Day Itinerary
22 Activities
Day 2
274 mi4 mi
Belgium: Beautiful and Full of Life
Second day of the trip and second country to visit: Belgium. The first stop will be at a paradise in the middle of nature, once a fortress designed for war.
After that, you will visit Sint-Niklaas where you'll have lunch in the dungeons of an imposing castle surrounded by lush parks.
Without further delay you'll spend most of the day in the great jewel of Belgium: Bruges. You'll fall in love with its canals, its ancient buildings and its bohemian air. There will be no shortage of boat trips, the best chocolate in the world, and postcard-perfect photos in every corner.
End the day with dinner in a peculiar restaurant in Mons, nearby a square where a monkey's head will give you all the luck you need for the rest of your trip.
After that, you will visit Sint-Niklaas where you'll have lunch in the dungeons of an imposing castle surrounded by lush parks.
Without further delay you'll spend most of the day in the great jewel of Belgium: Bruges. You'll fall in love with its canals, its ancient buildings and its bohemian air. There will be no shortage of boat trips, the best chocolate in the world, and postcard-perfect photos in every corner.
End the day with dinner in a peculiar restaurant in Mons, nearby a square where a monkey's head will give you all the luck you need for the rest of your trip.
80.4 mi
1 hr 30 min
10:301 min
Parking Fort Merksem
Parking
Open Details
This will be an interesting stop. In a fort that has become a natural park.
0.3 mi
10 min
10:4530 min
Fort Merksem
Park
Open Details
This fort, that once was part of the defence of Antwerp, became public in 1977. It has a peculiar six-pointed star-shaped boundary.
It has become a beautiful promenade to enjoy green spaces. It is a great contrast that a place created for combat is today a refuge where you can finde moments of peace.
It's open daily from 7:00 to 23:00 h. (the door closes automatically)
It has become a beautiful promenade to enjoy green spaces. It is a great contrast that a place created for combat is today a refuge where you can finde moments of peace.
It's open daily from 7:00 to 23:00 h. (the door closes automatically)
0.3 mi
10 min
11:251 min
Parking Fort Merksem
Parking
Open Details
Many places are waiting for you, better keep going!
23.5 mi
40 min
12:101 min
Ondergrondse parking Grote Markt
Parking
Open Details
Another interesting place with charming corners:
Sint-Niklaas. With its very central and convenient car park.
0.1 mi
5 min
12:2015 min
Grote Markt
Landmark
Open Details
This large square is the site of the 3-day peace celebrations commemorating the liberation of Sint-Niklaas in 1944. During these celebrations, hot air balloons of all colours and sizes are released. It is one of the few places in the world that launches balloons in the middle of a city.
The festivities take place on the first weekend in September. Throughout the year this square serves as a stage for several cultural events in the city.
Around this square you will see emblematic buildings and monuments of this city. Such as the beautiful Gothic Renaissance style Town Hall, dating from 1878.
The festivities take place on the first weekend in September. Throughout the year this square serves as a stage for several cultural events in the city.
Around this square you will see emblematic buildings and monuments of this city. Such as the beautiful Gothic Renaissance style Town Hall, dating from 1878.
0.3 mi
10 min
12:4545 min
Walburg Castle
Restaurant
Open Details
In this beautiful 16th century castle, you will find a restaurant that is highly recommended both for its location and its cuisine.
Open every day from 11:00 to 23:00 hours, except on Mondays when it is closed.
For RESERVATIONS or information follow this link
Open every day from 11:00 to 23:00 hours, except on Mondays when it is closed.
For RESERVATIONS or information follow this link
0.3 mi
10 min
13:401 min
Ondergrondse parking Grote Markt
Parking
Open Details
After a short walk through the main centre of Sint-Niklaas it's time to get back to the car and head for Bruges, the main course of the day.
52.4 mi
1 hr 10 min
15:001 min
Underground parking garage - Pandreitje (capacity 212)
Parking
Open Details
A perfect place to park the car, nearby the main places to visit in Bruges.
0.4 mi
10 min
15:1530 min
Market Square
Open Details
The main place to start your tour of Bruges is the market square or Grote Mark. This square surrounded by picturesque and beautiful buildings, such as the Belfort Tower or the magnificent Provincial Court building is the heart of Bruges where flower markets and various cultural events of the city take place throughout the year.
0.2 mi
5 min
15:5010 min
De Burg
Landmark
Open Details
This is another emblematic square in Bruges that will take your breath away with the buildings you will see here. Like the Palace of Justice or the 14th century Bruges Town Hall.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:105 min
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Church
Open Details
A relic of a few drops of Christ's blood on a piece of cloth is kept in this basilica. The façade of this building stands out in the square for its gilded ornamentation.
Opend daily from 10:00 to 17:15 h.
Opend daily from 10:00 to 17:15 h.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:2030 min
Rosary Quay
Landmark
Open Details
This is the most photographed spot in Bruges, with the houses lining the canal, the Belfort Tower as a background... all of which make it an ideal postcard view.
This quay is so called because this is where rosaries used to be sold in ancient times.
If there's one thing you can't miss in Bruges, it's a ride on one of these boats to enjoy the views of Bruges from the canals. Rides usually last about 30 minutes. You can get tickets at a booth by this quay.
If you can't get tickets there (they don't have a website), there is another company that also runs tours from the quay a few metres further south. Here you have the information of that other pier.
This quay is so called because this is where rosaries used to be sold in ancient times.
If there's one thing you can't miss in Bruges, it's a ride on one of these boats to enjoy the views of Bruges from the canals. Rides usually last about 30 minutes. You can get tickets at a booth by this quay.
If you can't get tickets there (they don't have a website), there is another company that also runs tours from the quay a few metres further south. Here you have the information of that other pier.
0.4 mi
10 min
17:0015 min
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
Landmark
Open Details
The Cathedral of St Saviour of Bruges, erected since the 10th century (it has undergone many alterations throughout history), is another must-see symbol of this beautiful city.
Bruges has so many buildings with striking and eye-catching facades that the cathedral doesn't stand out so much from the outside, but it's worth seeing inside, with an imposing organ and walls adorned with beautiful tapestries from Brussels.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 17:30 h. Saturdays: 10:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 15:30 h. Sundays: 14:00 - 17:00 h.
For more information
Bruges has so many buildings with striking and eye-catching facades that the cathedral doesn't stand out so much from the outside, but it's worth seeing inside, with an imposing organ and walls adorned with beautiful tapestries from Brussels.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 17:30 h. Saturdays: 10:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 15:30 h. Sundays: 14:00 - 17:00 h.
For more information
0.1 mi
5 min
17:2530 min
The Old Chocolate House
Café
Open Details
Being in Belgium and not stopping to taste their chocolate is an injustice.
This particular chocolate shop is one of the most highly recommended in the city and belongs to the Bruges chocolate makers' guild. Here you can sample a wide variety of chocolates and other sweet delicacies.
Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 h. except on Wednesdays when it is closed.
For more information click here
This particular chocolate shop is one of the most highly recommended in the city and belongs to the Bruges chocolate makers' guild. Here you can sample a wide variety of chocolates and other sweet delicacies.
Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 h. except on Wednesdays when it is closed.
For more information click here
0.2 mi
5 min
18:005 min
Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug)
Open Details
Another magical and photogenic spot in the city with its old wooden houses lying on the canal.
0.4 mi
10 min
18:2010 min
Wijngaardplein
Landmark
Open Details
This beautiful Vineyard Square will captivate you with its romantic and picturesque setting.
You are sure to see a carriage stop here, so that its passengers can get out to take photos or take a stroll. Here you will also see the beautiful horse fountain.
If you want to take a ride in a carriage, they leave from the market square (Grote Mark), they cannot be booked, they have a taxi service (they get on as people arrive). You can take up to 5 people per carriage, the ride lasts half an hour and is paid in cash to the driver. More information here.
If you want to take a ride in a carriage, they leave from the market square (Grote Mark), they cannot be booked, they have a taxi service (they get on as people arrive). You can take up to 5 people per carriage, the ride lasts half an hour and is paid in cash to the driver. More information here.
0.7 mi
15 min
18:451 min
Underground parking garage - Pandreitje (capacity 212)
Parking
Open Details
In this city you will want to stay several days but you must continue on your way, there are still 2 more countries to visit!
81.3 mi
1 hr 30 min
20:201 min
Parking Grand-Place
Parking
Open Details
An ideal car park that leaves you just a few metres from the place to visit in Mons.
0.2 mi
5 min
20:305 min
Grand-Place de Mons
Open Details
It is ideal if you have arrived at this square at sunset as the lighting is very beautiful and eye-catching.
This large square is the centre of all social life in the city, where many important events take place, such as the fight between St. George and the Dragon in the celebrations for the Trinity or Le Doudou, as it is called locally.
This large square is the centre of all social life in the city, where many important events take place, such as the fight between St. George and the Dragon in the celebrations for the Trinity or Le Doudou, as it is called locally.
0.1 mi
5 min
20:405 min
Porte-bonheur de la cité Montoise
Landmark
Open Details
Here you will find the city's lucky charm. It is the figure of a monkey on the façade of the town hall. If you stroke its head with your left hand, according to local tradition, it will bring you good luck. You'll have to try it!
0.1 mi
5 min
20:5045 min
La Vache à Carreaux
Restaurant
Open Details
Walking around this beautiful area you will find this nice and charming restaurant with a very cosy atmosphere.
Reservations are recommended
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 12:00 - 14:00 and 18:00 - 21:30 h. Fridays and Saturdays: 12:00 - 14:00 and 18:00 - 22:00 h. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Reservations are recommended
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 12:00 - 14:00 and 18:00 - 21:30 h. Fridays and Saturdays: 12:00 - 14:00 and 18:00 - 22:00 h. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
0.2 mi
5 min
21:401 min
Parking Grand-Place
Parking
Open Details
It's time to get back in the car and head straight to the hotel.
36.4 mi
1 hr 10 min
22:5510 hrsBed and Breakfasts
" Chimay B & B "
8.9
It's been a long day full of amazing places, you're probably tired but also happy for everything you're getting to know in such a short time.
It's time to rest and recharge your batteries for the big day that awaits you tomorrow.
Car parking is included in the services.
It's time to rest and recharge your batteries for the big day that awaits you tomorrow.
Car parking is included in the services.