Day Itinerary
18 Activities
Day 3
66 mi4 mi
Ghent and Bruges, Two Must-Sees in Belgium
Ready for the third day on the road? The proposal of the day is to visit two of the most touristic cities in Belgium, but not unattractive for children... on the contrary!
After breakfast it is suggested to take a short walk through the old town of Antwerp, if you feel like it, as there wasn't much time for that the day before. You can walk around the main square, the cathedral, look for a medieval alley and buy typical Antwerp sweets.
Otherwise, you can start driving earlier to the first stop of the day: Ghent. In Ghent you can go on a family scavenger hunt in search of the dragon Fosfor by means of an app on your mobile phone, which is great fun for the children. You can also visit a medieval castle, walk through the old town, take pictures of graffiti and, of course, buy the city's typical sweets: cuberdons.
The second stop of the day is the beautiful city of Bruges. As you will arrive a little late, you can visit the Historium, a museum with multi-sensory experiences to learn about the history of the medieval history of Bruges. In addition, you can climb up to a viewing platform and have a beautiful view of the market square.
You can take one more stroll through the narrow streets of the city and spend the night there to enjoy a canal cruise the next day.
After breakfast it is suggested to take a short walk through the old town of Antwerp, if you feel like it, as there wasn't much time for that the day before. You can walk around the main square, the cathedral, look for a medieval alley and buy typical Antwerp sweets.
Otherwise, you can start driving earlier to the first stop of the day: Ghent. In Ghent you can go on a family scavenger hunt in search of the dragon Fosfor by means of an app on your mobile phone, which is great fun for the children. You can also visit a medieval castle, walk through the old town, take pictures of graffiti and, of course, buy the city's typical sweets: cuberdons.
The second stop of the day is the beautiful city of Bruges. As you will arrive a little late, you can visit the Historium, a museum with multi-sensory experiences to learn about the history of the medieval history of Bruges. In addition, you can climb up to a viewing platform and have a beautiful view of the market square.
You can take one more stroll through the narrow streets of the city and spend the night there to enjoy a canal cruise the next day.
0.1 mi
5 min
09:0010 min
Grote Markt - Large market
Open Details
The day's proposal is to visit the cities of Ghent and Bruges, but before you set off, you can spend an hour walking through the historic centre of Antwerp.
You can start in the main square, where the 15th-century guild buildings and the Town Hall will catch your eye. The Town Hall building has more than 80 flags hanging. You can play a counting game with the children or look for your country's flag.
In the centre of the square you will see a fountain with a sculpture in homage to the founder of the city.
You can start in the main square, where the 15th-century guild buildings and the Town Hall will catch your eye. The Town Hall building has more than 80 flags hanging. You can play a counting game with the children or look for your country's flag.
In the centre of the square you will see a fountain with a sculpture in homage to the founder of the city.
0.2 mi
5 min
09:1510 min
Cathedral of Our Lady
Landmark
Open Details
Afterwards, you can walk on to the Cathedral of our lady, the largest cathedral in Belgium. You will see its gothic style and its highest tower of 123 metres.
Inside the cathedral you can see works by the painter Peter Paul Rubens. On this website you can find more information about opening hours and exhibitions, but if you are travelling with children it is better to continue with the walking tour to get to the other attractions of the day.
Inside the cathedral you can see works by the painter Peter Paul Rubens. On this website you can find more information about opening hours and exhibitions, but if you are travelling with children it is better to continue with the walking tour to get to the other attractions of the day.
0.2 mi
5 min
09:3010 min
Vlaaikensgang
Landmark
Open Details
Do you dare to find this medieval alley? It can be a great idea for a quest for the children.
Although it is somewhat hidden, it is very close to the Cathedral.
It is an alley that dates back to the 15th century and where you can see several courtyards where the shoemakers of Antwerp worked in medieval times.
0.5 mi
10 min
10:0010 min
Philip's Biscuits
Bakery
Open Details
Before picking up the car to continue on to Ghent and Bruges, you can stop by a confectionery shop to buy and taste Antwerp's sweet speciality: Antwerpse handjes (hand-shaped biscuits or chocolate).
You can ask the person selling them why they are so famous in Antwerp or look up the legend that explains it.
Open Hours Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
Return to the hotel (or the car park where you left your car) and get ready to drive to Ghent.
Open Hours Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
Return to the hotel (or the car park where you left your car) and get ready to drive to Ghent.
37.4 mi
1 hr
11:3010 min
Parking Ramen (P8)
Parking
Open Details
You can leave your car in this car park, but there are many pay and covered car parks in the city.
0.4 mi
10 min
12:001 hr
Gravensteen
Landmark
Open Details
Welcome to Ghent! A city with many surprises for the little ones in the family.
The first suggestion is to visit the famous medieval castle of the Counts of Flanders to learn about the chivalric culture of the 12th century.
Children will love to know the stories of the castle. In one part you will visit a torture room, depending on the age of the children, you can avoid this room.
At this link you can buy the ticket with the audio guide.
Note Ghent is another child-friendly city in Belgium. For example, it offers a treasure hunt through the city in search of the little dragon Fosfor. In this way, you can explore the main parts of the city centre and the children have fun with the proposals. You can see what it's all about on this website and download the application before you arrive so that you can make the suggestions for activities in the castle.
At this link you can buy the ticket with the audio guide.
Note Ghent is another child-friendly city in Belgium. For example, it offers a treasure hunt through the city in search of the little dragon Fosfor. In this way, you can explore the main parts of the city centre and the children have fun with the proposals. You can see what it's all about on this website and download the application before you arrive so that you can make the suggestions for activities in the castle.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:151 hr
BOON
Restaurant
Open Details
After visiting the castle and making up medieval stories, you can choose a place nearby to have lunch and then continue your tour of the city.
Right in front of the castle you will find this place which is marked as family-friendly (the mark is a sticker of a dragon, which is the symbol of the city).
Boon offers tasty vegetarian food such as sandwiches, salads and pastas. In addition, the desserts are homemade and delicious.
Open Hours Monday - Friday: 11:30 to 17:00
Right in front of the castle you will find this place which is marked as family-friendly (the mark is a sticker of a dragon, which is the symbol of the city).
Boon offers tasty vegetarian food such as sandwiches, salads and pastas. In addition, the desserts are homemade and delicious.
Open Hours Monday - Friday: 11:30 to 17:00
0.3 mi
10 min
14:3010 min
Saint Nicholas' Church
Church
Open Details
After lunch you can take a stroll through the historic centre, where the square and its church are a must.
The church that stands out in Ghent is the Church of St. Nicholas, which was built in the 13th century in the Scaldian Gothic style with limestone bluestone.
Its tower has the peculiarity of letting in the sunlight and illuminating the interior.
Open hours Every day from 10:00-16:00.
Open hours Every day from 10:00-16:00.
0.2 mi
5 min
14:4510 min
Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Landmark
Open Details
Another important church in the same area (and with a building that does not go unnoticed) is St. Bavon's Cathedral, the oldest in Ghent.
The interior contains many works of art, including the "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers.
If you would like more information about this work and how to visit it, you can read the website
If you would like more information about this work and how to visit it, you can read the website
0.2 mi
5 min
15:0030 min
Belfry of Ghent
Landmark
Open Details
Between St. Bavon's Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas is the municipal bell tower with its famous steeple.
At the top of the tower you can see the symbol, guardian and mascot of Ghent: the dragon. This dragon was placed on the tower in 1377.
Be sure to climb the tower for a beautiful view of the city. There is a lift from the first floor.
You can get tickets on this website.
If you are playing dragon fetch, possibly the path will lead you to these places.
Be sure to climb the tower for a beautiful view of the city. There is a lift from the first floor.
You can get tickets on this website.
If you are playing dragon fetch, possibly the path will lead you to these places.
0.2 mi
5 min
15:4510 min
Graffiti Street
Art Gallery
Open Details
It's worth coming to this street to enjoy the street art and have fun with the children taking pictures and looking at the drawings. What do you see? Which one do you like the most?
If you really like street art, you can download a file from this link to find out where to find it in the city. (Maybe for another trip!)
If you really like street art, you can download a file from this link to find out where to find it in the city. (Maybe for another trip!)
0.2 mi
5 min
16:0010 min
Groentenmarkt
Open Details
Before continuing on your way to Bruges, you can take a trip to the Grotenmarkt and look for the stalls selling cuberdons (carts). Cuberdons are typical Ghent sweets in the shape of little noses.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:1515 min
Korenlei
Open Details
The old medieval quays of Graslei (herb quay) and Korenlei (grain quay) on the river Lis are another typical sight of the city.
When you cross the bridge you can already see one of Ghent's postcards. But as the best preserved houses are those on the Graslei quay, it is a good idea to go to the other quay to see them better. Don't forget to take nice pictures with your family!
When you cross the bridge you can already see one of Ghent's postcards. But as the best preserved houses are those on the Graslei quay, it is a good idea to go to the other quay to see them better. Don't forget to take nice pictures with your family!
0.4 mi
10 min
16:4510 min
Parking Ramen (P8)
Parking
Open Details
Return to the car park to continue your journey to Bruges and spend the night there.
29.2 mi
50 min
17:4515 minHotels
Martin's Brugge
8.2
Welcome to Bruges!
Look for accommodation with parking (and if it is centrally located, all the better, because the centre of Bruges is very beautiful). Drop your bags and get ready to go for a walk.
0.2 mi
5 min
18:151 hr
Historium Bruges
Landmark
Open Details
The first suggestion is to go to the Grote Mark and visit the Historium. Through a multi-sensory experience through seven rooms you can learn about the medieval history of the city. At the end, you'll be able to see incredible views from the viewing platform - don't miss it!
You can buy tickets on this website.
At the Grote Mark you can also see the Belfort Tower, which is the bell tower, from where you also have a very nice view. However, to get to the top you have to climb 366 steps and it is not advisable with small children.
You can buy tickets on this website.
At the Grote Mark you can also see the Belfort Tower, which is the bell tower, from where you also have a very nice view. However, to get to the top you have to climb 366 steps and it is not advisable with small children.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:2010 min
Bruges City Hall
Open Details
Before dinner you can take a stroll through the streets near the square and see iconic landmarks such as the Town Hall (in gothic-florid style) and the Basilica of the Holy Blood of Bruges (the golden statues on a black façade will catch your attention).
0.4 mi
10 min
19:4515 min
Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug)
Open Details
Another of the icons that you can see on this walk is the Bonifacio Bridge. If you can't make it, don't worry, the next morning's sailing will take you past it.
Note
When you're strolling along the canal, look out for the stalls selling tickets for canal boat trips and try to buy them for the next day first thing in the morning (10am). There are five piers and they all have the same price and the same route. If they are closed, try to arrive the next day before 10:00 to get a seat. In this link you can see the contacts of the jetties and the places where they are located.
0.3 mi
10 min
20:151 hr
Arthie's
Restaurant
Open Details
It's time for dinner! Bruges is full of good and nice places to have dinner, so it's hard to choose one.
You can walk along the Wollestraat where there are several options (there are also many chocolate shops) and take your pick. One possibility is Arthie's, which has a children's menu and a decoration that will catch the children's attention.
Open hours Monday - Sunday: 11:00 - 22:00
Open hours Monday - Sunday: 11:00 - 22:00
0.1 mi
5 min
21:3010 hrs 30 minHotel visit
Martin's Brugge
8.2
It's time to rest and recharge your batteries for the last day of the trip!