Belgium is a unique destination for travelers in that its largest metropolis by a large distance, Brussels, isn’t often considered the most attractive stop for visitors. Instead, the significantly smaller Belgian cities have a reputation as the best places to visit in Belgium. One of those, perhaps the most well-known, is the medieval Flemish city of Bruges.
Bruges, home to just over 100,000 residents, is a small city in comparison with other touristic hotspots across Europe. So what’s the buzz about? Is Bruges really worth visiting? And if so, how many days do you need to properly explore and experience Bruges? Let’s discuss.
Where is Bruges Located in Belgium?
Bruges is located in the northwest corner of Belgium, just 11km (or a 20-minute train ride) from the Atlantic Ocean and equally close to the Netherlands border. Since Belgium is such a small nation, it’s also quite easy to get to Bruges from other popular destinations in the country, including Brussels.
What Is Bruges Known For?
Though relatively small in size, Bruges is large in character. It’s well-known for its grand brick Gothic architecture, many buildings of which date back to the middle ages.
Best Things to Do in Bruges
Here are some of the best things to see or do while visiting Bruges:
1. Get Lost in the Beautiful Historic Centre
Sure, this is an incredibly generic activity, but there’s something special about strolling the cobblestone streets of Bruges with no agenda at all. You’ll immediately experience upon arrival (if by train), as the walk to and from the train station is almost entirely on centuries-old cobblestone streets (try not to bring a roller suitcase, as they can be annoying to walk around with due to the stones!).
There’s beauty at every turn in Bruges. Between the peaceful canals that weave throughout the city and the Gothic architecture on display everywhere you look, exploring Bruges is simple. The beauty will naturally direct you to your inevitable destinations.
2. Climb to the Top of the Belfry of Bruges
The Belfry of Bruges is the city’s iconic landmark. A UNESCO world heritage site, this 272-foot medieval bell tower is well-worth the climb up its 366 stairs. At its pinnacle, you are rewarded with 360-degree views that extend all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Explore Rozenhoedkaai
Rozenhoedkaai (or ‘Rosary Quay’) might be the most photogenic intersection in Bruges, as its where two of the city’s canals merge. Have yourself a seat on the bridge and take in the setting.
This is a good spot to take a canal tour if you’re tired of walking. Bruges is not Venice in terms of the sheer number of canals, but it’s still a pretty unique touch.
4. Have a Waffle from Chez Albert
Ahh, those Belgian waffles. While cities like Brussels and Liege boast that their waffles are the most famous, Bruges takes the crown in terms of the best in Belgium. Bruges might be worth visiting for the waffles alone!
Stop at any one of the street vendors or waffle cafes, they’re all delicious, though my personal favorite is Chez Albert. Make sure to get strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzled on top!
5. Visit the Bruges Christmas Market
The Bruges Christmas Market is one of the best in Europe, and for good reason. With the Belfry of Bruges painting an iconic backdrop of the main market and a couple other mini markets in nearby squares, you’ll find that there are more than enough vendors to spur your interest. Wander around and feel the overwhelming Christmas spirit.
Side note, what’s nice about staying overnight in Bruges is that many of the day-trippers flock out of the city in the evening hours, so by nightfall it’s less noisy and congested around the market.
6. Follow the Light Experience Trail
A winter activity unique to Bruges, the Light Experience Trail is a 2.5km-long trail encompassing 10 different light installations which weave throughout the city center. The coolest part? The trail includes both light and sound, with peaceful music guiding you along the experience that makes you feel as if you’re starring in a film with a Hans Zimmer soundtrack. This is one of the most creative, tranquil experiences you’ll find anywhere during the Christmas season.
7. Attend a Club Bruges Game
This isn’t for everyone, as not many tourists think about football (or soccer, or whatever you call it) when traveling. But if you’re into sports or football specifically in the slightest, I highly suggest venturing outside of the historic center and catching a Club Bruges match if they have a home game while you’re visiting.
Club Bruges are one of the most successful clubs in Belgium and have a passionate following of local and national supporters. Jan Breydel Stadium is a 29,000-seat venue that boasts a great atmosphere, especially if ‘FCB’ are playing a European game or a Belgian rival. Stay after the game for a few pints at the fan-zone too!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Bruges?
Because Bruges gets so many day trip visitors, July and August can get quite busy. So, if you want decent weather without swarming crowds, the best time to visit Bruges are the months of June, September, and October.
Otherwise, December is the best month to visit because of the abundant Christmas festivities. The Bruges Christmas Market is one of the most enchanting activities in the city, so visiting Bruges around the holidays wouldn’t disappoint.
However, winters in Belgium can get chilly, cloudy, and damp, so if you want to be out and about in a T-shirt, you should target the summer months or early fall instead.
How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Bruges?
The best part about Bruges being so compact is that it allows visitors to see all of the main attractions within one full day.
As someone who likes to really experience the culture of a city, I find that the most appropriate amount of time to visit Bruges is two full days (and two nights), especially if you plan on doing longer activities such as visiting all of the museums, taking a brewery tour, or attending a football match.
Many travelers make Bruges a day trip, especially if coming from Brussels. But devoting two days and two nights allows you to take the city in without feeling like you’re in a hurry and make Bruges worth visiting even more.
Sure, you might find yourself strolling on the same city street more than once. However, despite Bruges’ small size in terms of total area, the number of fantastic restaurants, cafes, and museums really makes up for it. And if you get bored, you can always walk back to the train station and visit a beach or casino in one of the nearby coastal towns such as Oostende or Blankenberge, which are only 15 minutes away by train. I recommend Blankenberge—this was a nice little 2-hour break from the hustle and bustle of the city center to see the coast, even if the beaches in Belgium are unspectacular compared to southern Europe.
In-Summary: Is Bruges Worth Visiting?
Bruges might only be the 8th-largest city in Belgium, but it ranks at the top of the list of best places to visit in the country and is definitely worth visiting. Its small size and proximity to regional hubs such as Brussels and Amsterdam make it an easy visit for a day trip, though I’d recommend spending at least one, preferably two nights in this beautiful city. It should be on everyone’s Belgium itinerary or joint Belgium + Netherlands itinerary.
Best Things to Do in Bruges FAQs
Which is better to visit between Bruges and Brussels?
If you only have time to visit one Belgian city on your trip, you’re going to be left wondering, should I visit Bruges or Brussels?
Though both cities boast beautiful main squares and have some fantastic waffles and frites, the similarities tend to stop there. Bruges is a small city, with just 117,000 inhabitants, while Brussels has a metro population of 2.5 million.
However, visitors might be surprised at how little Brussels appeals to tourists. It’s a fairly industrial city and incredibly government-centric given its position as the capital of Belgium and headquarters of the EU. While the square is captivating and there are exceptional restaurants and bars, Brussels simply doesn’t have the charm outside of the main square that Bruges can boast in more abundance.
Bruges offers more sights per capita (if that’s a real term) than Brussels, including the Belfry Tower, stunning Christmas Markets, plenty of museums, the Bruges Beer Experience, and the Light Experience Trail. For a city of just around 100,000 residents, there is a huge number of sights to see and things do in Bruges, making it better to visit than Brussels.
Which is better to visit between Bruges and Ghent?
Bruges vs. Ghent is another common dilemma for travelers who might only have time to see one of these well-rounded Belgian cities. Ghent is undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in Belgium and is only a 25-minute train ride from Bruges.
If you have time, you should see both and spend 1.5 days in Ghent and 1.5 in Bruges. Ghent is a very underrated city that has a bit more ‘hustle-and-bustle’ to its day-to-day scene than Bruges, yet it’s maintained much of its historic charm. It’s also just a short 45-minute train ride from Brussels.
But if you only have time to see one of these cities, you should choose Bruges. It’s one of the most unique, beautiful cities in all of Europe thanks to its medieval cobblestone-lined streets and Gothic buildings largely surviving World War II.
How do you get from Brussels to Bruges?
The easiest way to get from Brussels to Bruges is by train. The train system in Belgium is reliable, clean, and pretty modernized.
Once you arrive in Brussels, you will first head to one of its three main stations – Brussels-South (Brussels-Zuid in Dutch and Brussels-Midi in French), Brussels-Central, or Brussels-North. From any of these three stations, you can find a train to Bruges. These run regularly throughout the day, so there’s no need to book in advance. Many people commute from Bruges to Brussels.
How long does it take to get to Bruges from other places in Belgium?
Since Belgium is such a small nation, it doesn’t take long to get from place to place, including from Brussels to Bruges. The journey takes just one hour by train.
Here’s the distance from Bruges to other popular cities in Belgium:
- Ghent (30-minute train)
- Brussels (1-hour train)
- Antwerp (1-hour train)
- Liege (2-hour train)
