · Explore Gravensteen, the 12th-century castle of the counts of Flanders · Walk the Graslei and Korenlei quays beside the Leie · Wander the Patershol quarter's narrow cobbled lanes · Try cuberdons and waterzooi, two Ghent specialities
Antwerp from Brussels
Belgium's port city, with Rubens' House, the Cathedral of Our Lady, the MAS and Plantin-Moretus Museum, the fashion district and diamond quarter.
Highlights: See Rubens' paintings in the Cathedral of Our Lady · Admire the domed hall of Antwerp Central station · Visit Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO-listed printing house · Take in the free rooftop panorama at the MAS on Eilandje · Browse the fashion district around Nationalestraat
Leuven from Brussels
A university city with the Gothic town hall, St Peter's Church, the Groot Begijnhof and Oude Markt's many bars.
Highlights: Admire the Gothic facade of the town hall on the Grote Markt · Visit St Peter's Church next to the Grote Markt · Wander the Groot Begijnhof beside the Dijle river · Have a drink on the bar-lined Oude Markt · See the KU Leuven university library on Ladeuzeplein
Mechelen from Brussels or Antwerp
A compact historic town with St Rumbold's Cathedral and its 97 m tower, the Kazerne Dossin museum and canalside streets.
Highlights: Climb St Rumbold's tower, 97 m high, for views over the town · Visit Kazerne Dossin, the Holocaust memorial and museum · Walk the Dijle canalside streets and the Groenmarkt · See the Grote Markt and town hall · Explore the Begijnhof quarter
Ypres and the Flanders Fields
The centre of First World War remembrance, with the Menin Gate, In Flanders Fields Museum and nearby cemeteries such as Tyne Cot.
Highlights: Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in the Cloth Hall · Attend the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate at 20:00 · Walk among the graves at Tyne Cot Cemetery · Tour the Passchendaele 1917 museum in Zonnebeke · Walk the rebuilt Grote Markt and ramparts
Hasselt and the Japanese Garden
The capital of Limburg, known for its genever (Jenever Museum), fashion museum, shopping and the Japanese Garden.
Highlights: Taste genever at the National Jenever Museum · Stroll the Japanese Garden, the largest in Europe · See changing exhibitions at the Fashion Museum · Shop along Hoogstraat and Demerstraat · Combine with a trip to Bokrijk or Genk
Oudenaarde and the Flemish Ardennes
A Renaissance town hall and cycling museum, with hills and cobbled climbs of the Tour of Flanders close by.
Highlights: See the Renaissance town hall and belfry on the Markt · Visit the Centre Ronde van Vlaanderen cycling museum · Ride the Koppenberg, Kwaremont or Paterberg climbs · Walk or cycle along the river Scheldt · Taste local Flemish beers in the town centre
Kortrijk and the Lys Valley
A lively city with the Belfry, Groeninge Museum, Broel Towers and the Battle of the Golden Spurs history.
Highlights: See the Belfry on the Grote Markt, part of the UNESCO belfry group · Photograph the medieval Broel Towers on the Leie · Learn about the 1302 Battle of the Golden Spurs · Walk or cycle the Lys river path · Visit the quiet Begijnhof
Tongeren and the Roman Heritage
Belgium's oldest town with a Roman wall, the Gallo-Roman Museum and the Basilica of Our Lady.
Highlights: Explore the Gallo-Roman Museum on Kielenstraat · Follow the surviving sections of the Roman city wall · Visit the Basilica of Our Lady and its treasury · See the Ambiorix statue on the Grote Markt · Browse the Sunday antiques market
Lier and the Beguinage
A small walled town with the Zimmer Tower, UNESCO-listed beguinage and the Grote Markt.
Highlights: Climb or visit the Zimmer Tower and its astronomical clock · See the Rococo town hall and belfry on the Grote Markt · Walk the UNESCO-listed Beguinage · Visit the Gothic St Gummarus Church · Taste the Lierse vlaaike pastry
Diest and the Citadel
A small fortified town with a beguinage, the Citadel ramparts and a Beer-brewing heritage.
Highlights: Walk the Citadel ramparts and grounds · Visit the UNESCO-listed Beguinage of Diest · See St Sulpitius Church on the Grote Markt · Learn about the House of Orange link at the town museum · Sample local beer in the town centre
Ostend and the Flemish Coast
The main city of the Belgian coast, with the beach, Kursaal, fish auction and the Mercator sailing ship; gateway to the coastal towns.
Highlights: Walk the beach and seafront promenade · Visit the Mercator, a 1932 three-masted barque museum ship · See the fish auction and harbour · Ride the Kusttram to neighbouring resorts · Eat shrimp croquettes and mussels near the harbour
Knokke-Heist and the Zwin
The upmarket beach resort with galleries and the Zwin nature reserve at the Dutch border.
Highlights: Walk the trails of the Zwin nature reserve · See storks and migratory birds in the salt marshes · Browse galleries and shops on Lippenslaan · Relax on the wide sandy beach at Albertstrand · Stroll through the villa district of Het Zoute
Genk and C-mine
A former Winterslag coal mine now a cultural site, with a rooftop viewpoint and design events; gateway to Hoge Kempen.
Highlights: Take the C-mine Expedition through the former coal mine · Enjoy the rooftop viewpoint over the Limburg landscape · See reused industrial headframes and halls · Walk or cycle in Hoge Kempen National Park · Attend design events and exhibitions on site
Bokrijk Open-Air Museum
A large open-air museum of historic Flemish buildings set in woods and heath.
Highlights: Walk among relocated historic Flemish farmhouses and barns · See craft demonstrations by costumed staff in season · Stroll the woods, heath and ponds of the Bokrijk domain · Explore the arboretum and family areas · Visit a village inn and school from past centuries
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised bus tours from Brussels to Bruges and Ghent cost from about €60-90 (about $69-103) per person including a guide.
- Private
- Private driver or taxi from Brussels to Bruges from about €180-260 (about $207-299) each way.
- Public
- SNCB trains (belgiantrain.be) connect nearly every city, with the Kusttram (delijn.be) along the coast.
- Rental
- Car rental from about €40-70 (about $46-80) per day; a car is helpful for the Flemish Ardennes, Heuvelland and Voeren but not for cities.
Multi-day tours from Flemish Region
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from Flemish RegionWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Check SNCB timetables on belgiantrain.be or the SNCB app; tickets can be bought at the station or on the app, and weekend and Sunday trains may be less frequent.
The Rail Pass (10 single journeys) can lower the cost of repeated trips; the price is around €95 (about $109) in 2026.
Book the Last Post ceremony in Ypres by arriving early; it is free but crowded in summer.
Many museums close on Monday, so check the opening days before a day trip.
Cycling is a good way to get around in Flanders; bike rental is available at most stations.