Bruges for 4 days- should we also visit Antwerp or Brussels
 

In three weeks i will be staying in Bruges, Belgium for four days. I am definitely planning on visiting Gent. I am trying to decide if we should also get over to Antwerp and Brussels. I believe the distances are fairly close-we will have a car. Any thoughts concerning one vs. the other if we lack in time.

Thank you,

Anne

Going ither to Antwerp or Bfussels I would not take the car. Take the train, using one of the many discounted tickets available. Parking in either city is a mess and expensive. As to which city? In styles of buildings Antwerp is more similar, although larger in scale to Bruges and Ghent. Brussels has also its old part around the Grand Placea dn in the fish market area.. But it is also a vey modern and elegant city. Ave. Louise is agoo shopping blvd. Public transport is fine. You have to decide what ki d of city style you prefer.

I agree - take the train to either city rather than a car. The train is super easy and brings you into the city center.

We spent a few days in Brussels and really liked it - only saw Antwerp for a couple hours, but saw enough to know we would want to go back. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I can't imagine spending 4 days in Bruges. You haven't said what your interests are so it's difficult to offer advice.

Brussels has some great museums and I'd gladly go back in a nanosecond.

I would spend some time in Antwerp via train. We just got back from a 2 night stay in Bruges which was a beautiful town but really 2 nights is adequate.

We stayed 3 nights in Bruges and thought it was a good amount of time, but more would have been too much if the plan was to stay IN Bruges the entire time.

We took a bike tour along the canal to De Haan, visited the Halve Maan brewery, Chocostory and the Frites Museum, climbed the belfry, took a canal boat ride, wandered around a bunch, and hung out eating and drinking. It was raining on one evening and one day day, so we did spend more time hanging out in cafes than we might otherwise have.

In the OP's case though, the time in Bruges seems to include a day trip to Ghent and either Brussels or Antwerp - so I don't think that 4 nights is too much at all.