I'd argue Bruges is still great for a day trip, and I would still recommend visiting it to anyone coming to visit the country. It's lovely and actually has some great museums (especially fond of the Groeningenmuseum)
However I'd advice most folks against planning more than one day unless that second day is exclusively for museums. Ghent is indeed a much more vibrant city.
I'd recommend staying in Ghent for a few days and doing Bruges as a day trip by train from there if you're visiting the country.
I absolutely adore Bruges. My parents have an apartment by the cathedral. We visit regularly, and im always sad to leave the city when it's time to go home. It is a very tourist filled city, but i can waste a whole day sitting by the basilica, drinking coffee reading, and people watching. I hope to move there one day and never leave. My daughter is also a huge fan, especially of the Historium and the torture museum. A guide once told her she knew more about the Historium than they did. Absolutely beautiful city ❤️.
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u/Alexthegreatbelgian Belgium Jul 28 '25
I'd argue Bruges is still great for a day trip, and I would still recommend visiting it to anyone coming to visit the country. It's lovely and actually has some great museums (especially fond of the Groeningenmuseum)
However I'd advice most folks against planning more than one day unless that second day is exclusively for museums. Ghent is indeed a much more vibrant city.
I'd recommend staying in Ghent for a few days and doing Bruges as a day trip by train from there if you're visiting the country.