Guide to Visiting Bruges, Belgium – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

After attempting to visit Bruges during a cruise which sadly didn’t happen, we finally made our way there in September 2024. If you read our other guides, then you’ll know that we tend to travel to places after finding incredibly priced flights. Our trip to Belgium began in the same manner and although there were difficulties during the planning stage, we found ourselves driving into Bruges during heavy rain.

Turning off the main road and heading over a bridge into the historic section of the city, we were met with the most beautiful architecture. It was in that instant we fell in love with Bruges, and hopefully this guide will be enough to encourage you to go.

Bruges is the perfect city break for everyone, whether you simply want to wander and take in the sights or you enjoy visiting lots of attractions wherever you go. We tied it in with a trip to Brussels, to make the most out of the flights, but we also ended up visiting Ghent during the same week.

It’s difficult for us to convey the feeling we had as we walked around on our first night, especially as you head towards the historic centre and witness the Markt and imposing Belfort Tower. There was an overwhelming feeling of joy when we saw this beautiful city light up, as the sun set in the distance.

If we haven’t persuaded you enough, then please keep reading and hopefully you’ll soon be enjoying Belgium waffles as you meander along cobbled paths.

Where is Bruges and Why Visit There?

Bruges is about an hour and fifteen minutes from the capital of Belgium which is Brussels, and it is the sixth most populated city. Interestingly Bruges is the capital of the largest city in the province of West Flanders, which is in the northwest of the country.

The centre of Bruges is renowned for being a World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 1998, mainly due to its historical preservation of a medieval settlement. Although the population of the city is over 100,000 people, around 20,000 live in the oval shaped city centre which is surrounded by canals (a much-needed fortification for their ancestors). The city has evolved over the years, and you can see a more modern Bruges around the historic centre. But within you will be enamoured by the many buildings of original Gothic construction which have formed the town’s identity.

So why would you visit there? Well, let’s start off with the fact that it is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, where you feel as though you have magically stepped back in time. It’s almost as though you are living in history, and this makes it the ideal romantic getaway or mini break.

How Long Do I Need in Bruges?

Most of the time when we’re planning a city break, we need at least three or four days to get as much done as possible, especially big cities such as Paris or New York. But Bruges is a little different, firstly it’s incredibly compact, so you can move around easily and quickly. Secondly everything is relatively easy to do and most of the attractions on our list are things to go and see, rather than do. It’s not like big cities with a raft of museums, you will find that Bruges is a place where you will take in sights and wander down quaint streets. We are used to rushing from place to place, trying to fit in as much as possible, but we loved the fact that we could simply stroll there, and boy did we see a lot.

How long you need will depend on a number of factors, firstly the time of year because summer months can get busy in this little area. Also, weekends and public holidays will be busier than through the week. We went in September so in general it should have been a little quieter, but we did go over a weekend, so it was busier than we expected. Finally, a big thing to consider is the fact that Bruges is a major cruise destination and as such if there is a ship docked in Zeebrugge, you’ll see an increase in the amount of people wandering around. Of course, the bigger the ship or the more that are docked, the more visitors to Bruges.

Although we had given ourselves a day and a half to see everything we had wanted to, it turns out that a day was sufficient enough for us. If you have mobility issues, or you prefer to take your time and enjoy relaxing in local restaurants or bars throughout the day, then we’d look at two days instead. Sometimes giving yourself more time than needed is a better option, because you can always pace yourself or simply enjoy being there.

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting Paris

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting New York City

Visiting Bruges from a Cruise Ship

Visting Bruges is one of the most popular destinations for many cruisers, with over 180 cruise ships visiting the port of Zeebrugge every year. That’s around a whopping 500,000 passengers, with many heading towards the same destination of Bruges, so as we’ve already mentioned it can get busy.

Zeebrugge interestingly means ‘Bruges by the Sea’ and the drive to the centre of Bruges is about 30-minutes. The port itself is a large industrial port, with some passenger ship facilities. As such you are required to take a free shuttle bus to the exit, as you’re not allowed to walk there. We have read that depending on the tide the gangways can be steep, which is important if you suffer from mobility issues.

The cruise terminal is found on the Rederskaai and is known as the ABC Tower, which stands for Artes-Brugge-Cruise. As you can imagine the first floor is where passengers move in and out through security, but there is also a waiting area, tourist information and souvenir shop. On the top floor is a rooftop restaurant called Njord which offers panoramic views over the port.

Within the area around the port of Zeebrugge there isn’t much to do, although we have read about a chocolate museum. Aside from heading into beautiful Bruges, you can visit the nearby seaside resort of Blankenberge, with some cruise lines operating a shuttle service there.

But as you can imagine, we’d recommend going to Bruges even if it’s simply to wander around for a few hours. During our initial plans to visit Bruges during a cruise, we paid for private transfers instead of booking through the cruise line which tends to cost more.

There are a number of options you could choose, the first being to book through the cruise line. This will cost more (if we remember rightly, it was about seventy pounds), but you have the backup that the ship will not leave without you, should there be any delays on the journey back.

If there is a group of you then you could grab a taxi from the cruise port, but from our research its over 50 Euros each way which is quite costly. The cheapest way is by bus to Blankenberge and then a train to Bruges which takes 15 minutes. The ticket price is about 3 Euros each way and there is a train every hour in the morning and every half an hour in the evenings. When you’re relying on public transport its always important to give yourself plenty of return time and check the train schedule. We have seen people left behind on a number of occasions, so it’s not unusual.

If you’d prefer to make it as easy as possible, but not pay extortionate costs, then an independent shuttle is probably the best choice. There are great options such as ‘Cruise Express’ which has buses to Bruges every half an hour until 12pm and the cost is about 25 Euros return. The Cruise Express tent can be found at the port edge, after you’ve left the free shuttle. Return buses will travel back over the four hours before your ship departs.

As to whether you should make the journey into Bruges, that’s an astounding yes. Whether it’s the Belgium waffles or beer, the beautiful architecture, or the boat rides along the endless canals. Bruges unlike many other cruise port stops is the ideal place for a quick visit. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll see in one short trip, but we’d recommend that you get up early and head there before the masses of fellow cruise passengers arrive.

Related Guide – Cruise Ship Bucket List – The Ultimate List for Cruisers

Where to Stay in Bruges?

So, we’ll begin by saying that we stayed in the ibis Brugge Centrum, which was a perfect location and a decent hotel. But our advice would be to stay anywhere within the historic old town section of the city. If you begin by focusing on the Markt (Market) Square area and then working out, because this is the central point of historic Bruges. All the attractions you’ll want to see are within this area and if you have decent mobility, they will all be walkable. Even though we had a hire car, it basically sat in the car park for the two days we were there.

The historic centre is generally anything within the old city walls, and to get there you will need to go over a bridge because it is surround by water. This makes sense if you consider the fortification needed in medieval times to protect from marauders.

There are plenty of hotels within the area, some linked to hotel chains such as the one we stayed in, but many are cute local boutiques with waterfront views. In general, we found prices a little higher than in some of the other cities we have stayed in, but Bruges is quite a popular tourist area so it’s to be expected. You can find something for most budgets if you look around. If money is tight then you will find hotels are cheaper on the outskirts of the historic centre. But of course, that comes with disadvantages, namely additional travel to and from the old town.

When to Visit Bruges?

This one is getting more difficult to answer, because the weather in Europe can be difficult to predict but there are better seasons. Our trip to Bruges was at the end of September and we had forecast rain the entire time, but thankfully dodged it. September is normally a great time to head to Europe weather wise, but as you know it can be hard to anticipate the weather. The better option is to prepare for all circumstances and look online at the weather apps to see what they’re saying.

Having an idea about seasonal changes can give you a great place to start, because you’re probably booking this trip a few months in advance. For most people it’s difficult to travel outside of school holidays, but if you can, then we tend to recommend Spring and Autumn months as the better times to visit. April and May, or September and October are the sweet spots, mainly because the summer can get incredibly hot and make it uncomfortable to walk around.

It’s not just the heat which can make the summer months unbearable, because they also tend to be the peak time for tourists. This can make it harder to get into those popular attractions, which is difficult if you’re trying to cram in a lot into a short space of time.

In contrast, you will find the queuing times shorter in the winter months, but the attractions may close earlier. This is why we recommend Spring or Autumn, because we had light until 8 or 9pm and attractions were open a little later.

Another consideration is public holidays in Belgium, because they can impact what is open. Aside from the usual Christmas, New Years and Easter, the bulk of the holidays can be found in May. There is the Belgium National Day in July, Assumption Day in August and a couple of holidays in November.

If you’re staying over in Bruges, rather than visiting via a cruise, then you may find that there are certain days which are busier due to a cruise ship docking in Zeebrugge. Sadly, this one is hard to work around because cruise itineraries begin to get busier during the spring through to the end of autumn. But if you’re out early enough then you should get a few hours before the hordes of people arrive.

Hopefully by taking all this into consideration you’ll be lucky enough to find a sweet spot where it’s not too busy and the weather it perfect. But as we said, it was meant to rain throughout our trip and thankfully it didn’t. But we did end up with cloudy days, although they didn’t diminish the beauty of Bruges.

What to Pack for Bruges?

This can be a difficult one to answer, because it will depend on the time of year you visit this vibrant city. We packed with the expectation that it was going to rain the entire time, so we ordered this Waterproof Quick Dry Jacket. Thankfully the jacket wasn’t needed in Bruges, but we did use it in Brussels.

Our advice to any travellers is to pack layers, especially if you’re in warmer seasons because you can remove if you’re too hot or wrap up if you need to. Obviously in the winter you’ll need to prepare for the cold, especially because many of the attractions are outside. The best thing to do is before you begin to pack, take a look on Google at the weather and temperature so you can gauge what to wear.

Clothing can range from the usual t-shirts and jackets, to something a little more formal for the evening if you’re heading out for a meal.

As you can imagine comfortable shoes are essential, because the best way to get around the city is by walking. You will get a lot of steps in, meaning it can be pretty tiring on the feet. Thankfully Bruges is quite flat, so you don’t have lots of slopes or hills to contend with. We saw lots of people walking around in boots and heels, especially if they were going out at night. But we stuck to our trusty old trainers to make sure we got through the day with our feet relatively unscathed.

Other than clothes, the rest of your case will be the usual items you would take anywhere, such as medication and plug adaptors. You will find plenty of shops to buy bits should you forget anything, so don’t worry too much.

Getting Around Bruges – Transport Options

We’ve already mentioned a couple of times, that the main area of Bruges that you’ll want to see is within the historic centre. Thankfully the centre is pretty small, and you could walk from one end to the other in less than an hour. This reduces your need for transport significantly, but because we’re thorough we thought it best to bring you some options should you want them.

We had rented a car to travel from the airport to Bruges, but once parked up at the hotel car park, we never touched it until we left to drive to Brussels. Because of this and the expense of renting a car, it’s not an option we would suggest, but it was the easiest solution for us to get from Charleroi Airport to Bruges.

Walking

This is the most popular and, in all honesty, the best way to explore Bruges. The historic centre is so compact it simply makes sense to use your feet to get around, because using transport could mean you miss something.

The walk from one side of the central oval to the other is less than an hour, but the main areas where the attractions are is even less than that. Basically, everything on our list is a stone’s throw from each other. We’d guess you won’t walk much further than half an hour between one attraction and another, depending on what it is. But that walk leads you along winding cobbled streets, across architecturally beautiful squares and alongside picturesque canals. Imagine those perfect images on a postcard, that is what you will see time and time again because every corner is a pleasant surprise.

For those of you who travel to Bruges by train or coach, then the distance from the station to the Markt Square is only a 20-minute walk

Bicycles

If you want to get around the city a little faster, or you want to feel a little more like a local, then why not rent a bike. This is a better option than renting a car or hiring a taxi, but we’d still find it a pain looking for somewhere to leave your bike if you go into an attraction. If you’re simply wandering around the city, then it may be a fun activity to do for the day.

Some accommodations provide bikes which you can use during your stay, but there are plenty of companies within Bruges who have hourly and daily rental rates. There are guided cycling tours where you will be given a bike, and then a tour guide will take you to various key parts of the city and provide its history and interesting facts.

Taxis and Uber

Unless there is a reason you need a taxi or Uber, this isn’t an option we would recommend. Because the streets in Bruges are narrow and difficult to manoeuvre by car, you may end up taking a longer route than if you had walked.

From our research this transport option isn’t the cheapest and at night-time there are fewer drivers available. If you’re looking for transfers from Brussels airport to Bruges, then it’s around 150 Euros each way. We saw very few taxis during our stay in Bruges, in fact there were very few cars driving around the centre in general.

Buses

Although there is a bus system in Bruges its more the areas out of the historic centre. There is a public bus which runs every 5 minutes between the train station and the centre of Bruges. They’re not really that beneficial for exploring the city, but where they stop is within walking distance of the main shopping streets, museums and historic buildings.

City Tour Brugge Minibuses – Hop On Hop Off Bus

Because the city is so condensed you won’t find the usual hop on hop off buses, instead there are City Tour Brugge Minibuses. This is ideal if you have difficulty walking too much, or you want to explore Bruges in a relaxed way. You can buy a ticket which currently (September 2024) costs 25 Euros for adults and 20 Euros for children. The buses can be found around Markt Square in front of Belfort Tower and during the 50-minute tour you’ll see a combination of the famous and lesser-known spots in Bruges. They depart every 30 minutes from about 10am, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long.

Alike the other hop on hop off buses in other cities, you will be given a headset which provides explanations in various languages about what you are seeing. This is a great way to learn about the city in a comfortable way, but obviously if you can we’d still recommend taking time to walk around as well.

Bruges Tourist City Tax

At the point we booked our Belgium trip, we had also booked our trip to Cologne, Germany. After having been to Cologne and realising they had a tourist tax, we investigated the tax in Belgium and was shocked to see that both Bruges and Brussels have one. This during our five-night stay in the country would really add up, but we’re beginning to realise that most if not all European cities are jumping on the tourist tax band wagon.

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting Cologne, Germany – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

Upon our arrival we expected to be informed about the tax and pay for it. But strangely we were never asked for it in Bruges or Brussels, so we can only assume that it was included in our booking price.

Because of this we’re honestly not sure whether your tourist tax will be included in the booking, or you’ll need to pay for it when you’re there. From everything else we’ve read, the tax is usually paid at the point you check in and information online is a little spotty.

But generally, the city tax for Bruges is 3.75 Euros per person per night for accommodation such as hotels, guest rooms and hostels. For other forms of accommodation such as campsites and motorhome carparks, it is 1.50 Euros per person per night. From what we can gather, children under 18 are exempt from the tax, but if you’re a couple on a city break then it can really add up. For our quick two-night trip it was an extra 15 Euros, which doesn’t sound too horrendous but bear in mind that this was the first stop of our five-night trip. Sadly, if we want to see these incredible places we have to pay the tax, but it’s worth making sure you have it in your budget if money is a little tight.

Musea Brugge Card – Museum Pass

Although we didn’t use any attraction passes, there is a Musea Brugge Card you may want to check out. We like to see a few museums, but not so many that it would warrant buying a pass for them. The Musea Brugge Card will give you access to a number of Bruges museums for a period of 72 hours.

You activate it the moment you visit your first museum and currently (September 2024) it costs 33 Euros for adults. The card can be purchased online or at their box office and it gives you access to all their locations during regular opening hours, you simply need to show them your MB Card to enter. If bought online you should receive a confirmation of your purchase.

Examples of some of the museums available are.

• Belfort (Belfry)
• Liberty of Bruges (Brugse Vrije)
• Groeningemuseum
• Museum of the Church of Our Lady
• Folk Museum (Volkskundemuseum)
• Stadhuis (City Hall)

Our List of Attractions and Things to do in Bruges Belgium

So, this is probably one of the main reasons you’re reading this guide, because you’re eager to know what there is to do in beautiful Bruges. Interestingly for such a small area you’ll be surprised by how many sights and attractions there are to enjoy. We’ll begin with the favourites from our trip and then add in any we maybe didn’t get the chance to do.

The Markt (Market Square)

The Markt which is a Dutch term for Market is a popular spot for tourists visiting Bruges, but we’re sure you’re wondering why. Firstly, this square is centrally located in the historic area of the city and everything else attraction wise seems to emanate from there. Secondly there’s lots of places to eat and drink in a beautiful setting, where you can take in the architecture and people watch like a true European. But most importantly it’s home to the Belfort (Belfry) Tower which is the city’s most famous landmark.

The square has been a place of gathering for locals since the 10^th century, with a hall being built there around 1220 for merchants to sell their wares. Between 1807 and 1810 the square was named the ‘Place Napoléon’ and then Grote Markt. During our research we saw the name Grote Markt appear a number of times, but it was renamed in 1936 to the ‘Markt’. It was renovated in 1996 to become a mostly traffic free area, which is perfect because you can stand and look around at the beautiful surrounding buildings. Aswell as the Belfry, another building which will instantly stand out is the Provincial Court. This was the former meeting house of the provincial government of West Flanders, but today is the Historium Brugge. Also, in the centre of the Markt Square is a huge statue of fighters from the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302.

We’ve listed Market Square as the first item on our list, because it was one of the first spots we went to on our first night in Bruges. After having flown into Belgium and then driving two hours in the rain, we were pretty tired. But we decided to head out and take a look around to gain our bearings for the next day. As we walked to the Markt the sun had begun to set and lights were being turned on in the restaurants. Our first reaction to seeing the beautiful square was feeling awe struck, because it offers an abundance of architectural design. Whether it’s the neo gothic Provinciaal Hof or the famous Belfort Belfry which towers over the rest of the buildings. Heading here first is the ideal way to begin your time in Bruges, just make sure you take a moment to consider the history before you head for those tasty waffles.

Belfort Tower

Because we started in Markt Square, it would make sense for the next place on your list to be Belfort Tower. Many of you out there will have discovered Bruges immense beauty from a dark comedy film known as In Bruges. The Belfry of Bruges or Belfort Tower is one of the main locations in the film and a prominent part of the story line, so it’s a focal point for many tourists. Aside from the glitz and glamour of the movies, it also holds historic importance for the city.

Belfort Tower or Belfort van Brugge in Dutch is a medieval tower which overlooks Markt Square. Because of its imposing height it has become a symbol of the city, but interestingly it originally was home to a treasury and municipal archives. It was also an observation post which was important in medieval times, to ensure there was no danger from outside the city walls or even fires which could spread rapidly.

The Belfry was added to Market Square around 1240 but had to be rebuilt in 1280 after a devastating fire. The top section of the belfry, which is an octagonal shape, was added between 1483 and 1487. At the back and sides of the tower is a rectangular building with an inner courtyard, which was the former market hall.

Belfort Tower joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999 and as such is a protected building. If you’re eager to learn a few facts then how about this, the belfry is 83 metres high (272 feet). For those of you who fancy climbing to the top of the tower, you’ll have 366 steps ahead of you. At the top there are beautiful views over Market Square and the rest of the city. We will prewarn you that the steep staircase is quite narrow and there is only one way up and down, meaning there’s a great chance you’ll cross others as you climb. Many of the towers we have climbed are the same including Bunker Hill in Boston which was a hike. But we found there was a bit of a squeeze the closer we got to the top. To make it easier there are several landings on the way up which have exhibits about Belfort Tower. This includes a stop at the treasury which held all of the city’s charters, seals and coffers during the Middle Ages. You will also see the music drum which operates the carillon and keyboard used to play the towers impressive 47 carillon bells.

Related Guide – Guide to Visiting Boston

Unless you prebook, you may find there is a bit of a queue to climb the tower, so either prepare to wait or get there early. There are ticket machines in the entrance, but you have to buy them a few hours in advance.

It’s open between 10am and 6pm every day except Saturday which is 9am to 8pm, and currently climbing the belfry is 15 Euros (September 2024).

As well as working off the Belgium waffles during the climb, you’ll enjoy the views and nice breeze at the top. We will prewarn you that if the bells ring out when you’re at the top, it can be incredibly loud. Also, there are iron nets which surround the viewing platform to keep people below safe. But this can make it difficult to take photos.

St Bonifaciusbrug Bridge (known as Boniface Bridge)

If you’re researching Bruges on TikTok, then this is probably one of the main locations that travellers recommend. It’s a quick hitter, because it won’t take you long to do, and it’s not too far from Markt Square (around 10 minutes walking).

Interestingly the bridge is relatively modern having been built in 1910, and there are older ones in Bruges. What makes St Bonifaciusbrug Bridge a big spot for tourists is that it is extremely photogenic. The romantic look of the bridge over the canal, surrounded by trees and beautiful buildings such as the Church of our lady and an old hospital. All of this seems to sum up the city of Bruges perfectly and is why Boniface Bridge is so popular.

We went there first thing in the morning as it was a short walk from our hotel, hoping that it would be quiet. Yep, as you probably guessed, there were a few tourists when we got there, each wanting to see and more importantly take pictures of the bridge and of them on it. This meant we had to wait a while and even then, we rushed to take a picture as people swapped over. If you’re looking for that Instagram picture, then our advice is to go super super early or later in the day.

Personally, there are lots of beautiful locations in Bruges including many bridges, so if the queues are crazy or you get fed up waiting, then stroll and find some others. Bruges is too beautiful a city to stand around for one bridge, even though we too love a good tourist trap.

Rozenhoedkaai known as Rosary Quay

We’ve already mentioned multiple times how gorgeous Bruges is, and that it’s an Instagrammers dream. As you wander around you will be taken aback by the most picturesque spots. Rozenhoedkaai known as Rosary Quay is one of the more popular locations in Bruges and once you arrive there you will see why. The canal, drooping trees and beautiful buildings will almost certainly lure you in to create a sense of tranquillity and you’ll soon realise why Bruges is known as the Venice of the North. We have read that rosaries were sold there, hence the name Rosary Quay.

The corner of Rozenhoedkaai is the perfect spot for a selfie with your beloved, because we’re almost certain that it’s impossible to take a bad picture there. As you can imagine somewhere so beautiful must get busy and this location does see a lot of tourist foot fall. Because of this you may struggle to get the perfect pictures you’re after, so alike Boniface Bridge we’d suggest heading there early in the day or late. The best part of going later is that Rosary Quay looks dreamy as the sun sets and the lights are turned on. We had the opportunity to experience this our first night there and it was magical.

If you’re planning on taking a canal tour then you will find one there, although this isn’t the one we went on it will still cover the same areas. The scenic relaxing boat ride normally lasts around 30 minutes, along the main canals of the city and they’re open from 10am to 5pm.

For those wondering what building is on the corner it’s 2be Beer, which has an impressive beer wall. This is a great spot to grab a drink, especially for the beer connoisseurs. But you can also see the cathedral in the distance and many other buildings which make you feel as though you’ve stepped into the past.

Canal Boat Tours

One of the main things we wanted to do when we visited Bruges was a canal boat tour. There are a few canal boat companies around the historic centre of Bruges, but we chose ‘Bruges Boat Tour’ because it was close to our hotel.

The canals seem to spread throughout the city, so they provide you with the ideal opportunity to see this amazing place from a different perspective. Most tours are between 30 to 40 minutes and ours cost 15 Euros for an adult (September 2024), which we thought was quite reasonable. Thankfully at the point we arrived it was incredibly quiet, and we only had to wait a few minutes before we boarded.

As you will imagine the boats are of a smaller size so they can fit below the bridges and around the canals. At one point you will have to really duck down because the bridge is so low, but it’s an added bit of fun to the tour. Your tour guide will provide you with some history and interesting facts about the sights along the way and add in lots of humour. Most of the time they’ll ask where you’re from, so they can gauge if they need to provide different language options.

You learn so much and will see a big part of the historic centre, meaning a canal boat tour is the ideal way to begin your day, because you have an idea where to visit afterwards. But the best part is the fact that you can take lots of beautiful pictures without any obstructions in the way.

Bruges Boat Tour is open daily from 10am until 5pm, although this will depend upon weather conditions. During the tour you’ll see the Beguinage, Saint John’s Hospital, the Church of Our Lady, the Groeninge Museum, Ambachtshuis Huidevetters, Belfort Tower, Liberty of Bruges, the Fish Market, Almshouses, Steeped Gables and Burgher’s Lodge, to name a few.

We absolutely loved our time on the canal boat tour, because not only did we learn about the various sights, but it gave our feet some rest for a while. Because canals are an essential part of what makes Bruges so beautiful, it simply makes sense to view it from the water.

Minnewater Lake

Minnewater Lake is said to be the Lake of Love and after having visited there we can understand why. Although it is a bit of a walk on the south part of Bruges, you’ll find that it’s worth taking the time out of your day. Aswell as Minnewater which is a rectangular lake, you also have Minnewater Park which is surrounded by trees.

Interestingly there is a tragic story about the lake surrounding Minna and her warrior love Stromberg. Minna’s father who was towards the end of his life, wanted to find his daughter a suitable husband. He chose what he believed was a suitable option named Horneck who was a family friend. Minna had already fallen in love with Stromberg who was a farmer from a nearby clan, but she knew her father would never approve. Stromberg went to war with other clans and Minna was forced to marry Horneck. She fled into the woods in despair and when Stromberg returned, he heard what had happened. He began to search and finally found her by the waterside, but it was too late, she died from exhaustion in his arms. He constructed a dam and buried Minna in the waterbed, but to commemorate her he placed a rock which was inscribed ‘Minna-Water’. This is where you will find the Poertoren, and legend has it that if you walk over the bridge with your loved one, then you will have eternal love. At the time we didn’t know of this story but thankfully we did walk over, so you never know, fingers crossed!

Although Bruges isn’t as bustling as a big city such as Brussels, it can feel a little busy during peak seasons and when cruise ships are in port. So, it’s good to find locations where you can slow down and take in the beauty of nature. Minnewater Park is ideal for this because you have the beautiful lake, which is actually a reservoir that is connected to the canal system.

The buildings surrounding the park are a great example of the old city defences, including the tall watchtower which is known as Gun Powder Tower (Poertoren). You also have the lockhouse which can be found by the Lake of Love bridge. But it’s the beautiful nature of weeping willows, flower boxes and flocks of swans which will have you in awe. Minnewater is a photographer’s dream, so it makes sense to take a wander around and really enjoy what makes Bruges such a special place.

Torture Museum – Musée de la Torture Bruges

Not far from Rosary Quay is the Torture Museum, which can be found downstairs in a basement which was a medieval cellar. We have read that the building in the early Middle Ages used to serve as the city’s oldest prison. As you can imagine from the name, the museum displays methods of torture and the instruments which were used.

Interestingly this pretty small museum crams a lot in and shows some of the darkest acts of humanity. They do this via lifelike wax statues and authentic or replica torture instruments. It’s an impressive collection, especially when you realise that many are items were actually used and preserved over the centuries. Your first thought will be shock, that people could do those kinds of things to each other. But you’ll also be incredibly grateful that you weren’t born during such a horrendous period in history.

The Torture Museum is 9 Euros (September 2024) and although it’s a small area, you’ll find plenty of artifacts and lots of information in there. It’s open every day between 10am and 6pm, so plenty of time to slot it in during your busy day.

Their use of wax statues really brought the museum to life, because some of the torture methods were complicated. But they also provided lots of informational plaques which detailed where the torture method was used and how it worked. We’ll admit that we winced a few times and felt a little nauseous, and yet it was still an incredibly interesting museum. After all no matter how awful the reality, it was still a part of our history.

Because you’re in this dingy dark cellar, it almost brings everything to life as though you’ve stepped back in time. We wouldn’t recommend this as an activity for kids, but it’s the ideal thing to do in Bruges on a rainy day or if you’re looking for something quick to do.

2be Beer Wall and Bar

This is a bit of an odd attraction and again doesn’t take a long time, but it’s a big draw for beer lovers and it’s free. The 2be Bar is based in a 15^th century mayor’s house and it’s the beautiful building you can see across the canal from Rosary Quay.

If you’re a beer enthusiast and you’re intrigued about how many Belgium beers are available, then the beer wall will have you amazed. It’s a full wall of selected Belgium brews and there are so many of them from lagers to IPA’s and heavy ales. Even if you’re not a big beer drinker, it’s still a sight to behold. But the best part is that you can then head into the bar area and order one of 2be’s very own Belgian brews. They have a huge choice including a sweet cherry beer and you can order a beer flight to try a few of them. If you struggle on which to choose then ask the staff who will be able to recommend a brew. As you can imagine because it’s a tourist spot the beer isn’t cheap, however it’s worth it for the unique experience and you can head onto the 2be Bar terrace which overlooks the most beautiful section of Bruges canal.

The bar is open every day except Wednesday from 10am to 7.30pm, and they also have a shop which sells bottles of their beer and merchandise between 10am and 7pm. We quite enjoyed our time in the bar, but we only stayed for one because of the price. As well as lovely views it was a great opportunity to rest our weary feet.

Burg Square

Burg Square is only a short walk away from Markt Square and it’s said that if Market Square is the heart of Bruges, then Burg Square is the soul. For centuries Burg Square was a historic birthplace, political centre and religious heart. Even today Bruges Town Hall which is the city’s administration, still occupies a 14^th century Gothic building at the centre of the square.

What really makes Burg Square stand out is the six centuries of architecture which surround the square. The Romanesque Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Gothic Town Hall known as Stadhuis, Baroque Provost’s House and a modern hotel which sits on top of a thousand-year-old ruin. You can visit some of these which we’ll explore in more detail below. Even if you don’t want to go inside any of the buildings, we’d still advise taking a wander over to Burg Square to see the architectural masterpieces.

City Hall (Stadhuis)

The City Hall of Bruges was built in the late-Gothic monumental style between 1376 and 1421. This landmark building has been the governing seat of Bruges for over 600 years. Because we had so much planned in during the day, we didn’t actually go into the City Hall. But from our research it’s currently 8 Euros to enter (September 2024) and the opening hours are between 9.30am and 5pm. We have read that some visitors to the City Hall didn’t think it was worth the cost, as the museum only included two rooms.

Once you enter the building, you’ll head up a staircase to the gothic hall on the first floor where you will find murals from the early 20^th century showing the history of Bruges. There’s also a vault with 14^th century polychromed consoles. The second room is where you’ll explore the history of Bruges and the sea, with a multimedia exhibit and a number of archaeological artifacts. The downstairs floor has life-size portraits of former rulers, mayors, kings and emperors.

During our time walking around Burg Square and looking at the City Hall, we had the opportunity to see a wedding party taking photos. This isn’t abnormal, because many couples choose to tie the knot there due to its impressive décor.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Near City Hall in Burg Square is the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which was a church built in the 12^th century more specifically between 1134 and 1157. It was promoted to minor basilica status in 1923 due to the fact that it allegedly houses a Relic of the Holy Blood.

There are two sections to the chapel, the lower one being dedicated to Saint Basil and a rare example of Romanesque architecture. The chapel is roofed by stone rib-vaulting on heavy pillars, and there is a 12^th century half-relief depicting the Baptism of Christ.

To head into the upper chapel, you will need to go up the Steegheere staircase which has a reconstructed bluestone façade of Gothic and early Renaissance styling. The chapel is in a 15^th century Gothic style, but is important due to its late 19^th century neo-Gothic decoration. You’ll be awestruck at how beautiful the chapel is, with a 1905 large wall-painting called Mystery of the Cross, religious relics found around the chapel and a high altar decorated with a relief in alabaster from the 17th century which depicts the Last Supper.

To the right of the chapel is where you can see the Relic of the Holy Blood. When we visited there was a small queue so we stopped and watched for a few minutes, so we could see what we needed to do. The relic can be found on a white marble altar, and it is protected by a priest. If you want to see it, then you will climb a few steps up to the altar and the priest will begin to pray for a minute or two. We followed his lead and also prayed, we were then given a card about the relic and made our way back down from the altar. If you’re religious, then this will hold important significance for you and what makes it even better is the fact that it’s free.

What is the Relic of the Holy Blood you may wonder? It’s said to be a small vial containing a 2000-year-old cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ, which was brought to Bruges by crusaders, more specifically Thierry of Alsace. We will admit that it looked a little like red jelly to us, so if there’s a huge queue this may not be something you want to bother doing.

The chapel also houses a museum of the Basilica although there is a charge of 5 Euros, so we chose not to go in. As you can imagine there are numerous religious artifacts and works of art.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood and its museum are open between 10am and 5.15 pm. But on Fridays, Sundays and festival days such as the Procession of the Holy Blood, it is not accessible between 10.45am and 12.15pm, unless you wish to attend Holy Mass.

As we’ve mentioned above, to see the Relic of the Holy Blood there is no charge, but it will only be available to view between 12pm and 4pm.

The Church of Our Lady – Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk

On our first evening in Bruges as we walked around to find our bearings, we came across the beautiful Church of Our Lady. This 13^th century Gothic style Roman Catholic church is 115.6 meters high (379 feet) and the tower remains the tallest structure in the city. Its height is so imposing, and it felt like we spotted it everywhere we went around Bruges.

Upon entering the church, we didn’t think it was the most impressive we had seen. The interior is a Baroque style and interestingly one of the chapels was created in 1482 for a wealthy man as his personal worship area. Access to the church is free down to the nave, but we quickly realised that to fully see the church in all its beauty and the artifacts inside, we needed to pay. Tickets are 8 Euros per person and after paying you can then head around the main section of the church, which includes the choir space behind the high altar. This is where the tombs of Charles the Bold, the last Valois Duke of Burgundy and his daughter the duchess Mary can be found, and they are a sight to behold. You will see effigies in gilded bronze of both the father and daughter on a full length of black stone.

The church displays a valuable art collection including countless paintings, 13^th century sepulchres and the world-famous Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. This is the reason why most people will pay for a ticket and there are seating spots where you can take a moment to really enjoy the sculpture and its intricacies. This white marble sculpture was created by Michaelangelo around 1504 and shows a seated Mary tenderly holding toddler Jesus.

Although walking around the church won’t take you a long time, we’d still recommend paying for a ticket. It’s worth it purely to see the sculpture, which is a creation of genius and will leave a lasting impression. The Church of Our Lady is open from Monday to Saturday between 9.30am to 5pm and on Sundays between 1.30pm to 5pm.

Historium

We’ll start by being honest and saying that we didn’t do this attraction, mainly because we’d read reviews that it ‘wasn’t that great’ and cost a minimum 20 Euros. That’s a high price for something which isn’t that great, so we decided to spend our time and money on other things. But we like to write about everything that is available, so we thought we’d bring you the research we’d conducted.

The Historium can be found on Market Square and provides you with the chance to travel back in time to the middles ages. During the Historium Story, fictional characters tell a tale with the use of audio guides. You follow the story of Jacob who was the apprentice of Jan van Eyck a popular Flemish painter. Moving through seven historical themed rooms, you’re told a love story which will help you learn about the Golden Age of Bruges via films, backdrops and special effects.

If you want to only do the Historium Story then the cost is 20 Euros, but if you wish to add a 10-minute VR Experience then it will be 25 Euros. Many reviewers have said the VR is worth it and provides a more historical background. You go back to the year 1435 and sail virtually into the port of Bruges. As well as seeing how the Waterhalle and Belfort Towers looked in the past, you also fly from Market Square to the former St Donatians Cathedral.

In addition to the story and VR you can also climb the Historium Tower, which offers a nice view of Market Square and Belfort Tower. The Bruges Historium is open daily between 11am and 6pm, with tickets being sold until 5pm.

Begijnhof (Beguinage)

As you walk from the historic centre to Minnewater Lake, you’ll go past a walled area which is known locally as the Begijnhof. This is an area which was originally built for women of the lay order called Beguines. They were women from humble origins who dedicated their lives to God, leading a pious and celibate life. During the day they would care for the sick, work in education and textile processing.

Bruges beguinage has been inhabited for centuries continuously, although there are no more Beguines living there. Today the Begijnhof is home to nuns from the Order of Saint Benedict and Order of Vincent de Paul, as well as single women from Bruges.

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is a tranquil convent of white coloured houses and beautiful gardens, which were founded in 1245. Some of the houses towards the southern end of the convent date back to the 15^th and 16^th centuries. You will see the largest house is in the left corner of the garden and it would have been given to the grand dame. The convent became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, because of its unique glimpse into the European Beguine movement of the Middle Ages.

During our visit we took a small walk around the convent gardens and saw one of the nuns gardening around the church. Although entry is free, there is a requirement for silence in the gardens, so remember to turn phones onto silent and be respectful.

There is a museum in the Begijnhof which gives you an idea of Beguine life, but you can also go into the Gothic church. As well as having a calming feel, there is an 800-year-old golden statue of the Virgin Mary. What we loved about visiting this wonderful space, is that we could take a moment to slow down and enjoy the tranquillity around us.

Friet Museum

Yes, you read that right, a fries museum, but to be fair after beer and waffles Belgium is known for its fries. So, it makes sense that there is a museum dedicated to the history of potatoes and Belgian fries.

It is spread over three floors with exhibits on the ground floor covering the history of potatoes in Peru c.8000BC. Then the first floor details the history of fries and their origins in Belgium. As well as interesting facts, you’ll find lots of fun activities and interactive quizzes to keep you entertained, plus giant singing potatoes.

The entry cost is 11 Euros for an adult (September 2024), or you can buy a combi ticket with the Choco-Story Bruges for 20 Euros. They are open daily from 10am to 5pm and we’ve read that most people spent an hour in there.

Bruges Windmills

During our research of things to do in Bruges, we didn’t see anyone mention that there were windmills you can easily walk to. So, after accidentally spotting them on our drive in, we felt that we had to walk over and see them; mainly because they’re not structures you see every day.

Circling around the city’s borders, these beautiful windmills are well maintained, especially when you think that they date back to the 13^th century. Originally there were 25 around Bruges, but sadly only four are left, but they each offer unique and quirky features.

The walk from the centre of the historic district to the windmills is about 15 to 20 minutes, so not too far and it’s a pretty route through park ways with very few tourists. As you walk around the edge of the historic centre you will also see remnants of its medieval beginnings including Donkeys Gate and Gentpoort which were both city gates used to keep invaders out.

Within the Sint Janshuismolen Mill there is a small museum, which costs 5 Euros to enter. All windmills are on quite steep mounds, so there is a bit of a hike up. But to see the museum you also must climb up steps, once inside you can watch flour being made in real time with the original machinery. The sails also work which is a wonderful sight to see, because most windmills we have seen are static.

Another popular one is the Nieuwe Papegaai Mill because of its bright red colour, but there is also Bonne Chiere Molen and Koeleweimolen. We really enjoyed the whole experience, from the relaxing walk to seeing the lovely windmills.

Beguinevest Park

Not far from Minnewater Park is Beguinevest Park and in all honesty, it was nice but nothing to shout out about. We walked around for a bit and then headed back into the historic centre. You’re probably wonder why we’d even mention it, well the main reason is that it pops up on other bloggers posts or content all the time. That was the reason we headed there initially, but we’re hoping to save you a bit of time, not that it was much of a distance from Minnewater Lake.

Brewery Tours

We’ve done a lot of brewery tours over the years in many countries, but because of the short time we had in Bruges we decided not to do one there. One of the more popular tours is with De Halve Maan Brewery which is a 15-minute walk from Burg Square, although there are plenty of others.

As with other brewery tours you’ll discover the journey of how Belgium beer is brewed. They also have a rooftop area which has a great view of the city centre, so you could class it as an added bonus.

De Halve Maan Brewery is open from Sunday to Wednesday between 11am and 6pm, or Thursday to Saturday 11am to 9pm. The tour is 16 Euros (September 2024) and takes about 45 minutes, then at the end you can try one of their beers from an unfiltered Brugse Zot Blond, Brugse Zot Dubbel or Straffe Hendrik Tripel.

Additional Attractions in Bruges

Above is our list of attractions in the striking city of Bruges, but there are still others which we haven’t covered. These tend to be more museums, but we preferred to spend the short amount of time we had there seeing the city itself. To give you a comprehensive guide here are the attractions we haven’t covered, but you may wish to visit.

• Diamond Museum – History of the Bruges diamond industry.
• Kantcentrum – A museum focused on the history and technique of lace making.
• Salvador Dalí Museum – Collection of paintings, sculptures and other works by Dali.
• Sint-Janshospitaal Museum – Learn about one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe.
• Choco-Chocolate Museum – The history of chocolate and more specifically Belgium chocolate.
• Mini Harp Museum – Enjoy a harp concert by harpist and composer Luc Vanlaere, then visit a small harp museum for free.
• Bruges Beer Experience – Interactive Belgium beer museum about the history, ingredients and brewing styles.
• Groeninge Museum – Collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings covering six centuries.
• Gruuthusemuseum – Ancient palace museum housing historic furniture, sculptures and tapestries.
• Folklore Museum – Reveals what daily life in Bruges was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Cathedrale Saint Sauveur de Bruges – Roman Catholic cathedral.

Our Bruges Top Tips

• Double Check the Airport – We’ll begin by saying that we messed up a little when we booked our trip to Bruges. Rather than flying into Brussels Airport, we had booked our flights into Charleroi Airport (this seems to be a standard with Ryanair). So instead of simply having a 50-minute train journey from Brussels to Bruges, we had the addition of a one-hour bus from Charleroi to Brussels because there are no trains. Sadly, having only discovered this the day before we flew, we decided to make alternative arrangements and drive from the airport to Bruges. This meant that we had a 2-hour drive instead of 3 hours on public transport. In the end this turned out to be the best result for us because we could drive from Bruges to Brussels, and we made a little detour on the way and visited Ghent.
• Wearing comfortable shoes is a must – As you can imagine, you’re going to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Whether you’re walking around cobbled streets or standing looking at beautiful buildings. This means that you will want to make sure that the shoes you wear are comfortable. They can also get pretty dirty, so it’s worth taking shoes which you don’t mind getting mucky or battered. We always travel in our comfy trainers and even they can leave our feet feeling sore at the end of a long day.
• Think about the weather – We’ve mentioned this already, but preparing for the weather in the place you’re visiting is essential to make it comfortable and enjoyable. Europe can be incredibly hot in the summer, but also have heavy rainfalls thrown in. This is why you should prepare for anything, and by that we mean wet proof gear, umbrella, sun hat and sunglasses. Once you’ve checked the weather apps, you’ll have a better idea of what to take with you.
• Work out your priority’s attraction wise – For such a small area, Bruges has plenty for you to see and do. If you’re staying in Bruges for a short period of time, then our advice would be to plan and prioritise what you want to do first. Bear in mind that some attractions may be closed earlier than others, or shut on specific days, so make sure you do your research or keep our guide handy.
• Beware of bikes – Yep, you’re in Europe and that means one thing, lots of bikes. If you’re not used to it, you can get a little complacent which could lead to an accident. We nearly collided with a bike as we crossed a road in Amsterdam, purely because we didn’t realise how much they speed around. Bikes take priority, so as a pedestrian we just have to manoeuvre around them. Because Bruges historic centre is a smaller area you will see more bikes than cars, but not as many as other European cities.
• Just stroll – There are so many things to see in Bruges, that you can end up pounding the streets and missing the scenery. But it would be a shame if you didn’t slow down for a bit and simply stroll. The canals and back streets are ideal to wander around and even at night we felt quite safe.
• Try the Belgium Waffles – Sometimes we try those touristy things, and they never live up to how we imagined. But we’d honestly recommend trying some Belgium waffles, because we dreamed about them when we got home. For any vegans out there, you will find plenty of places offer alternatives for you and they taste just as delicious. You will have a choice of toppings, and we loved caramel and chocolate.
• Walk Around at Night – Ok so we want you to stay safe, so make sure you’re not anywhere that you don’t see other people. But walking around after the sun has set gives Bruges a different feel, almost romantic and magical. Our first night after arriving in the city, we wandered around a little in the main tourist spots such as the Markt square and by Minnewater Lake. It felt like we were in a scene from Harry Potter, and because there were fewer people we could get around easier. Interestingly the next morning in the main square there were trucks delivering items to the restaurants, so the views weren’t as impressive as the night before. This is why we recommend seeing everything in the day and as the sun sets, so you get to enjoy the beauty of both.

Should I Visit Bruges?

We’re not sure what we expected to see when we arrived in Bruges, but we can say that this beautiful place exceeded our expectations. After the long journey from the airport to our hotel, we felt a little frazzled and drained. But walking around the corner and seeing the Markt square lit up as the sun set in the distance, made our hearts leap from our chest. It was an incredible sight to behold, and the feeling has stayed with us weeks later as we remember that moment.

Not only is Bruges picture perfect but it’s also a great place to wander around, because every turn of a corner brings another magical sight. The fact that you can do everything by foot and the city is so compact, makes it even better. You don’t have to wait for hop on hop off buses or public transport to get you around.

There are so many places to eat and drink, you certainly won’t struggle to find something within your price range. Then add in the fact that most of the ‘things to do’ on our list are completely free, which leaves more pennies to treat yourself to waffles or Belgium chocolates.

We will admit that at the time of writing this guide, Bruges was high on the list of our favourite places in Europe. It immediately left an impact on our hearts, and we found the locals to be so kind and friendly.

So should you visit Bruges, that’s a resounding yes! In fact, we’d recommend Belgium in general. After visiting Bruges, Ghent and Brussels during our five-night trip, we have fallen for this amazing country and plan to travel there again soon.

If you do end up visiting Bruges, then make sure you tag us on Instagram, because we love to see what you’re up to as you tick off your bucket lists.