Bruges (or Brugge) had been on our bucket list for so long and recently we finally got the chance to visit this gorgeous city. After spending two days in Bruges, we couldn’t help but fall in love with the charms and vibe of this city.
Located in northwest Belgium, Bruges welcomed us into a tranquil setting of dreamy canals and stunning medieval architecture.
We had been looking forward to our visit to this Flemish city, described widely as one of the most picturesque places in Belgium. We were certainly not disappointed! Our visit to Bruges was memorable and I am sure we will return to this city during our future travels.
Chances are that if you are reading this post, you are likely planning a trip to Bruges in the near future. So here’s a comprehensive travel guide on how to spend two perfect days in Bruges.
This post includes details of how we reached Bruges, where we stayed, tips for exploring the city, our itinerary and what to eat during a visit to Bruges.
How to get to Bruges by train
We had taken the train from London to Bruges via Brussels. I had purchased the Eurostar tickets before departing from our home in California for this journey.
The Eurostar tickets that I had purchased were from London to any Belgian station. These ‘Any Belgian Station’ Eurostar tickets were valid on Eurostar (London to Brussels) and on to the Intercity trains from Brussels to any Belgian city on the same travel date. I found this to be a very convenient option and also a better deal.
In case you need to buy the ticket separately online in advance for trains in Belgium, then that too can be done from the SNCB website. Additionally, I found the DB Bahn website very helpful for planning our train journeys because of their up to date information on the train routes, schedules, and platform departures.
Oh, one more thing – especially if you are a Tintin fan like me. There is a lovely mural from one of the Tintin comics at the Brussels Midi/Zuid station near the main exit area. Stop by to take a photograph at this place before boarding the train from Brussels to Bruges. The Tintin fan in me was smiling in glee at the moment, what can I say – it’s been my all-time favorite comic book.
The frequent Intercity train service from Brussels Midi to Bruges runs every 30 mins generally. There are direct train connections and also those that involve one quick train change between these cities. We made sure we checked for the direct service to Bruges before we boarded the train to avoid the minor hassle of switching trains.
Arrival in Bruges (Brugge)
After exploring Brussels, we took the direct train from Brussels Midi (or Bruxelles Midi/ Zuid) that brought us to Bruges in about an hour. Upon arrival in Bruges, we had the option to either take the taxi or bus to get to the hotel since we weren’t staying within walking distance from the train station.
In Bruges, all buses from the train station bring passengers to the Markt square before going along their specific routes. We noticed that there were also several taxis waiting towards the left side of the train station during the daytime.
I had actually checked with our hotel and requested them to guide us regarding the best way to reach their premises upon arrival in Bruges. They had suggested that since each bus ticket cost about €3 and we may still need to walk to the hotel from the Markt, the better option would be to take the taxi. The taxi to the hotel cost us about 12€, making it even with the combined bus fare, yet much more convenient.
The Belfry in Markt Square, Bruges
Two Days In Bruges – Our Relaxing Stay At Hotel Patritius
Bruges has become a popular tourist destination in Belgium. No wonder there are many great hotels and B&B options in Bruges. We felt that as a tourist, it is ideal to stay near the old town square. This way one is closer to all the sights and canals.
We stayed at Hotel Patritius during our two days trip to Bruges. This hotel is located in the heart of the old city center and within easy walking distance from all sites. It is a family run hotel in an 1830 mansion located on a quiet, peaceful lane. We chose this hotel due to its central location, excellent reviews, recommendation by Rick Steves Belgium guidebook and we had a most pleasant stay.
The hotel had rooms in the mansion and their coach house located across a tranquil garden. We stayed on the top floor of the coach house and our rooms were large, clean and very comfortable with nice views of the nearby medieval buildings. We did have to be very careful though while walking in the top floor’s corridor (of the coach house) close to the stairwell as the stairs did not have a railing near the edge at that time.
View from our room in Hotel Patritius, Bruges
The generous breakfast offered to us in the morning was a great way to start the day. The hotel staff was gracious and extremely helpful with recommendations of where to eat, what to see and things to do during the visit.
Explore Bruges on foot, on a horse carriage ride, by boat, and by bike :
The stunning architecture, cozy cafés dotting the streets and cobblestone pathways add to the dream-like feel of Bruges. It is a joy to explore Bruges by wandering around its alleys, by taking a horse carriage ride, the popular canal boat tour or a bike tour. During our two days in Bruges, we decided to discover Bruges by taking all these options and each option was a memorable experience.
Taking the horse carriage ride after arriving in Bruges was a great way to get oriented to the city. The starting point of the one hour tours was in the Markt Square and the tour gave us a great overview of the major attractions in the old town center.
Bruges is also a very walkable city. Getting lost in its quaint alleys and walking along the canals was my favorite way to explore the city in a leisurely way.
Most tourists coming to Bruges love to explore the city from an entirely different perspective – by taking the canal boat tour. The views from the canal boat tour of the stunning architecture, serene surroundings and swans gliding along the canals are mesmerizing.
Exploring Bruges by taking the canal boat tour
A really fun way to explore Bruges is by renting a bike to explore the city or by taking a guided bike tour. There are both city bike tours as well as countryside bike tours available from the bike tour companies. We found biking around Bruges quite easy as the traffic was not overwhelming. Biking in Bruges is an experience that was one of the highlights of our trip to Bruges, even for our children.
City Bike Tour in Bruges
For more details about the ways to explore Bruges, have a look at our post How To Explore Bruges: A Quick Guide.
Two Perfect Days in Bruges – Our Itinerary
We had been looking forward to exploring Bruges and felt that spending two days in Bruges was the best way to explore this charming city in a more relaxed way. A 2-3 night stay in Bruges is ideal for discovering the charms of this city. Perhaps if you wish to explore the countryside by taking a bike tour, an additional day would be simply perfect.
Dreamy canals and stunning architecture of Bruges
If you are looking for a detailed guide with suggestions of things to do in Bruges, read our post 30 Things To Do In Bruges In 48 hours
During our visit to Bruges, here’s how we planned our sightseeing and essential city experiences. We made sure we had an early start in the mornings to make the most of our visit to Brugge.
Two days in Bruges: Discovering Bruges On Day 1
Upon arrival in Bruges and after checking in to our hotel, we decided to walk up to the Markt Square to take the horse carriage ride. This was an enjoyable experience for the kids and also one of the easiest ways to get oriented to the city. The horse carriage ride took us around the main attractions in the old town center along with a brief description of each – ideal for first-time visitors (like us) to Bruges.
Markt Square – The starting point of the horse carriage ride in Bruges
Following the horse carriage ride, we decided to take a leisurely stroll around the town. We discovered there was so much joy in aimlessly wandering along the lovely canals and cobblestoned streets of picturesque Bruges. The medieval architecture, quaint alleys and ornately decorated doors added to the beauty of Bruges.
Walking around the charming alleys in Bruges
Walk along the canals of Bruges and discover its hidden gems
Our kids were delighted to come across shops selling waffles on a stick. Of course, knowing how famous the chocolates are from this region, we stopped by Chocolate Line and picked up some delicious choco-treats for our family.
Canal boat tour – Bruges
From the Markt Square, we continued our self-guided walk towards Burg Square in which Basilica of Holy Blood and Stadhuis (city hall) are located. We took our time to admire the architecture and visiting the buildings open to the public in Burg Square.
Thereafter, we headed along the narrow alley in Burg Square that leads towards the canals to embark upon one of the most popular tourist activities in the town – taking a peaceful canal boat tour. The experience of discovering Bruges as our boat glided over the canal waters, past curious swans, as we leisurely munched on the delicious chocolates was unforgettable.
Following the canal boat tour, we strolled along the canals towards Rozenhoedkaai – one of the most photographed locations in the city. We made a brief stop at Lover’s Bridge (St. Bonifacus Bridge) before paying our respects at Church Of Our Lady (Onze – Lieve – Vrouwekerk).
Church Of Our Lady, Bruges
Knowing how famous Bruges was for its chocolate as well as for its exquisite lace, we then decided to stop by at the Lace Museum (Kantcentrum) just in time to view the lace making demonstration.
It had been a wonderful first day in Bruges and we decided to spend the evening in Markt Square near the Belfry. My children weren’t keen on climbing the steps of the Belfry earlier in the day. We decided instead to spend some time sitting in the courtyard to the Belfry and listening to the beautiful music. If you wish to climb to the narrow steps to the top of the Belfry, I’ve heard that the effort rewards the visitor with commanding views of the city.
Markt Square in Bruges
After a leisurely stroll along the canals back towards our hotel, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Carlitos – an Italian restaurant located around the corner from our hotel.
Two days in Bruges: Discovering its pockets of charms on Day 2
QuasiMundo Bike Tour
We woke up early and after enjoying the delicious breakfast served at the hotel, we headed towards Quasimundo Bike Tours shop.
We had booked a city bike tour from their company and had been looking forward to exploring Bruges like the locals.
Our family -grown-ups and kids alike – absolutely loved this bike tour. Bruges is a very bike-friendly city and with not that much traffic, it was easy to explore the city for all of us by bike.
I loved listening to the details about the history of Bruges during our tour and learning about the significance of the sculptures around town. Biking around Bruges was certainly a very memorable experience.
The windmills and moat surround the Old Center, Bruges
Whether you choose to take the bike tour or not, a walk around the moat circling the Old Center of Bruges is another lovely experience. The path is walkable, well maintained and brings the pedestrians and cyclists to the four remaining 18th-century windmills situated along the moat.
During our bike tour, we stopped by the oldest pub in town – Vlissinghe. As you might have heard, Belgium is famous for its beer as well and we loved sampling some of the delicious, locally made beer at this pub.
We were tempted by the several waffle varieties near the Markt square as we wrapped up the bike tour and so decided to indulge in these sweet treats in the afternoon. Of course, fries had to be added to our lunch menu too! Frites are as popular as the chocolates and waffles in the town. What can I say except that we thoroughly enjoyed indulging in the local favorites.
After lunch, we stopped by for an informative tour at Choco-Story – Bruges’ Chocolate museum as well as visited the Frietmuseum (Fries Museum). An additional tour that is very popular with tourists is the De Halve Maan Brewery Tour. However, we chose not to take this brewery tour due to time restraints and the fact that our kids were more keen on visiting the Choco-story and Frietmuseum instead. I am sure that during a future visit to Bruges, we will explore De Halve Maan Brewery as well – it is certainly very popular amongst its visitors.
Choco Story – The Chocolate Museum of Bruges
Finally, a lovely way to wrap up our two days in Bruges was strolling along Minnewater (Lake of Love). It is located very close to the Beguinage (Begijnhof) and is one of the most romantic spots in Bruges. A serene lake, lush green surroundings and a peaceful park – Minnewater was a delight.
Minnewater, Bruges
For more details about things to do in Bruges that can help you further plan your own itinerary, have a look at our 30 Things To Do In Bruges post.
What to eat in Bruges:
Bruges is famous for its Frites (fries), chocolates, Mussels, beer, and waffles. Walking around Bruges you will come across several cafes and stores offering these famous treats. The chocolate shops around the town were filled with varieties of tempting chocolates and sweet treats called Cuberdons. We couldn’t help but return to these shops lined up with tempting sweet treats over and over during our two days in Bruges.
Cuberdons in the chocolate shops of Bruges
If you want to sample those famous Belgian Fries, then try them with mayonnaise and curry ketchup. Curry Ketchup was really a surprise as it was packed with flavors and came with a definite twist on the familiar ketchup. The condiments are generally considered add-ons and so require an additional charge.
Belgian Waffles and Frites
Belgium is also well known for its Mussels dish. It’s very popular and served in all the restaurants in town offering traditional Belgian food. Since some of our family members don’t eat seafood though, we didn’t try the mussels dish.
If you would like to try the locally brewed, famous Belgian beer in an off-the-beaten-path pub in the town then stop by Vlissinghe. We stopped by this pub in the afternoon and found the atmosphere to be friendly and relaxing. We tasted both the Rodenbach (recommended during the summer season by the locals) and Hoegaarden – both were delicious.
One consistent suggestion that we received, be it from our hotel staff or tour guides, was to avoid the restaurants lining up the Markt square if we wanted to experience the authentic Belgian cuisine. Their reasoning behind the suggestion was that the Markt area restaurants catered more to the tourists and were not where the locals went for a great meal.
A lesson we learned the hard way was that most of the restaurants in Bruges are open for limited hours and it is best to make reservations ahead of time.
If you are in Bruges, and have already had your fill on the Frites, waffles, and mussels ……and are looking for an alternative cuisine, then may I humbly suggest Carlitos.
Dinner at Carlitos, Belgium
We dined twice at Carlito’s as the food served there was delicious, its location was convenient for us and the service was top-notch. Carlito’s (Italian restaurant) reminded us of the authentic Italian food we had back in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast. It was a place we dined at twice and loved the experience – fresh, delicious food along with plenty of variety for vegetarians as well.
It’s so easy to fall in love with Bruges. I wish we could have spent an additional day in this picturesque Belgian city and explored the countryside by bike. I know for a fact though that we will return to this charming city during our next Belgian vacation. Until then…… Adieu dear Brugge!
If you are planning on heading over to Amsterdam or London after enjoying your visit to Belgium, do check out our articles on these stunning European destinations.
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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 ~
“These ‘Any Belgian Station’ Eurostar tickets were valid on Eurostar (London to Brussels) and on to the Intercity trains from Brussels to any Belgian city on the same travel date.”
That’s a top tip that’s worth remembering as it could mean you save quite a bot of money, especially if there’s a few of you travelling!
I usually go to Brugge once a year and I used to live there back in 2009 for a few months and I love this city. It maybe a bit touristy in the summer months and christmas time but it hasn’t lost it sparkle. I love getting on the pushbike and go cycling around the city and its pretty green parks as well as going out into the countryside.
Bruges has been on my bucket list for a while now – we actually had to cancel our trip last minute a while back! This is such a great itinerary that i’ve bookmarked it for when I do go!
Glad you enjoyed reading the post!
Thanks for all the great tips! We hope to get there the next time we’re in the area.
I loved visiting Bruges but I can’t think of it without thinking of the movie! A bike tour sounds like a great way to see Bruges.
What a charming city! When I visited Bruges I was surprised by how historic and picturesque the city center is. It’s the perfect city to wander around in for a full day and discover something new in every street. And afterwards enjoy a local beer on the Markt Square. Thanks for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories!
I am glad you enjoyed reading the post and that it brought back fond memories. Indeed, getting lost in those charming alleys in Bruges is a treat. We loved this city and look forward to returning whenever we visit Belgium again. Thanks for visiting the post.
A very comprehensive guide to Belgium. I would love to visit, after reading your post, it seems very inviting, especially the canal boat cruise and the gorgeous architecture. The food sounds amazing too.
We fell in love with Bruges. The architecture, the quaint canals, and the charming alleys left us with a lasting impression – look forward to returning to Bruges. Thanks for visiting the post.
As usual, Bruges is really beautiful as per your photos. But what impresses me the most is that you took your kids with you on this trip. For us, this is very important; it lets kids see and experience other places in the world, making them more open-minded and realists. That is better than being trapped in the four corners of a classroom. Also, by letting them go with you, you steered them away from putting their noses on the artificial digital world in cellphones and tablets.
Indeed – travel is such an inspirational form of education. We love seeing our kids experience the joys of travel.
Wonderful article thanks for sharing. Bruges has been on my bucket list for some time now also. Just the food you listed makes me think it’s my kinda place 😉
Indeed a beautiful post. I love train journey and you just nailed it with the details. If I will visit this place will definitely visit the way you have described. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you – am glad you enjoyed reading the post and found the information helpful.
I was fascinated by the architecture of Bruges! I sadly only got a day there and didn’t get to explore everything I wanted to so I do want to return and do more you’ve listed on your itinerary!
The architecture and canals of Bruges give this city its distinct charm – we loved it as well. Thanks for visiting the post.
Your guide really made me want to go Bruges. The cute streets, food, chocolate, beer, everything sounds so tempting. It’s a shame I have never been to Belgium.
We loved our visit to Bruges. I hope you have an wonderful time when you plan your trip to Belgium – hopefully Bruges will be on your itinerary then 🙂
I’ve never visited Brugges because I thought the city isn’t anything special. However, after reading this, seems I was wrong. I would definitely consider visiting in one of the upcoming months.
Bruges is a lovely city and I am glad reading the post makes you want to visit it. Thanks for visiting the blog
That’s a great family vacation place I must say. Bruges looks so pretty, especially the view from your hotel room, the canal boat tour, and also the food options are excellent. Taking a taxi to the hotel was indeed better for you guys than taking buses. I like such information as it helps you planning.
What a great itinerary, it looks like you guys did this right. I made the mistake of only spending an afternoon in Bruges. I really loved walking around the city but felt very rushed. I think your 2 day itinerary is perfect for Bruges. Hopefully I can go back and see what I missed.
Thanks Eden. Glad you enjoyed reading the post. We loved staying in Bruges for two days – felt we could really explore the city without feeling rushed. I wish we could have stayed an additional day to head off to explore the countryside as well. Ah well, that’s on my list for next time for sure.
I am ashamed to admit, but I have never been to Bruges before. However, I am very interested in this city because of its architecture. You had a great view from the hotel, lucky you! I did not know that there are such channels and bridges in Bruges, they are really charming!
Bruges is such a charming city to visit – we have fond memories of our visit to Bruges and look forward to returning to this city during a future Belgian vacation. Thanks for visiting the blog
I really like your casual writing style. It makes me feel like you are on the phone with me telling me about your wonderful weekend in this awesome city.
And your various practical family-based tips are also what makes your article so readable.
Thank you.
Thank you for the appreciation Paul. Glad you enjoyed reading this post.
Bruges has been on my list for a while! It looks so picturesque I love the canals. I’ve heard the food is great as well. I definitely agree with you it looks like a fairytale city!
-Summer
travelingsummer.com
Glad you enjoyed reading the post Summer.
We have been to Bruges many years ago and it truly as a charming and enjoyable little city. It is a great place to travel with family or your couple, so romantic.
We loved Bruges as well. Hoping to return to this charming city to explore the region even more. Thanks for visiting the post.
I am actually visiting Bruges in just a couple of weeks! So I’ll definitely be going to the places you are recommending – thank you for such a detailed post about your trip! I didn’t know you could see the city by bike and horse I love that!
I am glad you found this post helpful and I wish you a lovely trip to Bruges. Thanks for visiting our blog
When we traveled to Europe, so many people told us not to miss Belgium. They all told us Belgium was their favorite. Why didn’t I listen? Your images are stunning and they show me how charming a lovely this place is. AND, I am a foodie at heart and love trying local cuisine, it is always my favorite attraction. I am trying to figure out how that curry ketchup may taste, very interesting. Is it spicy?
Take aways! Bruges is truly charming! I love the idea of the horse carriage tour! Never been on one! And curry ketchup? I need to try that!
By the way, I love your blog and thanks for sharing these amazing trips with us!
Glad you enjoyed reading the posts on our blog Jennifer. Thanks for visiting.
Hi.
We booked a plain trip to visit Brussels in a big weekend but, we started exploring and probably we will visit Bruges instead. Your pictures look so good and, I was looking at your itinerary and it’s so organized, we will use it for sure.
I am glad you enjoyed reading this post and found the itinerary helpful. We loved this city – picturesque and charming. Happy travels and thanks for visiting the blog.