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What to do in Belgium: the best day trips
Are you looking for a fun day trip in Belgium? In this article, we take you on an exciting journey of discovery through our beautiful country! Many day trips will certainly enchant you, whether you go alone, as a couple, or as a family.
From the Belgian coast to the Ardennes, from the beautiful nature to the centuries-old historic centers, in Belgium, you will find a day trip for everyone.
Read more: Do you have some more time? Then be sure to take a look at this article with original accommodation in Belgium.
Day trip to an amusement park
Belgium is home to some of the most exciting and unique amusement parks in the world, making it the perfect destination for a day trip with your kids. There is something for everyone in the Belgian amusement parks.
Prepare for an unforgettable day of fun with crazy roller coasters, mesmerizing lights and sounds, and endless excitement.
Everyone has heard of Plopsaland in De Panne, but now they also have an aqua park in addition to the main park. If the weather is bad you can also visit their indoor park in Hasselt or Antwerp.
Are you looking for even more action? Then you can also go to Bellewaerde, Walibi, or Bobbejaanland. The most beautiful animal park in Europe can be found at the old abbey of Cambron, Parai Daiza.
Explore Bruges and the surrounding area with a Vespa
Would you like an unforgettable and unique day trip to Belgium? Then with The Vespa Trip Bruges you can explore the surroundings of Bruges and the coast in a relaxed and unforgettable way.
Rent your Vespa in Bruges and set off for a wonderful tour. Stop at the rustic villages of Damme, drive to the Zwin for a beautiful nature walk, have a drink in Cadzand at one of the beach bars or experience some culture in Sluis.
Whether you go out alone, as a couple, with older children, or with friends, it will certainly be a fantastic experience. In any case, we were very excited! You will receive various possible GPS routes and you can even optionally book a picnic. Check availability and prices for The Vespa Trip Bruges here.
A day on the Belgian Coast
Is it raining cats and dogs or is it a sunny day? A day on the Belgian coast always offers an unforgettable experience. The waters of the North Sea, golden sandy beaches, and beautiful views of the distant horizon make it a great destination for a relaxing getaway.
In bad weather, you can go to the Mu.ZEE museum in Ostend or go swimming in Plopsa Aqua in De Panne.
When the weather is nice, you can enjoy various activities on our Belgian coast such as sailing, fishing, swimming, or even horse riding along the beach. And did you know that in Zeebrugge you can take an excursion by boat in search of seals?
TIP: In het Zwin In Knokke you can look for migratory birds with a bird guide. In the right season you can even see storks there. In the interactive part inside (for a fee) you can also play a bird yourself and learn all about migratory birds, the origins of the Zwin, etc. A very nice day trip with children!
Moreover, you will find many bistros and restaurants along the Belgian coast where you can eat delicious mussels or shrimp croquettes. Cities such as Nieuwpoort, Knokke, and De Panne receive hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Discover the Ardennes on foot or by boat
The Ardennes is a beautiful area with varied landscapes and therefore ideal for a perfect day trip full of adventure. You will find beautiful forests, rolling green hills, and winding rivers such as the Ourthe and the Maas.
Idyllic villages such as La Roche and Durbuy also attract high visitor numbers throughout the year and make a nice day trip in Belgium.
Do you like walking? The Ardennes is a real hiking paradise for hikers of all levels with steep gorges and limestone rocks. One of our favorite walks in the Ardennes is “the Ladder walk” in Rochehaut near Bouillon. After your walk, you can visit the cozy restaurant – brewery of the Rochehaut beer of the same name.
Would you like even more adventure? Then be sure to check out The Packraft Trail, a two-day trip full of hiking and rafting in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes that you can complete completely independently.
In the Ardennes, you will find many adventurous or cultural activities, something for everyone. Do you have more time? Be sure to check out our article with the perfect itinerary for 3 days through the Ardennes with children.
Take a boat trip in Ghent or Bruges
Taking a boat trip through the historic center of Bruges or Ghent is an unforgettable experience. Known for their quaint charm and beautiful canals, these two Belgian cities provide the perfect backdrop for a wonderful tour.
The best way to explore them both is on a relaxing cruise while enjoying the pleasant view of the centuries-old buildings that line the banks of each city’s canals.
These tours are usually led by expert guides who treat visitors with interesting facts about the sights they see and the hidden gems that can only be seen from the water.
Most boats have comfortable seats. In Ghent and Bruges, you can choose between different shipping companies that offer the boats. We recommend that you book your ticket in advance. You can purchase this on this website or via the activities below.
Would you like to combine your visit to Ghent with some other fun activities? Then be sure to read this article with the best activities in Ghent.
Immerse yourself in the war history of Belgium
Belgium unfortunately has one long and tumultuous war history. We have been conquered and occupied by various powers, from the Romans in the first century BC, to Spanish and French rule in the late 16th century, to Austrian rule in the 19th century and, of course, the two world wars.
You can visit many places that take you back to these terrible times.
From Bruges, you can explore the graves and most important monuments with a guide to Ypres. Or you can go to the Passendaele museum to find out more about the terrible battles that took place during the First World War.
On the Belgian coast, you can also visit the Atlantic Wall provincial domain in Raversyde. Please note that these are closed in winter.
The Lion of Waterloo is another very famous place. You can climb the monument and get a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is also a museum and not far away you will find a restaurant.
If you like war history, you can also take a walk in the Ardennes near Bastogne, where you will find the recently renovated Bastogne War Museum.
Explore our capital Brussels
A visit to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, should certainly not be missing from this list of the best day trips in Belgium.
There is of course the iconic Atomium, built for the 1958 World Exhibition. If you want to avoid long queues, order your entrance tickets here. We went on a day trip with the children and they had a wonderful day! Just next to the Atomium, you will also find Mini Europe, including Big Ben and the Acropolis.
There are also many well-known museums in Brussels. For example, you have the Royal Museums of Fine Arts or Autoworld with a wide variety of collections, from classic cars to Belgian modern works of art. With the Brussels City Card, you can visit no fewer than 49 museums.
A day trip to Brussels naturally also includes a visit to the Grand Place in Brussels and the Manneken Pis. More information about what else you can visit can be found on the Visit Brussels website.
Visit a brewery
Are you going out for a day with friends or family? How about visiting a brewery? Belgium is the land of beers and this is a great way to learn more about our country’s craft brewing culture.
You can taste iconic Belgian beers such as Delirium Tremens, Kriek, and La Chouffe. A nice visit is in Evergem at the Van Steenberge brewery (Gulden Draak, Piraat, Augustijn…) or the legendary abbey of Orval, where you can also admire the beautiful ruins and buildings.
There are also smaller microbreweries that offer unique beers brewed with interesting ingredients such as chocolate, sour fruits or herbs. A nice list of breweries in Belgium can be found on this website.
In Brussels, you can take a full tour of various small breweries.
Take an exciting bike ride above the trees or among the water
Cycling in Belgium is extremely popular and is therefore the favorite day trip in Belgium for many people. Thanks to its flat landscape, scenic cobbled roads and many picturesque villages, Belgium is perfect for exploring by bike.
Visitors can search for centuries-old castles and cathedrals, visit nearby towns to sample the local cuisine or take long treks through the Belgian fields.
Would you like to take a bike ride through the trees? This is possible in Bosland in Limburg. The cycle path is 700 meters long and also accessible to walkers and joggers. You feel as if you are one with the forest.
You can also cycle through the water in Limburg. A unique cycling experience where you cycle 200m through a pond. More information about where and how can be found on this website of the province of Limburg.
Thanks to an extensive network of well-marked paths and junctions, you can plan your day trip in Belgium, and cyclists of all levels can cover the numerous routes with ease.
Find the nicest barefoot path in Belgium
A fun day trip in Belgium with children is a barefoot path. A barefoot path is a carefully constructed route designed to introduce people to nature.
More daring visitors can even take off their shoes and socks to stand directly on the damp grass and warm sand and feel all its textures.
An overview of the nicest barefoot toads in Belgium can be found on this website.
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