Belgium
Brussels and Bruges, in One Day
The capital in the morning, the medieval city in the afternoon, and Bruges at the hour it is at its best.
Brussels & BrugesBelgium
The route from Amsterdam
~210 km to Brussels, 100 km on to Bruges, about 2 hours out, 2 hours 45 back. For comparison, possible by train but a very long day with two changes.
Brussels and Bruges are an hour apart, which makes this the more balanced of our two Belgian combinations. Brussels first, because the Grand Place is best before the middle of the day, then on to Bruges for the afternoon and early evening — which is when the coach parties have gone and the light is worth having.
Twelve hours, roughly three in Brussels and four in Bruges. It is a long day and it gives you two very different cities: one that is a working capital and one that stopped changing around 1500.
Why take a private driver
By rail this is technically possible and practically miserable: Amsterdam to Brussels, then Brussels to Bruges, then Bruges back to Amsterdam with a change at Antwerp, arriving late. With a driver the second city is an hour of driving rather than a connection.
A sample day
This is how we would plan it. Nothing here is fixed — the point of a private day is that it bends to you.
Pickup at your hotel
Early start, unavoidable.
Arrive in Brussels
Set down near the Grand Place.
Brussels
The Grand Place, the Galeries Royales, Manneken Pis and Mont des Arts. Three hours, which is the centre without the museums.
Drive to Bruges
About an hour. Lunch in Bruges rather than Brussels.
Bruges
The Markt and belfry, a canal boat, the Begijnhof and the Minnewater. Four hours, into the part of the afternoon when it quietens down.
Drive back
Two hours forty-five.
Back at your hotel
A long day. Do not book dinner.
What is included
- Private vehicle and driver for about 12 hours
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amsterdam
- Fuel, tolls, parking and all road costs in both countries
- Coffee stops as needed
What is not included
- Canal boat, belfry and museum entry
- Lunch and drinks
- Gratuity
Questions
Why Brussels first?
The Grand Place is at its best in the morning and Bruges is at its best late in the afternoon. Doing it the other way round gives you the worst hour in both.
Is this better than Bruges and Ghent?
Different. Brussels and Bruges gives you more contrast; Bruges and Ghent involves less driving and two cities of similar character. If you have never been to Belgium, this one.
Could we stay over instead?
Honestly, it is a better trip as two days with a night in Bruges. We can drive you down and collect you the next day; ask us and we will quote it.