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Belgium Driving Trip Planner |
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Have fun driving in Belgium! |
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This driving trip planner has been especially written for Belgium. |
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Belgium is a small though diverse country. A few hours driving will always get you back to Brussels or across the border of one of the neighbouring countries, each of which has influenced national culture and history. The country is divided between the Flemish north, known as Flanders, and the French-speaking south known as Wallonia. Most of the principal sites of interest are located within a fairly small area of Flanders. If you do want to explore Wallonia, towns like Liege and Charleroi hold many attractions. However, for most visitors Brussels is the sole French-speaking town visited.
Day 1
Arrive in Brussels, the national capital. Although Brussels is within Flanders, it is predominantly French speaking. As the centre of the European Union, it is home to a number of important institutions and a vast army of diplomats and bureaucrats who exude power and influence. However an older, august city, once the seat of emperors can also be discovered, an effort facilitated by the colourful metro system. The Grand-Place is the undisputed centre of the old city and if you are lucky your visit may coincide with a Son-et-Lumiere display in the square. Brussels claims to be the culinary capital of the world and boasts more Michelin stars than any other city on earth, including Paris. Try out one of these classy restaurants or go for the cheap option on the Ilot Sacre. For shopping try the flea market, Marche aux Puces in the Place de Jeu de Balle or check out the world’s first shopping mall at Galleries Royale St Hubert. Stand under the gigantic model atoms at the Atomium and explore the European Union district east of the centre, where the European Parliament, Commission and Council of Ministers are all located.
Day 2
Take the E40 north and then the E17west. When you reach Kortrijk take the A19 north to Ypres. Belgium was fiercely fought over during the First World War and scarcely a stone of this town was left intact, as about half a million soldiers died in the vicinity. Thankfully the town was reconstructed with loving attention after the war and is richly atmospheric today. Visit the beautiful British War Cemeteries and the Menen Gate on which the names of the British dead are inscribed. Check out the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood and the In Flanders Field Museum to gain a sense of what it was like to be a soldier in Flanders.
Day 3
Drive north on the N8 towards the coast. Pass Veurne and, if the day is fine, stop off at De Panne, one of Belgium’s finest beach towns. This is the closest coastal town to France in the country, and was the site of much of the evacuation of allied troops in 1940. Belgium is not exactly the world’s premier beach destination but you’ll forget that when you see the magnificent sand dunes and broad, sandy beaches. You may wish to stay for lunch on the beach or else you might carry on along the coast towards Ostend, exploring the beaches and little towns along the way. Ostend itself has several fine beaches and, if you’re feeling lucky, the biggest casino in Belgium.
Day 4
Upon leaving Ostend, drive east on the A10. Within a few minutes you should see an exit for Bruges, or Brugge as it is called in Flemish. This delightful little town is one of Europe’s most celebrated heritage sites and merits an entire day’s exploration. Rapid expansion of the cloth trade in the 13th century was followed by catastrophic decline, and so, a great number of splendid medieval streets and buildings are intact. Start out at the two central squares, the Burg and the Markt, and climb the enormous belfry of the town Hall, built in 1370. The Groeninge Museum houses a fascinating collection while the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Church contains a wonderful Madonna and Child sculpted by Michelangelo. Take it easy in one of the town’s fine restaurants or cafes and shop for fine Belgian lace and chocolate.
Day 5
Get back on to the A10 and drive southeast towards Brussels. After about 30 km take the exit for Ghent, another of Belgium’s fine medieval towns. Once Western Europe's biggest population centre, Ghent has a wealth of fine buildings and deserves a full day of your time. This was the seat of the powerful Counts of Flanders and their Castle makes a fascinating visit. Visit gothic St Baaf's Cathedral, in St Baafsplein and drop into the fifteenth-century Lakenhalle. The museums and galleries are of exceptional quality too. Be sure to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art, in a former casino building and the fine old masters in the Museum voor Schone Kunsten. For shopping wander along fashionable Veldstraat.
Day 6
Take the E17 east out of Ghent and drive the 36 km to Antwerp. Yet another well preserved medieval town with the world’s biggest diamond industry, Antwerp has a long history of flamboyance and style. The central Grote Markt is an ideal point to begin your visit. Check out the nearby row of sumptuous Guildhouses and the famous Brabo Fountain while the Stadhuis, which dates from 1566 is one of Belgium’s finest buildings. Rubens was born here and you’ll find several of his paintings in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Katedraal, Belgium’s biggest Gothic structure.
Day 7
Back to Brussels. Take the N1 from Antwerp south and Brussels airport is about 25 km away. Maybe you’ll have time for one last fine Belgian meal.
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