The Ultimate Brussels Road Trip

Begin your Brussels road trip in the city of Brussels itself, a bustling capital famed for its beer and chocolate production. Popular with culture vultures, foodies, and historians alike Brussels’ highlights can be explored in just two days, but once you’ve cut the surface of this small city with a big attitude, you might find it hard to leave.

While sampling the local beer and dining on fine chocolate is a great way to spend a day in the city, there’s a lot more on offer including over 90 museums, a wealth of bustling bars, and tropical botanical gardens that are well worth a stroll.

Don’t forget to swing by the 14th-century gothic cathedral ‘Notre Dame Du Sablon’ to soak up the local history, culture, and architecture. Fear not, the bars will still be waiting for you after! 

Continue your campervan road trip west of Brussels along the E40, and you’ll eventually find yourself in the smaller city of Ghent; a port city and university town that’s become quite the cultural hub.

As one of Belgium’s oldest cities you’ll be met with wonderful architecture and historic buildings, all of which contrast with the modern bars and hip nightclubs that bring endless entertainment to the resident students and the passing tourists.

When it comes to exploring Ghent, the history buffs should head north to admire medieval buildings while the adventurous soak up the sites along the canals winding pathways. Alternatively, if you’re after a culture-filled morning then add the Ghent Museum of Fine Arts to your to-do list.

Don’t leave Ghent without trying a hearty bowl of ‘fries with mayonnaise and stew gravy’ – a traditional dish that tastes a lot better than you’d expect.

Home to picturesque cobblestone streets, winding canals, and beer bars to boot, the capital of West Flanders has long been a popular destination on Brussels itineraries. It’s not just Bruges’ medieval buildings and fairy-tale design that’s attracting many.

The city also boasts numerous food markets, glorious gardens, and more museums than you can shake a French fry at (there’s literally a museum dedicated to this very food).

Whether you opt to explore the city on foot, two wheels, or by boat down the canals, you’re in for a real treat. If you’re here on a Wednesday, make a beeline for Brugge Markt, a weekly produce market that’s been running for decades. If flora and fauna are more your thing, head over to Minnewater Park for an afternoon stroll and check out the Lover’s Bridge.

End your Brussels road trip in the charming seaside town of Ostend, located just west of Bruges on one of the countries most beautiful coastlines. Famously known for its soft sandy beach and fantastic seafood, many add Ostend to their Brussels itinerary to enjoy fresh mussels and shrimps and to attend one of a string of cultural festivals held in the city.

If you can ignore the high-rise flats that line Oostende Beach, we recommend you head straight for the sands and take a dunk in the North Sea. Your final two days on this epic Brussels road trip should be spent sunbathing on the beach, cycling along coastal paths, and sampling fresh seafood (try ‘shrimp croquettes’) in the town centre.

At the end of your time in Ostend, head back to our Brussels depot to drop off your campervan!