Brussels, Antwerp or Bruges?
 

Would like to spend a few days in one of these cities. Will be traveling from Amsterdam and then on to Wiesbaden, Germany. Anyone been? Can you tell me what you did/didn't like about these cities and which you would choose to visit. Thanks!

If you haven't been to any of them before, I susspect most people would say Bruges. I would.

This post may give you some more info on the 3:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451280

I would say Brugge also. It seems to get only good reviews. I was there in March so it wasn't too crowded but if you are going in summer apparently it can be so packed as to diminish your enjoyment. But it's still got beautiful canals; great, very old architecture, and just a nice ambience. Brussels on the other hand, was just a large, fairly dirty city. The Grand Place was indeed grand, but other than that I was pretty disappointed. If your train connections mean you go through Brussels on your way to Brugge you could just stop for an hour or two and see the Grand Place and then go on to Brugge. Sorry I haven't been to Antwerp but I did meet some people in Ireland last summer who were from Antwerp and they were telling us how wonderful it was and that we should visit it. For what that's worth.

Brussels has far more architectural variety than Bruges. It has interesting museums (the music museum, the Horta museum). It has a life beyond tourism.

When are you going? If it's in NOvember/December, then go to Brussels. The Grand Place is stunning then. Otherwsie i guess I would say Brigges, although I don't get the hype over Belgium at all...I find it better to go directly to France instead.

Sorry about all my typos. Hope my posts make sense.

I sure hope a native Belgian takes on allovereurope's remark to 'go directly to France'! As though Belgium were France's sidekick...

Never mind, mp413, we're getting used to being treaten like that ...

Aww, I'm sorry Myriam. I'm just not a big Belgium fan, what can I say? Although I do love that beer.

AND the chocolates, I may hope !! =-o
No hard feelings, allovereurope.

I would have to agree with a previous post that The Grand Place in Brussels is worth seeing, and if you have time just stop by and take a look at it. It can be reached by walking from the train station. Other than that it's just another big city. However, Bruges is a lovely, quaint little town and certainly worth seeing. The canals and buildings are beautiful. It is a short walk from the train station. Haven't been to Antwerp but will be going in Dec., along with visiting Bruges again.