Here’s how to spend a day in Bruges if you are visiting Belgium.
I suggest stopping there for at least a day because there are a lot of things to see, but you can totally go for more time there.
Plus, the train network serves very well all the towns to visit so you can add Ghent, Brussels or Antwerp to your itinerary !
Bruges is located north-west of Belgium and its port, Zeebrugge, is an important center for fishing and European trade.
I’ll list here all the things to do when spending a day in Bruges.
Bruges circuit : 30 minutes of walking, 7 stops
As you will probably arrive from the train station, the first stop of the day will be the Lover’s bridge (Minnewaterbrug), located on the lake of Love (Minnewater).
After 5 minutes you’ll reach the Bruges Beguinage. It is a community created in the 13th century by and for women, to enable them to live without patriarchal guardianship.
Another 5 minutes walk will take you to Hôpital Saint-Jean (St John’s hospital), a former hospital complex and one of the oldest medieval hospitals in Europe.
Few meters away is the church of Notre-Dame built in the 13th century. Its 115.5-meter brick tower is 2nd highest in the world. Inside, you’ll find a rich collection of art which includes Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna and Child among numerous paintings and artefacts.
Fee : Entrance for the church is free, museum ticket is 8€.
Opening hours : Everyday from 9:30am to 5pm.
After 2 minutes, you’ll reach St Boniface bridge, a lovely little bridge that sums up the whole atmosphere of this town.
Another 5 minutes will lead you to Rozenhodkaai or Rosary quay, the most beautiful spot in Bruges.
A few steps away is a famous beer pub with a wall full of beers and their glass, it’s a really fun spot :
4 minutes from the quay is Bruges’ most impressive belfry, dating back to the 13th century. This 83 metres high tower is a World Heritage Site.
The belfry is located on the Grand-Place of Bruges, also called Markt or Grote Markt.
Fee : 15€ to climb the 366 stairs
Opening hours : everyday from 10am to 6pm in winter, and 9am to 8pm from April to November.
Burg square is just a few meters away from Markt and is even more impressive as it is surrounded by the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges, Bruges’ City Hall, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
The basilica consists of an upper and a lower chapel. The Romanesque Lower chapel is dedicated to Saint Basil, while the Gothic Upper chapel houses the museum of the basilica or treasury with the Relic of the Holy Blood.
Fee : Free entrance for the Basilica, 5€ for the museum
Opening hours : Everyday from 10am to 5:15pm.
Searching for more places to visit in Bruges ? I can’t recommend enough wandering in the charming little streets of the historic center such as Blinde Ezelstaat.
If you are on the lookout for great fries, head to Fritbar, and for waffles you can try House of Waffles or Otto. Try the delicious belgian chocolates either at Chocolatier Dumon or The Old Chocolate House.
That’s it for my Bruges recommendations !
I hope this article gave you a better idea of what to expect from a day in Bruges, it’s nice to stop by if you are coming to Belgium !
If you plan on coming to Belgium soon you can check out my other articles such as a day in Brussels, a day in Ghent or a day in Antwerp.
If you need more information about what to know before going to Belgium, you can check out this article.
I have also made a post about restaurant and food recommendations, click here to check it out !
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
