Antwerp and Ghent Day Trip from Brussels With Atomium Photo Stop

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.

The bus will drop us off at the city bus station.

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.

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.

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.

In this emblematic square, we will discover the town hall, the different guild houses and the legend surrounding the sculpture Standbeeld van Brabo.

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.

We headed towards the cathedral. Along the way, our guide will tell us about how Belgian politics works.

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.

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.

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.

Free time, you will enjoy about 1,5 hours of free time (it depends on the traffic and the rhythm of the group).

We arrive to Ghent, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. We walk to the centre, where the guided tour will begin.

We start our guided tour in front of the Town Hall. Here our guide will explain us the different architectural styles of the building.

Our guide will explain this emblematic tower and the history surrounding its dragon.

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”.

Do you know that Belgian churches host concerts and other events?

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Great Butchers’, which dates back to the 15th century, was originally a covered market.

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.

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.

Free time, you will enjoy about 1,5 hours of free time (it depends on the traffic and the rhythm of the group).