The Top 10 Things To Do in Bruges, Belgium

Currency: Euro	Languages: English and Dutch/Flemish
Best time to visit: Summer (Although, I visited in December and had a wonderful time)	The easiest way to get around Bruges is on foot. There is also a bus with a short route. Taxis can be expensive.

Bruges was a last minute decision and one of the highlights of my last trip to Europe. After spending 24 hours in Amsterdam, my husband and I stayed 3 nights in Bruges before heading to Strasbourg, France. We went in December, so it was quite chilly, but that meant less people. It got dark early, but the Christmas markets stayed open late. Shops and restaurants were also open later, so we never ran out of things to do.

Bruges is a walled city that was founded by Vikings in the 9th century. The streets are cobblestone and are intersected by picturesque canals. Most of the buildings have Gothic architecture, a reminder of the city’s Medieval roots. The city was once populated with timbered structures, but due to the fire hazard they posed, a switch was made to brick and stone. There are only 2 timbered houses still standing in the city today. Today, Bruges is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city center is compact, but is loaded with fun things to do during your visit.

Where To Stay

Hotel Adornes –
Sint-Annarei 26, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

When looking for a place to stay in Bruges, I wanted to be in a quiet part of the city center, able to easily walk to all attractions, and ideally have a good view. Hotel Adornes met all of these standards. Our room was large and had a sitting area. The bathroom was nice and modern. The room had 2 sets of windows with canal views. Breakfast was offered in a cozy area with a roaring fire. The staff gave us a discount card to be used throughout the city which was much appreciated. Another unique feature of this hotel, is that they will let you checkout bicycles for free to roam around the city. The hotel is less than a 10 minute walk from the belfry tower, which is the hub of the town. It was so nice to be able to go out and explore for a few hours, then easily come back to rest and get out of the cold before heading out again. I will definitely stay here again when I return to Bruges.

Across the canal from Hotel Adornes is a restaurant called Café Terrastje. It serves up delicious large portions of traditional Belgian food and was our favorite restaurant we ate at during our visit.

City Guide

Bruges isn’t a massive city. You can comfortably spend 3-4 days there. I had a little over 3 days, which allowed me to see nearly everything I wanted to see. It is the perfect place for a stopover between destinations, or if you live in Europe, a wonderful place for a weekend getaway. Here are all the things you should see and do during your visit to the capital of West Flanders:

Market Square

Market Square is the heart of the city center. The most notable structure here is the Belfry Tower, which rises high above the square. For a small fare, you can climb the 366 steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the square. You may also want to visit the Historium, where you will be transported back in time to Medieval Bruges. The Historium has numerous interactive exhibitions including a virtual reality portion making for an immersive experience into what life was like during the middle ages in Belgium. The square is also home to several cafes and restaurants. On Wednesdays, there is an open air market where you can purchase produce and handmade goods. Market Square is also where the main Christmas Market is set up in December.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The basilica is divided into halves: The lower half is a Romanesque chapel dating to the 12th century, and the upper half has a Gothic interior with vivid paintings adorning the walls. The basilica is most famous for the relic on display there. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea collected some of Christ’s blood when he was executed, and it was eventually transported to West Flanders. Today, the vial of bloodstained cloth is on guarded watch inside the sanctuary of the church, where visitors line up to see the relic up close. There is also a small museum in the upper half of the basilica. The basilica is a little tricky to find, but when you see the beautiful building pictured below, steer to the right, and you’ll find it nestled in the corner of the square.

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Sint-Janshospitaal (Saint John’s Hospital)

As an EMT, I’m fascinated with all things medical related. Sint-Janshospitaal was my favorite thing I did in Bruges. Founded in the 12th century, Sint-Janshospitaal was a fully functioning hospital for more than 800 years. The hospital began as an infirmary and place of refuge in the middle ages for the needy and those passing through Bruges. Over time, it evolved into a hospital more closely associated with what we know in modern times. Today, visitors can tour the hospital and its grounds and see surgical tools, paintings, a very early ambulance, and much more. The structure is one of Europe’s oldest examples of a hospital. Don’t forget to visit the apothecary and herb garden, accessed via a quiet courtyard at the hospital. Several times a week, a harpist gives a free concert in the courtyard.

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Rozenhoedkaai (Quay of the Rosary)

If you do a quick google search of Bruges, images of Rozenhoedkaai are sure to pop up. This area is a gorgeous spot to take pictures. Two prominent canals in Bruges meet in this area and are lined with towering buildings that reflect beautifully in the water. It’s the perfect place for a romantic stroll or to quietly sit and observe the surrounding beauty. Canal cruises depart frequently from the Quay if you want to see Bruges from a unique perspective.

Belgian Comics Shop

Belgium is world renowned for its production of quirky comics. Some of the most famous Belgian comic series include The Adventures of Tintin and The Smurfs. One of the buildings on the canal at Rozenhoedkaai is a shop called 2be in Brugge (AKA The Beer Wall). Most people know this place as a cool place to grab a drink, but if you explore the shop to the left and take the stairs, you will find a tribute to Belgian comics. Buy some Tintin souvenirs or take a picture in front of the awesome Smurf mural painted in the stairwell. Across the street from 2be, is a shop named Artebel where you can buy tshirts and other little comic souvenirs. I had no idea that Belgium had such a huge international impact on comics before stumbling upon the shop. It was a fun, offbeat experience.

Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady stands out against the cityscape, because it is one of the tallest buildings in Bruges. The church is famous for housing treasures such as Michelangelo’s “Madonna and Child”, the ornate tombs of Charles the Bold and the duchess Mary, religious paintings and woodcarvings. You can purchase tickets to see these masterpieces at the south transept. Be aware that the church is sometimes closed for religious and funerary ceremonies.

Beginhof

While wandering aimlessly in Bruges, my husband and I stumbled upon the Beginhof. There is a pretty lake with swans just outside the entrance to the secluded courtyard which is surrounded by uniform white houses. The Beginhof was founded in 1245 and was occupied by the Beguines, pious women who chose to live together in solidarity, outside the societal norm of a household ran by a man. The Beginhof allowed the women to maintain their self-identities and not be bound by religious vows or contracts. They could enter the Beginhof society and leave on their own terms. Today, nuns and other unmarried women from Bruges live at the Beginhof and maintain the property and its traditions. For a small fee, you can tour the Beguine House and get a good idea of what life was like for the women who lived there during the 17th century. Please remember to be quiet and courteous during your visit to the Beginhof.

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Minnewater

On the south side of Bruges (near the train station) is a quiet park adjacent to The Lake of Love. It is the perfect spot for a picnic on a sunny day or to just walk and enjoy nature. Legend has it, if you walk across the bridge there and kiss your lover, your love is destined to be eternal. Here you can see the city’s defense walls and watch tower up close (along with some swans too). Check the city’s events calendar to see if you will catch any fun festivals or other happenings in the park during your visit.

Windmills

Another way you can get away from the buzz of the city center is to visit the windmills of Bruges. In the 16th century, there were over 20 windmills acting as part of the walls of the city. Today, there are only four that are just a short 20 minute walk away through a residential part of town (or rent a bike for a faster journey). Inside the oldest of the windmills is a museum, but it had already closed for the day by the time I got there. Windmills aren’t too common in my neck of the woods, so it was neat to see some old ones at a close range. It made me channel my inner Don Quixote.

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Shop ‘Til You Drop

I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the goods Bruges produces. Belgian chocolate far surpasses any other that I’ve tasted. My favorite place to buy chocolate is from The Chocolate Brothers (across from Church of Our Lady). They make their delicious chocolate right in front of guests, and they have a variety of box sizes if you want to take some back home for friends or let’s be real… for yourself. Lace and tapestries are another popular option to buy in Bruges. There are several shops throughout the city that sell these products. Just make sure you buy from a reputable source that verifies that they are actually made in Belgium. If you don’t care about souvenirs and would rather shop for some higher end fashion, there are 2 streets that run parallel off of Market Square that are loaded with retailers of all sorts.

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It was so refreshing to get away from the bustle of a major metropolitan city and settle into the laid back charm of West Flanders for a few days. Don’t make the mistake of missing out on the beauty of Bruges!