Neither Bruges nor Ghent is objectively "better"; they offer different experiences, with Bruges being the fairytale, romantic, picture-perfect spot (more touristy) and Ghent being the vibrant, authentic, grittier university city (less touristy, more nightlife), making Ghent ideal for a "real city" feel and Bruges for that classic, slower-paced medieval charm. Both are beautiful, well-connected by train, and worth visiting, but your choice depends on your travel style: romantic/picturesque (Bruges) or lively/authentic (Ghent).
❣️Bruges is the most beautiful city in Belgium. When you come to Bruges, you will be attracted by its long history. There are many ancient buildings and charming streets here.
Bruges is called the "Dead City" primarily because of Georges Rodenbach's influential 1892 novel Bruges-la-Morte (Bruges-the-Dead), which portrayed the decaying, melancholic city as a perfect setting for a widower's obsessive grief, making it a symbol of death and lost glory for Symbolist artists and a morbid tourist attraction for romantics seeking atmosphere, even as the city's importance declined historically due to its silting Zwin channel.
Bruges and Ghent are two charming, small towns in Belgium, each just a short train ride away from Brussels. In a perfect world, Bruges and Ghent each deserve their own day for exploring. However, if you are short on time, you can visit Bruges and Ghent in one day.
Bruges is beautiful, there's no doubt about it, and some of the most beautiful streets are a little harder to find than the popular tourist hotspots. To find the real Bruges, just wander off the tourist trail with no map and no destination. After all, getting lost in a city is often the best way to see it.
Bruges vs Ghent: The Two Gems of Belgium in The Heart of Flanders!
Should I go to Ghent or Bruges?
Belgian beer, canal tours, chocolate shops, a lively city center, and beautiful cities—all of the above in both. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences: Ghent provides a more modern, eclectic experience, while Bruges immerses you in a timeless, romantic setting. Large crowds included.
Belgium's "30% tax ruling" refers to a special tax regime for expatriates and inpatriates, allowing employers to reimburse certain recurring relocation costs tax-free, generally up to 30% of gross remuneration, capped at €90,000 annually, plus other specific costs like school fees, replacing older schemes for many. This regime aims to attract international talent, exempting these allowances from tax and social security, with conditions like minimum salary thresholds (€75k for non-researchers) and a 5-year duration (extendable).
On average it takes around 26 minutes to travel from Ghent to Bruges (Brugge) by train, although you can get there in 22 minutes on the fastest services. With 76 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.
Combining modern and Middle Ages, Antwerp has a lot to offer all types of travellers. In terms of population, Antwerp is twice the size of Ghent so if you are looking for a city with an intimate feel, Ghent might suit you better.
Ghent is very walkable, and I enjoy strolling through the old town in this extremely Flemish city, where the native language is Dutch (but everyone also speaks English).
You can find truffles, pralines, chocolate bars and even chocolate tours and workshops if you want an authentic experience. Oh, by the way, Bruges is also the place to try some real hot chocolate… just note that you may never go back to packaged hot chocolate powder ever again!
Legend has it that Count Thierry of Alsace, after an adventurous Second Crusade, brought the Holy Blood to Bruges in 1150. He received the relic as a gift from Jerusalem, as a treasure for the city and a sign of his heroism.
The Grand-Place in Brussels. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Brussels' central plaza, the Grand-Place is an exceptional example of Belgian architecture and history. ...
1. De Panne. De Panne is Belgium's westernmost seaside town and is known for its wide beach. Here you can get a breath of fresh air, sail on the beach or enjoy a quiet day in the sun.
At the end of the 1930s, Antwerp was the preferred destination for many of the Jews who chose to flee the rampant anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany. Historians estimate that there were about 35,000 Jews in the city on the eve of World War II. Many of them were foreigners, who did not have Belgian nationality.
What is the price for a taxi from Bruges 8000 to Ghent 9000 ? The average price is 133 € with the lowest fare available being 81 €. A sedan (1 to 4 passengers) costs on average 131 €, a minivan (5 to 8 passengers) costs on average 133 €. For bigger group, send a request for quotes.
1. Bruges. This city is on top of most visitors' lists for a reason: it is without a doubt one of Europe's most picturesque towns. A medieval fairy-tale town with cobblestone lanes and charming canals, hordes of visitors from all over the world rightly come to admire its photogenic and romantic beauty.
It's easy to visit Ghent with Eurostar. Simply book a direct train with us to Brussels. To get to Ghent from Brussels, you'll need to buy a separate local train ticket from SNCB.
all loans, whereby the beneficial owner is not subject to income taxes, or, with regard to the interest income, is subject to a tax regime that is substantially more advantageous than the Belgian tax regime, and.
In Belgium, all drivers must give priority to any vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a junction or are allowing pedestrians to cross.
Among these labor law reforms, it had been announced that — since 1 July 2025 — employers are no longer required to pay the regular employer social security contributions on the portion of an employee's salary that exceeds a quarterly threshold.
