The Girl Who Goes

independent, intentional travel

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Day Trip: Brussels to Ghent, Belgium

brussels to ghent belgium - feature

Hallo/bonjour from Belgium! Matt and I have just set out on our biggest trip of 2026 — a nearly three-week-long train journey through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein! We’re only a few days in, but Brussels was our starting point after flying in from Alicante, Spain, where we live. 

It’s only my second time ever in Belgium, and the first time since 2018 when I visited for a long weekend shortly after I moved to Madrid. During that trip, I spent a day in Brussels and then took a day trip to the famous fairytale city of Bruges. This time, we based ourselves in the Brussels area for four days, allowing time for another day trip to Bruges — as well as a day trip to Ghent, which is even closer to Brussels!

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering the second-most popular day trip from Brussels: the city of Ghent. [Read more…]

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Day Trip: Brussels to Bruges, Belgium

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Back in 2018, right after I’d moved to Spain to work as a language assistant, I was trying to choose my first weekend trip. Somehow, I came across a €12 flight from Madrid to Brussels, so that pretty much settled it. When I told my friends and co-workers I was going to visit Brussels, I got only one response: “Make sure you go to Bruges, too.”

I’d heard of Bruges, the capital of the Belgian province of West Flanders, but I wasn’t sure whether I’d have time to visit. I only was going to have two days in Belgium, after all. But in the end, I’m glad I decided to make the trip from Brussels to Bruges. Despite the rainy weather, Bruges was a charming little town.

Here’s why you should plan a day trip from Brussels to Bruges — even if you don’t have much time in Brussels.
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Top 7 Things to Do in Brussels, Belgium

things to do in brussels - grand place

Grand Place, Brussels

When someone thinks of planning a trip to Europe, certain cities always stand out. London, Rome, and Paris consistently receive the most visitors every year, with cities like Barcelona, Dublin, and Amsterdam not far behind. But what about Brussels, Belgium? Are there things to do in Brussels?

Although the de facto European Union capital may only be an afterthought to some, it’s definitely still worth a visit. With fewer tourists, you won’t have to worry about fighting massive crowds. It’s a very walkable city, which makes it a great place to slow down, relax, and enjoy everyday life.

Have I convinced you to visit Brussels yet? If so, here are the top 7 things to do in Brussels.

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How To Get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels

charleroi airport to brussels - feature photo

When I moved to Spain for the first time in 2018, I set a goal for myself: take one international trip per month in my first year living there. In September, I went to Sardinia to visit my foreign exchange sister, Gaia. I had trips booked to Russia in November and Barcelona in December, but I wasn’t sure where to go in October.

So I sat down to browse Skyscanner, looking for inspiration, when I found the cheapest flight I’ve ever seen in my life. A one-way ticket from Madrid to Brussels for $11.75. LESS THAN TWELVE DOLLARS. Somehow, a return ticket cost $200, and that wasn’t okay with me, so I booked a substantially cheaper flight back to Madrid from Amsterdam. (I decided I’d just get a cheap bus ticket.)

Can you guess which airline offered this amazing price? If you guessed RyanAir, you’d be correct. A lot of travelers have a love/hate relationship with the Irish low-cost airline, but that’s a post for another day. Flying with RyanAir for this particular journey, however, meant that my flight to Brussels would arrive at a small airport about 40 miles outside of the city. So if you’re planning a similar trip, here’s everything you need to know.

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