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Where is Bruges located?
- Bruges, located in northwestern Belgium, is the capital of West Flanders.
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What is Bruges known for?
- This ancient city is characterized by its medieval architecture, cobbled lanes, and romantic canals.
- Bruges is often called the Venice of Belgium due to its picturesque waterways.
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Where should visitors start exploring Bruges?
- Stadhuis, the Gothic town hall in Burg Square, is one of the best places to start a visit to get a sense of the local history.
- Alternatively, Markt – the Market Square – offers another excellent starting point for exploring Bruges.
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What is the historical significance of Markt?
- An exceptional piece of preserved history, Markt was once the scene of diverse local events, including medieval festivals and public executions.
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What is the must-see attraction in Markt?
- The belfry is the highlight of Markt and a must-see for visitors.
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What are the top things to do in Bruges?
- Visitors can best experience the charm of Bruges by beginning with these 25 things to do and see.
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1. Flemish Beguinages
Located in Belgium’s Flanders Region is the Flemish Beguinages, a collection of 13 sites that highlight the cultural traditions of the beguines, a group of unmarried or widowed women who chose to dedicate their lives to God without removing themselves from the outside world. During the 13th century they established the beguinages, or closed neighborhoods, specifically designed to cater to their material and spiritual needs. These communities were surrounded by walls or deep ditches with a single gate that would remained open during the day. The interiors were designed based on the cultural regions they were constructed in, rural or urban, and were comprised of ancillary buildings, churches, houses, and green spaces.
Grote Market 34, 8900, Ieper, Belgium
2. Belfry of Bruges
The Belfry of Bruges is one of the most prominent towers in the city, standing at a towering height of over 270 feet. It’s most important fixture is the carillon, a collection of 47 harmonious bells. Visitors will have to climb 366 steps before they reach the top, but when they do they’ll be treated with unforgettable, picturesque 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area. Before making the lengthy climb, visitors will learn about the tower’s history in the reception area. On the way up they’ll stop by the old treasury, where the city’s public funds, seal, and charters were held during the Middle Ages, and the carillonneur’s chambers.
Market 7, 8000, Brugge, Belgium
3. Boottochten Brugge
The Boottochten Brugge boat tours are a must-do attraction when visiting this historic city, offering 30-minute boat trips along the famous canals of this self-proclaimed Venice of the North. Many of the places the tour passes by are locations that can only be seen via a boat, including historic buildings and churches. The tours cruise down the Spiegelrei toward Jan Van Eyckplein, passing by interesting buildings such as the slender tower of the Poortersloge building. The tour guides are extremely informative, witty, and entertaining and offer a wealth of information about each of the ancient sites as they’re passed by. Tours are given in English, Dutch, German, and French.
Nieuwstraat 11, 8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-50-33-32-93
4. Boudewijn Seapark
Boudewijn Seapark is one part amusement park and one part aquarium, featuring a wide array of attractions. Their dolphinarium is the only one of its kind within the country, housing six bottlenose dolphins, which put on performances daily. Sea lions, seals, and birds of prey also call this park their home. In addition to the marine animals and amusement park rides such as Hurricane, Orca Ride, and Pirate Ship Sancta Maria, there is also an 8,000-square-foot indoor playground featuring 15 attractions, like inflatable bouncing castles, a carousel ride, and a 16-foot-high volcano called a klimvulkaan. There are various restaurants, a mini golf course, a mini farm, and a seasonal skating rink.
Alfons De Baeckestraat 12, 8200, Bruges, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-50-38-38-38
5. Bruges Beer Museum - BeerWalk
Many people consider Bruges to be a grand open-air museum filled with secret hideaways and unique attractions, but its best-kept secret is its world-class beers. This medieval city is centered on 25 beer and beer brewing tales, making it the ideal location for a captivating beer tour. The tours last roughly 3 hours, taking visitors on a voyage into the past before returning them to the present. There are five distinct beer tastings as well as a complimentary BeerWalk glass. The walk begins at the Bruges Beer Museum - BeerWalk and takes guests throughout the ancient town, where they taste delicious craft beers that hold historical significance from previous eras and attractions.
Breidelstraat 3, 8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-4-96-76-45-54
6. Bruges By Horse-drawn Carriage
Taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through Bruges is one of the most romantic and informative ways visitors can see this ancient city. The tours begin in the heart of the city at Carriage Station and end at one of the legendary beguinage, a preserved medieval community that consisted solely of women who were widowed or unmarried and chose to dedicate their lives to God. Tours run along the majestic canals and an informative guide educates guests on the city’s historical roots while they pass by secret picturesque corners, ancient bridges, historic sites, and various museums. Night tours can also be booked. Large group tours are available.
Bruges By Horse-drawn Carriage , Gemene Weidestraat 51, B-8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-50-34-54-01
7. Burg Square
Burg Square is one of two medieval squares located within the city. It showcases various architectural styles including Gothic, Renaissance, and neoclassical. The latter is the style of the most beautiful and prominent building in the town, the Stadhuis Gothic Tower, which dates back to 1376 and is one of the oldest in the Low Countries. One of the tour’s most interesting buildings is the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the square’s smallest building. Its lower chapel is done in the Romanesque style while the upper chapel is in the Gothic style; the vastly different architectural styles make it extremely unique. Other key buildings include Bishop’s Palace and the Old Civil Registry.
Hoogstraat and Breidelstraat, B8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-50-44-46-46
8. Canal Trip Bruges-Damme
For a truly magical experience visitors should opt to take a canal trip on the whimsical river boat Lamme Goedzak, a 170-passenger steamboat that travels from the Norwegian Quay in Bruges to the Damme city center, where the legendary character Tyll Ulenspiegel hales from. On the way to Damme, informative guides will tell Flemish tales of Nele and Tyll. Upon reaching the island, guests visit the extraordinary town hall and the Ulenspiegel Museum. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy wandering around the little town, stopping by bookstores, delectable restaurants, and unique pubs. There are even a few nature walks along various trails.
Canal Trip Bruges-Damme, Noorweegse Kaai 31, 8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-50-28-86-10
9. Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum
Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum also known as the Het Museum van Cacao, is a quaint museum featuring two floors of shops, exhibitions, and demonstrations. Upon entering the small museum, visitors will be immediately hit with the delicious, mouthwatering scents of melted chocolate. The first stop is the kitchen of the chocolatier, a Belgian chocolate maker, who provides a 15-minute demonstration on how pralines and seashell chocolates are made. Guests will watch in awe as melted chocolate turns into hard-shelled decadence. After the demonstration, guests can wander through the museum, learning fun and interesting facts about the history of chocolate making and its process through exhibitions and speaking with experts.
Wijnzakstraat 2, 8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-24-20-70-76
10. Ezelpoort
The Ezelpoort, also known as the Donkey’s Gate, was built in 1297 during the development of the second ring of ramparts. In 1369 a new design was created and built by Mathias Saghen and Jan Slabbard, who also created the Smedenpoort and the Boeveriepoort. Between the 14th and 17th centuries the gate underwent several alterations. The 17th century alterations were significant, and completely changed the appearance of the Ezelpoort. Today, all that remains of the original gate is the brick gate’s lower section; the very top part of the structure was removed in the 17th century, making this once towering medieval gate much smaller.
Ezelstraat 122, 8000, Brugge, Belgium, Phone: +32-0-50-44-46-46
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Flemish Beguinages
- 2. Belfry of Bruges
- 3. Boottochten Brugge
- 4. Boudewijn Seapark
- 5. Bruges Beer Museum - BeerWalk
- 6. Bruges By Horse-drawn Carriage
- 7. Burg Square
- 8. Canal Trip Bruges-Damme
- 9. Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum
- 10. Ezelpoort