{"id":78829,"date":"2026-07-23T15:14:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airport-taxis.be\/blog\/3-dagen-in-belgie-brussel-gent-en-brugge-zoals-het-hoort\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T15:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:32:36","slug":"3-days-in-belgium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airport-taxis.be\/en\/blog\/3-days-in-belgium\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Days in Belgium: Brussels, Ghent and Bruges, Done Properly"},"content":{"rendered":"

3 Days in Belgium: Brussels, Ghent and Bruges at Their Best<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most 3 days in Belgium itineraries try to cram in four or five cities. It looks efficient on paper. In practice it means more time on platforms, dragging a suitcase over cobbles and squinting at departure boards than actually being anywhere. You come home with a full camera roll and not one city you can really remember.<\/p>\n

This one does the opposite. Three cities, one full day each.<\/p>\n

Day 1 is Brussels, where the trip starts anyway once you land. Day 2 is Ghent, close enough to reach without effort but different enough to reset the whole mood. Day 3 is Bruges, saved for last, because an early start there shows you a version of the city most day-trippers never see.<\/p>\n

The point isn’t to tick off as much as possible. It’s to spend less of the trip in transit and more of it actually in Brussels, Ghent and Bruges.<\/p>\n

The Route at a Glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here’s how the three days fit together before we go through them one by one.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Day<\/th>\nCity<\/th>\nOvernight<\/th>\nHighlights<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>\nBrussels<\/td>\nBrussels<\/td>\nArrival, Grand Place, Sablon, comic trail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nGhent<\/td>\nBrussels or Ghent<\/td>\nGravensteen, the Mystic Lamb, Graslei & Korenlei<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nBruges<\/td>\nBruges (recommended)<\/td>\nBelfry, canals, Rozenhoedkaai, early morning before the crowds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The order matters. Ghent comes second because it’s half an hour from Brussels and makes an easy day. Bruges is last on purpose: stay the night, walk out at eight the next morning before the coaches arrive from Zeebrugge, and it’s a completely different place.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Day 1: Brussels (and Getting There)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most people land at Brussels Airport, about 20 minutes from the centre by direct train. Travelling light, the train wins: fast, frequent, cheap. After a long flight with suitcases, though, it’s less charming than it sounds. Right platform, bags up, bags down, unfamiliar station, and you haven’t even reached the hotel. That’s where a transfer from Brussels Airport<\/a> earns its place. Driver meets you, luggage goes in the boot, the trip starts at your door instead of a platform.<\/p>\n


\nRelated article:<\/strong> 7 Things to Do in Antwerp on a Day Trip
\n<\/a><\/div>\n

Once you’ve dropped the bags, don’t try to see all of Brussels in one afternoon. The city is better wandered than ticked off.<\/p>\n

A relaxed first day looks something like this:<\/p>\n