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23 August 2018 / 37 Comments

14 things to see and do in Bruges, Belgium

In co-operation with Visit Flanders

Today we have 14 things to see and do in Bruges, Belgium. Bruges is an incredibly charming city in Flanders, with medieval buildings and cosy canals where you can take a boat ride. There's also a local brewery, lots of shops selling Belgian chocolate and a host of interesting museums.

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Welcome to Bruges, Belgium!

It's hard not to fall in love with Bruges, Belgium. We have now spent two full days in this city, and here are our top tips for those who are also planning to travel here.

Torg brygge

1. Stroll around medieval houses

First of all, strolling around Bruges is cosy! The medieval city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is extremely charming with its old houses and canals with all the little bridges over them.

medeltidsstaden brygge

2. go on a guided city walk

If you want to learn more about Bruges in an easy way, going on an organised city walk is perfect. We took the guided tour Bruges by Heart, which took us to several hidden gems in the city, and also to the viewpoint on the roof of the Concertgebouw.

Trånga gränder Brygge
Into alleys where you would never have found yourself!
Liquid city
Green areas in the city, and an artwork in the temporary exhibition Liquid City

3. take a boat trip on the canal

A nice way to discover Bruges is to see the city from the water! Boat trips on the canal cost (summer 2018) 8 euros, and you go on a half-hour tour while being guided through the sights you pass. No matter where you book the tour, the price and route are the same.

Båttur i Brygge
kanaler Brygge
In the background is a bridge that is part of the temporary art exhibition Liquid city.

4. Explore the city by horse and carriage

Another way to experience the city is to ride around on a carriage, behind one of the city's many horses. We never tried this, but we heard the lovely clatter of the horses' hooves all over town.

Häst och vagn

5. See magnificent churches

There are a number of magnificent churches in Bruges. These include the Church of Our Lady, with its tall tower and Michelangelo's world-famous 'Madonna and Child'. You can also visit the magnificent St Salvator's Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal).

brygge i Belgien
St Salvathor's Cathedral (second far left) and The Church of Our Lady (right)
Church of Our Lady i Brygge
Inuti the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium

6. Visit the Jerusalem Chapel

A slightly more obscure chapel, which many people miss, is the private Jerusalem Chapel. The chapel has belonged to the Adornes family since they built it in 1429, and in fact the family still lives here. The special little chapel is well worth a visit, and the little museum also shows a film about the interesting history of the family. And don't miss the little crypt!

Jerusalem-kapellet
Jerusalem chapel Brygge
Down in the crypt of the Jerusalem chapel

7. Visit the Lace Museum

If you're visiting the Jerusalem Chapel, you can also take the opportunity to visit the Lace Centre Museum, which is right next door. Here you can learn about the history of traditional lace making in the region, and sometimes you can also see ladies working on the craft. Impressive!

Spets

8. Climbing the Beffroi

The beffroi (French) or belfort (Dutch) is a kind of bell tower built in the Middle Ages to call and collect the inhabitants of neighbouring buildings. The tower, known in English as the belfry tower, is 83 metres high. If you want, you can climb the 366 steps for great views of the city. There are 33 Beffrois in Belgium and they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beffroi i Brygge

9. Visit the Chocolate Museum and the Lamp Museum

There are a lot of museums to choose from in Bruges, and if you like chocolate, you can choose the Chocolate Museum. Choco-Story at Wijnzakstraat 2. The same ticket gives access to a lamp museum, with a traditional collection of a huge number of lamps, from past to present.

Chokladdrake

10. Visit the Diamond Museum

Another rather special museum is Diamond Museum, at Katelijnestraat 43. Learn about the discovery and trade of diamonds throughout history. Bruges was a prominent city in the Middle Ages for the trade in diamonds and other exclusive products.

Diamantmuseum
Diamantmuseum Brygge

11. Experience a Flemish starter farm

"Beguines" were women who dedicated their lives to God after their husbands were killed in war, leaving you alone and poor. In the 13th century, they founded the "béguinages", which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a closed community with houses, churches and green spaces.

Brygge

12. Go on a guided tour of a beer brewery

In the middle of the medieval centre of Bruges is the family brewery De Halve Maan. Here you can take a really nice guided tour for €10 (summer 2018), which ends with a beer in the brewery's restaurant.

ost

13. drinking beer and eating Belgian food

Belgium knows beer and there are many different types of beer. Belgian beer, from Trappist beers brewed by Trappist monks, to different types of fruit beers. Among other things, we've been tipped off about the beer hall 't Brugs Beertje, where we did not have time. However, we did manage to eat Moules Frites at a restaurant at the fish market, Vismarkt. Fish is also sold here on certain days of the week.

Moules frites

We also had time to eat a really good hamburger, with Belgian cheese, on the cosy outdoor terrace of the restaurant. Republic, at St Jakobstraat 36. French fries are served with many dishes in Belgium, which is perhaps not surprising as the fried potato is considered to have originated here.

Republik brygge

14. Shopping for chocolate

When you're in Belgium, you have to buy chocolate! In Bruges, the countless chocolate shops are located next to each other and the selection is enormous. You can buy everything from exclusive loose chocolates to fun shaped chocolate figurines, as well as plenty of marzipan, nougat and other sweets.

Choklad Brygge
Marsipan brygge

Video from Bruges

Peter has put together a short film of our visit to Bruges. Have a look at it!

See more around Bruges

Belgium is not very large in terms of surface area, which means you will find many other interesting cities nearby. Take the opportunity to see Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. If you wish, you can travel easily by train between the cities.

  • Brussels is a big city with grand buildings, cartoon characters, the Europa area, Belgian pubs and good food.
  • Ghent is a friendly and relaxed student city with charming medieval neighbourhoods and canal boat trips.
  • Antwerp is an exciting city of diamonds, art, museums, beer and chocolate.
All our top tips for Belgium. Click on the image!

Facts about Bruges

  • Country: Belgium
  • Region: Flanders
  • Community: Flemish Community
  • Provins: West Flanders
  • Arrondissement: pier
  • Residents: About 117 000 inhabitants (2012)

Good to know

  • Language: Flemish, but also French and German (many also speak English).
  • Currency: Euro
  • Price mode: Cheaper than Sweden
  • Time difference: None
  • Emergency number: 112
  • Religion: Christianity
  • El: Like Sweden
  • Water: Drinking beard
  • Tourist OfficeInformation office Markt (Historium), Information office 't Zand (Concertgebouw) and Information office Stationsplein (Station).

Attractions in Bruges

  • The Church of Our Lady, Mariastraat
  • St Salvator's Cathedral, Rue Saint-Salvatorskoorstraat 8
  • Jerusalem Chapel, Peperstraat 3
  • The Lace centre, Balstraat 16
  • Diamond Museum, Katelijnestraat 43
  • Chocolate Museum and Lamp Museum, Rue de la Wijnzak 2
  • Belfort clock tower, Markt 7
  • The Half Moon Brewery, Begijnhof 15

Restaurants and bars in Bruges

  • Republic, St Jakobstraat 36
  • Beerhouse 't Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat 5

Accommodation in Bruges

  • Hotel: There are plenty of large and small hotels in Bruges. For example, check Booking.com.
  • Parking space for motorhomes: Car park Kanaaleiland, Bargeplein. Plenty of spaces and walking distance to the city centre.

Travelling to Bruges

  • Flight: Brussels Airlines from Bromma (Stockholm) airport to Brussels takes 2 hours 20 minutes, or from Landvetter in Gothenburg which takes 1 hour 45 minutes. From here you can take a bus or train. Feel free to buy the Hi Belgium Pass with your flight ticket if you're planning to travel around - it includes free train travel and free entry to a few selected city attractions during your stay.
  • Car: For example, take the Gothenburg-Kiel ferry with Stena Line. From Kiel you drive the A1 through the Netherlands, which is 650 km and takes about 6 hours.

You might also like:

Båttur i BryggeUnesco World Heritage sites in Belgium - 13 places of interest Nesebar i BulgarienNesebar in Bulgaria - 10 tips for the World Heritage city Things to do in Goslar - 11 tips for a historic town in Germany Att göra i BambergThings to do in Bamberg - 14 tips for a lovely German town Marollen i BrysselAunt Anna's hidden jewels in Brussels Things to do in Rauma - 15 tips for a Finnish UNESCO city

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23 August 2018 6:00
Belgium
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Brewery in Bruges - Belgian beer at De Halve Maan

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30 Comments

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  1. Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

    We have good friends who last spring travelled to Bryģge, Ghent and some wonderful gems in the Netherlands by motorhome. They have spoken so highly of this area so we will probably try to go this way (another destination to tick off).
    Our motorhome experience in Belgium consists of an overnight stay in a shabby car park in the centre of Antwerp.
    (I think the diamond expert in the picture has something familiar about him).

    23 August 2018 - 7:33

    Reply

  2. GeddFish says:

    Wow, there are so many things to do in Bruges! I was there a few years ago and saw a lot, but time was limited.
    I am not a sweet tooth, but I still found wonderful chocolate shops. I could describe my taste and they prepared a special composition for me!
    Well, anything with a medieval connection fascinates me.
    Have fun! 😀

    23 August 2018 - 8:25

    Reply

  3. Role o Carina says:

    There were many good tips there, hope we get there sometime!

    Have fun and enjoy.......

    23 August 2018 - 9:10

    Reply

  4. Liniz Travel says:

    We really loved Bruges. So much you managed to do. Felt sorry for the horses though.... it was so hot when we were there! Hugs

    23 August 2018 - 9:31

    Reply

  5. Ama de casa says:

    Mmm... Moules frites. Mmm... Chocolate. Time to wipe the keyboard again. 🙂

    Nice city and many good tips. My favourite pleasure is the first one. To stroll around and check it out. Preferably with a stop for the things I mmm-ed over there in the beginning 😀.

    Peter is really good at finding great outfits too 😀.

    23 August 2018 - 9:43

    Reply

  6. Mr Steve says:

    You really "did" Bruges. A perfect tip list for future visitors.
    Peter seemed to enjoy the diamond business.

    23 August 2018 - 10:22

    Reply

  7. Ditte says:

    Sounds like a very nice and successful visit. It has been a long time since I visited Bruges, about 20 years ago when I had an exchange programme with Belgium. And considering that it is a couple of hours away by plane, it is a perfect weekend city. Thanks for the tips! And yes, Bruges is tempting. But there are a lot of things that attract ...

    23 August 2018 - 14:51

    Reply

  8. Reiselinda says:

    Bruges has been on our list for a long time, will be travelling in your footsteps next time we go to Europe I think.

    23 August 2018 - 17:55

    Reply

  9. Lena - good for the soul says:

    A lot to do, then, in that city I've never heard of! How beautiful it was inside that Church of Our Lady!

    Hug Lena

    23 August 2018 - 18:40

    Reply

  10. Lisa / livetfrandenljusasidan.se says:

    Starting to get so hungry for Bruges, feels like it's popped up in many places lately and really caught my interest. Thanks for the inspo!

    23 August 2018 - 19:34

    Reply

  11. BP says:

    God how much you have managed to do in two days! Well done there!
    Likes Bruges, which is architecturally reminiscent of Brussels and, strangely enough, of the harbour town of Grimsby in the north of England.
    Bruges certainly has a lot to offer. The Liquid City exhibition is cool and the chocolate creations are incredibly beautiful.

    23 August 2018 - 21:00

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Yes, it has been busy 🙂 It helps that the city is small and that everything is within walking distance! I also liked the exhibition, cool and at the same time important messages about rising water levels, environment, future creative solutions etc.

      25 August 2018 - 10:14

      Reply

  12. Elisabeth says:

    Bruges is a gem! We have been there a few times. Lots to see and experience. Niger good tips on it. The chocolate is one of the musts!

    23 August 2018 - 21:07

    Reply

  13. Travelsis says:

    I was googling a few nights ago on weekend trips and Bruges is one of the interesting candidates. Glad to hear that you liked it! / Pernilla

    23 August 2018 - 21:29

    Reply

  14. Lena in Wales says:

    Bruges is very popular with the British.
    Do not think the city is so well known to the Swedes, so good that you spread the city. I have been there a few times as a tour guide for Swedes and everyone was very surprised and positive.

    25 August 2018 - 14:06

    Reply

  15. travelling ice cream says:

    Thinking right now about whether it should be Bruges or Ghent.... if you have to choose which city did you like the most? Wonderful picture of you Peter when you check out the diamond /Pernilla

    19 July 2019 - 13:30

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Oh how difficult! We probably liked Ghent a bit more, as it is less touristy and more youthful/bohemian 😉 Bruges is a bit more touristy. On the other hand, Bruges is probably the most picturesque and beautiful city, so it's a difficult choice!!!!

      19 July 2019 - 21:38

      Reply

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