Brussels (chocolate and beer) ★ 4.2
Brussels, an hour from Bruges by train, is where Neuhaus invented the praline in 1912, and where grand beer cafes and Brussels waffles reward a day trip.
More food day trips in Bruges
Ghent (waterzooi and cuberdon) ★ 4.5
Ghent, half an hour east of Bruges, is the home of waterzooi, the creamy chicken-or-fish stew, and the purple cone-shaped cuberdon sweet sold from carts.
Ostend (North Sea fish) ★ 4.3
Ostend, a quarter-hour by train from Bruges, lands the North Sea catch at its open-air Vistrap quay market, where fishermen sell fish and grey shrimp.
Damme (canal village) ★ 4.2
Damme, 6km north of Bruges along the Damse Vaart, is a quiet canal village reached by boat or bike, with canal-side restaurants and a starred kitchen.