Ultimate Bruges Travel Guide: Explore Belgium’s Enchanting City

Bruges (Brugge in Dutch), the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in Belgium, is located in the northwest corner of Belgium. Bruges is a mere 44km from Ghent to the southeast and 145 from Brussels.

The medieval center of Bruges is remarkably well preserved and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bruges experienced its golden age around 1300 when it became one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. However, around 1500, the Zwin channel began to silt up, leading Bruges to lose its economic strength to Antwerp. Consequently, people began to abandon the center, which helped to preserve its medieval features.

Bruges is renowned as an art city. The famous Bruges painter Jan van Eyck (1370-1441) spent most of his life here, and a statue honoring him can be found in the square named after the sculptor, Jan Calloigne.

Today, Bruges is once again a thriving community with a population of 120,000, and its medieval center is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Getting There

Brussels National Airport is the main airport for Bruges.

The smaller Oostende airport is just 24km (15 miles) from Bruges on the coast but offers very few flights.

Bruges is on the Oostende to Brussels train line. There are frequent trains from Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. It is a ten-minute walk from the train station to the historic center.

If you have a car, avoid driving around the narrow streets of the center. Park outside the walls (easier in early morning) or head for the main rail station to use the underground parking.

If you’re in London, you can take the Eurostar train direct to Brussels. Your ticket includes onward travel to any city in Belgium, including Bruges!

Getting to Bruges the Romantic Way

During the summer season, Lamme Goedzak, a paddle steamer, takes you from the charming town of Damme to Bruges in about 35 minutes along the canal. Ample parking is available in Damme, and bicycle rentals are offered as well.

Museums

It’s important to remember that all museums in Bruges are closed on Mondays.

The most popular art museum is the Groeninge Museum, covering Low Country painting from the 15th to the 20th centuries, featuring renowned painters such as Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, and Hieronymus Bosch.

Museum hours and entrance fees can be found at the Groeninge Museum website.

Additionally, for those who enjoy fries, there is a unique Frietmuseum.

Places to Stay

Bruges boasts numerous hotels due to its popularity as a European destination. The highly-rated hotels tend to sell out during the summer, so early reservations are advised.

For accommodation options, consider looking at a comparison site for Bruges hotels.

Rail Passes

If traveling into Belgium via the Eurostar, remember that on the London to Brussels route, your Eurostar ticket is valid for continuing travel to any station in Belgium.

Don’t Miss Attractions in Bruges

A canal trip is one of the most popular attractions in this medieval city. Boats depart from the Georges Stael landing stage at Katelijnestraat 4 every 30 minutes, daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, but are closed from mid-November to mid-March.

Bruges is famous for chocolate, lace, and, to a lesser extent, diamonds. The diamond museum is located at Katelijnestraat 43. You can also find chocolate shops throughout the city, including the chocolate museum Choco-Story. The municipal lace Museum is situated on the main canal at Dijver 16.

The Belfort en Hallen, the belltower of the market, is a symbol of Bruges and the tallest belfry in Belgium. Climbing the 366 steps to the top offers a panoramic view of Bruges, and on a clear day, you can see all the way out to the sea.

The 12th-century basilica Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, or chapel of the Holy Blood, located on Burg square, contains a rock-crystal vial said to hold a fragment of cloth stained with what is believed to be the coagulated blood of Christ. This relic is brought out on Fridays for veneration; however, the basilica itself is worth a visit at any time. On Ascension Day, the relic is the focal point of the Procession of the Holy Blood, boasting 1,500 Bruges citizens in medieval attire forming a mile-long procession behind it.

While it may not seem like a typical vacation spot, Bruges also features a considerable number of whitewashed almshouses, many situated around cozy inner courtyards. Historically, these were popular among wealthy townspeople and guilds as a way to curry favor with God in the 14th century. As a result, 46 blocks have been preserved.

Bruges is an excellent town for walking or renting bicycles to experience like a local. The cuisine is top-notch, albeit slightly pricey, and the beer is among the best globally. A must-visit is the Brewery De Gouden Boom at Langestraat 47, which features a small yet interesting museum.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, the Oldtimer Motorcycle Museum in Oudenburg (near Ostend) showcases over 80 motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters.

Bruges, Beer, and Chocolate

Bruges hosts a vibrant beer festival at the start of February, which runs through early March. Visitors purchase a glass and receive tokens to fill it with selected beers. Moreover, local chefs showcase dishes prepared with beer, highlighting the unique culinary aspect of Belgium.

If you miss the festival, don’t worry, as there are plenty of bars and restaurants serving delicious Belgian beer year-round. A popular spot is ‘t Brugs Beertje at Kemelstraat 5, conveniently located between the Market and the Zand. It opens at 4 PM and operates until 1 AM, although it is closed on Wednesdays.

The Bruges Chocolate Museum, located in the historic Maison de Croon, which dates from around 1480 and was originally a wine tavern, offers insights into the history of chocolate in Bruges. Workshops are frequently held for both adults and children.

Furthermore, if you’re visiting during the winter months, consider checking out the Bruges Ice Wonderland Sculpture Festival starting in late November.

Finally, one of the most significant religious events in Bruges is the Heilig-Bloedprocessie, the Procession of the Blood, held on Ascension Thursday, 40 days after Easter. During this event, the holy blood relic is paraded through the streets, with participants dressed in medieval costumes.