Belgium Full-Day Excursion: Exploring Antwerp and Ghent from Brussels

Optimize your visit to Belgium with a day trip to Antwerp and Ghent originating from Brussels. Bypass the hassle of public transport with convenient round-trip transfers. Advantage from the knowledge of a local guide who can provide insightful details you might not uncover on your own, and then enjoy the freedom to explore at your own speed.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Atomium - On our way to Antwerp, we will make a brief stop at the Atomium, the monument considered as the symbol of Brussels and Belgium. Here you will have the chance to take some photos.
  • Plantinkaai - The bus will drop us off at the city bus station.
  • Steenplein - We will head down the sidewalk of the river to the city center. Before starting our tour, we will make a stop to go to the bathroom and indicate the place where we will meet in the afternoon to return to Brussels.

Here, with the skyline and the river on the background, you will enjoy a small introduction to the history of the city.

  • Het Steen - The first stop of our tour will be Steen Castle. Here will be explained the history of the building as well as the reason why the roof of the buildings in Holland and Belgium have that particular shape.
  • Vleeshuisstraat - In addition to admire the building that use to hold the meat house, at this point, we will talk about how commerce worked and how the city was organized in the past.
  • Grote Markt - In this emblematic square, we will discover the town hall, the different guild houses and the legend surrounding the sculpture Standbeeld van Brabo.
  • Carolus Borromeus Church - In this stop we will visit the old Saint Ignatius of Loyola church and currently of Saint Carlous Borromeus. Enter the church and enjoy a painting by Rubens in its context.
  • Lijnwaadmarkt - We headed towards the cathedral. Along the way, our guide will tell us about how Belgian politics works.
  • Cathedral of Our Lady - We will get to know the architectural styles that shape this cathedral as well as some of the Rubens works that are kept inside. In front of the cathedral, you will find a beautiful sculpture and you discover the emotional history that surrounds it.
  • Groenplaats - We will discover how the old cathedral cemetery became the current “green square”. You will also be able to take some beautiful photos of the cathedral and of the Rubens sculpture.
  • Meir - We approach Meir Avenue, where some incredible buildings are located and which is the shopping street par excellence of the city.
    In the middle of the avenue we find the sculpture of a giant hand. In it, we will explain the different reasons why Antwerp also Belgium are linked to this symbol.
  • Antwerp - Free time, you will enjoy about 1,5 hours of free time (it depends on the traffic and the rhythm of the group).
  • Ghent - We arrive to Ghent, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. We walk to the centre, where the guided tour will begin.
  • Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis) - We start our guided tour in front of the Town Hall. Here our guide will explain us the different architectural styles of the building.
  • Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle) - Our guide will explain this emblematic tower and the history surrounding its dragon.
  • St. Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) - You will discover the outside and the inside of Ghent’s Cathedral, where the most stolen painting in history is kept, the famous painting of the Van Eyck brothers “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”.
  • Saint Nicholas Church - Do you know that Belgian churches host concerts and other events?
  • Masons’ Guild Hall - In front of the original facade of the Masons guild house, our guide will explain what guild houses are and the peculiarity of this one.
  • Korenmarkt - In front Saint Nicholas Church, we found the Korenmarkt. In this spot will be explained the peculiar history of the building where the post office used to be.
  • St Michael’s Bridge - Upon this bridge you will be able to take incredible photos. Here will also be explained the story of the tower of Saint Michael’s Church.
  • Graslei and Korenlei - We are going to follow the Lys riverbank. We will get to know the buildings surrounding Lys river such as the Masons’ Guild House or the current Marriot Hotel. You will also have the chance to take some photos.
  • OOOST - The Great Butchers’, which dates back to the 15th century, was originally a covered market.
  • Kleine Vismarkt - In front the Great Butcher’s Hall, we will make a little stop in a traditional market stall where the seller will tell us about Ghent’s more famous candy, the cuberdon.
  • St. Veerleplein - The last point of our guided tour is Sint-Veerleplein Square. Here our guide will explain the story of the square and the different buildings around it. Also, will give some tips about which are the best souvenir shops. The guide will also remember when and where you must be to take the bus back to Brussels.
  • Ghent - Free time, you will enjoy about 1,5 hours of free time (it depends on the traffic and the rhythm of the group).
What's Included
  • Recommendations and city tips
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Guided walking tour in Antwerp
  • Guided walking tour in Ghent
  • Round-trip with A/C
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • You will receive the confirmation at time of booking
  • Our guides have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2.5 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group.
  • No meals are included but your guide will be happy to point you some great food spots :)
Location
Carrefour de l'Europe
In the Carrefour de l'Europe square under the columns of the main entrance of the train and metro station, in front of the Hilton Grand Place hotel. Our guides will be wearing ID of Buendia Tours.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(132 Ratings)
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1 star
Donald_c
Sep 22, 2024
Top-notch tour guide, but older folks may want to pace themselves - Tour guide Hugo was outstanding. Excellent organizer, knowledgeable, good English speaker. Driver José was very friendly. Hugo led us at a good pace and there was adequate free time in each city. For us, though, individual trips to each city may have been better. We are two retirees around age 70 and we were plenty tired by the end of the day. That is nothing against the tour company and guide, which were the best, in our opinion. On a scale from 1 to 5, we give Hugo at Buendía a 6.
Review provided by Viator
Konstantin_v
Aug 31, 2024
Great tour. - Absolutely great tour. Guide one of the best, very knowledgeable, historically oriented, friendly and helpful. For the 2 hours you will see all city's gems - secret and obvious:) Highly recommended. Konstantin.
Review provided by Viator
Nguyen
Aug 31, 2024
Loved it! - I really loved the trip. It was well worth the money. The cities are so beautiful. The tour guide was very good at story telling and friendly. The group was not too big compared with a overcrowded trip that I joined in Amsterdam later.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Salvia_j
Aug 22, 2024
Pleasant tour - Juliana was an excellent guide. Young and knowledgeable. Explained everything in fluent English.The bus was modern and very comfortable. These are nice places to visit but wished we had some more time. Perhaps they can consider extending the tour time a bit. Overall a very nice experience. Just check on the weather forecast before you book.A rainy day is a wasted day.
Review provided by Viator
Titas_d
Aug 19, 2024
Worth visiting - It's really too good experience with our charming guide Sergio. He has made our day so bright. Certainly recommended for a day trip in Belgium.
Review provided by Viator
Clyneice_c
Aug 17, 2024
Antwerp and gent tour from Brussels - Sergio our tour guide was wonderful. Knowledgeable, humerous, full of great stories. It was an excellent tour and everything was smooth and organized.
Review provided by Viator
Erikacorina_i
Aug 14, 2024
Great experience - The guide was knowledgeable and everything went smoothly. Two beautiful cities. There was alot to see and do. The meeting places were easy to fine. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
James_w
Sep 13, 2024
A Good Trip - A load of good information and history. Bus has both Spanish and English customers and two guides---one for each language. Both were Spanish. I suppose the idea is that each repeats the information for each language which means they have to talk very fast. Too fast. Pablo the English speaking guide from Spain talks so fast I missed half of what he said, BUT his knowledge is encyclopedic.
Review provided by Viator
209margaretc209
Aug 11, 2024
Good trip - Our guide was very good amazing knowledge. a lot of walking for people our age. Found quite tiring. Would have liked more rest stops
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway65549029282
Aug 7, 2024
That's great. Can only recommend!! - If you have the tour guide Sergio....then you have made a lucky move. He is great and makes the tour very exciting. The tour starts and ends on time which is great. There is time to stroll through the cities alone. Too much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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