Looking for an easy getaway with children by train or car? Around Brussels, a dozen cities can be discovered not far away, perfect for a family day out with children and teenagers.
Our selection focuses on short trips, easy centres and experiences that appeal to all ages: panoramic views, boat trips, fun museums, street art, nature. All that’s left to do is choose your weekend atmosphere — history, science, canals, citadels — and get on board: from Brussels, the family adventure begins on the quayside.
Must-see cities to visit around Brussels
1 – Waterloo – 17 KM
Train: 34 min on average I Car: 23 min
2 – Leuven / Leuven – 29 KM
Train: 25 min on average I Car: 25 min
3 – Mechelen / Mechelen – 26 KM
Train: 25 min on average I Car: 31 min
4 – Ghent / Gent – 58 KM
Train: 36 min on average I Car: 44 min
5 – Antwerp / Antwerpen – 45 KM
Train: 48 min on average I Car: 37 min
6 – Mons – 61 KM
Train: 1 hour 01 minutes on average I Car: 55 min
7 – Louvain-la-Neuve – 31 KM
Train: 59 min on average I Car: 29 min
8 – Bruges / Brugge – 96 KM
Train: 1 hour 05 minutes on average I Car: 1 hour 07 minutes
9 – Namur – 62 KM
Train: 1 hour 13 minutes on average I Car: 47 min
10 – Liège – 96 KM
Train: 59 min on average I Car: 1 hour 01 minutes
1. Waterloo
Waterloo works very well with the family if you are looking for an easy “history” outing, with fresh air and a site that reads well even when you are not passionate. The right reflex is to aim for the Estate of the Battle of Waterloo 1815 : immersive museum, panorama, then climb to the Butte if the children have energy.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: approximately 18 minutes to Waterloo station.
For the 1815 Memorial, take the train to Braine-l’Alleud and then the TEC bus line W (bus journey of about 4 minutes). - VISIT DURATION: 1/2 day to 1 day.
- FOR WHOM? Curious primary school children, teenagers, families who like “great landmarks” sites.
- WHAT TO SEE? 1815 Memorial, Lion’s Mound (staircase of 226 steps), Hougoumont Farm.
2. Leuven / Leuven
Leuven is a very pleasant city with children: compact, pretty, easy to walk. The centre is effortless to visit, and you have a very clear trio: heritage, museum, green break.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: Average travel time 25 min, direct train, very frequent.
- VISIT DURATION: 1/2 day to 1 day.
- FOR WHOM? Strollers, children who like to walk, “photo” teenagers.
- WHAT TO SEE? Great Beguinage (UNESCO), Kruidtuin Botanical Garden (the oldest in Belgium), M-Museum.
3. Mechelen / Mechelen
Mechelen is a real good family plan: the center is on a human scale and you can build a “science, animals, point of view” day without any headaches.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: about 27 min, direct train.
- VISIT DURATION: 1 day (or 1/2 day if you are targeting a single large activity).
- FOR WHOM? 4–12 years old (science), teenagers (view, city).
- WHAT TO SEE? Technopolis, Planckendael ZOO, St. Rumbold’s Tower with skywalk ( 538 steps climb).
4. Ghent / Gent
Ghent is very strong as a family because you mix “castle”, “boat”, and “street-art”, without doing a museum day at a fast pace. The center is dense but legible.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: Average travel time 36 min, direct train.
- VISIT DURATION: 1 day.
- FOR WHOM? All ages, and very good with teenagers.
- WHAT TO SEE? Gravensteen (castle in the city), STAM (city museum), Werregarenstraatje (Graffiti Street).
5. Antwerp / Antwerpen
Antwerp is perfect if you want a “big city” but simple: zoo upon arrival, panoramic museum, and a gourmet tour that works for all ages.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: approximately 41 to 45 min, direct train.
- DURATION OF VISIT: 1 day (possible 1/2 day concentrated).
- FOR WHOM? Children (zoo), gourmets, urban teenagers.
- WHAT TO SEE? ZOO Antwerpen, MAS (the panoramic roof can be visited without a ticket), Chocolate Nation (address: Koningin Astridplein 7, 2018 Antwerp).
6. Mons
Mons is a great “Wallonia” option: pleasant centre, strong identity, and museums that fit well into a family day, especially with teenagers.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: Average travel time 55 min, 44 trains per day, direct train.
- VISIT DURATION: 1 day (or 1/2 day if you are narrowing to the center).
- FOR WHOM? Families with grown children, curious teenagers.
- WHAT TO SEE? Belfry of Mons (UNESCO), Mundaneum, CAP (Museum of Fine Arts, formerly BAM).
7. Louvain-la-Neuve
Louvain-la-Neuve is a very simple family outing: pedestrian city, short distances, a strong visit (Hergé), then a loop by the lake.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: approximately 59 min (fastest 51 min).
- VISIT DURATION: 1/2 day to 1 day.
- FOR WHOM? Little legs, strollers, comic book fans.
- WHAT TO SEE? Hergé Museum (Rue du Labrador 26), lake and “Rêverie du Promeneur solitaire” trail (about 1.6 km to go around).
8. Bruges / Brugge
Bruges is the big “postcard” day that everyone likes: canals, towers, very accessible museums, and chocolate to keep up the pace.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS: on average 1 hour 04 minutes.
- DURATION OF VISIT: 1 full day.
- FOR WHOM? All ages.
- WHAT TO SEE? Canal boat ride ( 30-minute tour), Belfry ( 366-step climb), Historium VR (approx. 10-minute VR experience), Choco-Story (Wijnzakstraat 2).
9. Namur
Namur is a very “breathing” day: easy climb, views, underground if you like a little immersive visits, then walk along the water.
- TRAIN DURATION FROM BRUSSELS: Average travel time 1 h 06, direct train.
- VISIT DURATION: 1 day (or 1/2 day if you are targeting cable car and citadel).
- FOR WHOM? Children and teenagers, families who love panoramas.
- WHAT TO SEE? Cable car ( 7-minute connection), Citadel and underground, Namourettes (river shuttle in season).
10. Cork
Liège is an excellent “big city” for a day trip from Brussels, with a finish that marks Liège-Guillemins, then a centre that alternates heritage, museums and walks. It is also a city where you can choose between a very urban route or a greener program, especially on the Boverie side.
- TRAIN TIME FROM BRUSSELS : Average travel time 58 minutes, direct train.
- VISIT DURATION : 1 day, or half day focused on a neighborhood.
- FOR WHOM ? All ages, and very good as long as the children like to walk a little.
- WHAT TO SEE? Montagne de Bueren (374 steps) • Aquarium-Museum (the Museum part is announced closed for renovation) • La Boverie • Grand Curtius • La Batte market (Sunday morning).
Leuven, Waterloo, Mechelen, Ghent and Antwerp are among the easiest routes. On these destinations, you can leave late in the morning and keep a smooth day without a car.
Leuven and Waterloo work very well in short format. Mechelen also walks in half a day if you are aiming for a single big activity (Technopolis or Planckendael).
Bruges is the most “full day” destination of the selection. It lends itself well to a simple program canals, historic center, a visit and a snack.
Antwerp and Liège are very good options. You can build the day in major stages, with a striking arrival at the station, a modular museum, then a more walking end of the day.
Louvain-la-Neuve is very simple thanks to the pedestrian centre and the lake. Leuven is also a safe bet for walking without difficulty. Mechelen is ideal if you are aiming for Technopolis or an animal park.
Ghent works very well with teenagers (castle, street art, city). Antwerp also works very well, as does Liège if your teenagers like views and a more “hilly” city.
Mechelen with Technopolis, Antwerp with a very visual museum, Mons with its museums, Louvain-la-Neuve with the Hergé Museum or the L. Liège and Namur also hold up well with museums and indoor tours.
Liège with the Batte is a great classic for Sunday mornings and early afternoons, perfect for an outing that mixes walking and local atmosphere.
Yes, on similar formats. Antwerp and Mechelen combine well if you build a half-day on each. Otherwise, the most comfortable format is still one city per day.
