Bruges! The medieval belle of Belgium, nicknamed the Venice of the North. We loved Bruges on our Belgian (bike) tour. It’s cobblestones and canals, swans gliding under stone bridges, and medieval lace shops – so beautiful, they are almost theatrical. Yet Bruges is the real deal with centuries of proof! First time, get a Bruges Card to explore 11 museums!
Where to stay in Bruges Belgium
Bruges Central..
We biked into Bruges, from nearby Ghent via Antwerp, and found ourselves in magical Markt Square, the heart of Bruges since 958! Today it buzzes with horse-drawn carriages, lively cafés, and seasonal spectacles—like Bruges’ world-famous Christmas Markets and the Ice Festival. Looming above is the Belfry of Bruges (Belfort). We first climbed the 366 steps of the crooked tower, leaning a full meter eastward – like Pisa) for a sweeping view of rooftops and canals, and to hear the 47 bells. It was blustery atop the Bruges Belltower at 83-meters, almost 300′.
Just around the corner, Brug Square dazzles with the Gothic grandeur of City Hall, aka Stadhuis. Be sure to tour this impressive hall and city meeting place, adorned in gold, with a wonderful interactive display. Next door, the mysterious looking Basilica of the Holy Blood is a must, climb the worn circular stairs to witness inside this dark church, said to house a relic from the Crusades.
Canals and Quiet Corners
A canal boat ride is a wonderful, albeit popular, way to feel Bruges’ “Venice of Belgium” vibe. They pack people into these low canal barges, to glide beneath old stone bridges, past willow trees and lush gardens spilling over the waterline, with occasional swans, and lots of selfie sticks on board. Its a 30-minute, $15 euro per person, boat ride. On land, wander to the peaceful Beguinage (Ten Wijngaerde), founded in 1245 to see ancient, whitewashed homes with lace curtains encircling a quiet green, once home to pious women, and now a UNESCO site.
Seek out the Sint-Janshuismolen Windmill, one of four last standing windmills along Bruges’ ramparts, and cross St. Michael’s Bridge for the most romantic view in town.
Bruges Art and Museums
Bruges is a treasury of art and history. The Groening Museum spans six centuries of Flemish painting, while the Gruuthuse Museum displays life from medieval to Renaissance days in Bruges. The Sint Janshospitaal showcases medieval medical care, and the essence of word “hospitality’ – the etymology of a word we’ve lost in clinical modern medicine and hospitals. St Jans Hospital holds amazing masterpieces by Belgian Hans Memling, don’t miss the attic’s modern display of his world. Step into the massive Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) for a glimpse of Michelangelo’s delicate Madonna and Child.
Lace, Chocolate & Waffles
Lace is Bruges’ DNA— rococo lace patterns flutter in local workshops. Just strolling Bruges’ pedestrian alleyways and cobblestone streets leads to charming chocolate and nougat shops, beer halls, lace shops, and cafés on canals.
Dining & Drinking
For a taste of tradition, dine at Vlaminck – have a savory Waterzoii or Beef stew. For a fun night of all-you-can-eat ribs, or the most delish fish stew, reserve at the cozy Mozart Restaurant Brugge.
Duc de Bourgogne is a most romantic restaurant, ask for a table inside by the window overlooking the canal. The 3 course menu is excellent. Just watching the canal boats pass below as you sip wine, enjoy lamb, mussels in wine, salmon, Belgian chcolate dessert, its Bruge=iful! Enjoy a Bruges Zot beer at a Bruges Brewery and simply linger at a café until the Belfry chimes its bedtime.
Staying Overnight at a charming inn BnB Barabas Bruges, we loved our modern room with fireplace and modern appointments. Downstairs, a classic living room was cozy and inviting, while the garden terrace overlooking the canal provided a great place to relax with a drink from the honor bar. Breakfast was lavish with local yogurt, a tower of cheese and breads, homecooked eggs, salmon, even chocolate – in the most romantic candlelit setting.
Bruges’s Bells and Bridges, Lace & Legend
Bruges is proof that fairytales aren’t just for children—they’re for travelers, too. It’s even better by evening as the tour buses depart and the lanterns come on, it’s a charming cobblestone place.
From Bruges we bicycled 35 miles, over the Dutch border (with little flag or fanfare now that the EU is borderless) to Middelburg Netherlands, then continued our Neverlands’ Southern Bike Tour to more beautiful Netherland’s medieval villages, Zierikzee, Willemstad, Venlo, Maastricht, eventually returning by bike to Brussels.
See our review of Biking Belgium – an itinerary of some of the most majestic cities in Belgium with gorgeous countryside for cycling along the way, continuing into the Netherlands “Sea Land” for 12-Days cycling as well.
Also see our Netherlands–Holland Self-Guided Bike Tours:
Bike Itinerary Amsterdam to Friesland, Hoorn, Giethoorn -12-day cycling tour
Bike Tour Amsterdam to Cheese Towns Gouda, Delft, Hague, Leiden, Alkmaar, Volendam – 8 days cycling
“Travel light, enjoy every scene, sight, every bite.” – Heather Burke
More on Self-Guided Cycling Adventures
Biking France’s Loire Valley Castles Itinerary & Tour
Danube Austria Self-Guided Bike Tour
How to Pack a Pannier for a Bike Tour