The most popular day trips from Bruges:
Damme is a tiny city near Bruges. Some of the riverboats go there on a half-day cruise. It's a very scenic trip, the landscapes are picturesque, and the village of Damme even more so. You can also go there by bike special route and by local bus. It takes about 15 minutes by bus and an hour by boat.
Ypres Ieper is an important site of Great War battles, cemeteries, monuments and traditions such as the Last Post every evening. Very popular among old veterans and young boys interested in wars. About one hour by train, and a very scenic ride.
Ostend Oostende is the monumental beach resort which King Leopold II 1865-1909 built before his attention turned to destroying inner-city Brussels to build his new capital. The quintessential cosmopolitan 19th century beach resort, full of endearing villas that have been classified as official monuments. Less than 15 minutes by train.
Close by, about 10 minutes by tram towards Raversijde, you can find the Atlantic Wall, two kilometres of trenches and galleries dating from both World Wars.
Antwerp and Ghent are great tourist destinations in their own right.
