Best things to do in Belgium Bruges

24. 09. 2023

Bite-sized adventures in my Shorts channel.

What to do in Bruges? What to visit in Bruges? Where to go for food and chocolate? Take inspiration from my travels.

Bruges, Belgium? Beautiful historical centre. Chocolate. Waffles. French fries. Beer. Long beaches. Well-designed museums.

Bruges can be explored in a day. But if you want to enjoy the city and experience the nightlife, I recommend planning an overnight stay.

Historic centre

The main part of Bruges that you will be interested in is right in the middle of the city and is bounded all around by the Kanaal Gent-Brugge canal. Inside this part of Brug you will find chocolate shops, tea rooms, historical buildings such as the Site Oud Sint-Jan Hospital, the Church of Our Lady or the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, the Museum of Beer, Chocolate and Handicrafts

Minnewaterbrug - Lake of Love

The Lake of Love is located in the lower part of the historic centre. Minnewaterbrug is a stone bridge in Bruges, Belgium. It is one of the most photographed bridges in Belgium and is a popular tourist destination. The bridge connects the Minnewater (Lake of Love) with the Beguinage (Begijnhof), a medieval complex for women who chose to lead a religious life but did not enter a convent. Minnewaterbrug is a popular place for couples in love and is often used for wedding photographs. The bridge is also a popular spot for tourists who want to enjoy the beautiful views of Minnewater and Beguinage.

Begijnhof

The Belgian begijnhofs are historic complexes of houses and churches that were founded in the 13th and 14th centuries for women who chose a religious life but did not join a convent. Beguines lived together in a community but were free to leave at any time. The Begijnhof in Bruges is a complex consisting of a church and white houses with gardens. The best time to visit it is in spring, when the flowers start to bloom.

Sint Jan Hospital

St. John’s Hospital is a historic hospital complex in Bruges. There is a museum on the history of medicine. You can also visit an example of a period pharmacy. The pharmacy grows many of its own plants.

Church of Our Lady

Our Lady of Bruges Church is a Gothic church built between the 13th and 15th centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St Mary’s Church is known for its beautiful facade, tall tower and rich interior decoration. The biggest attraction of the church is the statue of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, which is considered one of his finest works. In addition to the statue of the Madonna and Child, the church also houses many other works of art, including paintings by Hans Memling, Rogier van der Weyden and other important painters.

Belfry of Bruges

The bell tower in Bruges is a Gothic bell tower that was built in the 13th century. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Bruges and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bell tower is 83 metres high and consists of an octagonal tower with a battlement. At the top of the tower is the bell tower, which consists of 47 bells. The chimes are played every day at 11:00 and 18:00. Visitors can climb 366 steps to the top of the bell tower. They are rewarded for their efforts with a spectacular view of Bruges and its surroundings. You must book or arrive in the morning, otherwise you won’t be able to reach the top as it is crowded.

De Burg

Burg Square in Bruges is one of the most important squares in Belgium. It is the historic centre of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Burg Square is surrounded by important buildings, including the town hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the presbytery. The town hall is one of the most beautiful town halls in Belgium. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Romanesque-Gothic church that was built in the 12th century. Inside the church is a vial supposedly containing the blood of Christ.

Boat trip

I definitely recommend trying a boat ride. There are several moorings in Belgium where you can go out. I recommend using Boat Tours - Coudenys. The boat will take you through the Belgian rivers. You will get a view of the sights from the river and you can even get to places where you can’t get to on foot. Rides usually range from 30 to 45 minutes.

Beer museum

If you’re a beer fan or want to learn about the history of beer, I recommend checking out the Bruges Beer Experience museum. The museum has 3 floors. You will gradually learn how beer was created, and how it is created today. You’ll also learn the history of beer in different countries, that beer can be combined with cheese and chocolate, and at the end you can even taste the different beers in the bar. Slowly in every part of the museum there is some interactive part like smells, videos, the possibility to smell different types of hops etc. Tickets can be purchased with or without tasting 3 samples. If you decide to take the ticket without beer, in case you change your mind, at the end of the tour in the bar you can buy tokens for the same price as when you bought the ticket. There are around 20 beers to choose from at the bar.

Museum of fries

Do you like French fries and want to know how they were/are made? In Friet Museum you can find out absolutely everything. A discount on the purchase of fries at the end of the tour in the restaurant can be a motivation to visit. The museum has prepared a tour for you that starts with the history of potatoes, continues with how they are grown and gradually transformed into French fries.

Chocolaterie Brugge Home Sweet Home

There are chocolate shops on every corner in Bruges. They offer everything from small candies to giant chocolates and chocolate rabbits to chocolate tools. I personally visited Home Sweet Home and can recommend this chocolate shop. If you have to travel to Brug in the morning, I recommend stopping here for hot chocolate.

Mills in Bruges

In Bruges there are several mills along the river. If you go here, you can plan a walk along the river inside the alley. There are plenty of benches around the mill and along the path, so it’s a good place to relax.

Zeebrugge Beach

While you’re in Bruges, I recommend stopping at Zeebrugge beach. It’s a long stretch of beach along Bruges. People come here to swim, run, surf or just relax. You can get here by train or public transport.