Things to do in Bruges Belgium?

Bruges is one of the most charming cities in Belgium, in fact, it is considered a World Heritage Site for its beauty and medieval architecture. Its canals, which criss-cross the city and from where you can discover hidden corners of the city, also stand out. And of course, we cannot forget its gastronomy. Have you tried Belgian specialities yet? There are so many things to do in Bruges, Belgium, that you won’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve prepared this post with the must-sees.

What are the best things to do in Bruges Belgium?

As in most tourist cities, the best way to discover the city is to hire a tour that will take you to the main sights and explain its history and the secrets hidden in its streets. You can do the same in Bruges by boat along the canals. But if you prefer to visit the city on your own, here are the most interesting things to see in Bruges, the Venice of the North.

1. Canal walk

Riding the canals by boat is a must-do activity in Bruges. There are small piers scattered throughout the city with many boats leaving all the time, so it won’t be hard to find one. From the boat you will be able to see the main buildings from new points of view, and you will also be told a bit of the history of the city. But the best thing is that most tickets include a beer in the price. The boats run daily from 10:00h to 18:00h.

2. Beguinage, an essential must-see in Bruges

The Beguinage or Begijnhof is an old medieval building that gave shelter in the 20th century to widowed women or orphaned girls. Today it houses Benedictine nuns. The building is surrounded by gardens and a small forest. Admission is free, but to see the museum, which tells the story of the beatitude, you have to pay €2. The complex is open Monday to Saturday from 6.30am to 6.30pm and Sundays from 2.30pm to 5pm.

3. Squares in Bruges

In the heart of Bruges there are two spectacular squares. On one side is the Market Square or Grote Markt, which is a very common meeting point and a lively place. Its medieval façades, including the Belfort (Belfry), add to the square’s charm, where we recommend you take a break for a beer and enjoy the views and the hustle and bustle.

The other most important square is the Burg, where you’ll find the town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The visiting hours of the town hall are from Monday to Sunday from 9:00h to 17:00h. And the basilica is open from Monday to Sunday from 09:30h to 12h and from 14h to 17h.

4. Museums of Bruges

The two most important museums in Bruges are the Groeninge Museum and the Memling Museum. The former is located in the old town, and exhibits works by Belgian artists such as Jan van Eyck and Hugo van der Goes. The entrance fee is 14€ and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30h to 17:00h.

The Memling Museum is located in the former St John’s Hospital, which still has a well-preserved pharmacy and several patient rooms. You can also visit the chapel, where you will find works by Hans Memling. Admission is €8 and the museum is open from 9.30am to 5pm.

5. Minnewater Park

Minnewater Park is one of the most romantic corners of the city. It’s right in the centre of town and has a small lake with swans. From the park you can also see iconic buildings such as the Château de la Faille, an old hospital and the lock house, whose function was to control the level of the water canals. The park is small, so you won’t need much time to see it. It is recommended to go at sunset or for a midday snack.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Bruges, Belgium?

Belgium is a relatively small country, which means you can take day trips to any of the major cities. However, you don’t have to go that far. Bruges is very close to the coast, and in the surrounding area there are several places worth visiting that are no more than 1 hour away.

1. Damme

Damme is a quiet little village north of Bruges, Belgium, but its attraction lies in the road leading to it. It’s a 7 km tree-lined walk that runs parallel to the Damme canal and will take between 1h30 and 2 hours to complete. It is also possible to cycle or boat along the canal, historically known as the “Napoleon Canal”. Another option is by car or bus, but it’s best to take a stroll along the green slopes surrounding the Damme Canal.

2. De Haan

De Haan is one of the most beautiful seaside villages in the country and is only a 30-minute drive from Bruges, Belgium. It is a highly recommended excursion when you have run out of things to see in Bruges. The village is very quiet and not too touristy, perfect to unwind. The Duinbossen De Haan Nature Park is located next door, where there are many short walks that are perfect for children. From Bruges, you can take the train to Hazegras and then take a tram to De Haan. It takes about 40 minutes.

3. Loppem Castle

Loppem is a neo-Gothic castle located in the centre of an artificial island and built in 1851 by a Bruges noble family as a summer residence. Over the years the castle changed owners until it became the residence of King Albert at the end of World War I, and the headquarters of the Belgian army.

The castle is surrounded by a lush forest to wander through, but probably the most spectacular feature is the octagonal garden, where you’ll find an early 19th-century pavilion and a labyrinth that costs €1.25 to enter. The rest of the complex is open from dawn to dusk.

What things to do in Bruges, Belgium, in 1 day?

Bruges is a very common (if not the most common) day trip when we stay in Brussels. In one day you’ll have more than enough time to take in all the sights to see in Bruges.

It’s best to start at Burg Square, the usual meeting point if you’re going on a tour, and where you can get a map from the tourist office. There you can see the Town Hall and St Anne’s Basilica. Then you can head for the market square, where the Belfort Belfry is located.

After lunch it is best to take a boat ride to relax for a while and then head to the Beatorium and the museums. Then it’s time for the golden hour. At sunset, the buildings take on a golden hue that gives the city a special charm, so we recommend wandering the streets and strolling through Minnewater Park.

How to get to Bruges, Belgium?

Bruges is a very touristic city and therefore very well connected. If you are organising your trip to Bruges, bear in mind that these are the options you have to get to the city.

• Charleroi Airport: this is Brussels’ secondary airport. From there you take a bus to Midi station and from there the train to Bruges. The total cost is €30.
• Brussels Airport: From the airport there is a direct bus to Bruges for €20.
• Brussels city centre: If you’re already staying in Brussels and only going on a day trip, the best option is to take the train from any of the stations. The train departs every 20 minutes and costs €15.
• By car: By road it takes about 1h30 from Brussels. Parking is prohibited in most parts of the city, so it’s best to find a car park. At Oesterparking you can park all day for €3.5. There are also similar car parks very close to the centre, so you won’t waste time or miss anything to see in Bruges.

What are the best accommodations in Bruges?

The best place to stay is in the city centre, so you’ll be close to the main sights and won’t run out of things to see in Bruges. However, accommodation in this area rarely costs less than €100 a night. Other more affordable neighbourhoods include Minnewater and especially Assebroek. Staying near the station is also a good option if you’re touring the country. Here are some of the best hotels in the city.

• Hotel Salvators: is a 3-star hotel located in the city centre with prices ranging from 90€ per night. The hotel includes a sauna and offers bicycle rental.
• B&B West: a charming hotel next to the train station. The rooms are very cosy, but the best thing is definitely the breakfast. The room is around €100 per night.
• Hostel Europa: located in the Assebroek neighbourhood, this is one of the cheapest options. In the mornings, they serve a free breakfast buffet and have many common areas where you can meet people. It is a very nice place. The price of a bed is around €50.

Where to eat in Bruges?

Belgian cuisine, while not one of the best-known in the world, has plenty of specialities that you can’t miss on your trip to Bruges. The best known are beers and chocolate, but also fries, mussels and waffles. In Bruges you can try everything and eat really well. However, being such a touristy city, the restaurant prices are a bit high. That’s why we’ve put together this list of restaurants to give you a bit of guidance so that you leave the city with a good taste in your mouth.

• Pro Deo: is a restaurant where the locals usually eat. It has an extensive menu with traditional Belgian dishes such as mussels and fries, and it’s not particularly expensive – you can eat well for less than €20. The portions are plentiful. It does fill up very quickly, so try to avoid peak times.
• At Tattie’s: is a very affordable option. It’s a place with an extensive menu of delicious sandwiches where you can eat for less than €6. It’s also a great place to grab a waffle for breakfast or a snack.
• Soup: it’s the healthiest option for lunch. Soup is a restaurant that, as its name suggests, serves soups. For 10,5€ you can eat the menu of the day which consists of a delicious soup, half a boadillo and a piece of fruit.

Tips for travelling to Bruges, Belgium

• The official currency of Belgium is the euro, so you won’t have to worry about exchanging currency.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
• If you are travelling from a country with a different currency, we recommend that you exchange your currency in advance.
• The best time to visit Bruges is from May to September, when temperatures are milder.
• There is no Roaming in Belgium, so you can use the internet on your mobile phone without any problems.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• And don’t leave town without trying a waffle!

Organise your trip to Bruges

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Bruges Belgium

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions when travelling to Bruges Belgium