Bruges or Antwerp?
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Bruges or Antwerp?
We will be visiting Europe (married, 2 kids ages 6,8) end of April-early May.
We will be arriving in Belgium after a short stay in Amsterdam on 5/1 and will fly out of Luxembourg early on 5/6.
We had planned on staying in Bruges 5/1 - 5/3 (dep) and Brussles 5/3 - 5/5 (dep)
After reading these forums, I noticed a few people mentioned considering staying in Antwerp vs. Bruges and just daytrip to Bruges. We were planning on doing the opposite. I am realizing now that we would be in Bruges on a weekend, and I'm wondering if it's going to be chaos. I wasn't expecting swarms of people in Bruges, but it sounds like maybe I'm totally mistaken. Do you think there is a better option for us between our stay in Amsterdam and flight out of Luxembourg? We were pretty excited to see Bruges, but now i'm wondering if we are ignorant to what it's really like there. We are not afraid of a busy city with kids as they are well-traveled and we visit cities often. However, I don't want to fight Disneyland-style crowds during the day (like Venice). If there is a good reason for me to not stay in Bruges, i'm all ears! We are trying to book our hotels and don't want to make a huge mistake.
We will be arriving in Belgium after a short stay in Amsterdam on 5/1 and will fly out of Luxembourg early on 5/6.
We had planned on staying in Bruges 5/1 - 5/3 (dep) and Brussles 5/3 - 5/5 (dep)
After reading these forums, I noticed a few people mentioned considering staying in Antwerp vs. Bruges and just daytrip to Bruges. We were planning on doing the opposite. I am realizing now that we would be in Bruges on a weekend, and I'm wondering if it's going to be chaos. I wasn't expecting swarms of people in Bruges, but it sounds like maybe I'm totally mistaken. Do you think there is a better option for us between our stay in Amsterdam and flight out of Luxembourg? We were pretty excited to see Bruges, but now i'm wondering if we are ignorant to what it's really like there. We are not afraid of a busy city with kids as they are well-traveled and we visit cities often. However, I don't want to fight Disneyland-style crowds during the day (like Venice). If there is a good reason for me to not stay in Bruges, i'm all ears! We are trying to book our hotels and don't want to make a huge mistake.
#2
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Brugge is a very pretty town, but also very busy. Staying in town gives you the advantage of seeing it in the morning and evening when the day trippers and busses have left. Just to put it in perspective, the city has 110.000 inhabitants and more than 8 million visitors per year. All of those visitors are in the small center of Brugge.
May is a busy time, and May 1st is a national holiday. Shops and restaurants in Brugge will be open, Since it's a long weekend, hotels may be busy. If you are traveling by train, these will be on a Sunday schedule. It is not a holiday in The Netherlands, though.
Antwerp is different; it's a large city that does not only depend on tourism. There is a pretty old town, but it is not a Disney-type dreamy place like Brugge.
On May 1st shops will be closed in Antwerp, and it will be pretty quiet there. I checked some of the popular museums, and most are closed on May 1st.
I don't know what would be best for you. Brugge will certainly have crowds, Antwerp will be relatively quiet. If you plan your arrival in the afternoon of May 1st, you can explore on foot, and visit some of the museums the next day (and don't miss the Red Star Line Museum).
Another option may be to stay in Gent instead of Brugge; it's very close to Brugge with frequent trains, and a lovely old town with less tourists than Brugge.
By the way if you are in Amsterdam late April, I assume you know about Kings Day April 27.
May is a busy time, and May 1st is a national holiday. Shops and restaurants in Brugge will be open, Since it's a long weekend, hotels may be busy. If you are traveling by train, these will be on a Sunday schedule. It is not a holiday in The Netherlands, though.
Antwerp is different; it's a large city that does not only depend on tourism. There is a pretty old town, but it is not a Disney-type dreamy place like Brugge.
On May 1st shops will be closed in Antwerp, and it will be pretty quiet there. I checked some of the popular museums, and most are closed on May 1st.
I don't know what would be best for you. Brugge will certainly have crowds, Antwerp will be relatively quiet. If you plan your arrival in the afternoon of May 1st, you can explore on foot, and visit some of the museums the next day (and don't miss the Red Star Line Museum).
Another option may be to stay in Gent instead of Brugge; it's very close to Brugge with frequent trains, and a lovely old town with less tourists than Brugge.
By the way if you are in Amsterdam late April, I assume you know about Kings Day April 27.
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We don’t arrive until April 29th in AMS. I’ll look into Gent as a base. Now that I realize May 1 is a holiday, perhaps Brugge is a good choice, knowing things will be open and day trip to Antwerp or Gent from there the following day. Your comments are helpful. Thank you!
#4
My feelings - Bruges is at its best in the mornings and late afternoons/evenings when the day trippers are gone. If one does a day trip TO Bruges they will be smack dab in the middle of the tourist hordes. I know I definitely would not have enjoyed Bruges nearly as much if I hadn't stayed there.
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That seems like a good plan. Brugge gets a lot of daytrippers. If you're early risers, you'll see the city at its best.
If there's anything specific that you want to visit, check opening hours, but it looks like Brugge is mostly open on May 1st.
If there's anything specific that you want to visit, check opening hours, but it looks like Brugge is mostly open on May 1st.
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We will be visiting Europe (married, 2 kids ages 6,8) end of April-early May.
We will be arriving in Belgium after a short stay in Amsterdam on 5/1 and will fly out of Luxembourg early on 5/6.
We had planned on staying in Bruges 5/1 - 5/3 (dep) and Brussles 5/3 - 5/5 (dep)
After reading these forums, I noticed a few people mentioned considering staying in Antwerp vs. Bruges and just daytrip to Bruges. We were planning on doing the opposite. I am realizing now that we would be in Bruges on a weekend, and I'm wondering if it's going to be chaos. I wasn't expecting swarms of people in Bruges, but it sounds like maybe I'm totally mistaken. Do you think there is a better option for us between our stay in Amsterdam and flight out of Luxembourg? We were pretty excited to see Bruges, but now i'm wondering if we are ignorant to what it's really like there. We are not afraid of a busy city with kids as they are well-traveled and we visit cities often. However, I don't want to fight Disneyland-style crowds during the day (like Venice). If there is a good reason for me to not stay in Bruges, i'm all ears! We are trying to book our hotels and don't want to make a huge mistake.
We will be arriving in Belgium after a short stay in Amsterdam on 5/1 and will fly out of Luxembourg early on 5/6.
We had planned on staying in Bruges 5/1 - 5/3 (dep) and Brussles 5/3 - 5/5 (dep)
After reading these forums, I noticed a few people mentioned considering staying in Antwerp vs. Bruges and just daytrip to Bruges. We were planning on doing the opposite. I am realizing now that we would be in Bruges on a weekend, and I'm wondering if it's going to be chaos. I wasn't expecting swarms of people in Bruges, but it sounds like maybe I'm totally mistaken. Do you think there is a better option for us between our stay in Amsterdam and flight out of Luxembourg? We were pretty excited to see Bruges, but now i'm wondering if we are ignorant to what it's really like there. We are not afraid of a busy city with kids as they are well-traveled and we visit cities often. However, I don't want to fight Disneyland-style crowds during the day (like Venice). If there is a good reason for me to not stay in Bruges, i'm all ears! We are trying to book our hotels and don't want to make a huge mistake.
We also did an English speaking walking tour, the Gentlemans name was Louie, it was wonderful, you meet in the square early, lots of history, Watch the BelgianTriple Beer :0)
its very strong.
mussles,fries,mayo !!!!!!!!
Last edited by kgveteran; Feb 24th, 2020 at 10:54 AM.
#8
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Have a look at this article and see if it helps you: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...ity-break-beer