What to Do in Bruges, Belgium
Continuing on after my incredible time in Amsterdam, I hopped on a train and ventured through the Dutch and Belgian countryside to the city of Bruges. It was a picturesque train ride, passing by windmills and old, medieval towns. I had never been to Belgium before, let alone, to a city as well-preserved as Bruges.
The historic center of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, recognized for its influence on the development of art and architecture, particularly brick Gothic. I found the architecture in Bruges to be awe-inspiring. Bruges, the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, is the most well-preserved medieval city in Europe!
Side note: You will see Bruges spelled/pronounced both ‘Bruges’ (French) and ‘Brugge’ (Flemish). In this article, I’ll be referring to it as Bruges (rhymes with ‘rouge.’)
Getting there
If you happen to be traveling to Bruges from Amsterdam, the best option is to take the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Antwerp and then take the direct IC train to Bruges. For a very helpful step-by-step explanation, check out Seat61.com here. If you do stop in Antwerp, try to take a few moments to appreciate the beauty of that train station. Swoon! The train ride into Bruges was stunning with so much lovely scenery. It’s such a relaxing way to travel. Sit back, relax, read a book (check out my book recommendations here), or grab a snack or coffee from the Welcome Bar.
From the train station in Bruges, I highly recommend walking into town instead of taking a taxi or bus. (Uber isn’t available here as of 2018-2019.) Even in the cold winter rain, I was so in awe of the quiet medieval streets and buildings. It was one of the highlights of my time in Bruges so, when in doubt, just walk!
I’ve heard that Bruges can be quite the tourist trap; lots of overly-expensive restaurants, souvenir shops, and crowds during peak times. I visited during Christmas which attracts tourists for the many Christmas markets and the romantic holiday setting.
On one hand, the amount of tourists was in no way overwhelming or annoying while I was there (unlike in Vienna and Prague) but on the other hand, I can see why Bruges does feel so touristy. Because everything is within such close proximity, I unfortunately rarely felt like I was amongst locals. It certainly didn’t take away from my experience at all, but I wanted to take a moment to explain how I perceived things. I enjoyed every moment of my time in Bruges.
Related Reading: What to Pack for Prague in the Winter
What I Loved Most
Everything is within walking distance which made it easy to see many things in 24-hours or less, though I could have spent much longer there exploring the historic buildings and museums. The most impressive thing of all though was the medieval architecture. I could have walked around the cobblestone streets of Bruges for days. Get away from
I have put together a Google Map with all of my favorite places in Bruges, including a few I have not listed below. Please feel free to
What to Eat
I wasn’t expecting it, but Bruges is now one of my favorite cities for food! With so many delicious Belgian specialties, you’ll find no shortage of options to try during your time here.
Waffles
Oh, you didn’t think I was going to go to Belgium and not have Belgian waffles, did you? In fact, it’s the first food I had upon arriving in Bruges. There are endless options throughout the city but I recommend Chez Albert for a quick, delicious waffle while you’re walking around town. I went with the
House of Waffles
Though the name sounds a bit cliche, this cozy restaurant was exactly what I was looking for. You can try one of the classics, choose something unique (such as the ‘Cherry Delight’ pictured here), or create your own waffle!
They also have a wonderful selection of espresso-based drinks and hot chocolate, which is what I opted for! I was pleasantly surprised when they brought out a glass of hot milk with a hunk of Belgian chocolate on a stick for me to dip into the glass. I had never seen hot chocolate served that way before which made it a fun, interactive experience as I watched the chocolate melt into the milk.
Chocolate
Speaking of chocolate, Belgium is home to over 320 chocolatiers so you must stop into one (or a few) of them while you’re in Bruges. Sadly, the history of Belgian chocolate is a not-so-sweet one. But, I think it’s important as a traveler to educate ourselves on both the good and the bad parts of history. It started in 1885, when King Leopold II colonized the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). It was at this time that Belgium found a large surplus of cocoa beans. The part of the story that you don’t often hear is that not only did King Leopold’s army ravage the land of its cocoa beans and trees for rubber, and slaughter elephants for ivory, but King Leopold had millions of Congolese enslaved, mutilated, and killed.
After the colonization of the Congo, Belgium became the main trader of cocoa and chocolate. It was then Jean Neuhaus who opened a pharmacy in Belgium where he covered his medicine in a layer of chocolate, in order to make them more palatable. The first praline was created there in 1912. The Jean Neuhaus store still
Fries (Frites)
Believe it or not, the origin of ‘French’ fries has been traced back to Belgium, where they began frying potatoes in the 1600s. You’ll find
If you’d like, you can book this private food tour with 10 tastings or this Belgian chocolate workshop!
Beer
It’s no secret that Belgian beer is some of the best. With such a rich brewing tradition, beer connoisseurs from all over the world flock to this medieval city to sample some of the finest craft beer. In a city this size, it’s quite impressive just how many options you have. You can even book a private beer tour. If you’re not looking for a full tour, here are a few recommendations to get you started:
Le Trapiste: Located in a beautiful, vaulted 13th-century cellar, this atmospheric bar shouldn’t be missed. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of Trappist beers and other varieties to sip by candlelight. I can honestly say this was one of the coolest bars I’ve been to. Stop by, even if it’s just for the unique atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else.
2be: We just happened to walk by after spending some time around Rozenhoedkaai. I had seen a bunch of people sitting outside next to the river on a lovely terrace (behind me to the left in the photo above) and it wasn’t until we walked into 2be that I realized this was the spot! This place has a massive beer wall to greet you as you walk down the corridor, but I’m more impressed by the fact that this is a 15th-century mayor’s house! Though I’ve heard this can get touristy, we were surrounded by mostly locals enjoying a drink, good conversation, and an even better view.
De Garre: A hidden tavern best-known for their house Tripel Van De Garre.
‘t Brugs Beertje: Known as one of the most legendary beer cafes, you’ll have 300 beers to choose from here.
Related Reading: First-Timer’s Guide to Amsterdam
What to See
Most of the main sights in Bruges are within close proximity to one another in the city centre. A great way to see it all is through a guided boat cruise and walking tour.
Bonifacius Bridge
One of the most picturesque areas in Bruges is tucked away and easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it. Though many people assume this is one of the oldest bridges in Bruges, it actually only dates back to 1910. However, this certainly does not take away from the charm of the bridge and the surrounding views.
You’ll find this bridge in the shadow of the tallest structure in the city, The Church of Our Lady. So, look for that and then begin your walking treasure hunt for the Bonifacius Bridge.
Onze Lieve Vrouw Brugge (Church of Our Lady Bruges)
This Gothic church was founded in the 13th-century and took two centuries to build. Inside, you will find Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, which was created in Italy and exported to Belgium in 1504. It is the only work of Michelangelo’s that left Italy during his lifetime. Inside the church, you will also find the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold. Standing at 115 meters in height, the church tower is the second tallest brickwork tower in the world. Stand in bewilderment as you look up!
Sint-Janshospitaal (Saint John’s Hospital)
Dating back to the 12th-century, St. John’s Hospital is one of the oldest surviving hospital buildings in Europe. Pay a visit to the medieval ward where nuns and monks once cared for the sick and where travelers could find shelter and rest. Inside the oldest remaining part of the complex, you will find a museum detailing life inside the hospital as well as an exhibition on Hans Memling, one of Flanders’ most famous artists. Enjoy the incredible views outside to take in the beauty of the hospital’s architecture.
The Burg
Another area worth visiting in
The Markt (Market Square)
What was once the scene of medieval festivals, fairs, and even executions dating back to 958, is now the most well-known (and probably photographed) area of Bruges. Opposite the Belfry, you will see a row of colorful guild houses with their step-gabled facades. As you stand in the center of the Markt, marvel at the impressive architecture that surrounds you.
Belfry of Bruges
One of the city’s most prominent symbols is this beautiful medieval bell tower in the center of it all. A narrow staircase consisting of 366 steps can be climbed for a bird’s-eye view of Bruges. The belfry was added to the market square in 1240, to serve as an observation tower for fires. At the time, Bruges was an important part of the Flemish cloth industry.
The belfry has an unfortunate history of damage and destruction. The tower was largely rebuilt after a fire in 1280. A spire was added to the top in the 1400s, only to be stuck by lightning in 1493. Then, in 1791, the new spire was destroyed by another fire. The 47 bells you hear today range in weight from 2 pounds to 11,000 pounds.
Go for a walk
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know about my love for city walks. There is nothing I love more than climbing old, historic steps, walking along cobblestone streets, and taking in the incredible architecture around me. Bruges is the perfect city to get lost in. Go off the beaten path, walking away from the Markt and start exploring the beautiful side streets of Bruges.
And just a little reminder to not travel for the purpose of getting a shot you’ve seen on Instagram. My favorite photos are the ones taken of the most unexpected corners and buildings and moments.
Did you know that Bruges has a rich lace tradition originating in the 16th-century? As you walk through the city, pay attention to all of the beautiful lace shops where it’s still possible to see many of the traditional lacemakers today. I was mesmerized as I gazed at all of the charming storefronts through Bruges!
Where to Stay
Grand Hotel Casselbergh: I chose to stay at this hotel not only for its historic charm but because it’s just 150 meters from the Burg and the Markt! You’re just a three-minute walk from some of the cities finest sites. The furnishings of the hotel make you feel as though you’re staying in a luxurious 18th-century home and the bed was one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept on.
We were able to check-in early and the front desk happily held our luggage for us after we checked out so that we could explore the city for a few more hours. I’ll definitely be staying here again the next time I’m in Bruges. Book your room here!
I hope you found this post to be helpful as you plan your trip. Also, please feel free to follow me on Instagram @ChelseaDinen and say hi!
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