{"id":1440,"date":"2026-05-17T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/?p=1440"},"modified":"2026-05-25T10:34:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:34:41","slug":"ghent-vs-bruges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/destinations\/ghent-vs-bruges\/","title":{"rendered":"Ghent vs Bruges: Which Belgian City to Actually Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1440\" class=\"elementor elementor-1440\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a4e2a55 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5a4e2a55\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-679f2cfe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"679f2cfe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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var(--htfg1);}\n.htf-related-label{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;color:var(--htfau);letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:12px;text-align:center;}\n.htf-related h3{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:34px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);text-align:center;margin-bottom:40px;letter-spacing:-.3px;}\n.htf-related-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:28px;}\n.htf-card{background:#fff;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid var(--htfg1);text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block;transition:transform .2s,box-shadow .2s;}\n.htf-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 12px 30px rgba(0,0,0,.06);}\n.htf-card-img{aspect-ratio:16\/10;background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--htfgd),var(--htfg));display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);font-size:12px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;}\n.htf-card-body{padding:24px;}\n.htf-card-tag{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;color:var(--htfau);letter-spacing:1.5px;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:10px;}\n.htf-card h4{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-size:19px;font-weight:400;color:var(--htfbk);line-height:1.3;margin-bottom:8px;}\n.htf-card p{font-size:14px;color:var(--htfg6);line-height:1.6;font-weight:300;}\n\n\/* Responsive *\/\n@media(max-width:960px){\n  .htf-wrap{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:40px;}\n  .htf-sidebar{order:2;}\n  .htf-sidebar-sticky{position:static;}\n  .htf-hero h1{font-size:38px;}\n  .htf-related-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n  .htf-bio{grid-template-columns:1fr;text-align:center;}\n  .htf-bio-avatar{margin:0 auto;}\n}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n  .htf-nl form{flex-direction:column;}\n  .htf-pull{font-size:20px;padding:30px 10px;}\n}\n<\/style><\/p>\n<!-- HERO --><header class=\"htf-hero\">\n<div class=\"htf-hero-inner\">\n<div class=\"htf-breadcrumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/\">Home<\/a> \u00a0\/\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/category\/destinations\/\">Destinations<\/a><\/div>\n<span class=\"htf-category\">Destinations \u00b7 Belgium<\/span>\n<h1>Ghent vs Bruges: Which Belgian City to <em>Actually<\/em> Visit<\/h1>\n<p class=\"htf-hero-deck\">We\u2019ve been to both. Bruges is the postcard; Ghent is the city. Here is our honest comparison \u2014 what each one is actually like, who each one suits, and which you should choose if you only have time for one.<\/p>\n<div class=\"htf-hero-meta\">\n<div class=\"htf-meta-author\">\n<div class=\"htf-avatar\">J&amp;A<\/div>\n<div><strong>Joona &amp; Alla<\/strong>Rovaniemi, Finland<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span> May 17, 2026 <span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span> 10 min read <span class=\"htf-dot\">\u00b7<\/span>Updated seasonally<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2996 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ghent Hungrytravelfamily\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ghent-Hungrytravelfamily-1320x1760.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header><!-- ARTICLE + SIDEBAR -->\n<div class=\"htf-wrap\"><!-- BODY -->\n<article class=\"htf-body\">\n<p>We had the same argument most people have before visiting Belgium: Bruges or Ghent? Everyone told us Bruges was unmissable. Several people told us Bruges was touristy and Ghent was where locals actually went. We ended up doing both on the same trip, spending a full day in Bruges and two days in Ghent, and we left with a clear opinion about each one.<\/p>\n<p>If you are asking which Belgian city to visit, the real answer depends entirely on what you are looking for. Bruges and Ghent are only 25 minutes apart by train, they share a Flemish history and a love of good beer, and they both have beautiful medieval canal architecture. But they feel almost completely different when you are actually inside them. This is our attempt at an honest Ghent vs Bruges comparison from people who have done both.<\/p>\n<!-- SECTION 1: TL;DR \/ Short Answer callout -->\n<div class=\"htf-tldr\">\n<div class=\"htf-tldr-label\">Short answer<\/div>\n<p><strong>Bruges<\/strong> is the more stunning medieval city, perfect for a romantic day or overnight stay \u2014 but it is heavily touristed and small enough to cover in one day. <strong>Ghent<\/strong> is a real city with a university, a food scene, and a personality that goes beyond the tourist trail. If you have two or three days in Belgium, do both. If you only have one day and want the postcard experience, go to Bruges. If you want a city that feels genuinely alive, go to Ghent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- SECTION 2: TOC -->\n<div class=\"htf-toc\">\n<div class=\"htf-toc-label\">In this guide<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">What each city is actually like<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">What to do in Bruges and Ghent<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Food, beer, and where to eat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Practical tips for planning your visit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">Ghent vs Bruges: the honest comparison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Mistakes we made<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">A final word from Rovaniemi<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<!-- SECTION 3: H2 #1 -->\n<h2 id=\"s1\">What Bruges and Ghent are actually like<\/h2>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 2 -->\n<p>Bruges is often called the Venice of the North, and you can see why the moment you step off the train. The historic centre is essentially a perfectly preserved medieval Flemish city enclosed by a ring canal. The streets are cobbled, the buildings are flamboyant Gothic, and the whole thing looks like it was arranged by a set designer. There are swans in the canals. There are horse-drawn carriages on the market square. At golden hour, it is almost impossibly beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>Ghent is harder to describe in a single image. It has the same medieval bones as Bruges \u2014 the Graslei waterfront, Saint Bavo\u2019s Cathedral, the Gravensteen castle rising dramatically over the old city \u2014 but it is wrapped around a living, working university city of 260,000 people. Students bike everywhere. There are independent coffee shops and vintage markets in buildings that happen to be 600 years old. The city does not feel like it is performing for tourists. It feels like it just happens to be beautiful while getting on with its life.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Bruges is smaller than you expect<\/h3>\n<p>The historic centre of Bruges is genuinely tiny. You can walk end to end in 20 minutes. This is part of its charm and part of its problem: on a summer weekend, the narrow medieval streets are shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors, and the city\u2019s main sights \u2014 the Markt, the Burg, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Belfry \u2014 are all within ten minutes of each other. One long day covers it completely. Two days starts to feel like you are repeating yourself. The saving grace is the canals themselves, which reward slow walking rather than ticking off attractions.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Ghent rewards more time<\/h3>\n<p>Ghent has more going on because it is an actual city. The Patershol neighbourhood, a tangle of medieval lanes full of restaurants and wine bars, could absorb an entire evening on its own. The Vooruit arts centre \u2014 a former socialist cooperative building that now hosts concerts and club nights \u2014 is one of the most interesting cultural venues in Belgium. The Friday Market square is still used for its original purpose. The Design Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are both excellent. Ghent is the kind of city where you arrive planning one day and end up booking an extra night.<\/p>\n<!-- SECTION 4: H2 #2 -->\n<h2 id=\"s2\">What to do in Bruges and Ghent<\/h2>\n<p>Here is what actually worked for us, and what we would prioritise if we were going back.<\/p>\n<h4>In Bruges<\/h4>\n<p>Walk the canal circuit from the Dijver to the Minnewater (the Lake of Love) and back through the Begijnhof \u2014 this is the essential Bruges walk and it is genuinely stunning. Climb the Belfry for the view, but book the time slot in advance: the queue moves slowly and the staircase is narrow enough to cause gridlock. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Sit at the Groenerei canal somewhere between 7 and 9 am, when the light is right and the tour groups are still asleep. That specific hour is when Bruges earns its reputation.<\/p>\n<h4>In Ghent<\/h4>\n<p>Start at the Graslei waterfront at dusk \u2014 the old guild houses reflected in the Leie river with the cathedral towers behind them is one of the great Belgian views, and it is less photographed than Bruges because Ghent somehow never became as famous. Visit St Bavo\u2019s Cathedral to see the Ghent Altarpiece (Jan van Eyck\u2019s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb), which is one of the most important paintings in European art and is now permanently displayed in a dedicated room you can book ahead. Walk through the Patershol for dinner. If it is a Friday or Saturday night and you want to see what Ghent actually is, follow the music from the Vooruit.<\/p>\n<h4>Day trips from either city<\/h4>\n<p>Both cities connect easily to Brussels by train (Bruges is 1 hour, Ghent is 35 minutes), which makes either one a reasonable base for a Belgian visit. Antwerp is 50 minutes from Ghent and worth a half-day. The coast (Ostend, De Panne) is 45 minutes from Bruges and useful if you want to combine medieval city with North Sea beach \u2014 a combination that is peculiarly Belgian and works better than it sounds.<\/p>\n<!-- MID-POST CALLOUT: related post -->\n<div class=\"htf-linkbox\">\n<div class=\"htf-linkbox-icon\">\u2192<\/div>\n<p class=\"htf-linkbox-text\"><strong>Read next<\/strong> Planning a longer Belgian visit? We\u2019ve covered the full route: <a href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/destinations\/belgium-4-day-summer-route\/\">Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent: A 4-Day Belgian Summer Route.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- SECTION 5: H2 #3 \u2014 Quick-reference block -->\n<h2 id=\"s3\">Food, beer, and where to eat in Bruges and Ghent<\/h2>\n<!-- BODY PHOTO PLACEHOLDER 3 -->\n<p>Belgium is serious about food. Here is our honest quick-reference for what to eat and where in each city.<\/p>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">01 \u2014 Bruges: De Halve Maan brewery<\/div>\n<blockquote>The only remaining brewery in the historic centre of Bruges, making Brugse Zot beer since 1564. The tour is genuinely interesting (they built a 3\u00a0km underground pipe to the bottling plant outside the city walls) and the terrace afterwards is one of the best spots for a beer in Belgium.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">02 \u2014 Bruges: skip the waffle shops on the Markt<\/div>\n<blockquote>The waffle stands immediately around the Markt square charge tourist prices and use frozen dough. Walk two streets in any direction and you will find better waffles for half the price. Ghent\u2019s cuberdons (cone-shaped purple sweets with a soft raspberry centre) are the regional candy worth trying.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">03 \u2014 Ghent: the Patershol<\/div>\n<blockquote>This medieval neighbourhood is Ghent\u2019s best restaurant district. The streets are narrow and dark, the buildings are 16th century, and the food ranges from traditional Flemish stews to excellent Vietnamese. Eat here rather than on the main tourist waterfront. Book ahead for dinner on summer weekends.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">04 \u2014 Ghent: Waterzooi<\/div>\n<blockquote>Ghent\u2019s signature dish \u2014 a thick, creamy stew traditionally made with fish from the Leie river (now usually chicken). It is warming, filling, and genuinely good. Every proper Flemish restaurant in Ghent serves it. Order it at least once.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">05 \u2014 Both cities: Belgian frites<\/div>\n<blockquote>The fries here are fried twice in beef fat and served in a paper cone with a choice of 20 sauces. They are measurably better than anywhere else in Europe. Find the frituur (fry shop) nearest your hotel and eat there twice.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">06 \u2014 Ghent: Gruut Brewery<\/div>\n<blockquote>Ghent\u2019s city brewery, located in a converted medieval building near the Graslei. They brew with herbs instead of hops \u2014 an older style of beer that predates the widespread use of hops in brewing. Interesting, unusual, and very Ghent.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">07 \u2014 Bruges: Chocolate shops<\/div>\n<blockquote>Belgium\u2019s chocolate culture is real and Bruges has some of the best. The praline was invented here. Skip the tourist shops on the main squares (they use industrial chocolate) and look for the small independent chocolatiers \u2014 The Chocolate Line and Dumon are both genuinely excellent.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-prompt\">\n<div class=\"htf-prompt-title\">08 \u2014 Ghent: Thursday market<\/div>\n<blockquote>Ghent has a market culture that Bruges lacks. The Thursday morning market near the Friday Market square has vegetables, cheese, flowers, and a good selection of local producers. Go for breakfast from the market stalls before the city wakes up properly.<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<!-- SECTION 6: Newsletter signup --><!-- NEWSLETTER KIT -->\n<div class=\"htf-nl-kit\"><style>\n.htf-nl-kit{margin:48px auto;max-width:760px;padding:60px 32px;background:linear-gradient(160deg,#2D5A3D 0%,#1a3d28 100%);border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 12px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);text-align:center;}\n.htf-nl-kit .htf-nl-eyebrow{font-family:Inter,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:4px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#C8A45A;margin:0 0 18px;}\n.htf-nl-kit h3{font-family:'Playfair Display',Georgia,serif;font-size:36px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.15;color:#fff;margin:0 0 16px;}\n.htf-nl-kit p.htf-nl-sub{font-family:Inter,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.65;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.85);margin:0 auto 28px;max-width:520px;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-form,.htf-nl-kit .seva-form{background:transparent !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding:0 !important;max-width:520px;margin:0 auto;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-header,.htf-nl-kit .formkit-subheader{display:none !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-fields,.htf-nl-kit .seva-fields{display:flex !important;flex-direction:row !important;flex-wrap:nowrap !important;align-items:stretch !important;gap:8px !important;margin:0 !important;padding:0 !important;list-style:none !important;width:100% !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-field{flex:1 1 auto !important;min-width:0 !important;margin:0 !important;width:auto !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit input.formkit-input,.htf-nl-kit input[type=\"email\"],.htf-nl-kit input[type=\"text\"]{width:100% !important;height:46px !important;padding:0 16px !important;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.1) !important;border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.25) !important;border-radius:4px !important;color:#fff !important;font-family:Inter,sans-serif !important;font-size:14px !important;font-weight:400 !important;outline:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;box-sizing:border-box !important;transition:border-color .2s,background .2s !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit input::placeholder{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.6) !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit input:focus{outline:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-color:#C8A45A !important;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.15) !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit button.formkit-submit{flex:0 0 auto !important;width:auto !important;height:46px !important;padding:0 22px !important;background:#C8A45A !important;color:#1A1917 !important;font-family:Inter,sans-serif !important;font-size:14px !important;font-weight:600 !important;letter-spacing:0.5px !important;border:1px solid #C8A45A !important;border-radius:4px !important;cursor:pointer !important;white-space:nowrap !important;outline:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;line-height:1 !important;transition:background .2s,border-color .2s !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit button.formkit-submit:hover,.htf-nl-kit button.formkit-submit:focus{background:#E8D5A0 !important;border-color:#E8D5A0 !important;outline:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit button.formkit-submit > span{color:#1A1917 !important;font-weight:600 !important;letter-spacing:0.5px !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-powered-by-convertkit-container,.htf-nl-kit .formkit-guarantee{display:none !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-alert{margin-top:10px !important;font-family:Inter,sans-serif !important;font-size:13px !important;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.85) !important;list-style:none !important;padding:0 !important;}\n.htf-nl-kit .formkit-alert-success{color:#E8D5A0 !important;}\n@media (max-width:520px){.htf-nl-kit{padding:48px 24px;}.htf-nl-kit h3{font-size:28px;}.htf-nl-kit .formkit-fields{flex-direction:column !important;}.htf-nl-kit button.formkit-submit{width:100% !important;}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"htf-nl-eyebrow\">Letters from Rovaniemi<\/div>\n<h3>Get our best travel tips in your inbox<\/h3>\n<p class=\"htf-nl-sub\">Monthly stories from Rovaniemi \u2014 Arctic tips, packing lists, and the places we keep coming back to.<\/p>\n<script async data-uid=\"af0fbe56d9\" src=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.kit.com\/af0fbe56d9\/index.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<!-- \/NEWSLETTER KIT --><\/article>\n<!-- SIDEBAR -->\n<aside class=\"htf-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"htf-sidebar-sticky\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb htf-sb-toc\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">What each city is like<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">What to do<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">Food, beer &amp; eating<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">Planning tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">Ghent vs Bruges comparison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">Mistakes we made<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">Final word<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Share this story<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb-share\"><a title=\"Pinterest\" href=\"#\">Pin<\/a> <a title=\"Facebook\" href=\"#\">f<\/a> <a title=\"X \/ Twitter\" href=\"#\">X<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htf-sb htf-sb-svc\">\n<div class=\"htf-sb-label\">Work with us<\/div>\n<h4>AI-assisted content for travel brands<\/h4>\n<p>Joona &amp; Alla help travel brands write destination content that both humans and AI love.<\/p>\n<a class=\"htf-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/hungrytravelfamily.com\/blog\/collaborations\/\">See our services<\/a><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Ghent or Bruges better for a first visit to Belgium?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Both work well, but they suit different travellers. Bruges delivers the quintessential medieval Belgian experience in concentrated form. Ghent is better if you want a real city with a food scene and energy beyond the tourist trail. If you have 3-4 days, do both \u2014 they are 23 minutes apart by train.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many days do you need in Bruges?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"One full day covers Bruges well. Two days is comfortable and lets you enjoy the early mornings and evenings when day-trip crowds are absent. More than two days starts to feel repetitive.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many days do you need in Ghent?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Two days is the recommendation. One day covers the main sights but Ghent rewards slower exploration. Two days lets you add the S.M.A.K. museum, Citadelpark, a market morning, and an evening in the Vooruit cultural centre without feeling rushed.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Bruges too touristy?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It is very touristy in summer, particularly on weekends. The historic centre is so compact that even moderate visitor numbers feel crowded. Going early, on weekdays, and staying overnight to see the city without the crowds helps significantly.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you do both Ghent and Bruges in one day?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Technically yes \u2014 the train takes 23 minutes \u2014 but we would not recommend it. A better approach is two days for both: a full day in Bruges and a full day in Ghent, staying overnight in Ghent as your base.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which city is better for food and beer?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Ghent, clearly. The Patershol neighbourhood is one of the best eating districts in Belgium, the Gruut Brewery is interesting for beer lovers, and the restaurant scene is more varied and locally-oriented than Bruges.\"}}]}<\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:html -->\n<!-- HTF-RELATED-POSTS-V1 -->\n<!-- wp:html -->\n<style>\n.htf-related-wrap{max-width:1100px;margin:-20px auto 30px;padding:0 20px;font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;}\n.htf-related-wrap .htf-related-eyebrow{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:3px;font-size:12px;color:#C8A45A;font-weight:600;text-align:center;margin:0 0 10px;}\n.htf-related-wrap h2.htf-related-title{font-family:'Playfair Display',serif;font-weight:600;font-size:32px;color:#2D5A3D;text-align:center;margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.2;}\n.htf-related-wrap .htf-related-sub{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:#5b6b62;text-align:center;margin:0 0 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