Bruges (Brugge to the Belgians) is the Belgium’s crown jewel. While a relatively small city, it is packed with great restaurants, fascinating attractions, a variety of fun things to do and more charm and allure than many more popular European destinations.
How to get to Bruges
There are a couple of options when looking how to get to Bruges. The city is well connected by train and bus from major cities in Belgium ( Brussels and Ostende) and abroad (London, Amsterdam and other major cities).
The closest commercial airport to Bruges is Ostend International Airport, which has connections to major cities like Manchester, Barcelona, Faro and many more. Bruges is only one hour away from Brussels and can easily be reached by train, bus or car.
Where to stay in Bruges
I highly recommend to stay in Old Town, which is located on the southern side of the major landmarks of Bruges. A more peaceful set of streets and canals, leading up to the Begijnhof and the Minnewater.
This is a charming place to stay if you want to be central but somewhere quieter too. If you don’t stay here you’ll probably be brought here on a canal, or by a horse and trap.
What to do & see in Bruges
• The Belfry tower. This is Bruges’ unmissable attraction – the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building of the city. Make the 366-step climb on the hour to hear the tower’s incredible ensemble of bells ringing out their special tunes.
• The canal. You can see the city by horse and carriage or by foot but the best way to see it’s beautiful architecture is by water. Canals weave their way through the historic centre of Bruges and stretch off into the city beyond.
• Brugge Markt. This market square has been holding a weekly market since 985. Every winter the square transforms into a winter wonderland for Christmas-lovers.
• The Lovers’ Bridge and Lake of Love is an oasis of calm in the middle of Minnewater Park, a haven of peace and tranquillity with the picturesque and romantic Lover’s Bridge at its heart.
• Basilica of the Holy Blood. It is a beautiful renaissance building consisting of two churches and is best known for a small phial inside said to contain a cloth with the blood of Jesus Christ on it.
• Chocolatier Dumon. Chocolate has to be one of Belgium’s most famous exports. And in Bruges you have more choice then you could possibly imagine. Chocolatier Dumon is one of Belgium’s most well-known brands of chocolate.
Have a nice trip!
For more European travel inspo check my posts here: https://travelwithanny.com/category/destinations/europe/
Your sincerely,
Anny