In search of issues to do in Bruges? You might have come to the appropriate place. Belgium journey author Sam Van den Haute of Checkout Sam shares the perfect issues to do in Bruges. We’re enthusiastic about this publish as we’ve got but to go to this picturesque city and have at all times needed to go since watching the film In Bruges.
Bruges, additionally recognized additionally as ‘Brugge’ in Dutch, is considered one of Europe’s most well-preserved fairytale cities. Positioned within the western Flemish area of Belgium, Bruges will actually transport you to locations you’ve solely examine in storybooks whereas permitting you to take pleasure in fashionable comforts and delicacies.
Issues to do in Bruges, Belgium
Think about your self strolling down a quaint cobblestone path, previous winding canals teeming with swans and cathedrals from the center ages. Simply add some fashionable procuring spots and the scent of chocolate to that scene and also you’ve obtained the enchanting, medieval metropolis of Bruges.
Let’s check out the highest points of interest in Bruges that you simply gained’t need to miss in your go to to this bewitching vacation spot.
1. Quay Of The Rosary
Rozenhoedkaai (Quay Of The Rosary) is essentially the most photographed place in Bruges. Positioned on a pointy bend of the Dijver Canal it gives the loveliest view in Bruges. The medieval buildings are situated straight on the canal between the stone bridge and the place the Dijver and Groenerei Canals meet. It’s unattainable to overlook as it’s a common place to begin for boat excursions.
This guided boat and strolling tour follows an area information as you see Bruges from the Canals on the water. You’ll uncover the narrowest avenue in Bruges, the basilica, and the Fish Market in your strolling tour. You’ll then get onto a canal boat tour on the Quay of the Roasary and sail alongside the canals to view the facades coated in ivy as you float below bridges admiring the fantastic thing about town. Particulars right here.
Go to the 2Be – Beer Wall
Scorching Tip: Make your method to 2Be for a chilly beer throughout the Canal to view the well-known beer wall. Belgium is known for its beer and 2Be homes greater than 1000 completely different beers alongside its 30-meter-long beer wall.
Beer followers will love this extremely rated tour. This Bruges beer expertise units off on foot to find out about and style Belgian beer. It contains visits to native hidden gems and a well-liked beer bar. The tour contains 5 tasters and three places together with a brewery. Plus a mini chocolate pairing.
2. the Outdated City of Bruges
House to over 117,000 folks, Bruges, is sometimes called the “Venice of the North. ” With canals weaving by means of the Outdated City surrounded by the grand canal, Bruges is the right place to discover a combination of enjoyable issues to do and see. However in contrast to Venice, there’s the choice of discovering small quiet corners to loosen up and soak within the splendor.
The Outdated City of Bruges is a delegated UNESCO World Heritage Web site and its small space packs a big punch. Most of the prime points of interest in Bruges are simply accessible as you wander the streets and discover the canals. With its distinctive historic pathways, church buildings, and parks, you’ll uncover a metropolis in Europe that stands out from the remainder.
This personal strolling tour is advisable to discover the city heart. You’ll see a lot of the prime Bruges points of interest such because the Belfry of Bruges and Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk a church containing the Madonna and baby by Michelangelo. You’ll wander the canals and alleyways and finish with an elective boat journey alongside the canal to see the sights. Extra particulars right here
3. Lake of Love
The Lake of Love (Minnewater) is a quiet retreat inside Minnewater Park on the south finish of Bruges. This picturesque location is ideal for quiet strolls. One of the vital photographed locations in The Lover’s Bridge spans the canal and it’s stated that in case you cross the bridge with the one you’re keen on and sneak a kiss, your love will final perpetually.
4. Belfry of Bruges
A protected World Heritage website, the Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower within the coronary heart of Bruges’ medieval city. It is a hovering masterpiece that stand 83 meters (272 toes) excessive it gives some spectacular panoramic views of town.
The climb up would possibly really feel a tad claustrophobic, however the trek will show to be effectively value your whereas. Inside the bell tower, its 47-bell carillon continues to be tolled manually on any given day.
The Belfort is called a very powerful and symbolic tower in Bruges courting again to the Thirteenth century. It’s a standing reminder of one of many oldest examples of medieval structure. You may also acknowledge the Belfry of Bruges tower which was featured within the well-known film “In Bruges”.
5. Bruges Museums
Bruges has many artwork museums and galleries and the Bruges: Museu Musea Brugge Card provides entry to 12 museums. Costs begin at 33 Euro and provides entry to Belfort (Belfry of Bruge), Metropolis Corridor, Groeninge Museum, Liberty of Bruges, Sint-Janshuis Mill, Our Girl of the Pottery, People Museum, Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna and Little one’ and extra.
You’ll be able to activate your card as much as one yr after buy. To activate your card you’ll be able to straight go to the attraction and scan your voucher on the entrance. Get your card prematurely right here.
One of many extra distinctive locations to go to in Bruges is the Torture Museum. This was the oldest jail in Bruges courting again to the eleventh century. Immediately it has been remodeled right into a museum displaying the cruelty of mankind. There are genuine torture devices courting again to the center ages. There are wax figures depicting a number of the torture units transporting you into the horrors of this early dungeon. Despite the fact that it’s troublesome, it’s typically necessary to see what people are able to in order that we study to not repeat the errors of our previous.
6. Market Sq.
The Brugge Markt in any other case often known as the Market Sq. (or Bruges Markt) is without doubt one of the prime spots to take a look at whereas in Bruges. Immediately the sq. is chock-full of eating places and retailers and is used as a gathering place for locals. Market Sq. can be the place you’ll be able to catch a experience on a horse-drawn carriage to discover town!
Every constructing in Market Sq. is exclusive, and you’ll discover the distinct adjustments in structure all through time as you stroll by means of this historic market. For these craving for a “life-like” stroll into the previous, be sure you cease by “Historium” situated within the sq., which gives a historic expertise again to the fifteenth century!
The medieval market sq. has been in use for the reason that yr 958 and can be the situation of the well-known Belfry tower. A go to right here is one that you just can not move up. Be certain that to maintain a watch out for the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck who led the Flemish rebellion in opposition to the French king in 1302.
One of the vital romantic issues to do in Bruges is to take a horse drawn carriage tour. Carriages go away from Market Sq. and take you on a half-hour experience to see the Bruges canals, historical bridges, and exquisite squares.
7. The Burg Sq.
For these considering structure and historical past, you’re certain to be dancing with pleasure all through your complete journey to Bruges. The Burg is a sq. that has been inhabited for the reason that 2nd Century and reveals examples of Renaissance, Gothic, and Neo-classical structure together with the Outdated City Corridor – a star attraction in Bruges. You will see that your self strolling by means of historical past with every constructing you move in your means into Burg sq..
The historic buildings in one of many oldest components of Bruges embrace the “Stadhuis” often known as the Bruges Metropolis Corridor, which is preserved from its authentic construct in 1376, and the Outdated Civil Registry from 1537. The Outdated City Corridor is without doubt one of the oldest buildings in the whole area and town has been ruled from right here for greater than 600 years. There’s a museum on the bottom flooring that’s value going into.
Additionally, you will see the historic courtroom of Justice, the Church of our Girl, and the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges (Brugse Vrije). You’ll be able to even pop on over subsequent door to discover the outdated fish market and plenty of scenic canals!
The Burg Sq. is a good place to begin to discover Bruges. From the sq., proceed your stroll to discover the colourful alleys that lead you to the canal. It’s stunning, free, and oh-so-photogenic.
8. Church of our Girl
The Church of Our Girl (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) is an alluring magnificence originating from the Thirteenth century. Full with a 115.5-meter-high tower, (379 toes) the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is the highest-standing construction in Bruges and is seemingly the second tallest brick tower on this planet. And here’s a enjoyable truth, it is usually the second tallest brick constructing on this planet.
The Church shows numerous notable artworks from artists such because the marble Madonna by Michelangelo. It has been expanded and renovated over time, initially taking roughly two centuries to assemble. It’s at the moment present process additional restoration. Some artworks shall be unavailable to view because of the renovations, nonetheless, nearly all of this spectacular church together with the Madonna ought to now be out there.
9. St. John’s Hospital
Reflecting its over 800 years as a working medical establishment, this common historic museum is discovered inside the medieval Saint John’s Hospital.
Sint-Janshospitaal is understood for being some of the effectively preserved outdated hospitals in all of Europe. Now a museum, it provides you the possibility to see what the outdated wards and life within the hospital would have been like.
As for artwork, there are a lot of collections from numerous homes of worship that have been within the outdated neighborhood of Saint Jan’s. A lot of these items have been handed over to Saint Jan’s Hospital after the autumn of Napoleon within the yr 1815.
Amongst these examples of high-level non secular artwork, you’ll additionally discover donated works from associated charities, in addition to the well-known Sixteenth-century ensembles from Hans Memling inside the chapel.
10. The Begijnhof
As a UNESCO World Heritage website since 1998, Begijnhofs, or “Beguinages” are indubitably a novel function of Europe, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands.
Courting again to the mid-Thirteenth century, these historic complexes have been initially inhabited by a set of spiritual girls, or Beguines, who lived their lives by instance of the apostles. The Begijnhof in Bruges particularly counts as one of many best-preserved. Some Beguine’s homes are open to guests the place you’ll be able to step again in time to get a really feel of what it was prefer to reside right here!
The Beguines lived in a neighborhood consisting solely of ladies; those that have been widowed or single that needed to reside in a pious method. The Begijnhof continues to be used in the present day as dwelling quarters for nuns and girls who’ve chosen to remain single.
As you stroll down its tiny cobblestone streets, you’ll go away behind the noisy environment of town and end up in a relaxed, serene space.
11. Basilica of the Holy Blood
The fantastic Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood) dates again to the twelfth century. It is without doubt one of the prime points of interest in Bruges and isn’t to be missed. Named for Our Girl and Saint Basil, this well-known double church is claimed to own a vial harboring drops of the blood of Jesus Christ himself.
The blood of Jesus was supposedly delivered to the basilica from the holy land after the crusades within the twelfth century. This relic of Jesus is taken out day by day at 2 pm permitting guests to pay their respects.
Being a double church, you’ll discover two distinct sections in your go to. An higher church, which sports activities neo-Gothic structure and is dwelling to the relic of the holy blood, and a decrease chapel, which has preserved its Romanesque options. You gained’t need to miss the possibility to see this distinctive basilica in individual!
The Basilica of the Holy Blood, aka Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed is situated within the metropolis heart, simply west of town corridor. Bruges Metropolis Corridor is often known as the “Stadhuis.
12. Groeningemuseum
There isn’t a higher place for artwork lovers to find out about Belgian artwork and historical past than the well-known Groeningemuseum! Bruges has loads of artwork galleries however Groeningemuseum is without doubt one of the most interesting. This artwork museums is constructed on the previous location of the medieval city, Eekhout Abbey, the museum gives a complete visible overview of varied elements from Flemish & Belgian artists, in addition to paintings from between the 14th to the Sixteenth century.
This contains neo-classical items from the 18th and Nineteenth centuries. Many post-war fashionable artwork items and examples of Flemish expressionism are additionally highlighted on the museum and let’s not overlook the world-renowned assortment of Flemish primitive work.
After all, many of those works have been initially created in Bruges itself! It’s additionally good to notice that there are common showcases of lovely exhibitions held within the Groeningemuseum.
Don’t overlook to take a look at the apothecaries and herb backyard!
13. Loppem Fort
Emphasizing the fairytale-like environment of Bruges, the Nineteenth-century Loppem Fort could be discovered simply 10km south of town heart.
Boasting stunning neo-gothic structure, the Loppem Fort combines its authentic inside and architectural state with its winding backyard maze, and an enormous assortment of artwork to take you again in time.
The citadel was briefly dwelling to King Albert I after the primary world struggle, even internet hosting Queen Elizabeth in 1918.
Strolling by means of the corridors of Loppem citadel brings to life the footprints left by artists and kings of the previous.
14. Hof Arents Park
After that a lot sightseeing, you’ll be prepared for some peace and quiet. Positioned straight behind the Arentshuis museum, you will see that the gorgeous Hof Arents.
This charming inexperienced park is located alongside the canals and gives a small idyllic bridge, exterior paintings, and plenty of hidden benches between tall bushes.
Whereas the 18-century Arentshuis museum itself is actually value a go to, you’ll be laborious pressed to discover a extra tranquil spot because the Hof Arents park.
15. De halve maan
Beer lovers will get pleasure from stopping in at De Halve Maan Brewery. It dates again to the Sixteenth century and has been handed down from era to era since 1856. No European metropolis go to could be full with no tour of the city’s brewery. De Halve Maan gives day by day brewer excursions the place guests can get pleasure from a pint of Brugse Zot Blond Beer on the finish of the tour.
Scorching Tip: An added bonus is you could go as much as the highest of the brewery and expertise a panoramic view of town, saving you the €10 you’ll’ve spent going as much as the highest of the Belfry of Bruges.
16. Jan van Eyck Sq.
Positioned within the Hansa Quarter, Jan Van Eyck Sq. is known as after the well-known painter Jan Van Eyck. It is a quieter sq. than different squares in Bruges however it’s fairly picturesque.
Throughout the Thirteenth to fifteenth century, Bruges was the buying and selling heart between England, Germany, and Scandinavia and this historic quarter of the Outdated City provides you a way of what this necessary crossroads was like. It’s right here you could view the outdated mansions of the wealthy merchants who took up residence in Bruges. Jan Van Eyck was supported by the wealthy patrons of Bruges and there’s a statue of him at its heart.
17. Go Windmill Searching
Everyone knows that the Netherlands is known for its windmills, however Bruges has them too! In truth, Bruges isn’t too removed from Amsterdam and many individuals take day journeys from Amsterdam to see Bruges. The windmills of Bruges have grow to be a well-liked attraction in Bruge with a handful of windmills situated simply exterior the outdated metropolis. Typically known as windmill stroll, guests can take a stroll to see the picturesque windmills. You’ll be able to go inside a few of them as effectively.
18. ChocoStory Chocolate Museum
No journey to any Belgium metropolis could be full with out visiting a chocolate museum. The Choco Story Chocolate Museum Tour takes you on a journey by means of time to study in regards to the origins of chocolate and also you’ll get to style it too. Particulars right here.
Do you know that there’s 4000 yr historical past of chocolate? This chocolate museum has three phases telling the historical past of the evolution of chocolate to how it’s made and a tasting.
Easy methods to Get to Bruges
Bruges is situated within the North-West of Belgium within the Flanders area of the nation just some km inland from the North Sea. Bruges is lower than an hour’s practice experience from Brussels.
It’s well-known for its canals and slim streets and the Bruges metropolis centre is a UNESCO world heritage website. It’s considered one of Belgium’s most well-preserved medieval cities and is a must-visit when exploring the nation.
As a result of it’s comparatively small, you’ll be able to see numerous Bruges and the medieval city in a short while. Bruges is only a quick drive or practice experience from Brussels and is well-connected with different cities in Belgium and Europe.
- Bruges to Brussels: 101 kilometers (62 miles)
- Bruges to Ghent: 47 kilometers (29 Miles)
- Bruges to Antwerp: 90 kilometers (56 miles)
- There are additionally ferries to Bruges from England.
- Touring by practice to Bruges is straightforward and handy. Brussels airport has a railway station so you’ll be able to go on to Bruges when you land.
- Or you are able to do what we want, hire a automotive and take a highway journey. You’ll be able to evaluate costs right here at RentalCars.com
Bruges Day Journeys
Many individuals take day journeys to Bruges from Brussels and Amsterdam, however to actually get a really feel for this metropolis it is best to spend the evening. For reserving lodges, we use Reserving.com and TripAdvisor for comparability procuring, evaluations, and offers.
Bruges is situated in Flanders and a well-liked day journey from Bruges is to go to Flanders Fields. The poppy fields of Flanders are visited on this tour. You could keep in mind the poem In Flander’s Area by John McCrea. The tour takes you to The WWI Battlefields, the Menin Gate Memorial, and the cemetery in addition to the poppy fields made well-known by the poem. Tickets could be bought prematurely and there may be straightforward cancellation with 24 hours’ discover. Guide your tour right here.
Whereas in Flanders, a well-liked cease is the Groeningemuseum. It shows well-known Flemish artists like Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.
When is the very best time to go to Bruges?
- One of the best time to go to Bruges is from the tip of Could to the start of September.
- From June to August the climate is delicate and sunny and it’s the excessive season for vacationers.
Out of each European metropolis you will have had the possibility to go to, I assure that Bruges will stand out from the remainder.
From its tiny canals to its historic markets and museums, there actually is not any place prefer it. Bruges will go away you with a captivating, nostalgic impression that’s certain to final a lifetime.
- Learn Extra about Bruges and Belgium
This Bruges article was initially written by Sa van Den Haute and has been up to date for 2023 by The Planet D crew.
