One Day in Bruges, Belgium
Some of you may know, that I grew up in Belgium, although I was born in The Netherlands. But it was only recently that I have been able to travel a bit more around Belgium and rediscover some cities that I have only visited when I was a teenager.
One of these cities is Bruges; probably one of the most popular spots to visit in Belgium. This old city is located about an hour train ride from Brussels, so it’s very convenient also for a day trip.
Let’s check out the things to do and see in Bruges as well as the best spots to get coffee and food.
Things To Do & See
Stroll around the charming old town and see the main sights
View from “Rozenhoedkaai”
Bruges is not a big city so it’s best to walk around the town and discover it in a relaxed way. You will see the picturesque Belgian houses, the dreamy canal views and the horse carriages riding around. In spring and summer, you really should partake in the “Terrassenweer” (Dutch for terrace weather) which means soaking up the sun by sitting on a terrace and having a drink while people watching.
Here are some main landmarks to check out:
Church of our Lady - one of the main churches in Bruges, it’s famous for containing the Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo.
Rozenhoedkaai - A famous spot right in the heart of Bruges; you’ll find the best canal views on the city, overlooking the medieval buildings.
Belfry of Bruges - main bell tower with 366 steps leading to the top.
Begijnhof - A UNESCO World Heritage site; it was once home to the beguines—laywomen living a devoted, independent life. It contains a picturesque courtyard, gardens and houses.
Another great way to discover the city is by joining a walking tour like this one.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Would you believe that a vial of Christ’s blood is located in Bruges? If you want to see it — and believe it with your own eyes — you should visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The relic was brought to Bruges from the Holy Land in 1150 by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders, and has been kept here ever since. The basilica itself is stunning, with two distinct chapels: a dark Romanesque lower chapel from the 12th century, and a Gothic upper chapel added in the 15th century. The whole visit takes about 20 minutes and entry is free, making it one of the most worthwhile stops in the city. If you happen to visit on Ascension Day, you might even catch the Procession of the Holy Blood — a centuries-old parade through the streets of Bruges that's now recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Visit a famous beer brewery
There is a famous beer brewery in Bruges called “Huisbrouwerij de Halve Maan” (in English: Brewery the Half Moon). You can book a tour to check out the brewing facilities and sample a few beers. If you don’t want to to the tour you can also just sit on their terrace or bistro and enjoy a beer or two.
Don’t forget to take a peek at the 3 kilometre long beer pipe, which funnels beer from the brewery to the bottling plant; thus removing the need to heavy trucks to get into the old city centre.
If you are a beer lover, another fun thing to do is joining a chocolate and beer tasting tour around Bruges.
Take a boat tour around the canals
What better way to see the city than on a boat? There are various boat tours available, and a tour takes around 30-40 minutes. You’ll be able to see the historic buildings from the canals, as well as hidden courtyards and medieval bridges. Check out this tour for example on GetYourGuide.
Eat Chocolates and visit the Chocolate Museum
The first time I visited Bruges was as a teenager to go to a chocolate festival. I remember that I ate so much chocolate that I was super nauseous in the train back home!
There’s a particular street in Bruges where all the chocolaterie’s are lined up and you can buy an endless supply of chocolate pralines.
Another fun thing to do is join a chocolate making workshop, like this one, which even includes a beer tasting.
And while you’re at it, visit the Chocolate Museum called Choco-Story - here, you’ll find out about the history of chocolate making.
Check out Groeninge Museum
If you’re an art lover then you should head to the Groeninge Museum in Bruges to check out fine art from some of the famous Belgian artists, such as Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Rene Magritte, spanning six centuries.
Entrance tickets cost 15 euros.
Where To Eat
Specialty Coffee
DEES Specialty Coffee - a lovely little specialty coffee place where I had some of the best Cold Brew!
AVI '38 Specialty Coffeebar Bruges - a cute coffee bar in Bruges that also serve special Gesha coffee’s.
HIDE Breakfast/Lunch - not only a coffee spot but they also serve delicious brunch dishes.
Food
Waffles at Bar Lowie - probably the best waffles I’ve ever had!
Bar Lowie - For some of the best brunch waffles, check out this cozy brunch spot in the middle of the city. I had some of the best waffles there, with brie, honey, walnuts and bacon. To die for!
De Garre — If you only try one Belgian beer in Bruges, make it here. This tiny hidden bar is tucked down a narrow alley off Breidelstraat. They serve their own house tripel (11.5%!) with a little plate of cheese. A Bruges institution.
Poules Moules— The name literally means "hens and mussels" and this restaurant does both beautifully. Belgian mussels with fries is one of those dishes you have to try at least once in Belgium, and this place does it right and also has a lovely terrace.
Restaurant Diligence— A fun one for film fans: this bistro-style restaurant was used as a filming location in the movie In Bruges. But it earns its spot on merit too — great steaks, fresh seafood, and their Belgian mussels are excellent. Book ahead because it fills up fast.
🧇 Tip: If you want to taste all the local delicacies in Bruges, why not join a local food tour?
Where To Stay
Bruges is a picturesque destination for a day trip, so why not stay a night or two to take your time exploring the city and getting a feel for it?
Here are a few recommendations on where to stay in Bruges:
B&B Les Invités - cozy Bed and Breakfast spot just outside the city centre but within walking distance of all the main sights.
Grand Hotel Casselbergh - A 4 star hotel with elegant rooms that also features a spa, including sauna and hammam. Located just 2 minutes from the main square of Bruges.
Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce, A Luxe Worldwide Hotel - If you want to sleep with a canal view in an beautiful old but renovated building, check out this luxury hotel.
When To Go
Bruges in summer
Spring and summer are probably the nicest times to visit Bruges, because you're able to do a boat tour and sit on one of the many terraces. The city looks especially beautiful in April and May when the flowers are out and the weather is mild without being too hot. July and August are peak summer holiday months of course, so there will be more tourists — and Bruges is a small city, so it can feel quite busy. If you're visiting in summer, aim to explore the main sights early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive.
Autumn is actually a bit of a hidden gem — September and October bring quieter streets, lower prices, and that golden light that makes the canal views look like a painting. The weather is still comfortable enough for a terrace drink, and you'll have a much more relaxed experience overall.
Winter might surprise you. Bruges transforms into something truly magical in December, when the Christmas market sets up around the Markt square and there's even an ice skating rink. It's cold, yes, but the festive atmosphere is hard to beat and the crowds are nothing like summer. Just note that some boat tours stop running in the colder months, so check ahead before you visit.
How To Get There
By train, Bruges is easy to get to, only taking an hour from Brussels and there are trains every 15-20 minutes. The main station of Bruges is only 5-10 minute walk from the city centre, which is super convenient.
How to get around
The best way to discover the city is definitely by walking. It’s small enough to cross the whole city in about 30 - 40 minutes. Biking is another popular way to get around.
There’s also plenty of busses that go around the town - you can easily pay with your credit or debit card as well.
🍫 Other handy tips
Don’t forget to get a travel insurance so that you can travel stress free. I always use SafetyWing which is designed specifically for digital nomads and I think is great value for money.
Get an eSim to stay connected while you’re traveling. I use the Saily app, which I think is the easiest and most reliable. You can use TND10 to get 10% off your first plan!
Get a Wise card to avoid ATM transaction fees and pay in a local currency with Wise card - you can get one here.
Note: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that, if you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission that helps me create helpful content for the blog and it won’t cost you anything extra either, so it’s a win-win! I only recommend products if I think they will add value, so thanks for supporting Things Nomads Do!
