Antwerp was the last leg on our tour of Belgium before heading to Amsterdam. It’s a short train ride from Ghent, and it’s possible to see almost everything in a day. Antwerp is home to one of the biggest ports in the world, renown for its shipping; it’s the second largest in Europe. It’s also got quite an interesting backstory to its name.
Train travel is really cheap in Belgium; only €8 per trip. We decided to take a day trip to Bruge, or Brugge (Flemish name), which is a 30 minute train ride from Ghent. Bruges is like a city stuck in medieval times, with a lot of the same architectural vibes as Ghent, but with more of a small town feel.
Of the four Belgian cities we visited, Ghent was my favorite. It’s not too big that you don’t feel like you get a feel of the city. It’s not too small where you find yourself bored after a few hours. There is beautiful architecture everywhere and such rich history. Belgium is a hidden gem in Europe, and Ghent is a must-see.
One of my favorite things about Europe is the ease and cost of high-speed train travel. After our rainy experience in Luxembourg, we boarded a train to Brussels, Belgium. The train tickets only cost €21 because we are under 26. Yay youth discounts! Two hours later, we were walking the streets of sunny Brussels.