Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Let’s be honest, Bruges is definitely one of the most romantic cities in Europe which easily gets overlooked by its popular neighbor, Paris as well as Venice. Bruges is often called the “Venice of the North” with its crisscrossing canals which encloses its historic center making it one of the most beautiful canal cities in Europe. Whether you take a stroll during the day or during the night, romance will certainly be found in this quaint town as you stroll hand in hand.
It is also more than just a quick day trip. It is so much more beneficial to your health to slow travel, really enjoy the sights and take in the atmosphere. While Bruges definitely caters to the hordes of tourists who come in, you can find peace and serenity in the bustling little town. It’s definitely worth to take the extra time to explore the hidden gems tourists miss when they’re busy checking off their bucket list.
Many people also ask the questions, Bruges or Ghent? Having been to both, Bruges is incredibly romantic with a ton of charming canals, stunning architecture and horse-drawn carriages, but that beauty comes with a price: #Overtourism. However, if you’re looking for a similar feel without the crowds and more laid back city feel, then Ghent is right for you with equally impressive architecture, romantic canals and embankments to stroll along and one of the most interesting culinary scenes in the country! But honestly, you can’t go wrong with either as they’re both some of the most stupid pretty towns in Europe!
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So, what should you do when in Bruges?
Well, turns out there are many things you can do in Bruges in a weekend! Not only will you have enough time to circle the entire town twice, but you’ll be able to do a canal boat tour, try some Belgian beer and waffles as well as admiring the beautiful architecture! You definitely don’t want to miss Bruges’ main attractions, but try not to get lost meandering along the canals!
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Head to the Grote Markt and enjoy one of the most beautiful market squares in Europe and listen to the endless chiming of the clock tower!
Climb the Belfort Tower for a view over the square
Enjoy a beer at the Duvelorium Grand Beer Café in the Historium Brugge
Take a horse drawn carriage ride
Admire the old, step-gables houses from the 13th century
Learn about the history of chocolate by taking a chocolate tour!
Head over to the Burg to oogle at the Stadhuis (City Hall)
Check out the Heilig Bloed Basiliek (Bascilia of the Holy Blood) which is has Europe’s most sacred relic: a phial supposedly with a few drops of the blood of Jesus.
While hanging out in the Burg, grab a waffle from the waffle van. Yes, it’s WORTH waiting in line for fresh waffles!!
Check out the Welcome Church of Our Lady which took 200 years to build and has a sculpture of Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.
Walk along the Canals and admire the architecture!
Learn about Trappist beers
Find the Beer Wall and check out all 400+ Belgian Beers on display before having a drink at the end of the wall.
Go shopping for Belgian Beer at the Bier Palais and then sit down to enjoy a beer in one of the most peaceful beer gardens!
Take a boat ride around the canals
Stop for Afternoon Tea at one of the many tea houses! Preferably the Gingerbread Tea house as they have Black Tea with hints of Belgian chocolate! mmm
Check out the Vismarkt which is an open air fish market, which still sells fish every morning.
Eat at a fritterie, preferably eating a cheeseburger or even fish’n’chips!
Sit along the banks of the canal along the Rozenhoedkaai
Go shopping for some Belgian chocolate
Take a tour of the Brouwerii de Halve Maan (Half Moon Brewery) – one of the oldest breweries in Bruges since 1856.
Check out the Frite Museum to learn the history and secrets of Belgium’s national culinary triumph – Belgian fries!
Then check out the Choco-Story museum to learn how cocoa is made into chocolate, of course with a tasting!
Take a walk through the make-shift antique market along the canal
Meander your way through they allies before finding the Minnewater, a peaceful park with a lake loaded with swans that have been here since 1488.
Take a tour between 2 and 5pm at the Kantecentrum to learn how lace is made
Continue walking until you find the last 4 windmills in Bruges.
Drink more beer
Eat your fill of fresh mussels
Find the locations that Colin Ferrel was in the movie In Bruges
Stroll around the town at sunset to increase your chances of romance and admire Bruges by night
Enjoy a Meringue at Aux Merveilleux
Get up early and enjoy the town before the tourists come in
Where to Stay in Bruges:
Hotel ‘t Putje ⭐⭐⭐ – We stayed at this adorable little hotel on the edge of the Old Town during our first visit and loved it!
Hotel Loreto ⭐⭐⭐ – This is a great hotel if you’re looking for a last minute hotel in the heart of the Old Town that is comfortable and affordable and has a great breakfast!
If you’re interested in visiting Europe and are looking for more information, I highly recommend using the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide or Lonely Planet! Without these guides, I would be lost! This is my travel Bible! As well as two books on Belgian beer I highly recommend for understanding Trappist beers and all of Belgium’s beers!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Belgium Travel Inspiration:
Eating, Drinking & Sightseeing Your Way Through Brussels
The Budget-Friendly Guide to Ghent
3 Days of Debauchery at the Aalst Carnaval
The Blissful Belgian Coast: Blankenberge Beach
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wow – i must say those beers are making me drool they look soooo good – mmm dark German beer was the first beer I ever tried and have been searching for it again ever since! Have to say I love Texas but they have sad beer choices! 🙂 enjoy a few more for me darling!
We love Bruges as well. You can’t go wrong with a place that does beer, waffles and chocolate! It’s a great place with kids too as it’s so compact. I actually made my kids go to Mass so that we could get into see the Sepulchre of the Holy Blood 🙂 It’s hard to tell what’s in there but whatever it was, they paid a LOT of money for it back in the day to buy it. #MondayEscapes
Wow, you packed a lot in. I went to Bruges pre-children for New Years with Mr ATWWAH once and we had a great time. And, I’m off there in February next year with some friends, so I’ll definitely be saving this post as I think you more or less did everything #MondayEscapes
I always try to see as much as possible! Hope you can do everything to because it’s such a lovely town!
Bruges is so gorgeous – I haven’t been for years but you’ve made me want to head right back (and have waffles)! #MondayEscapes
Hope you get to go back! I really want to make it a yearly trip!
Lovely lovely Bruges – really enjoyed re-reading this for #citytripping, although I still haven’t made it back. I am also very hungry again! 🙂
I am oohhhing and ahhing with the architecture photos! The place is so amazing and full of nice structures! Thanks for sharing =) #MondayEscapes
Oh my… deep fried burgers and beer. I am in! That sounds so wrong and so right all at the same time. Bruges looks wonderful, it’s somewhere I have wanted to visit for a while now! The view from the Belfort Tower is stunning and you’re right – you can’t go there and not explore the canal! That’s what makes Bruges so pretty! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
So looking forward to Bruges one day! Love Antwerp. Still haven’t gotten a take on Brussels, even though I’ve been there two times…
#mondayescapes
I’ve always wanted to go to Bruges; your photos are lovely you have made me want to go even more! #CityTripping x
You need to!! It’s amazing!! Thanks for stopping by!
I went there many years ago as a daytrip from Paris and I thought that our 6-hour stay was enough for me. I’ve never really considered staying there until I read this. Maybe I should try a weekend trip there as well? :p
Oh it’s definitely worth visiting for longer than 6 hours! Stay tuned for why you should include a beach trip from Bruges too! 🙂
As well as the colourful architecture and chocolate the ceiling in the bar really jumped out at me and the beer wall is also quite special! Still haven’t been, but the film In Bruges made me laugh so much and really put the city on the radar. #citytripping
Anywhere Colin Farrell has been is reason enough for me to go haha
The architecture is so stunning, it reminds me of Amsterdam. I would love to go to Bruges! #citytripping
I have strong feelings of love for Belgium. Love your photos. We visited in winter and it had a different atmosphere to what you have shown here so I think it might be time to go back to Bruges for some more chocolate. I had no idea that there would be so much chocolate! A nice surprise for sure
I can imagine it’s much more quite and probably gloomy in the winter! It’s much more vibrant during the summer but much more crowded!
A fantastic list of things to do in Bruges. Great photos too! We went to Bruges with the children when they were small and they loved the chocolate museum, the architecture, the boat trip and trying mussels for the first time.
Then you’ve definitely raised your kids right! They love all the best things haha
Not been for many years, time for a revisit!
#citytripping
Never been to Bruges, but the chocolate is definitely calling my name… And I’m pretty sure my husband would want to try the beer. One day… 🙂 #citytripping
Great list. We had an amazing time exploring Bruges over four days a couple of winters ago…we did a lot of what you mentioned but still more to do. We’ll definitely be back. Thanks for linking to #citytripping
Great photos! I absolutely love the colours and architecture of Bruges! And of course the chocolates. And beer. Omg, I love everything! #CityTripping
I feel like crying! I have never been for Brugges. I am pleasantly surprised with all the things that can be done and seen on the city. I’ll add it to my list of “must visit ” in Europe.
It is definitely a must-see place! And you’ll likely shed a tear of joy when you arrive!
Thanks for sharing this lovely list of things to do in Bruges. Minnewater, with its swans, looks pretty. #CityTripping
I want to go back to Bruges and stuff my face with waffles and pralines:)) !it’s such a lovely city:) #citytripping
That’s main reason I always go back! The waffles, pralines, beer and fries! Haha
Bruges seems to be right up my alley – mostly for the food though to be honest 😀 I’d love to spend a weekend trying Belgian chocolate there!
Oh that’s the main reason I go to Belgium! Always reminds me of the scene from Ever After “I’m just here for the fooood!”
Such beautiful sights! I’ve increasingly heard more and more good things about Bruges and these photos show me why, I especially love all of the pretty architecture that you found! 🙂
Looks magical! Bruges has always been at the top of my list, and I’m kicking myself for not making it there while I was living in Europe. Your post has only increased my wanderlust!
Ughhh I didn’t get over to Bruges on my trip to Brussels and so regretted it! Now I regret it even more! Looks so so cute and so many fun things to do! I know I’ll be back in the area some day .. So now I’ll be sure not to miss this charming little city! Keeping this saved for when I do 😀
You will love it!!!
holy adorable! I have to admit, the most I know about Bruges is what I’ve seen in the Colin Farrell movie, In Bruges. (have you seen it!?)
I only saw it after deciding to go to Bruges! And because I LOOOVE him! HAF! haha
We are going next year! I can not wait!
Hope you have lots of fun!!!
I always wanted to see Bruges, especially after watching that movie with Colin Farrell. Besides, I’ve heard it’s a great place for chocolate lovers.
It definitely is!!! It’s like a chocolate heaven!
I enjoyed my little boat tour in Bruges, although there was quite a line. You pass by the famous “movie” windows too.
Your photos definitely helped me reminisce about my trip to this pretty town. I remember trying to decide whether to go into a shoe shop and try on a pair of amazing leather boots. We decided to walk around the square first and get food for the children and then return to the shop. Later on the way back to the car, the shop was shut!! Funny what you remember about places.
Great travel tips! Since we just moved back to Europe, now in London, we’ll have to take some more weekend trips like heading to Bruges! 🙂
I love Bruges. The lighting of the main square at night is surreal. Just like in the movie.
I love Bruges- great pics
Bruges is one of my favorite cities in Europe. It’s so beautiful at night. But I’ve never been a big fan of Belgium beer. I know, there must be something wrong with me, right? Still, I keep trying. #wkendtravelinspiration
Ah such a shame! I enjoy the dark chocolatey foamy beers or Tongerlo or St. Bernardus – a lot of their lighter beers I don’t like either!
we tried to see Ghent and Bruge in one day and by the time we got to the latter it was late in the afternoon and raining. so we gave Bruge short shift. this a great list of things to do. I think i went back I would rent a bike. They are everywhere and it seems like a nice thing to back around town and along the outskirts — a handy way to find those windmills!.
Oh what a shame! Definitely go back! I think if we go again I would love to rent a bike as well and see some of the outskirts away from the tourists!
It’s even better if you watch the film before going!
We did that before the first time we visited! 🙂
You certainly packed a lot into your trip to Bruges! Lovely photos and interesting account of your activities in this beautiful city. Have you been to Gent too?
No sadly we didn’t have time but we love Belgium so much we will certainly be going again soon and Ghent will be our main focus!
Great. Check out my blog for ideas where to visit in Belgium, should you be interested.
Love Brugge. Have a garlic sausage, frites and a beer while sitting in the town square.