Visit Bruges a Medieval picturesque city near the north coast of Belgium. Brimming with history, canals and chocolate box houses it is well worth a visit to this beautiful city. Bruges is a great place for a day trip with many things to do. It also makes a fabulous weekend destination, giving extra time to explore, as well as to enjoy the beer, chocolate, fries and waffles!
1. It is easy to get to!
Being under an hour by train from Brussels, Bruges is easily accessible, making it an obvious day trip from the city. Bruges Station is a 10 minute walk from the old centre, so there is no extra cost involved getting into town!
From the UK Bruges is a popular daytrip/weekend break destination. Being under 1.5 hours from Calais, it is a short drive along the motorway from both the tunnel and the ferry port.
The ferry takes longer, but is a great option for crossing the channel if you have the time. Sailings are available to Calais(DFDS, P&O, Irish Ferries) and Dunkirk(DFDS only and the sailing is a little longer). The alternative is to use the Eurotunnel which is usually quick and easy, saving time if you are only visiting for a short break or day trip. For more information on travel requirements in Europe click here to see my post.
Parking is straight forward when you visit Bruges, lookout for the carpark in the underpass on the way in. It costs 2 euros per hour, up to a maximum of 15 euros for the day. Alternatively if you are staying in Bruges find somewhere to stay out of the pay zone, but more on that later!
2. Plenty of Accommodation Options
Accommodation is easy to find when you visit Bruges, as it is full of Hotels, hostels and rented accommodation. There are local boutique hotels as well as the large chains such as Marriott, Novotel and Radisson, all of which are centrally located. Obviously booking well in advance gives the best choices and often the best prices.
Bruges is flat, so if walking isn’t an issue 30 minutes or so from the old town, parking outside the restricted zone is free. We booked an amazing house about 30 minutes walk from the centre. Travelling with a friend this meant that the communal area was great for catching up! We saved money by ordering pizza one evening. The Belgian just eat is called takeaway.com!
We rented through Airbnb and the link to our fabulous accommodation can be found here
3. Take a trip on the Canals
One of the best things to do on any visit to Bruges is to take a boat trip on the Canal. 30 minutes costs 12 Euros and without a doubt it is worth every minute. The guides are full of information, explaining the history, tips and the secrets of Bruges. The views from the boat are stunning, giving you chance to admire the beautiful architecture and sights which line the canal.
Take a canal trip as early as you can in your visit as it gives you a good feel for the city and what it has to offer. The trips run from 10am to 6pm,running around every 15 minutes. These times are guaranteed between mid-March and mid November. The companies do choose to run them at other times, so you could be lucky out of season! Queues build up, so take your boat trip early in the day!
4. The Fries
Locals claim that French fries should be known as Belgian fries! They are a cherished part of the countries tradition. History suggests that residents in the Meuse Valley of Belgium were frying fish in the late 17th century when the river became frozen. Instead they fried the potatoes. It is also suggested that the term came from American soldiers in World War I who were introduced to this style of fried potatoes in Belgium. They referred to them as “French fries” as they were in the French-speaking region of Belgium.
Regardless of the history, these double cooked fries are delicious. They are also served with a huge variety of toppings, with mayonnaise being amongst the most common. We picked up a large portion for 5 Euros (topping such as mayo and ketchup 1.5 Euros), from Frituur Shana in the Grote Markt. One of the best things to do is to enjoy these on one of the many benches in the square.
The perfect place for eating fries inside is the Potato Bar(just off the main square). It is very popular as well as being a quick and reasonably priced place to eat. Menus, opening hours and location can be found on their website. The fries are traditionally cooked and come with toppings such as the Old Brugge Squirt Squirt (bacon, old Brugge Cheese, cress and Mayo) and Belgian beef stew sauce.
They also have the usual option of mayo and ketchup as well as serving burgers. A variety of beer is also served and the food is great. Get there for opening or be prepared to queue.
If you are interested in the history fries and are looking for more things to do when you visit Bruges, you can visit the friet museum. Information about it can be found here.
5. The Waffles
Visit Bruges for another Belgian favourite; the Waffle. There are two types of waffle – the Brussels waffle and the Liege Waffle. The Liege waffle is sweet, dense and more chewy, where as the Brussels waffle is light and airy, much like waffles found in the UK. Obviously you must try both!
For a great experience visit Lizzies Waffles. Here they serve Brussels waffles and they come in size extra large. There are a selection of sweet toppings – we went with chocolate. The waffles are enormous, but they are light, fluffy and delicious. Again be there for opening at 1pm as the place fills up very quickly!
Gofre sell their waffles on a stick. These are the more dense Liege waffle. Again they come with various toppings and are delicious. If you are going to eat them straight away they serve them fresh, but you can also purchase them packaged to take home.
The locals always recommended the House of Waffles. We were too full of waffles by the time we found it, but it is definitely on our list for next time.
6. Belgian Beer
Visit Bruges for a great choice of beer! Belgium is known for having a multitude of breweries, which produce a wide variety of beers. It is difficult to give an exact count, but it is safe to say that there are hundreds of Belgian beer brands and styles.
During the Middle Ages, monasteries became centers of brewing excellence. Monks brewed beer not only for their own consumption but also to support their communities. This monastic tradition led to the development of some of the world’s most famous and sought-after Belgian beers, including Trappist ales.
Over the years, Belgian brewers developed a wide range of beer styles, including witbier (wheat beer), dubbels (double ales), tripels (triple ales), quadrupels (quadruple ales), and saisons (farmhouse ales). Each of these styles obviously has its unique characteristics.
There are so many bars to visit along with a couple of Breweries. It is impossible to list them all, but here are a few recommendations.
Beer Brewery’s
De Haalve Maan brewery produces Brugge Zot beer in the city centre. It is a popular beer and the traffic for transporting it out of the city was causing traffic problems in Bruges. They were asked to relocate, but instead of doing this they continued to brew beer in the city and in 2016 built a 2 mile pipeline under the city. This transports enough beer to fill 12 000 bottles per day at the new bottling plant on the cities outskirts. It is possible to book a tour of the brewery,
When you visit Bruges another in town brewery is Bourgogne des Flandres which produces the traditional Flemish red-brown beer of the same name. You can visit the brewery, take a tour, and sample their beers. If you do not wish to tour the brewery, you can visit its bar with a lovely terrace on the canal where you can also try out 6 tasting beers for a reasonable price.
Visit Bruge’s Bars and Restaurants
Visit Bruges for a great choice of places for a beer! There are numerous bars, pubs and restaurants where you can buy a full range of Belgian beers. Don’t miss the beer experience which gives you a full history of and information about Belgian beer. There is an option to book this with a 3 beer tasting at the end.
Visit 2be bar and check out their beer wall.
Do not miss the Duvelorium Grand Beer Cafe on the first floor of the Historium. It is free entry to everyone and that outdoor terrace gives a fabulous view over the Grote Markt. Above all, enjoy time watching what is going on in the square below. Obviously, the beer is good as well!
We came across Het Rand when it was pouring with rain and many of the other bars were busy! The bar is down some stairs below street level. It was quiet, so we sat back and enjoyed a cherry Chouffe beer!
Ribs ‘n’ Beer is a fantastic restaurant with a vast array of beers and you’ve guest it, a selection of flavoured ribs. The best value on the menu is the eat as much as you can ribs, but other dishes are available.
It is a very popular place to eat and will need booking before your trip.
7. Visit Bruges Coffee Shops
Obviously being such a beautiful town, full of tourists, there are coffee and tea shops aplenty. Details of our favourites are below. There are of course many more to choose from!
Brazila coffee house is centrally located and is a fabulous find . It is small and friendly, with a huge array of coffee beans available to buy. The coffee menu is vast, as well as there being a good selection of teas. The price is good, the coffee is delicious and the atmosphere is charming.
Another fabulous find was Gruuthuse Hof (a marzipan and nougat shop) and it is in a great location for people watching! The outside tables were a perfect place for observing the hustle and bustle of the street, as well as the regular tourist horse and carts passing by(these cost 60 euros for a trip). There is a good selection of coffee and tea available on the menu. All hot drinks are served with is a small selection of treats, including marzipan and nougat.
8. Bruges Walking Tours
This is a must do if you are interested in the history and culture of Bruges. When it comes to walking tours there are a number of companies and itineraries to choose from. After some research we opted for two of Legends free tours. They do not charge a fixed price and at the end you tip your tour guide. The suggested amount is 10 Euros per person, but you pay what you can afford.
The first tour we chose was Legends of Bruges, which is a historical tour of the city. Despite the fact it was pouring with rain our guide held our interest, with his knowledge and stories for the 2-hour, easy walk around the city. It started in the market square and among other places it also visited Gruuthouse Palace, St. Johns Hospital, De Halve Maan Brewery, the smallest street and Rozenhoedkaai(Rosary Quay), the city’s most popular spot for a photograph.
The second tour we chose was ‘a taste of Bruges’. This also started in the main square. It is 1.5 hour walk around the city. Again the guide is informative and fills you in on the history of the gastronomy of Bruges. We tried samples of fries, waffles and pralines. The tour finished with a free beer in the Bourgogne des Flandres brewery.
9. Visit Bruges Windmills
A visit to the windmills are a good way to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city for a short while. You walk through some of the quieter but just as beautiful areas of Bruges, to get to them on the city’s outskirts . There is also a windmill walk of 3.3km which takes you along the river to the east of the city.
10. Bruges is Great for Instagram!
Everywhere you look when you visit Bruges is just beautiful. If you are a keen instagrammer or just a good old-fashioned photographer, you will really enjoy a visit to this city. The photo opportunities are undoubtedly endless. From canals to horse and carts, as well as medieval buildings to the vast array of delightful shop windows, Bruges has it all. As previously mentioned the most famous shot of Bruges can be taken at Rosary Quay.
And Chocolate!
Finally, the most important reason to visit Bruges and of course the whole of Belgium! The chocolate! Bruges is lined with shop after shop filled with chocolate , each selling their own handmade take on the famous praline! The chocolate line is popular and a visit to see the window display alone is worth while. Neuhaus claim to be the inventor of the Belgian praline and has a store in the city. Cheaper, with some great chocolate and also some great deals we made our purchase in Chocolaterie de Burg!
You should also visit Choco Story. Here you discover the world of chocolate and cocoa from the bean to the box! It is an interesting museum and best of all at the end you get to eat the chocolate!
Don’t forget one of the top places to go when you visit Bruges is The Old Chocolate House for the best hot chocolate you may ever have! Here you choose both your style and strength of chocolate. The warm milk is served in a bowl with the chocolate drops served on the side. Add as many as you like to make your drink as chocolatey as you want. You can also pay for extra toppings. Best of all, the buttons are served in a dark chocolate pot which you either eat or add to your drink! The drinks are also served with a couple of treats.
Bruges is an ideal location for a weekend break. Packed with things to do, you will not be disappointed. Without a doubt, if you visit Bruges it will leave you wanting to return again for more!
When to Visit Bruges?
Bruges is the perfect year round destination. In the summer a walk along the canals and the outside spaces of the bars and cafes make it ideal for glorious summer days and warm evenings. Summer is the peak time to visit, but the city can be crowded and the accommodation prices higher. Spring is regarded as one of the best times with the city in full bloom. During Autumn the weather is pleasant, the crowds begin to diminish and the Autumn colours add a beautiful touch to the scenery. Visit Bruges in winter to visit the Christmas markets, which add to the character of this historic city.
Is Bruges safe to visit?
Bruges is generally considered a safe destination and Belgium, in general, has a good reputation for safety. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that safety conditions can change, and it’s always a good idea to check for the latest travel advisories and updates before to visit Bruges.