Brussels - July 2024

[mm3018]

I would like to know what others have done in the past while in Brussels.  It is quite a far ride into Brussels itself.  I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a small, quaint towns to visit instead of a potential 3 hour ride into Brussels itself. If not, does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to travel into Brussels? Suggested things to do?

 

Thank you!

[SoloAlaska]

I’ll be in Brussels in 30 days but not on a cruise. Brussels is a big hub for train travel so I would look into that.

 

i looked at the train schedule and from the port to Brussels it says 1h20 approximately so definitely much better than going by bus.

Edited February 17 by SoloAlaska

[Anoynmous Phoenix]

@mm3018

 

If you have never been to Bruges I would recommend there; main city centre, canal trip, chocolates, beer!!

[Thejuggler]

Question is a little confusing as it states being in Brussels, but also says it is three hours away.  
 

Assuming the OP is docking at a port, usually Zeebruge, there are options as of all Belgian cities to visit Brussels would be near the bottom.

 

Bruges is the usual visit from Zeebruge, but Ghent is also and option (and nicer).

 

There is also WWI history with Ypres being a centre for museums etc.

 

 

[John Bull]

Hi, and welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Ocean cruise ships berth in Zeebrugge, but some cruise lines quote Brussels on their itineraries because it's a city which most folk have heard of. It's about 90 minutes by train or about 1 h 20 mins by road.

It's a commercial city, the administration centre of the EU and with many other head-offices. There are just a few noteworthy sights spread around the city and the site of the Battle of Waterloo is just a few miles outside the city.

Don't waste your time going to Brussels.

 

Most popular is the ancient cobbled city of Bruges, for centuries a busy port for the export of wool, lace. and other exports and connected to the North Sea by a canal. As ships got bigger the coastal port of Zeebrugge grew and the canal silted up.

It's less than 8 miles from Zeebrugge and accessible by road (about 20 minutes) and rail (10 min train ride but trains only hourly and preceded by a shuttlebus to the rail station at the resort town of Blankenberge). Various travel options including taxi, privately-run shuttlebus, ships' "Bruges on your own" and train. Each method has its pros & cons. 

 

Google Bruges.

And search this Cruise Critic board - type Bruges into the little search box near the top right side of this page, scroll the little arrow to "this forum" & click the spyglass at the side of the box. Give the magic a few seconds to work and you end up with this https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=Bruges &quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=148

OK, I've done this for you but if you don't fancy Bruges do the same to check out Ostend, The Atlantic Wall and De Panne. All are on the coast & served by the kusttram (coastal tram)..

 

Use the appropriate search box for your other ports-of-call too.

 

Ghent is pretty easy by train, but I'd rate it a poor second to Bruges.

Ypres and the surrounding area is very interesting part of WW1's "Western Front", more interesting to Brits than Americans. Some distance from Zeebrugge, needs to be done as a tour. - or by the more-intrepid by rented car plus a great deal of research & preparation.

 

JB 🙂

BTW, if you include your location and/or nationality in your screen-name we can tailor answers - especially re passports, visas, insurance, etc

Edited February 18 by John Bull

[Harters]

19 hours ago, mm3018 said:

anyone has any suggestions for a small, quaint towns to visit

Assuming you are docking at Zeebrugge, then the Coastal Tram passes through several small towns on its way to the border with France. Excellent way to get about without a car.

 

https://www.delijn.be/en/content/kusttram/

 

A couple of contributors have mentioned Ypres (now Ieper) in connection with the Great War. I'm an amateur military historian (and author) specialising in the conflict and know the area well. You either need to do a lot of research to put together your own tour or pay for a guide. My fellow enthusiast, Ken Lees, moved to live in the battlefield area when  he retired as a police officer. He offers guided tours for small groups. I can only speak for his enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject and have no connection with his business. 

https://www.explore1914-18.com/index.html

[markeb]

18 hours ago, John Bull said:

Ypres and the surrounding area is very interesting part of WW1's "Western Front", more interesting to Brits than Americans.

Some of us Yanks are quite fascinated by the history of Ypres! 😀

 

But I do agree you need a greater than average interest in the battles AND someone who knows where they’re going to make it worthwhile. It’s probably more than I’d attempt for a cruise port of call. And you wouldn’t be there long enough for the Last Post. 

[Chocolate Teapot]

There are contrasting opinions here about Bruges and Ghent! 

 

I would probably say that Ghent is more of a working town than Bruges, although I am very fond of both of them.