17 Best Things to Do Bruges Belgium

17 Best Things to Do in Bruges Belgium – Ultimate Travel Guide

Visiting Bruges Belgium? – Contemplating on how many days for Bruges and the best places to visit in Bruges? Undecided about the top tourist attractions of Bruges to add to your Belgium itinerary?

Bruges Main Square – Grote Markt

Have no worry, I have you covered in this travel guide to Bruges with answers to all of above.

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What is Bruges famous for? Is Bruges worth visiting?

Bruges; it will be a sin if I do not include this town in the list of beautiful places to visit in Belgium. While road tripping through Belgium I landed in Bruges on a one-day trip from Antwerp. And OMG! There are such a lot of wonderful things to do in Bruges that I regretted not having made a stopover at Bruges for the night. Bruges ideally deserves two days. Well, you can experience quite a lot provided you plan out one day itinerary of Bruges well.

I have here in this travel blog, the complete list of top things to do in Bruges which includes some unique museums, breweries, Lace industry and a peep into their traditional fish market besides the usual heritages building, churches, cathedral and towers. Do choose and pick the interesting tourist attractions of Bruges suiting your time constraints and indulge in them to your hearts content.

Medieval Heritage buildings of Bruges

About Bruges

Let me walk you through a bit of history of Brugge before you embark on the actual walking tour of this cute town that has preserved its medieval era well. Bruges was founded in the 9th century by a group of Danish Vikings. The name ‘Bruges’ probably comes from the Old Norse word Bryggja, which means ‘landing stage’, or ‘mooring place’.

Today it is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country.

Planning your last minute trip to Bruges?

Here are some links that can help you get there faster:

From Brussels: Ghent and Bruges Day Tour (Highly rated)

Bruges: Boat Cruise and Guided Walking Tour

Other names of Bruges:

• Bruges in French
• Brugge in Dutch (official name), this name probably derives from the Old Dutch for ‘bridge’: brugga.
• Brügge in German
• City of Love in Belgium – cited as one of the world’s most romantic cities.
• The Dead City – the symbolist novelist Georges Rodenbach made the city into a character in his novel Bruges-la-Morte, meaning “Bruges-the-dead”. This was later adapted into Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s opera, Die tote Stadt.
• Venice of the North – Brugge’s intricate network of canals has led many to describe the city as the Venice of the North along with other canal-based cities, such as Amsterdam and St Petersburg.

Bruges Belgium Things to Do – Canal Tour

Bruges Belgium Things to Do

We visited Bruges from Antwerp (95 km approx.) and spent the morning hours exploring this World Heritage Site on foot.

Walking Tour of Old Town Bruges

Morning hours are always the best to tour a site, when people are just settling down to their respective works, the excitement to explore is at its max. We were greeted by grey skies, luckily for us the clouds decided not to pour. The brick red facades looked good with grey backgrounds.

Bruges is not very complicated in terms of its layout of its lanes and by lanes. Clutch the Bruges map in one hand, a camera in the other (like me) and embark on a self-guided tour of Bruges. Walking on the cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, and medieval architecture makes it feels like you have stepped into a storybook.

Here is a list of 17 best things to do in Bruges:

1. Start your journey at the iconic Markt Square. This bustling hub is surrounded by stunning medieval architecture with colorful facades of historic guild houses and the towering Belfry.

Feast visually on the medieval buildings around. The striking Provincial Court and the colorful facade of the Historium make worthy postcard pictures. Cafes line the square, making it a perfect spot to sip coffee and soak in the ambiance.

2. Climb the iconic Belfry of Bruges for breathtaking view of the entire city. Make this your first stop as it can get crowded and queues to climb the tower are disrepute to be lengthy with waiting time of an hour if not more.

Bruges has three towers – The ascent to any one of them rewards you with breath-taking vistas of the town’s rooftops, canals, and surrounding countryside.

Rozenhoedkaai Bruges Belgium

3. Visit the serene Beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This enclosed complex features lovely gardens and white-washed buildings, offering a glimpse into the contemplative lives of the beguines.

4. While you are strolling the streets of Brugge explore the lace shops and artisan boutiques that line the streets. Bruges is known for its intricate lacework and handmade crafts, offering unique souvenirs to take home. Bruges lace (Brugs Bloemwerk) is a fine white part lace made of cotton. It is made in pieces, with the designs later joined to make the final lace. There are lace shops on every street, with window displays showcasing everything from simple bookmarks to elaborate tablecloths.

5. The Church of Our Lady in Bruges is famous for Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child sculpture. The 115.5 m high brick church tower is reputed to be the second tallest of the world. The church itself is free to visit, but you’ll have to pay 6 euros if you want to view the artworks.
Timing: Monday through Saturday, the church is open from 9.30 AM to 5 PM. Sunday, it’s open from 1.30 PM to 5 PM.

6. Include Holy Saint Salvator Cathedral in Bruges to your itinerary; this is included in UNESCO list. Salvator’s Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Bruges, Belgium. Oldest Parish church, it got cathedral status after Belgium’s independence in 1830. The tower was added to it in the 19^th century to match the status of being a cathedral and also to look significant beside the nearby Church of Our Lady.

Bruges Cathedral Tower

7. Basilica of the Holy Blood of Jesus located the corner of Bruge square. The church has two parts – lower one with simple interior is St Basilius Chapel and the upper one with colorful interior is the Holy Blood Chapel. Read more: Relic of Jesus Blood

8. Visit the tranquil Minnewater Lake. The serene swans gliding across the water add to the idyllic atmosphere. It’s tucked away at the southern end of Bruges old town and it’s bordered by beautiful buildings and homes. The main features are the canals winding through it. A picture of Minnewater Lake is there on almost all brochures and pamphlets of Bruges that you will recognize it instantly.

9. For photography enthusiasts the best place to visit in Bruges would be Rozenhoedkaai, or Quay of the Rosary. It is a picturesque spot where the Dijver and Groenerei canals meet.

10. Not sure how many of you approve this but those who do can consider a horse-drawn carriage ride for a touch of old-world charm, consider.

11. Historic centre of Bruges is another must visit. The Historic Centre of Brugge has UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 2000. You have the best opportunity here to see one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval European settlement. In its heyday, this place was a bustling metropolis of trade. Additionally, this area served as a hub for the Flemish Primitive style of painting.

12. The Groeninge Museum is a must for art enthusiasts. It is a treasure trove of Flemish and Belgian masterpieces, including works by Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling. The museum provides a varied overview of the history of Belgian visual art, with the top-class paintings by the world-renowned Flemish primitives. It is built on the site of the medieval Eekhout Abbey.

13. For beer lovers a visit to Bruges Beer Museum (Brugs Biermuseum) is a must. Beer is a popular drink in Bruges. There are lots of people who enjoy it there. You can learn about the history, interact with the brewing process, sample ingredients, and of course taste brews of varied styles!

Beer Brewery – Bruges Belgium

14. Fish Market of Bruges features in the list of must visit sites  there. (Being a Bengali I was curious 😉) It is a little away from the squares. This covered arcade was specially built for the fish mongers in 1821. Even today, fish is sold in the stalls here. May be the locals around and the restaurant owners are their regular customers. Nothing much to do here, can’t buy any to try them out in back in our hotel. So, took some pictures.

Fish Market – Bruges Belgium

15. Take a boat tour along the canals. Floating beneath picturesque bridges and past ancient buildings adorned with flickering lights is a magical experience. Many hotels and guesthouses are located along the canals, providing a unique perspective of the city.

16. Return to Markt Square in the evening for a different experience. The buildings are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere as you stroll under the twinkling lights. Sit in one of the cafes enjoying a pint of beer and a waffle.

17. End your day with a romantic dinner at a canal side restaurant. The shimmering reflections in the water, the soft glow of streetlights, and the tranquil ambiance make for an unforgettable dining experience.

Tips for visiting Bruges on a one-day trip

• Bruges is a “touristy” destination so prices are higher than what you’ll find in the rest of Belgium. Find quality food at reasonable prices by wandering a few blocks away from the tourist zone.
• Book one of the several free walking tours, however you are expected to tip your guide.
• Pay a fee to use public toilet (there are plenty of them) anything around .5 to 1 euro. I suggest use the cafe washrooms where you may stop to have a drink.
• There is one free water fountain if I remember right. You can fill your bottle for free.
• If you plan to spend more than a day in Bruges buy the Musea Brugge Card which is valid for 72 hours.

How to Reach Bruges Belgium

Bruges, the City of Love in Belgium, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation due to its popularity among tourists. Here’s how you can reach Bruges:

By Air: The nearest major airport is Brussels Airport (Zaventem), which is well-connected internationally. From Brussels Airport, you can take a train to Bruges via Brussels Central Station.
By Train: Bruges has a well-connected train station called “Brugge” or “Bruges.” It’s linked to major cities like Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp by frequent and efficient train services.
By Car: We arrived to Bruges by car from Antwerp. If you prefer driving, Bruges is accessible by car from major Belgian cities and neighboring countries.
By Bus: There are also intercity and regional bus services connecting Bruges to nearby towns and cities. Bus travel might be slower compared to trains, but it’s an option for those looking for a different mode of transportation.

Once you arrive in Bruges, the city center and its attractions are easily navigable on foot, as the historic core is relatively compact. Public transportation, such as buses, trams, and bicycles, are also available for getting around within the city.

Bruges Townhall – Stadhuis, oldest building

Where to stay in Bruges

Bruges is a compact city. Whether you choose to stay in the heart of the historic city center or in Markt Square and Burg Square, the city is navigable by foot. You can consider these that rank well according to recent google ratings:

1. GUESTHOUSE NUIT BLANCHE
2. B&B In Bruges
3. Snuffel Hostel

Parting thoughts from Brugge

The city has been restored its past glory, the repainted 14th and 15th century buildings look elegant. The two town squares, Market square and Bruges square are worth the visit. I felt like lingering on for some more time… very reluctantly I moved on.

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