Description

Cycling Tour Bruges to Brussels

Cycling Tour Bruges to Brussels – Self-Guided Cycling Holiday from Bruges to Brussels
Daily from April 2 to September 24
8 Days – 7 Nights
Total distance – 320km – 200 miles

The cycling tour from Bruges to Brussels offers a perfect mix of history, nature, and Belgian culture. Starting in the medieval city of Bruges, riders leave cobbled streets behind and follow quiet canals, flat country roads, and green landscapes through Flanders. The route passes charming villages, farmland, and historic towns such as Ghent or Aalst, making it ideal for relaxed long-distance cycling. With mostly flat terrain, it suits recreational cyclists as well as experienced riders. The tour finishes in vibrant Brussels, where grand architecture, lively squares, and world-famous Belgian cuisine provide a rewarding end to the journey.

Do you only need a bike for Bruges? BOOK HERE

Do you only need a bike for Brussels? BOOK HERE

On this one-way cycling holiday, follow in the footsteps of the Flemish Masters and visit Belgium’s most beautiful towns. Admire their artworks at the Old Masters Museum in Brussels, St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, KMKSA and Rubens House in Antwerp, St. John’s Church in Mechelen, and the Groeninge Museum in Bruges. Between towns, you’ll cycle through diverse regions, often alongside rivers, following well-signposted routes.

Cycling from Bruges to Brussels: A Scenic Flemish Adventure

This cycling tour takes you from the medieval charm of Bruges to the vibrant capital of Brussels. Along the way, you’ll pass picturesque towns, scenic Flemish landscapes, and peaceful countryside. The first stage, Bruges to Maldegem, follows quiet country roads, rolling fields, and charming villages. It’s the perfect way to ease into the ride. From Maldegem to Ghent, enjoy flat, peaceful cycling along canals and rivers. Arrive in a city full of history, stunning architecture, and lively squares.

The route from Ghent to Dendermonde winds through open fields, quaint villages, and occasional wooded paths. It gives a true sense of rural Flanders. From Dendermonde to Antwerp, the roads remain gentle, with glimpses of rivers, historic churches, and picturesque towns along the way. Cycling from Antwerp to Mechelen, you pass grand squares, historic streets, and impressive landmarks. The paths are smooth and well-marked. The final stage, Mechelen to Brussels, takes you along scenic routes into the heart of the capital. Historic buildings, world-class museums, and bustling streets provide a memorable and rewarding finish to this classic Flemish cycling adventure.

Happy Cycling!

Team Cycle Classic Tours

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Day 1

Arrival Bruges

Organize your own journey to Bruges. Try to arrive early to make the most of your time in this wonderfully harmonious town with a consistently medieval look. Cobblestones under your feet; swans in the lake; stone archways and bridges; pretty houses reflected in the canals… everything is picture-perfect.

Day 2

Bruges - Maldegem - 54km

Follow the canal out of town. The Ghent-Bruges Canal dates to the 14^th century and is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpaths, it forms a green corridor that has proved valuable for biodiversity. Past quiet villages such as Moerbrugge, Maria-Aalter, and Knesselare, you will cycle through the flat Flemish countryside to Maldegem. If you are still in for a walk, explore Maldegemveld nature reserve, which has some interesting flora, the product of sandy soil (low in nutrients; acidic) and superficial, waterlogged clay deposits. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem.

Day 3

Maldegem - Ghent - 57km

Today you traverse the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. Enjoy the play of light as you ride your bike through the woods of Het Leen and Drongengoed. Subsequently, it is easy-pedalling through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Then proceed to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. It is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The music scene here is thriving. Festivals, music institutions, the carillon, concerts, students of music having a singsong on the quays… music is everywhere. After dark, the ambiance is magical, thanks to the town’s ingenious light plan.

Day 4

Ghent - Dendermonde - 46km

For the main part of the day, the River Scheldt will be your guide. Follow it upstream past a string of Flemish villages and towns. A 13^th-century castle is a real eyecatcher in the village of Laarne: a great place for a break. Also stop off in Dendermonde for a look at the Town Hall & Belfry and visit the Church of Our Lady boasting a baptismal font from the 11^th century. End the day in Dendermonde, where some delicious beers are brewed.

Day 5

Dendermonde - Antwerp - 57km

Quickly make your way back to the Scheldt and cycle atop the river dike towards Antwerp. A delightful interlude: De Zilverreiger, a regional museum focused on preserving knowledge about trades and crafts that once flourished locally: basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax processing and clog making. After crossing the Scheldt by ferry, you will reach Kruibeke, home to Wissekerk Castle. In the 10^th century this was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of Antwerp along the river. Crown your day in Antwerp, a city with a long beer tradition and countless cafes. Discover the beautiful Old Town or go shopping for antiques and curio’s, home deco, vintage fashion finds or diamonds!

Day 6

Antwerp - Mechelen - 39km

It’s only a short trip today so you have time to look around Antwerp some more, or visit a museum, before setting off towards Mechelen. If you are into military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4 of the originally eight Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. It is built in brick with sandstone decorations and stands on an island surrounded by a ditch and glacis. Then continue along quiet country lanes and alongside the River Nete to Duffel. And, yes! This is actually the town where “duffel” originated from: the heavy, woolly material used initially for bags and later for duffle coats, made popular by the British Royal Navy and still trendy today. In the 15^th century, duffel was produced here and exported all over Europe: a profitable business for then-prosperous Duffel. In the town of Sint-Kathelijne-Waver, at the Ursuline Institute, a boarding school run by nuns, an exquisite surprise awaits. The convent/school complex, Our Lady of Wavre, is a successful blend of art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and art deco. Best of all: the winter garden! Feast your eyes on a masterpiece of art nouveau, an ode to nature, springtime and light! Top off your day in Mechelen, small but attractive.

Day 7

Mechelen - Brussels - 65km

Ride your bike on tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood and through meadows and cropfields to Brussels. Along the way, pass Tervuren, known for the Royal Africa Museum. In Brussels, you will find a mix of cultures, as can be seen in the streets, menus and people’s appearance. Head for the Grande Place and go for a walk. Not only does Brussels have Manneken Pis, it also has the most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints. This is a city where culture vultures, shopaholics, and gourmets & gourmands make merry!

Day 8

Departure Brussels

One last hotel breakfast buffet and your cycling holiday will come to an end. Make your own way home.

Booking Information

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For inquiries, send an email to info@cycleclassictours.com

Hotels:

Velotel 4* (Brugge)
Amaryllis Maldegem 2* (Maldegem)
Hotel Chamade 3* (Gent)
Abalona 4* (Dendermonde)
Van der Valk Hotel Antwerpen 4* (Antwerpen)
Hotel Vé 4* (Mechelen)
NH Brussels EU Berlaymont 4* (Brussel)

Nearest Airport is Brussels Airport (BRU) or Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST).
The train journey from Brussels airport to the train station in Bruges takes approximately 1.5 hours.
From Ostend-Bruges Airport it takes approximately 1 hour to travel by bus from the airport (bus stop Raversijde Luchthavenstraat) to Bruges center.
Brussels is the final destination of this trip.
You can take the train back to Bruges, or from Brussels to the nearest airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST).

Extra Information

Please do not make travel plans until you receive our confirmation.
Please be advised that we make every effort to ensure that all the information given on this site is accurate. All statements and information have been researched and supplied by third parties.
The information given is accurate and reliable, to the best of our knowledge. Should errors be found, we will rectify them as quickly as possible. However, we accept no responsibility for errors or inaccuracies.

Included

3*/4* star hotels
7 Nights
Tourist tax
Breakfast
Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transfer (Max. 1 piece 20kg p.p.)
Route information available in the app

Not Included

Road Bike Rental Carbon Ultegra Disc €325
Gravel Bike Rental €300
Hybrid €105
E-Bike €217
Helmet €15
Extra piece of luggage €35
Ferry crossings
Extra night double room €85 p.p.

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Cycling Tour Bruges to Brussels

On this one-way cycling holiday, follow in the footsteps of the Flemish Masters

Moderate

Apr 2 - Sep 24

3/4 Hotels

(On request)

+ €515

Included

Included

+ €85

Included

Description

Cycling Tour Bruges to Brussels