Bruges or Ghent: which Belgian city should you visit?
Around 30 minutes apart by train, the two historical Belgian cities of Bruges and Ghent share many similarities – fabulous UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic buildings and sites, iconic Flemish architecture, and extensive networks of canals (or rivers) that weave through the centres. But in other ways they offer contrasting attractions and sights.
Their proximity to one another means you could combine both in a long weekend. That might be pushing it though if you really wanted to get beneath the surface of each unique city and appreciate everything each has to offer.
So, if you have a just a few days for a short break, which one of these beautiful cities should you visit: Bruges or Ghent?
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Bruges or Ghent?
– In this post, I’ve provided information to help you decide which of the two cities you might prefer to visit.
– In choosing Bruges or Ghent, I’ve outlined the best things to do in each city and the top attractions worth visiting. I’ve also included information on how to get to both cities and how to get around, select museums you can visit, and some suggestions on a few bars and other attractions.
– I’ve deliberately not included day trips from each one. The two cities are so close to each other geographically that many of the day trips will be the same. The weather and climate will also be identical.
Bruges or Ghent? A summary
To be honest, as someone who has visited both cities on numerous occasions, this is a very hard call. Both Bruges and Ghent are fantastic destinations and you will find there is no shortage of interesting things to see and do whichever city you choose to visit.
The cities
There’s lots to do in both Bruges and Ghent.
The entire city centre of Bruges has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Ghent meanwhile has only three sites that have been afforded this same accolade – its Belfry and two Beginjhofs. It does, however, have a medieval castle that you can visit.
If you wanted to go on a canal tour or river boat excursion during your stay in Belgium, you could choose either city as they both offer scenic options. Whereas arguably the standout spot on Bruges’ canals is the Rosary Quay, in Ghent it is sailing past Graslei on the River Leie (Lys).
The fact that Bruges is known as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its extensive network of canals, means it is a more popular tourist destination. This also means it attracts many tourists, particularly at the height of the season. Because it is smaller than Ghent, you will therefore notice the footfall more which might be a downside for you.
Both cities have a wealth of art and history and some striking architecture. There is also the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of both from up high at the summit of their belfries.
Overall, Bruges arguably has much more of a chocolate-box feel than Ghent, which still reflects some of its industrial past in parts of the city.
The location
While both cities can be found in the north of Belgium in the Flemish-speaking Flanders region, Bruges has the advantage of being closer to the Belgian coast.
This presents some unique opportunities, such as riding the coastal tram that runs along the length of the Belgian coastline and stopping at some wonderful sandy beaches and interesting towns along the way.
On the other hand, Ghent is closer to Belgium’s capital Brussels and has better train connections to many other Belgian cities that you may fancy visiting, notably Antwerp.
Getting to the cities and getting around
Belgium is not a large country and Bruges and Ghent are both on the same railway line that runs from Brussels to the Belgian coast.
Train services are frequent and reliable and the cost of rail travel is reasonable. In fact, the two cities are only around 30 minutes apart so if you are prepared to spend just under a day in each, you could pack both in over a long weekend.
Both Bruges and Ghent are also easy to get around – although the fact that Bruges is a small city makes it slightly more walkable in terms of covering all the main sights.
Top things to do in Bruges and Ghent
If you’d rather not combine the two cities in the one trip, and want to make the most of just one of them, I’ve outlined below some of the main attractions to help you decide which one to opt for.
I’ve then done a Bruges vs Ghent comparison and set out a few points that you might want to consider when deciding on which of these two cities to visit.
The top things to do in Bruges
Below is an outline of some of the notable attractions and sights you may want to consider while in Bruges. See my separate post for more information.
Top things to do in Bruges
– Below I’ve listed 10 of the top attractions in Bruges. However, there are many more things to do in Bruges so you won’t have a shortage of sights to see should you decide to spend all your time here.
– I’ve not included Bruges’ fabulous museums, but rather placed them in a separate section and just highlighted a couple.
– Many attractions you can see for free by purchasing the Musea Bruges Card.
Click here to purchase the Musea Bruges Card.
Best things to do in Bruges
The Grote Markt
Otherwise known as Markt, you can’t miss Bruges’ vast main square. This is a good starting point for exploring this amazing city. Bruges’ most famous landmark – the 13th century Belfry of Bruges (Belfort) – towers over the square.
The Markt is also home to the Historium Bruges museum, an eye-catching monument of Flemish heroes Jay Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, and a huge market held on Wednesdays. It is also a pickup point for horse-drawn carriage tours.
The Belfry of Bruges (Belfort)
If you prioritise anything on a visit to Bruges, make it climbing to the top of this famous landmark. This is easily recognised for its distinctive octagonal lantern tower. Unlike the Belfry in Ghent, however, there is no lift/elevator.
If you do choose to navigate the narrow staircase to the summit, you won’t be disappointed with the rewarding views over this ancient city.
Burg Square
A short street (Breidelstraat) links Markt to this equally impressive, albeit smaller square. On the way, you pass the Bruges Beer Experience museum on your left.
What Burg Square lacks in size compared to Markt, it more than makes up for with its breathtaking Flemish architecture. Highlights are the City Hall (Stadthuis), the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. You can also pick up a horse-drawn carriage here.
The City Hall, Palace of the Liberty of Bruges and Basilica of the Holy Blood
Aside from the architectural splendour of its exterior, the 14th century City Hall is home to, among other things, the breathtakingly beautiful gothic hall (Gotische Zaal), with its exceptional murals and an incredible hanging vault.
Standing in the square, you can also marvel at the 18th century Palace of the Liberty of Bruges to the left of the City Hall with its gold-adorned façade (and passageway down to the canal). Equally impressive (to its right) is the intricately designed Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a Romanesque chapel.
Rosary Quay
A stone’s throw from the old fish market (Vismarkt) and the small picturesque Huidenvettersplein square (lined with restaurants) is the spot where many a photo has been taken of Bruges’ historic centre. In a sweep from left to right – nighttime is particularly wonderful for capturing photos – you can take in the soaring spire of the Church of Our Lady and the Belfry’s tower.
A canal boat trip
If the weather is favourable, you cannot visit Bruges without taking to the water.
The boat operators have a wealth of knowledge to impart and you can’t beat some of the views you get from navigating the city’s central canals. You’ll be taken past all the top sights and get to see places that are only possible to view from the water.
Two of the best spots to pick up a boat tour are the Rosary Quay and near the Vismarkt.
Click here for canal boat trips in Bruges.
The Church of Our Lady and Boniface Bridge
Also known as Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk this religious landmark dating from the 13th century has a soaring 115m spire, making it the tallest structure in the city. One of the main draws here is Michelangelo’s Madonna with Child, a tiny 1.28m high marble statue.
A short walk away is the popular tourist spot, Boniface Bridge, a small pedestrian stone bridge that canal cruises motor under. You will see lots of tourists on this having their photo taken here. Go early in the morning when it’s quiet for the best pictures.
The Begijnhof
Begijnhofs were home to beguines – lay religious women who ran them as self-sufficient communities. Bruges’ one can be accessed under an impressive archway dated 1776 on the other side of a short bridge just off a charming square called Wijngaardplein.
Dating from the 13th century, the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde is justifiably a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its beautiful, white-washed houses framing a wooded green.
The Lake of Love (Minnewater) and Lovers’ Bridge
A short walk away from this haven is another relaxing spot – the amorously named Lake of Love, otherwise known as Minnewater. This large body of water, which features a lock house at one end, is one of Bruges’ most romantic spots and is connected onto Lovers’ Bridge.
Local legend says that if you cross this bridge with your loved one, you’ll have everlasting love together.
Bruges’ windmills
I’ve put this last because this may not be something that interests everyone, but the 13th century windmills are quite unique landmarks. There are four that you can wander to on the city’s eastern fringes, but only two that you can access as a member of the public. Both contain small museums.
Best things to do in Ghent
As with Bruges, there’s lots to do in Ghent. See my separate post for details of the top 15 things to do here.
The top things to do in Ghent
– Below I’ve listed 10 of the top attractions in Ghent, but there are many more in addition to those I’ve included here.
– As Ghent is a larger city than Bruges, there are also more things to see if you spend longer here.
– I’ve not included the superb range of museums you can visit, but rather have placed them in a separate section and highlighted a few of the best ones. Many of these you can visit as part of purchasing the CityCard Gent.
Korenlei and Graslei
A lot of the photos of Ghent that you see online are of a row of stunning Flemish medieval buildings and a clocktower standing over a quay next to a river.
The quay that these buildings overlook is called Graslei and in the summer it’s a popular spot to sit down by the River Leie. Korenlei is the name of the quay on the facing (opposite) side of the river. This is where many tourists stand to take photographs of the buildings above and pick up river boat tours.
St Michael’s Bridge
This arched stone bridge is probably the best way to cross between Korenlei and Graslei.
It offers stupendous views of the skyline described above, as well as three of Ghent’s most important landmarks – Saint Nicholas’ Church, the Belfry of Ghent and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and is therefore a popular spot for taking photographs. The other bridge nearby that offers equally stunning views is Grasburg.
The Belfry of Ghent
This 91m medieval tower is justifiably a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Close to the entrance, you’ll find the historic Cloth Hall, notable for its dazzling black and white flooring.
Unlike its counterpart in Bruges, Ghent’s Belfry has a lift/elevator, which makes it much more accessible for visitors.
However, a word of warning for those who don’t like heights. Whereas you are largely enclosed in Bruges’ Belfry, in Ghent’s case, you must navigate around the four sides of the tower in an anticlockwise direction.
Each side has large gaps in the battlements where you can peer through and down to the streets below. This is not for the faint hearted!
St Bavo’s Cathedral
The oldest parish church in Ghent, this significant landmark is separated from the Belfry by a large, picturesque square.
Dating from the 10th century, the main reason to visit the cathedral is to see one of the world’s most famous artworks – the Van Eyck brothers’ incredible Adoration of the Mystic Lamb/Ghent Altarpiece, comprised of 20 panels. Inside you’ll also find some paintings by Reubens.
Gravensteen Castle
The Castle of the Counts takes you back in time to the 12th century. As you must climb some steep stairs inside, this is not an attraction I would recommend for anyone with mobility issues.
However, for everyone else, this is a must when visiting Ghent. The audio guide is entertaining and informative, and the different rooms offer fascinating histories. You can also look out over central Ghent from the battlements at the top.
Literally a stone’s throw from the castle is Patershol, a well-preserved medieval district with narrow, cobblestone streets, which I’d also recommend exploring.
The Begijnhofs
Ghent has two Begijnhofs – an old one and a small one. Both are distinctive in their own way and both have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
The old one (Saint Elizabeth) is a 10-minute walk from Gravensteen castle and features colourful houses. The small Begijnhof (OLV Ter Hoyen) is located on the eastern side of the city and is equally scenic.
If you only had time to visit one, I’d recommend the old one as it’s more centrally located. Personally though, I don’t think either beats the one in Bruges.
Groentenmarkt
This charming square is a short walk from the castle – you just cross a short bridge over the River Leie near Veerle Plein (where the trams run).
It is a popular hangout for people looking for a bite to eat. There is a great waterfront pub/eatery here called Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant where you can sip on a cold beer and watch the boat cruises.
Vrijdagmarkt
This gigantic square is a short walk from Groentenmarkt and is where you’ll find a market held on Fridays (hence its name). Like the Markt in Bruges, there is a large monument in the centre that commemorates a Flemish historical figure – in this case Jacob van Artevelde.
One of the popular tourist attractions here is an excellent pub called Dulle Griet that sports an extensive menu of Belgian beers. It is named after the huge cannon you’ll see close to the river.
Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraatje)
Ghent is more industrial than Bruges, being more of a working town. There is also a large student population.
Having said that, it is still surprising to find a street (more of an alleyway) dedicated to graffiti right in the historic centre close to the City Hall. Easy to miss, it’s fascinating to explore down this narrow walkway and marvel at the incredibly high standard of street art daubed on the walls on both sides.
Boat cruises
Rather than a network of canals (as you’ll find in Bruges), Ghent’s central waterway consists of three interconnecting rivers – the Scheldt, Leie and Lieve and a canal (Coupure).
Although arguably less scenic than Bruges’ canal cruises, Ghent’s boat tours are recommended, especially as you see the main landmarks: sailing past Graslei and Korenlei is a highlight.
If you opt for the hop-on, hop-off water tram service, you can use the transport to explore further afield. This is useful for visiting the city’s museum district.
Bruges or Ghent
These are just some of the many highlights of both Bruges and Ghent. Read on for a summary of how the two cities compare on different features.
* Bruges or Ghent? Location
As mentioned earlier, Bruges and Ghent are close to each other – a mere 30 minutes or so apart by train. Located in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, they are both perfect locations for exploring a bit further afield.
Bruges is closer to the coastline so you could pop to the coastal city of Ostend for the day.
There are a few attractions here such as Fort Napoleon and the majestic Church of St Peter and St Paul.
Arguably though, the main draw is the coastal tram line that runs along the entire Belgian coast for a ridiculously cheap fare. In places, this runs literally alongside miles of sandy beaches and there are some notable places to stop off along the coast in either direction.
Ghent on the other hand is located closer to Brussels. So this arguably makes it a better proposition for exploring the capital. It also has two train stations so there are more frequent trains and a greater choice of other destinations in Belgium to visit from here. The main train station is Gent-Sint-Pieters and the second is Gent-Dampoort.
* Bruges or Ghent? Getting there
It’s easy to get to both cities.
The most popular way to get to Bruges is via Brussels’ Gare Du Midi (Bruxelles Midi), the capital’s central train station. This is where trains come into from other Belgian destinations, and European cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, and London. From here it is about an hour by train to Bruges.
If you decide to choose Ghent, then it’s the same journey, but around 30 minutes faster; Ghent is the station before Bruges on the same rail line from Brussels to the coast.
If you are arriving in Belgium via Brussels International Airport, you can pick up direct trains to Bruges via Gare Du Midi and the journey is around one hour and 30 minutes. For Ghent, this is just over an hour.
* Bruges or Ghent? Getting around
Neither city poses a problem to get around and in both there are different transport options to choose from.
Bruges
Bruges is a 20-25 walk into the historic centre. If you choose to do this, you won’t be disappointed by the stunning views on the way. Alternatively, lots of buses run into the city centre and you can pay onboard with your contactless bank card.
Once you’re in the historic centre, Bruges is perfect for pedestrians. In fact, exploring on foot is the best way to see the city.
No doubt you’ll also want to take a canal cruise and there are quite a few spots to catch one, including the Rosary Quay.
I’d recommend taking one if the weather is good as you get to see lots of nooks and crannies that you can’t appreciate on foot. You also get a different perspective on the city from being on the water.
Another option, which I didn’t do, is to take a tour with a horse-drawn carriage. I noticed a few spots where you could pick this up – Markt, the adjacent Burg square, and Wijngaardplein, close to the Begijnhof. There is something relaxing about hearing horses’ hooves clopping over cobblestone streets!
If you fancy soaking up some history while you are here, then you could also book on to a walking tour and learn something about Bruges’ rich past from a tour guide. You can also combine a walking tour with a canal cruise.
Ghent
Depending on which of Ghent’s two stations you arrive at, there are different routes into the historic centre. The smaller Dampoort station, located to the east of the centre, is nearer to Ghent’s historic old town. You can walk in about 15 minutes. The station is also a bus hub, so you can pick up several buses into the centre.
Most trains, however, arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters as this is on the main railway line from Brussels to the coast via Bruges. Expect a long walk into the city centre from here. Thankfully, you can pick up either tram 1 or 2 right outside the front of the station. Tram number 1 in the direction of Evergem-Wondelgem is the best option as it takes a more direct route. As with all public transport, you can pay onboard with a contactless bank card.
Once in the centre, you can easily explore all the sites on foot as it’s very compact.
However, Ghent is much larger than Bruges. So you may want to use the tram system or the hop-off hop-on water tramway to explore beyond the historic centre, particularly if you want to visit one of the museums which are a bit further out.
* Bruges or Ghent? Museums
Bruges
Depending on when you visit – note that some museums are closed on some days – I’d recommend purchasing the Musea Bruges Card. For a medium-sized city, Bruges offers a stupendous range of museums covering everything from art, to chocolate and torture, to windmills!
So, if you think you might visit a few museums, getting a card is a good idea: a 72-hour Musea Bruges Card gives you free entry to more than 10 museums (and monuments), including the Belfort and City Hall.
Although there are many to recommend, two that I would highlight are the following.
The Groeninge Museum
One of the top cultural highlights in Bruges, this museum houses a superb art collection. It is notable for showcasing works by the main founders of the Flemish Primitives art movement, such as Jan van Eyck. You will also find Gerald David’s Judgment of Cambyses and Anthony van Dyck’s Samson and Delilah inside.
Historium Bruges
Located in Markt, this museum is allegedly Bruges’ most visited attraction. Inside you can walk through seven historically themed rooms that cover the ‘Golden Age of Bruges’. Aside from its virtual reality attraction, one of the top draws is the 360-degree view over the centre from its neo-gothic Historium Tower.
Ghent
Ghent has a rich museum scene, but some of the main ones are located outside the old town.
If you are strapped for time, you could head for the University Quarter and Citadel Park to the south where you’ll find a couple of art museums close to one another: MSK (the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent) and S.M.A.K (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art). The latter has one of Belgium’s largest collections.
The science museum, GUM (Ghent University Museum), and Ghent City Museum (STAM) are also within walking distance of the art collections.
In and around the historic old town, however, there are few museums you may want to visit depending on your time. The top attraction is arguably Huis van Alijn (the ‘Museum of Daily Life’) which is located near the river at the entrance to the Patershol area. Inside this fascinating museum, you’ll find exhibits from the 20th century. There’s also a café where you can try local beers.
If you do want to visit multiple museums, consider purchasing the CityCard Gent. This offers 48 and 72 hour options and gives you free entrance to museums on top of all modes of transport.
* Bruges or Ghent? Food and drink
Bruges
Bruges offers a wide selection of restaurants where you can eat both local and international cuisine. You can find plenty of places to dine out in style as you wander around.
Two things Belgium is famous for are beers and chocolate and Bruges doesn’t disappoint on either.
Beer
Bruges is littered with incredible bars that showcase a vast selection of Belgian beers. However, there is also the Beer Experience Museum to visit that was mentioned earlier.
I would also direct you to our more detailed Bruges post for information on some top recommendations for bars.
There are a few breweries here too, but top of the list is arguably De Halve Maan. This brewery, located in Walplein, is where Belgium’s Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik beers are made. You don’t have to do the tour if you want to try the Belgian beer: there is an onsite brewery café.
The Choco Story Chocolate Museum
Besides the countless chocolatiers in Bruges, you might fancy exploring inside this museum dedicated to the sweet tasting delight that Belgium is famous for. It is located on Sint-Janssraat and inside you can learn about the history of Belgian cocoa and chocolate.
Ghent
Like Bruges, Ghent has an excellent range of bars and restaurants. Although I didn’t eat here, the cobbled alleyways of the Patershol district near the castle are home to some fabulous restaurants.
Because it has a large student population, you may also find more reasonably priced places to eat and drink just outside the historic centre nearer the university.
Ghent has a mind-bogglingly large number of bars to choose from and I’ve named a few noteworthy ones already: Dulle Griet and Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. Others you may want to consider are Het Spijker, located in the oldest building on Graslei, and the popular brewery-pub Gruut.
* Bruges or Ghent? Which one is best?
So, overall, considering all of the above, which Belgian city trumps? Bruges or Ghent?
Much of this will depend on your personal preferences for things to see and places to go.
For me, this question is really a non-starter because both cities are fantastic destinations. I would thoroughly recommend visiting both if you have time.
If you do want to, and are based in Brussels, you can a book trip which combines the two cities.
Even if you don’t get to cover everything by spending a day in both, I’d suggest picking out your personal highlights from both Bruges and Ghent and splitting your time between the two cities on alternate days.
However, if you want to visit some museums, I’d advise checking out the opening times in advance to avoid any disappointment. You may find that the museum you want to go to is closed on a Sunday or Monday, for instance. This may influence how you allocate your time.
Also, if you really want to go on a canal or river boat ride, it’s worth factoring in whether the weather is going to affect your enjoyment of this top attraction.
There is so much to see and do in both cities, but Ghent is bigger, so if the weather is dreadful, the range of indoor options in Ghent is greater.
On the other hand, central Bruges is more compact and arguably more visually appealing overall, hence its UNESCO World Heritage status. If you are looking for a ‘chocolate box’ feel – or a romantic European city break – then Bruges is your best bet.
In a nutshell, however, it doesn’t matter if you spend a few days in Bruges or Ghent, or split your time between the two – you’ll have an amazing time in either.
Other Belgian cities for a short break or day trip
If you enjoyed your time in Bruges and Ghent, there are also other wonderful Belgian cities that are ideal for a city break or day out. See my other posts which include:
For other ideas for European short breaks, see my website.
Written by Nick Warburton with Emma Marshall