Travel Guide of Bruges in Belgium by Influencers and Travelers

Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country, and the seventh largest city of the country by population.

The Best Things to Do and Visit in Bruges

TRAVELERS TOP 10 :

1 - Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower in the centre of Bruges, Belgium. One of the city's most prominent symbols, the belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger.

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2 - Markt

The Markt of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the West Flanders Provincial Court originally the Waterhall, which in 1787 was demolished and replaced by a classicist building that from 1850 served as provincial court and after a fire in 1878 was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in 1887.

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3 - Kitesurfing in Bruges

   20 km away

Royal Kitesurf School offers you a flexible training program adapted to your level of experience, on the edge of the North Sea.The training program of Royal Kitesurf School consists of 4 lessons of about 3 hours each. If you already have experience ...

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4 - Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Roman Catholic basilica in Bruges, Belgium. The church houses a relic of the Holy Blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders.

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5 - Gruuthusemuseum

The Gruuthusemuseum is a museum of applied arts in Bruges, located in the medieval Gruuthuse, the house of Louis de Gruuthuse. The collection ranges from the 15th to the 19th century.

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6 - Tours & Sightseeing | Bruges City Tour

Explore the beautiful Bruges at your pace with the TouringBee app. The tour starts near the train station and concludes at the lively Market Square. Know about the city's top attractions from the app, including St. Salvator Cathedral, Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde, Burg Square, The Belfort, and Scenic streets and quays. Enjoy a clear and interesting narrative about Bruges' history, local cuisine, and cozy cafés with 21 stops. Tour around the city to your liking. Pause the guide for a coffee break, shop for souvenirs, or wander down a side street. Skip any stop or replay stories as often as you'd like.

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7 - Frietmuseum

The Frietmuseum is a museum in Bruges, Belgium, which is devoted to the history of potatoes and the production of Belgian fries. It describes itself as "the first and only museum dedicated to potato fries".

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8 - Burg Square

Burg Square is a square and former fortress in Bruges. It is one of the main squares of the city.

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9 - Windsurfing in Bruges

   20 km away

The easternmost beach in Belgium, the beach of Knokke-Heist is located by the Dutch border in Flanders, not far from Bruges. The long stretch of soft golden dunes gives way to the clear waters of the North Sea and its wide, tranquil vistas make it on...

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10 - Ten Wijngaerde

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only preserved beguinage in the Belgian city of Bruges. There are no more Beguines living there, but since 1927 it functions as a convent for Benedictines, founded by canon Hoornaert.

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11 - Plaza Gran Mercado

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12 - Minnewaterpark

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13 - Brugge

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14 - Knokke-Heist

   17 km away

Knokke-Heist is a municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Heist-aan-Zee, Knokke, Duinbergen, Ramskapelle and Westkapelle. On January 1, 2006 Knokke-Heist had a total population of 34,063.

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15 - Knokke

   19 km away

Knokke is a town in the municipality of Knokke-Heist, which is located in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium. The town itself has 15,708 inhabitants, while the municipality of Knokke-Heist has 33,818 inhabitants.

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16 - Oostende

   20 km away

Ostend is a coastal city and municipality, located in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke, Raversijde, Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast.

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17 - 8400 Ostend

   20 km away
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18 - Sand Sculpture Festival Ostend

   21 km away
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19 - Mu.ZEE

   22 km away

The Mu.ZEE is a museum in Ostend, Belgium, specializing in Belgian art from 1830 onwards. It was created in 2008 by the fusion of the former Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten Oostende, both located in Ostend.

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20 - Middelkerke

   28 km away

Middelkerke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, on the North Sea, west of Ostend. The municipality comprises the villages of Leffinge, Lombardsijde, Mannekensvere, Middelkerke proper, Schore, Sint-Pieters-Kapelle, Slijpe, Westende and Wilskerke.

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21 - Westende-Bad

   31 km away

Westende is a town in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West-Flanders. It lies on the Belgian coast, also called Flemish coast. It used to be the far west of the island Testerep which lay along the Belgian coast.

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22 - Westende

   32 km away

Westende is a town in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It lies on the Belgian coast, also called Flemish coast. It used to be the far west of the island Testerep which lay along the Belgian coast.

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23 - Nieuwpoort

   34 km away

Nieuwpoort is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Nieuwpoort proper and the towns of Ramskapelle and Sint-Joris. On 1 January 2008, Nieuwpoort had a total population of 11,062. The total area is 31.00 km² which gives a population density of 350 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Nieuwpoort is Geert Vanden Broucke In Nieuwpoort, the Yser flows into the North Sea. It is also the home of a statue created by Jan Fabre called Searching for Utopia.

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Disover the best Instagram Spots around Bruges here

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Pictures and Stories of Bruges from Influencers

20 pictures of Bruges from Libby Penner, Razvan Horhat, Pedro Carballo and other travelers

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Why should you visit Bruges ?

Travel to Bruges if you like:

  🏘️ Town     🏞️ Waterway     🗼 Landmark     🌆 Skyline  

How to visit Bruges ?

To get to Bruges, fly into Brussels Airport and take a train to Bruges. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with trains running frequently throughout the day. Alternatively, you can also take a train from other major cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or London with a connection in Brussels.

It's a good idea to book a few things in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Book your accommodations and any guided tours you may want, such as a canal cruise, a walking tour of the city, or a visit to the famous Belfry Tower. You may also want to reserve a spot at one of the popular beer tasting events in the city.

As for costs, Bruges is relatively affordable compared to other European cities. Expect to spend around €50-€70 per day on average for food, transportation, and attractions. Accommodations can range from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious hotels, so prices may vary greatly.

Some of the best things to do in Bruges include taking a canal cruise, exploring the historic city center, climbing the Belfry Tower for panoramic views, and visiting the Groeningemuseum for a taste of Flemish art. Don't miss the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo's Madonna and Child statue.

For dining in Bruges, consider De Vlaamsche Pot for traditional Belgian cuisine, Bistro De Schaar for delicious seafood, or Le Mystique for a fine dining experience. If you're looking for Belgian waffles, Chez Albert is a must-visit spot.

When it comes to accommodations, consider staying at the Hotel de Orangerie for a luxurious experience along the canals, Hotel Van Cleef for a boutique hotel experience, or St. Christopher's Inn Hostel for budget-friendly lodging.

Off the beaten path:

For an unusual travel experience, consider visiting the Frietmuseum, the world's only museum dedicated to the history of Belgian fries. Another unique experience is a bike tour through the picturesque countryside surrounding Bruges. Explore the quaint villages, windmills, and farmlands that make up the region, allowing you to see a different side of Belgium away from the tourist crowds. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to visit the hidden gem of the Begijnhof, a tranquil and historic convent that dates back to the 13th century. It's an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, offering a glimpse into the lives of the beguines who once lived there.

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Bruges, the Venice of the North

Tourist destination and medieval city located in Belgium

The city is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Bruges is the ideal place for a romantic, cultural, and shopping weekend/city break.
Few tourist destinations are unanimous. Bruges, in Belgium, is one of those city-states that, thanks to its rich past and its concern for preserving its heritage, has succeeded in combining modern life with a rich past.

Bruges, a must-see tourist city in Belgium

Its artistic collections, it is gentle way of life, its romantic aura, and its architectural appeal are some of the assets of the little Venice of the North, the jewel of Flanders, and a must-see stop in Northern Europe.
A rich maritime city in the 14th century, the city has preserved from that period a rich and mastered architecture with discreet and elegant finishes.
On the program of a visit to Bruges: a stroll on the canals, a visit of the architectural heritage, beer, waffle, and chocolate tasting, and why not a little bike ride.

Visiting Bruges - What to do for a weekend?

Bruges is generally the most famous city in Flanders: with its historical center and its canals, Bruges is not lacking in charm and deserves a visit.
Many people visiting Bruges just pass through, just do a tour of the center and a boat trip and stay only one day.
The surroundings of Bruges are also interesting and can be the object of a nice excursion, for example by bike.
Visiting Bruges in 2 days seems to be the best formula 

Bruges the chocolate paradise 

Belgium is world-famous for its exquisite chocolate and you won't find a better place to buy it than in the beautiful city of Bruges. Here are three addresses to find the best chocolate in Bruges. A selection, obviously, all subjective.

• Chocolatier Dumon, for tradition

If there's one shop that most closely captures the essence of Bruges, it's Chocolatier Dumon. When you walk through the doors of this kind of the cottage, you will be spoilt for choice. These artisans offer a wide variety of chocolates, including candies, figurines, and bars. All of their chocolate is handmade by the family that runs the store using the finest raw materials.

• The Old Chocolate House, for the gourmet break

The Old Chocolate House is not only a chocolate store, it is also a tea room where you can taste them. Their hot chocolate is simply exquisite; you will be able to choose the type of chocolate from which you want it to be made. Their beans come from all over the world, so after enjoying your drink, don't forget to take home some sweet souvenirs.

• The Chocolate Line, for the crazy

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, check out the Chocolate Line. This store offers many unusual items, such as chocolate lipstick (yes it does), chocolate pills, and their famous red chocolate lips. Even their collection of chocolate coins is full of surprises, from the bacon-infused Miss Piggy to the wasabi-flavored Green Tokyo.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Bruges

When to go to Bruges?

The months of May to September are the hottest, but it rains the least between February and May.

The month of May is the best weather compromise.

How to visit Bruges?

Bruges can be visited on foot as most of the attractions are in the center.
It is also possible to use a bicycle. From the train station, the bus serves the center in a few minutes.

Where to buy chocolate in Bruges?

There are many chocolate shops in the historical center:

• Chocolate & Happiness: for all tastes
• The Old Chocolate House: tea room and chocolates
• The Chocolate Line: really incredible chocolates
• Depla: traditional and authentic chocolates

Where to eat in Bruges?

The best places to eat are close to the busy areas, restaurants offer generally low prices and fast service.
A few streets away, more authentic and quality-oriented restaurants and pubs offer nice alternatives.

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  🏘️ Town spots     🗼 Landmark spots     🏞️ Waterway spots     🌆 Skyline spots     🌲 Nature reserve spots     🌲 Forest spots     🚴 Cycling spots  

  Travel map of Bruges

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