I first visited Belgium in high school through an exchange program, spending a week in Bruges. I instantly fell for its charming brick houses and, of course, the beer. Fast forward to now, and I wanted Nina to experience Bruges, plus explore Gent.
With a convenient direct flight from Ljubljana to Brussels on low-cost Wizz Air, we made the most of our two days for a brief city getaway. This was also our first couchsurfing experience, and it exceeded our expectations. Elke and Willem, our gracious hosts in Gent, welcomed us with open arms, a cozy room, delicious food, and cheerful post-it notes everywhere. Thanks so much, Elke and Willem—you were fantastic!
On our first day, we took a train to Bruges and strolled towards the town center through Koning Albert I Park, eventually finding ourselves near Sint-Janshospitaalpark. Our aimless wandering led us to Grote Markt, exactly where we wanted to be. This vibrant square, lined with colorful brick houses and bustling restaurants, was alive with activity. While we considered climbing the Belfort for a view, the crowds dissuaded us. Instead, we opted for the Bruges Beer Museum in the eastern corner of the square.
The Bruges Beer Museum offers an immersive journey through the history of beer, from its origins to the present day. You'll explore Bruges’ brewing heritage, Trappist beers, various beer types, and brewing processes. The museum allows you to taste, smell, and feel the ingredients of beer. Included with admission is a tasting of three beers of your choice from a selection of diverse draught options.
Next, we headed to Groenerei, renowned for being the most picturesque canal in Bruges. It truly lives up to its reputation with its charming old bridge, lush greenery, and historic architecture. The nearby Dijver Canal is also delightful. After exploring a few shops, we strolled back to the train station along Oostmeers street. With an hour until our train, we relaxed in a nearby park just across the road.
We then took the train north to Knokke-Heist, a coastal town known for its upscale vibe and promenade. Although the streets were quiet, we enjoyed exploring the area. In the evening, we returned to Gent and wandered around Korenmarkt, St. Michael's Bridge, and the picturesque Korenlei and Graslei. We had dinner at Club Reserva and capped off the night with a few beers at Café ’t Galgenhuis.
The next day in Gent was rainy but productive. We began at Korenmarkt, checked out the flea market inside Saint Nicholas' Church, and climbed Belfort for city views. After lunch, we toured Gravensteen Castle and enjoyed a walk along the Kranlei bank and across the bridge to Vrijdagmarkt.
The weather cleared up in the evening, so Willem and Elke took us to De Frietketel for some great fries and then to Vooruit, an arts center and café, where we sampled a few more beers. It was the perfect end to our bank holiday getaway.
Having visited both towns, I found Bruges to be more touristy, while Gent felt more relaxed and authentic. In my opinion, Gent’s town center is even more stunning than Bruges. However, a short visit to both Flemish towns is definitely worthwhile.
