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Best Day Trips from Brussels

By Flavia Voican  ·  Updated April 2026  ·  Belgium

Why Day Trips from Brussels Are Worth It

Brussels is a great base for day trips that feel like escaping to a different country—no passport needed. After 3 years of living here, I’ve learned the real way to do these without wasting time or money. Forget the tourist traps: these are the spots I’d actually take a friend to.

Why go? Canals, chocolate shops, and medieval streets that look like they’re frozen in time. It’s like stepping into a storybook—except the beer is better.

How to get there: Train from Brussels-South (Zuid) station. 1 hour 10 minutes. €15-20 one way (buy a regional ticket at the station).

What to do:

• Stroll the Markt square (grab a *kruuk* pastry from De Kruik).
• Take a 30-minute canal boat tour (€12, book ahead online).
• Skip the main tourist restaurant—eat at *De Kruide* for *waterzooi* (herb soup) and local beer.

Why go? A city that feels alive—less "postcard," more real. Think indie bookshops, street art, and beer brewed in 14th-century cellars.

How to get there: Train from Brussels-North (Noord) station. 45 minutes. €10-15 one way.

What to do:

• Wander the Gravensteen Castle (climb the tower for views of the canals).
• Eat *stoofvlees* (beef stew) at *Café St. Pieter*—it’s cheap and delicious.
• Grab a drink at *De Nieuwe School* (a beer bar in a converted schoolhouse).

Why go? Art, fashion, and the best food in Flanders. It’s the "cool cousin" of Brussels—less political, more vibrant.

How to get there: Train from Brussels-Central station. 30 minutes. €7-12 one way.

What to do:

• See Rubens’ *The Raising of the Cross* at the Museum of Fine Arts (free entry, but bring cash for donations).
• Eat *friet* (fries) at *Frits Liefkens*—they’re served in a paper cone with mayo.
• Walk the *Deurne* neighborhood for street art and hidden cafés.

• All are doable in a single day (no overnight stays needed).
• Trains run every 20-30 minutes (check (https://www.sncb.be) for real-time updates).
• You’ll avoid the crowds by arriving by 9:30 AM.
• *No* expensive tours or fake "authentic" experiences. Just real places, real people, and real beer.

Brussels is a great city—but these trips are why I’d never move out. Pack a light bag, wear comfy shoes, and get lost. You’ll be surprised how much you see.

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