Bruges Travel Guide
How to make the most of your time in this medieval Belgian city.
After my time in Brussels, I headed to Bruges for three nights. This was the perfect amount of time to see the city sites, enjoy some delicious food, and kick off the holiday season.
Getting There
I hopped on a quick regional train from Brussels and arrived in Bruges in just over an hour. Though Bruges is a small city, I still opted for a taxi to get me to my hotel. Brussels has the closest international airport. Since Belgium is a smaller country, I’d recommend visiting at least two destinations if you make the trip from across the pond.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Hotel Heritage Relais & Chateaux. It was perfectly located, only a two-minute walk from the main square. Bruges mostly has smaller, boutique hotels along with Bed & Breakfasts. This isn’t a place where you will find large chain hotels.
My Classic Room was petite, like many European hotel rooms, especially those in older cities. Bruges dates back to medieval times. The hotel only has 22 rooms. Its staff was incredibly friendly, providing a map, reviewing highlights to see, and assisting with reservations. While the room was on the smaller side, I had enough space and plenty of luxurious touches, like fresh fruit and water daily.
I’ve mentioned before how much I love a fancy hotel breakfast and Hotel Heritage did not disappoint. The restaurant has a small buffet with champagne, though the servers also managed your orders for hot dishes. One touch I loved was the amouse bouches they would deliver throughout your dining experience. It might be a small vegetable dish, mini chocolate mousse, or whatever inspired the chef that morning. I spent time each morning enjoying a leisurely breakfast while planning my day.
What to Do
Bruges is the ‘Venice of the North’ and filled with canals and waterways. I took a boat tour and loved seeing the city from a different perspective.
Late November and December is when Bruges’ Christmas markets open. I happened to be there on opening day and was excited for my first Christmas market experience. It’s helpful to have cash for purchasing items, though many places accept cards. I didn’t really buy any ‘stuff’ but did enjoy sampling the food and beverages, particularly the Gluwein (hot mulled wine). At each market, you will pay a deposit (‘pfand’) for the glass or cup. If you return the cup, you receive that deposit back in cash. If you opt to keep the cup, then you take it with you. Different stalls, markets, and cities have different types of cups and mugs. Some people collect them. I preferred to return them!
Visiting the Belfort is easy to do since it’s an iconic tower in the main square. I walked around it but opted to skip the 300+ step climb to the top.
The hotel concierge recommended the St. John’s Hospital Museum and I’m glad I went. This hospital was functioning in the 12th century. You can see instruments, structures, and learn about how medicine was practiced over a thousand years ago.
I purchased a Musea Brugge Card that gave me access to most of the main sites over a three day period. At 33 euros, it was a great buy! I made sure to visit their art museums, including the Groeningemuseum and the Gruuthusemuseum.
Most of the museums and sites were on the smaller side and easy to explore independently. I also didn’t experience lines or large crowds at any of them.
Where & What to Eat
Breakfast at the Heritage Hotel was delicious. Even if you stay somewhere else, you can make reservations for their breakfast.
I had a lovely dinner sitting at the bar at Amuni, where the owners are from Italy. Their pizza was delicious and I enjoyed a complimentary limoncello to end the meal.
In the land of chocolate, you can’t skip! Mary has been in operation since 1919 and offers a wide array of artisanal chocolates.
I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Brasserie Raymond. They have a couple of prix fix menu options along with an extensive a la carte menu.
If you’re in Bruges during Christmas market season, there will be food & drinks everywhere! They have everything from gluwein and beer to pretzels, sausage, gaufres (waffles), and more. Some stalls will have long lines but they tend to move quickly.
Tips
Bruges is a very small city. I walked everywhere. Plan to be on your feet and wear shoes that will withstand cobblestones and uneven streets. A perk of small cities is that you can easily pop back to the hotel if you want to refresh, drop off shopping, or adjust any layers you’re wearing. I had a few rainy days and was glad to have waterproof shoes and a rain jacket!
Dutch is the primary language in Bruges, but almost everyone spoke English. It’s a very tourism-driven economy, especially given its UNESCO World Heritage designation.