Bruges is the perfect stop in your itinerary when you would like to unwind from your trips to other bustling cities and visit a city that has a more relaxed feel to it. Ideally, you may want to spend at least two nights in Bruges but if you are short on time, and are passing through Belgium, do consider spending some time in Bruges – I am sure you won’t regret it!
Whether you choose to explore Bruges on foot, by taking the canal boat tour, by riding the bicycle around town or a leisurely horse carriage ride (or all of these options, which is what we did !)– memories of Bruges will forever be etched on your mind.
We fell in love with this charming city and I really can’t wait to return to Bruges (Brugge) during our next Belgian vacation. Having said so, here’s a list of 30 things to do in Bruges that will hopefully make your visit to this quaint town memorable.
Contents
1. Markt Square
The Markt Square marks the city center of Bruges. Located in the heart of the Old Center, the Markt is lined with gabled buildings, restaurants, the prominent Belfry and is the place where the buses stop as they travel to-and-from the train station. The Markt is also the place from where one can rent the horse carriages for a leisurely ride around the town. In addition, if you haven’t already picked up a free map of Bruges from your hotel, or from the TI office in the train station, then take a moment to stop by the tourist information office located in the square. While exploring Bruges we realized that once we had an idea of the direction in which the Markt Square was, it became very easy to get oriented to the city.
2. Belfry – the Bell tower located in the Markt Square
The Belfy is the bell tower of Bruges that towers over the Markt Square. In order to get a unique look at Bruges, one could choose to climb the 366 steps to the top of the tower for a bird’s eye view. However, we chose not to climb up to the tower as our children didn’t seem to be too keen on making the climb. Nevertheless, another relaxing way to enjoy the Belfry is by sitting down in the courtyard during the daytime and enjoying the free music! An interesting thing I learned during our visit to Bruges was that the bell tower also leans – by about a meter or so towards to the east!
3. Horse carriage ride
A relaxing way to get oriented to the city was by taking an evening horse carriage ride through the town. These don’t need to be booked in advance and all you need to do is walk to the Markt Square, which is also the starting point for these rides, and hire the horse carriage. The cost for the carriage ride was €50 (cost per carriage) excluding tip and it turned out to be one of the highlights for our children as well as for us.
4. Burg Square
Walking around Bruges, one is sure to stumble upon the Burg Square. Located close to the Markt Square, the Burg Square houses the important political and religious buildings adorned with intricate architectural details. The famous Basilica of the Holy Blood, as well as Stadhuis (City Hall), are located in the Burg Square. The alley between the Stadhuis and Basilica of the Holy Blood leads to one of the starting points for the canal boat tours.
5. Basilica of the Holy Blood
Located towards the left corner of the Burg Square as you face Stadhuis, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a 12th century Roman Catholic Basilica. Golden statues line up the exterior of the building. The Basilica is famous for its relic brought back from Jerusalem which is said to contain drops of blood of Jesus Christ.
6. Stadhuis: City Hall of Bruges
The beautiful Gothic hall of Stadhuis can’t be missed when one is standing at the Burg Square. The City Hall houses documents, artifacts, and exhibits showcasing the history of Bruges and the city’s administration. The city hall is generally open to visitors from 9:30am-5pm.
7. Canal boat tour
Without a doubt, the most popular activity for tourists visiting Bruges is taking the canal boat ride and what a delight this tour is. After all, there’s a reason Bruges is nicknamed the Venice of the North! Not only does it offer a different perspective of this stunning, medieval city, it also serves as a relaxing 30 minutes after a long day of walking on the cobblestone-lined streets. In the past, these canals were used by the trade merchants but today, they serve as the idyllic backdrop that laces the city of Bruges together. The tickets can be purchased at the starting point for the canal boat tour, Huidenvettersplein, for about €10 and the tours generally run from 10am-6pm (last departure being around 5:30 pm).
8. Church Of Our Lady (Onze – Lieve – Vrouwekerk)
The moment one arrives in Bruges, one of the first sights that capture your eye is the 400ft tall brick tower marking the Church of Our Lady. In addition to housing the tombs of the last rulers of Bruges, several priceless art pieces, it is also one of the rare locations outside of Italy where one can find Michaelangelo’s masterpiece – Madonna and Child. This sculpture of Madonna and Child was brought to Bruges from Tuscany after a wealthy merchant from Bruges bought it.
9. Rozenhoedkaai
The moment you arrive at Rozenhoedkaai, you will surely recognize it for it is the more photographed spot in Bruges, often highlighted on postcards as well as brochures of Bruges. This is one of the ideal places to enjoy watching the boats and swans glide by as you take in the magnificent view of the surrounding architecture. Bruges is such an amazing city – it makes one want to slow down, take in the amazing view and enjoy every moment of your visit. Rozenhoedkaai tends to become quite a crowded spot during the daytime so you may want to visit this location during the early morning hours or later in the evening for a somewhat more crowd-free experience.
10. Indulge in those delicious Belgian Chocolates and Cuberdons
It is no secret that Belgium is famous for its chocolate delights. When one is in Bruges and wandering around the streets of the city, chocoholics are in for a treat – be it kids or adults! The variety and sheer abundance of chocolates are amazing, to begin with, and these fresh, handmade chocolates are simply delicious. The endless array of chocolates – ranging from pralines, truffles, marzipans, coca-cola infused chocolate (#1 for my kids) or even vodka chocolate (for the grown-ups) – is simply mind-boggling. In addition to those scrumptious chocolates, my kids also loved the Cuberdons – the cone Belgian candies. Some of the best chocolate shops in town, as recommended by our hotel staff, were Dumon, Chocolate Line and Galler.
11. City bike tour
Taking the city bike tour was one of the highlights of our trips for my husband, myself as well as our children. We decided to take the city bike tour in the morning from QuasiMundo Bike tours (recommended in both the Rick Steves guidebook as well as by forums) and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. While biking along the cobblestone streets of romantic Bruges, we visited the famous sights of the city as well as the back alleys and also gained a better perspective of the history of Bruges thanks to the informative tour guide.
Our tour included a stop at the oldest pub in town where the adults sampled the famous Belgian beer. There were bike tours available to explore the city itself or go beyond the city limits to see the countryside. Due to time limitations, we chose to take only the city bike tour but I am sure during a future visit, we will take the countryside tour as well. Whether you choose to rent a bike to explore the city by yourself or take a guided bike tour, it is really a delightful way to connect with the city and traverse it just as the locals do.
If you are planning on visiting London or Amsterdam after visiting Belgium, be sure to check our posts on these thriving European cities.
12. Walk around the moat circling the city
A popular way to exercise for the locals is to take a stroll or jog around the approximately 8 KM moat lining the old center of Bruges. While this can be one long but exciting walk, you could always choose to cover the moat by taking a bike road along with it. In fact, our bike tour took us over the moats as we made a stop along one of the four windmills that line the old city center.
13. Find the 18th-century windmills along the moat surrounding the Old Center of Bruges
There are four windmills that still line the moat surround the Old City Center of Bruges. These windmills include Sint-Janshuimolen, Koeleweimolen and Bonne Chieremolen. Sint-Janshuimolen is one of the only windmills that still grinds grain to this date and the only one according to our bike tour guide that is open to visitors. Our bike tour included a stop near Bonne Chieremolen, which is located near the Kruispoort Gate and is an ideal location for a perfect photo opportunity.
14. Choco-Story: Bruges’s Chocolate museum
Given the popularity of chocolate in Belgium, it is not surprising that there is an entire museum dedicated to chocolate in the heart of the Old City Center. At Choco-Story, we were able to learn about the history of chocolates (along with tasting various chocolate samples), health benefits and varieties of chocolates in Belgium. We marveled at the exquisite chocolate masterpieces designed for display – some of which nearly took two weeks for the artisan to make. The tour of Choco-Story ended with popular chocolate making a demonstration (of course, once again – samples included). All in all, a visit to this museum was an enjoyable way for our family to spend the afternoon.
15. Snack on the delicious Belgian Waffles
While you are indulging your sweet tooth with those chocolates, don’t forget about the famous Belgian Waffles! Shops around the town sell these freshly-made, large, crunchy, fluffy waffles with a variety of toppings. The toppings range from caramel, cream, strawberry, ice cream, Nutella, banana and strawberry, to name a few – mouth-watering and delicious to say the least! In fact, we even found a shop near the Markt Square that serves Waffles on a Stick, much to the delight of my children.
16. Frites, frites and more frites
Another one of the most popular snack around town is Frites. These Belgian Frites (or French Fries) are fried twice in the grease (often in animal fat) and have a crisp exterior. They are served best with mayonnaise and curry ketchup. You generally have to pay extra for the condiments that go with these fries and there are plenty of varieties of these condiments to choose from. Just thinking about that delicious Frites as I write this post makes me want to return to Bruges. Yum!
17. Visit the Frietmuseum
Given the fact that Belgium is famous for fries and the locals claim that fries originated in Belgium, it is not surprising that the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to Fries is located in Bruges. The museum’s displays show the history of fries, how these came of Belgium and the tour can finally be capped with a sampling of the fries in the basement café.
18. Minnewater (Lake of Love)
Minnewater, or Lake of Love, is a tranquil lake surrounded by a park at the southern end of Bruges. It is a short walk from both the train station as well as the city center and is considered as one of the most romantic spots in Bruges. With its peaceful surroundings, it is also an ideal picnic location. We loved walking around the park lining up the lake, crossing the bridges and simply relaxing as we watched the swans glide by over the calm lake waters. I later learned from our hotel staff that concerts are held during summer in this area, so be sure to check the local listings before heading to Minnewater.
If you are planning on visiting London after your trip to Bruges, be sure to check out our walking tour from Westminster to Tower Bridge in London, England.
19. Visit the Lace Museum (Kantcentrum) and shop for exquisite lace in the shops in Old Center
Bruges is famous for lace-making and if you want to get a glimpse of the traditional 400-year old technique of intricate lace weaving, then make sure to stop by Kantcentrum (Lace Center). At Kantcentrum, you can see the lace museum and the lace-making demonstration in the afternoons (generally Mon-Sat 2-5 pm). There are several lace shops as well that you will stumble across as you stroll around the town. Check with those shops whether they are selling the handwoven or machine-made lace if you really prefer one over the other. Shopping for the famous, exquisite lace from Bruges had been on my bucket list and I was glad I was able to check it off.
20. Visit the oldest pub in town – Vlissinghe
Our bike tour included a stop at the oldest pub in town, Vlissinghe and what a delight this place was. The atmosphere was friendly, relaxing and the beer served was absolutely top notch. We tasted both the Rodenbach (recommended during the summer season by the locals) and Hoegaarden – both were delicious. My vote went to Rodenbach as it was such a refreshing beer. If you are visiting Bruges and would like to go off the beaten path to a pub in the town for tasting Belgian beer, then try Vlissinghe.
21. Wander through the cobbled streets of Bruges and enjoy watching the street performances around town
Take a moment to pause during your walk around the town to observe and appreciate the talented street-side performances (of course, they appreciate a tip if you like their performance). For us, it was a delight to be walking around town and suddenly come across the talented musicians playing beautiful music.
22. Take the De Halve Maan Brewery Tour
A very popular tour amongst tourists visiting Bruges is the De Halve Maan Brewery Tour. After all, as the locals say, Bruges has close to 120 types of beer of local origin. There are hourly tours at the Brewery that run between 11am-4pm on weekdays and 11am-5pm on Saturdays. Tours are generally conducted in Dutch, English, and French and last for approximately 45mins. These tours are fun and informative, with the tour guides covering information about how beer is brewed while explaining the history of Bruges. At the end of the tour, the visitors get to sample one of the local beers – Brugse Zot Blond!
23. A peaceful stop at Lover’s Bridge (St. Bonifacus Bridge)
Yet another one of the most photographed locations in Bruges – the Lover’s Bridge tends to be crowded with visitors during the daytime. It’s best to stop by this bridge during early morning hours or later in the evening to experience the serenity of the place. The bridge has a built-in bench on which you can relax and take in the view of boats and swans floating by the canal underneath the bridge.
24. Shopping in Bruges
Shopping in Bruges is not limited to its famous chocolates and lacework. There are several couture shops lining the streets of Bruges, offering plenty of choices of fashionable garments as well as shops that sell fragrant handmade soaps.
25. Take time to observe the beautiful doors in Bruges
While walking around Bruges, take time to notice the beautiful doors of the buildings – some had vibrant colors while others had intricate designs.
26. Unwind and relax in Markt Square in the evening
Even though you may have traversed the Markt Square during the daytime as you walked around Bruges, the Square feels like a completely different place as the dusk falls and the lights on the Belftry and surrounding buildings come up. Take time to reflect on your enjoyable day by sitting in the square as you take in the liveliness of Bruges in the evening hours.
27. Sint Janshospitaal
Sint Janshospitaal, also known as Old St. John’s Hospital, is one of Europe’s oldest medieval hospital buildings. It was once the place where nuns and monks cared for people who were unwell. Located in front of the Church of Our Lady, a part of the building of Sint Janshospitaal displays the art by the popular Flemish artist, Hans Memling. In fact, the St. John’s altarpiece by Hans Memling was designed and placed in this building so that the patients could get some comfort during their struggles.
28. Beguinage (Begijnhof)
The Beguinage established around the 12th century was a commune that is currently inhabited by nuns as well as women from Bruges who chose not to get married. Located near the Minnewater, as one enters the Beguinage, you seen white painted homes and a peaceful garden. It is considered respectful to stay quiet while walking through the courtyard of the Beguinage.
29. Evening walk through Bruges
Just like many other cities, Bruges takes over a completely new, albeit charming look, as dusk falls and the lights come on around the medieval buildings. For one of the most relaxing evenings, either before or after dinner, take a leisurely stroll through the Old Center and observe the new look of this magnificent city.
30. Lastly, don’t forget! There’s so much joy in being simply lost in the beautiful streets of Bruges.
Meeting friendly locals, finding cafes, local shops and unique architecture around town is part of the joy of discovering the many facets of Bruges. While a map of the town is certainly handy, I found that there was so much joy in just being lost in the alleys – wandering around and exploring.
Happy travels and I hope you have a wonderful time visiting Bruges.
To learn more about how you can explore Bruges, read my post How To Explore Bruges: A Quick Guide
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Hello ! I’m Aditi …..
Welcome to Land Of Travels – a travel blog that my husband Manish and I started to share our travel stories and travel tips. We are full-time professionals, dedicated parents, foodies, and it is our shared passion for traveling that lead us to become part-time bloggers.
I was born and brought up in Northern India, lived in Bay Area, California for nearly two decades and currently reside in Ontario, Canada. Since childhood, I’ve always had a passion to travel far & wide and experience different cultures. I am passionate about planning our trips and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.
My sincere hope is that the travel tips offered on this blog will help you plan your next memorable adventure.
Happy travels!
~ Aditi Sharma ~
I have been to Belgium several times but have not made it to Bruges yet. I wonder why I haven’t been, It’s so lovely: the cobblestone streets, buildings, Belgian architecture, canals…all the things I like. I was planning to go back to Ghent this spring, guess now I will hope on the train to Bruges too.
Bruges is really charming – we were glad we stayed there for 2 days as we were able to explore the city leisurely that way. I’d love to explore the countryside by bike next time around and also visit Ghent.
So much to do! We’ll be out there in the fall, so I hope I’m able to take as many sunny photos as you did. I’m definitely excited to just do some wandering!
Fall in London is lovely – happy travels!
Thanks for an inspiring post, Aditi! So many reasons to visit there. Chocolate, waffles, water, lace…can’t wait to add it to my itinerary.
It’s a very charming city indeed. So glad you found the post inspired you to add it to your itinerary.
One of my favorite European cities! I can’t wait to go back. Your photos are lovely.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed viewing the post.
What an interesting city! I’ve always wanted a ride in a horse carriage but I nearly fell over at the cost! I think I’ll take (and probably prefer) one of the canal tours!
I want to do the boat ride, the beer tour-all of it really!
A 30 min canal boat tour sounds like a true treat in Bruges. Especially, if you travel with your partner. Like you did. A wonderful memory for sure!
Thank you. Our visit to Bruges was a memorable one indeed for our family.
A 30 min canal boat tour sounds like a true treat in Bruges. Especially, if you travel with your partner. Like you did. A wonderful memory for sure!
I have heard tonnes about Bruges and your post just reinforces my wish to go there. Its is such a beautiful place. I could just sit down and watch people walk by the whole day. Amazing that you have listed 30 different things to do in Bruges. The waffles and museums are my favorite.
Thanks Soumya. Glad you enjoyed reading the post.
I visited only Brussels and yes i want to visit Bruges some day ! May not do the horse carriage but I’m definitely game for the bike tours and canal boat ride ! Rozenhoedkaai looks stunning ! I love belgian chocolates and their frites, are just amazing ! I think they fry it in beef tallow ! Yums ! Didnt know they even have a frites museum ! They really taking their frites very seriously ! =p
Trust me, the only reason I wish to visit Bruges is fr its chocolates. I am sure that I will have a great time clicking photos of the churches and other monuments but chocolates sound so amazing 😀
We definitely indulged in those Belgian delicacies while visiting Bruges. You will have plenty of choices to choose from for sure 🙂
Bruges was my favorite stop when I visited Belgium last year. I wish I’d done more research before my visit though, I feel like I missed a few things. I did visit The Chocolate Line though, which may have been one of my favorite parts. I guess I need to go back though to see all the cool spots I missed.
I’ve been wanting to go to Bruges for a while now! It looks so picturesque! The houses along Markt Square are adorable and I would love to take a canal tour.
Indeed – Bruges is such an idyllic Belgian city. I can’t wait to return.
Great post on things to do in Bruges! I was in Namur, Brussels, and Oostende but didn’t make it to Bruges. Your post makes it easy for me to figure out what I would like to do on my next trip back. Thank you!
Thanks. Glad you found the post informative.
I can see anything about Bruges without thinking of the movie! So, it’s great to see some other fantastic things to do in the city. You’ve put together a great list which will be very handy next time we visit.
Thank you. I am glad you found the post informative.
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Bruges is such a pretty city. I’ve been years ago and hope I can go back!
I love this post! I visited Bruges a few years ago, and absolutely fell in love with the quaint town. I wish I would have known all these options though. I did walk around the square, go on a canal ride, indulge in chocolates, and a few more. When I went, there was a free walking tour offered and to date, that is the best walking tour I have ever been on. I wonder if that is still being offered, as it has been a few years.
Bruges is on my list this year! Everything looks amazing! I can wait to see and try the bike tour.
I hope you have a lovely time in Bruges. We loved the city bike tour and can’t wait to try the countryside bike tour during our next trip to Bruges. Thanks for visiting the blog.
Bruges looks incredible! This is a place I’ve always wanted to visit. Thank you for this informative post!
Glad you enjoyed reading the post. Thanks for visiting our blog.
This is a great list of things to do in Bruges. The Markt Square is where I will spend most of my time. Of course I would love visiting the cathedrals, pubs, markets and more. What I like about your post is the style of listing the places down with pictures accompanying with each. Really appreciated!
Thanks Shreya. I am glad you enjoy reading the post.
I didn’t realise how romantic Bruges is. The canals and brick houses always belonged to the Netherlands for me. I feel like it would be very peaceful to kayak on the canals 🙂
This city looks so amazing. I’ve heard so much recently about Bruge from other people. I feel so inspired to visit from your post.
Bruges is a very charming place to visit. We loved it there. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Stunning photos! I spent three days in Bruges several years ago and fell in love with the place. I can’t believe how many good places I missed though. Minnewater looks beautiful, and I’d love to visit a few breweries in this part of the world. I was able to go inside the working windmill when we visited and I would thoroughly recommend if it’s open – it’s fascinating.
Thanks a lot Alice for visiting the blog. Minnewater is really such a tranquil area – lovely spot for a picnic. Will include the visit in windmill next time we are in Bruges. We had visited the windmills in Zaanse Schans (Netherlands) and I agree with you, it is quite fascinating to see it.
Absolutely beautiful photos of Bruges! I feel like Belgium is underrated as a whole. I thought the food was delicious (all the sweet treats) and the squares were absolutely stunning. I’d love to do the bike tour. I did one in Copenhagen and it felt like the best way to see the city!
I completely agree. Stunning squares, great food and a city that’s full of charm. Denmark is on our bucket list and would love to do the bike tour in Copenhagen as well. Thanks for visiting the blog.
Wow – this post makes me realize how much I missed when I visited. I only had a day trip from Brussels (which included Ghent) and it was winter so I’d love to go back and do the bike tour and the canal tour!
We really had a memorable time in Bruges. Spending two days in Bruges was great as we were able to explore the city in a relaxed way and enjoy it to the fullest. I wish we had one more day so that we could have explored the countryside too. Will definitely revisit this charming city. Thanks for visiting our blog.
I adored Bruges and hope to go back someday. It’s straight from a fairytale! I was lucky enough to do some of the things on your list and will use your wonderful guide to do some of the other items when I go back.
It’s so hard not to fall in love with Bruges – it is just so charming! Glad you enjoyed reading the post. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Seriously! Where do I book my tickets?? I so long to visit Europe and this post just solidifies that longing even more! Such beautiful places to explore. You captured everything! The buildings, the streets, the scenery. I agree…I’d be content just walking the streets (and probably eating a lot too!!) Love this!!
I am so glad you enjoyed reading the post. Our family loved the time we spent in Bruges – it was so relaxing and enjoyable. Can’t wait to revisit. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Chocolate factory, waffles, fries what’s not to love in this beautiful city 😍 I so wish to visit soon.
I hope you have a lovely time during your visit to this charming Belgian city. Thanks for visiting the blog.
I didn’t realise there was so much to see and do in Bruges. I have to go, even if it’s only for the waffles and chocolate.
I hope you have a lovely time during your visit to Bruges. It’s such a charming city. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Bruges is such an amazing city! You captured its charm so well and your family is adorable!
We loved visiting Bruges and can’t wait to be back there. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Lovely post and great photos! I haven’t been to Europe yet, but hoping to visit in the next year or so. Love the filter you used on the photo with the 4 of you on bikes– unless that’s the natural color, then even more beautiful!
Looks like such a pretty place with lots to do! I’ll admit, Bruges was never on my list before, but you’ve convinced me to check it out!!
Thanks for reading the post. Hope you get to visit Bruges soon. It is really a very charming place.
What a pretty town Bruges is!! That intricate lace work is something I would definitely buy as souvenir.
Indeed, it felt like a dream. So serene and beautiful. I can’t wait to return to this charming city. Thanks for reading the post.
I have been tu Bruges and loved how there was so many things I clearly missed out on! Loved you post and really enjoyed seeing all the recommendations with you and your family in it! I am glad you did the biker tour – seeing the romantic city on a two-wheeler is a fun way to get some wind in your hair and enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace! Thanks so much for sharing your comprehensive guide!
I am so glad you enjoyed reading the post. I can hardly wait to revisit this charming city. It was really a memorable family trip for us. Thanks for visiting the post.
I never knew there was so much to do in Bruges!! It looks soooo beautiful, it’s been on my list for a while! Fantastic post, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed reading the post and I hope you get to visit Bruges soon. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Wow! that’s really nice experience of you and your family. I’m so glad to know that you’ve enjoyed your visit in my country. Belgium has some pretty places to visit.
What is your favorite food so far? Cuberdons are really delicious!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I would have loved to try the mussels which are so popular but I don’t eat seafood. I know people around me were raving about this dish. I loved indulging my sweet tooth while in Belgium so I have to say the waffles were my fav. Also loved the frites.