The 11 best things to do in Bruges The Belfry tower and a trip to the Torture Museum are among the very best things to do in beautiful Bruges Edited by Ella Doyle Written by Amy Ockelford. Belgium uses the Euro (). When we saw it, we obviously tried to book a time slot, but we were too late. There is a lot to see and do in central Bruges, but the central town is so scenic, it is worthwhile allowing a little time just to explore and enjoy the architecture everyone comes to see. If you want to get some of the best views of the city, you can climb the 366 steps to the top for around 12. . The Grote Markt or the town square of Bruges is both charming and highly impressive. Houses are built right beside the canals in Bruges. Want to make the most of limited time? The best time to explore Bruges is early morning before all the day trippers arrive. A day trip is a great way to see Bruges and more than enough time to see the highlights. After all, this sweet treat is a trademark of the city and the country itself, therefore chocolate tasting is one of the most popular things to do in Brugge. Thanks for reading! December is also an excellent time to visit Bruges, or anywhere in Belgium for that matter, thanks to the incredible Christmas markets. We're Glenn and Cecilie, an international couple who turned full-time travelers in 2019. NOW! A small package of fries at the Brugge Markt cost around 4, which is crazily expensive for fries! Source: Pics Factory / shutterstock. Try to do a 360-spin and see how many beautiful and colorful buildings you can spot! When you need a break on your day trip, we suggest you go to a bar and try out one of the local beers in Bruges. My favorite one is the intense Quadruple Straffe Hendrik. We went with Boottochten Brugge and loved the experience! We stayed in Bruges for one day and one night, but manage to see so much during that time. Bruges: Highlights and Hidden Gems. Well go through the following: Why visit Bruges, how to get to Bruges from Brussels, tips for visiting on a day trip, and how to choose which things to do. This is an absolute must! Wandertooth also participates in many other affiliate programs. The city, which has a population of around 120,000, is less than 100 kilometres from the capital, Brussels (which you can read about here). Whether youre looking for a guided history tour around the city, a photography tour, a bike tour, or maybe a tour that focuses on chocolate? 9. From the King's bridge over the Spiegelrei you will have a wonderful view of the tower of the 'Poortersloge' (Burgher's Lodge). After our visit to the Basilica we turned on Blinde-Ezelstraat and wandered down the Gronerei. Its also the only windmill that has been turned into a museum, which you can visit for 5. The beautiful garden in here was founded back in 1245, and its surrounded by white houses and a church. Asia One of the more interesting buildings in Burg Square is The Basilica of the Holy Blood. Here are a few beer suggestions from the area: Brugse Zot, Straffe Hendrik or Brugse Tripel. Bruges streets are very safe for cyclists and you can find many bike rental places inside the city centre. Bruges is full of lovely restaurants, bars and cafs catering to all tastes and budgets, so you wont go hungry (although choosing a place may be difficult). About the author: Pilar and and her partner Jorge are obsessed with travel, writing, taking pictures and drinking mate, their countrys signature drink. Here are my top 3 reasons to why you should visit Bruges on a day trip in Belgium! The Best Bruges, Belgium Nightlife: 15 Things to Do at Night - Klarna Trips You won't find a lot of tourists there later in the evening, so you can take your time and enjoy the beauty of Bruges on a leisurely bike ride or walk. Read our full disclosure, privacy policy and disclaimer/terms of use. from . Read more about theBruges Whale here. The art installation is only there from 8th of May to 24th of October in 2021! Another one of the things we love to do in any Belgian city is to go to a bar, and Bruges is no different. Its old city has narrow canals and cobblestone streets, while its central square is surrounded by historic buildings like the Belfry Tower. Meet your guide in the Market for a guided tour of the city. This 83-meter tall bell tower is located on the Market Square, and its the pride of the city. The streets are very bike and pedestrian-friendly, so it is safe and easy to get around. You can find some really funny and strange museums around Bruges. Deemed the, Venice of Portugal, because of its canals, its become a, Braga is undoubtedly one of Portugals most charming cities! Top 10 Things to do in Bruges 1 | Highlights & Hidden Gems of Bruges Connect with Patrick or one of 3 other local hosts 36 pp 3 hours City highlight tour Explore 2 | Scenic Bike Tour Through Bruges Countryside with Xavier 74 pp 3.5 hours City highlight tour Explore 3 | Bruges History, Magic & Chocolate Private Tour A half-hour guided canal tour will cost around 12 for adults. Although, in summer, you could combine a day/night in Bruges with a trip to one of Belgiums best beaches. Youll also find plenty of quick hot snack options. Despite its small size, there are plenty of things to do in Bruges in a day. Triangular roofs are a feature of many of the buildings in Bruges. Opening hours 2023: From 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 2 PM and 8 PM (check schedule according to season - the hours listed are for the summer season) 13. We would say its obligatory to give the guide something for his/her hard work. A winter festival packed with fascinating experiences, sparkle-filled special moments including a new Light experience trail, ice skating with unique decor on the Minnewater (Lake of love), a cosy winter bar, two Christmas markets, shopping fun during the many shopping . Its really a must in our opinion. After a decade of travelling the world together, weve picked up a few tricks! So, without further ado, here are all the top attractions and things to do in Bruges. Bruges One Day Itinerary Here are my suggestions for how to spend 1 day in Bruges, especially for first-time visitors. Taking a Brussels to Bruges day trip is a lot faster than coming from Amsterdam or Paris: Bruges is just an hour or so on the train from Brussels, with trains going every 30 minutes or more, with trains going throughout the day, from around 5 am until midnight-ish. Its authenticity and charm lost to tourism. Within the alley, Staminee De Garre is a popular spot for a Belgian beer if youre thirsty. Visiting Bruges from Antwerp? You can visit famous breweries, discover the old buildings located around the city centre, and explore the many many many museums in town Honestly, I cant even count the amount of museums on my two hands. No visit to Bruges would be complete with tasting some of the local chocolates. Today, nuns of the Benedict Order, and other unmarried women live here. A half-hour boat trip takes you around secret gardens, picturesque bridges, and ornate medieval buildings. BRUGES, BELGIUM | 5 Things You SHOULD do in Bruges! - YouTube While most people do a day trip to Bruges from Brussels, we would suggest spending at least a night or two in Bruges. The same applies to Bruges, whether for one day or a few nights. Highly recommend! This is 20+ things to do on a day trip in beautiful Bruges! When you see the romantic bridges and the swans swimming in the water you will understand why! Next time we visit Bruges, its definitely one of the first things we are going to do. We enjoyed strolling around the colorful city, loved its historical buildings and cobblestoned roads, and made sure to try the citys many fantastic restaurants while catching up with our lives.A UNESCO World Heritage site, this quaint little city wont leave you disappointed. Next to Minnewater Park, youll find the local Beguinage. Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium! 2 days of "and the lord heard me - i have my answers" || nsppd || 6th july 2023 The rather unusual name Holy Blood comes from a relic within the basilica, which is said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ himself. She visits Europe annually and enjoys writing about her discoveries and sharing her tips with fellow travellers. Brugge, 't Zand They both have day tours and night tours, which we think is pretty cool! Check out some other amazing cities in Belgium: One of the darkest, yet most impressive places to visit in Ghent is the Gravensteen Castle. Alternatively, you could visit both Ghent and Bruges in an overnight trip from Amsterdam to Belgium; the two cities are about 30 minutes from one another via train. It still is! We hope that this information will . Along the way they created el antitour, a travel website to inspire Spanish-speaking readers to travel the world. This will not only give you a full day of sightseeing around the city, but also the chance to see Bruges after dark, when all the poetic medieval buildings are lit up. Admire quaint homes and iconic landmarks from the water. USA There are several operators that do the walking tours around Bruges. There should be 5 different locations from where you can do a boat trip in Bruges, so just follow the canals and Im sure youll find one. Things to do in Bruges Belgium's medieval masterpiece Bruges (or Brugge) is one of Europe's loveliest cities, with its network of canals, its classical Flemish architecture, and its spectacular Market Square (Markt)little wonder that its historic center has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the greatest things to do in any city (including Bruges!) However, if you look away from all the delays, then I think that the train network is very impressive. And for a good reason! 15 Things to do Bruges in One Day: 1 Day Itinerary 1. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Fancy a snuggle with a sheep? per adult. Today, the Begijnhof is the place to get away from all the city buzz and enjoy a few moments of silence. Brussels to Bruges trains leave every 20 minutes or so and take around an hour. Amsterdam to Bruges day trips are quite popular, and you have the option of doing it as a DIY or with an organized tour. Although Bruges has always been a strategic commercial hub due to its proximity to the harbor, the popular town reached its apogee in the 15th century, when it became the most productive hub for luxury goods and the most important commercial city within the Burgundian Netherlands under Philip the Good. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bruges also has an incredible Christmas market every year! Brugse Vrije is where the Liberty of Bruges (the countryside in a wide area around the city) was once governed. In this video, we highlight 5 things that you should do in Bruges. THE TOP 15 Things To Do, Attractions & Activities in Bruges - Viator Every year, over 3 million people visit the city. Weve got your back completely covered in this guide. While the exterior is outstanding, the interior is worth a visit. Merely by walking around the city with your eyes open, youll see beautiful buildings and stunning gothic churches, making a walk through Bruges anything but boring. (But 5 to see the treasury), Price 2023: 8 (Free entrance with Musea Brugge Card), Price 2023: From free entrance to 15 (depending on museum), Opening hours 2023: differs from museum to museum, Price 2023: 60 per carriage for a maximum of 5 people, Price 2023: Free! The Best Things to do in Bruges, Belgium: 23 Activities You Have to Try Home Travel Europe Belgium The Best Things to do in Bruges, Belgium: 23 Activities You Have to Try Bruges is one of Belgium's best-loved cities, often outshining the capital of Brussels. Most people dont know, but there are at least three beaches within 15 minutes of Bruges. If youre traveling on a smaller budget, or would prefer to save your money for Belgian beer, chocolate, frites, and lace, here are some mid-range and value-focused accommodation options in Bruges. It is very nice to see how quiet and idyllic the water is and how all the houses are reflected along the canal. Its translation literally means Love Lake. How to spend 24 hours in Bruges: A One Day Itinerary All in all, Bruges offers so many great experiences for every kind of traveller! If you will be travelling to Bruges by car, its around one hours driving time (96 kilometres) from Brussels to Bruges, 2 hours 50 minutes from Paris and 2 hours 30 minutes from Amsterdam. Its a small park in a residential area that has a couple of sheep living there. GroenereiAlong the canal of Bruges you will find some nice and cozy places with old bridges and historical buildings which are worth a photo. The magnificent four-storey sculpture called Skyscraper is constructed from five tons of plastic waste pulled out of the Pacific Ocean. Entrance to the church is free, but you will have to pay around 4 to enter the museum and see the sculpture. If youd like to make it an overnight (or two-night trip), Lille on the French-Belgian border is nice, as is Ghent, in Belgium. Dont feel like walking? The classic savory snack is definitely the Belgian Frites! If you prefer to drive from Ghent to Bruges you should allow about 35 minutes. We recommend this 100% for a luxury B&B experience in Bruges at an affordable price. A guide (often local) takes you and the group around the landmarks of the city and share history and funny anecdotes that you didnt know about. Click here to browse tour options. You can easily fit all of these in on a day trip or overnight visit to the city, and you'll have seen the best the city has to offer by the time you leave. That said, in the touristy old town of Bruges, youre likely able to get by in German and French as well. Historium offers a fun, interactive multimedia experience of medieval Bruges for all ages. And Im also not going to point fingers at you if you want to do it, thats completely your own decision. I hope youve found this Bruges one day itinerary useful and its given you plenty of ideas of what to see in Bruges. Some of the more interesting museums in Bruges are .