Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. The capital of the Flanders province stole our hearts with its squares, churches, and the magic of its canals. And of course, its chocolate! There is no shortage of things to do in Bruges: from enjoying a delicious waffle at Markt to exploring its medieval charms by strolling through its charming streets. Here are 20 things to do in Bruges to help you enjoy this stunning city.
Fall in love with Markt, the most beautiful square to see in Bruges
This square is the heart of the city. Honestly, despite the picturesque canals, it’s hard to find a corner as beautiful as Markt in Bruges.
Bruges’ Market Square has witnessed the city’s development throughout history, with buildings from different eras visible from the square. However, the Belfry of Bruges stands out above all its structures.
To this day, every Wednesday, the traditional market with products from all over the country takes place here. It’s not new either, as since the 10th century, this square has hosted the largest and most important market in the province! Every day, it’s also the starting point for a free tour in Spanish of Bruges’ most emblematic places. Don’t miss out to discover plenty of interesting facts about the city!
Don’t forget to buy some of its products and take photos of its beautiful guild houses that give the square its magical touch. Undoubtedly, one of the most special places to see in Bruges.
Explore medieval Bruges at Historium
To the east of the famous guild houses, at one end of the square, you can see a beautiful neo-Gothic building. It houses Historium, an interactive museum that allows you to delve into medieval Bruges through a audio and video tour of about 50 minutes. There’s even a virtual reality option!
It’s an experience suitable for all ages, as the story told is fictional. If you’re interested in a deep historical understanding of the city, this might not be the activity for you as it lacks precise data. However, we believe visiting it is one of the best things to do in Bruges with children or to escape a rainy day in the city.
The entry including virtual reality costs €24 and the basic one €19. You can buy tickets for Historium online to save time at the ticket office.
Enjoy the best cityscape from Rozenhoedkaai, an essential thing to do in Bruges
This viewpoint is perhaps the most picturesque spot to see in Bruges. From there, you can capture the typical postcard view of the city. It’s beautiful both during the day and at night! When you’re there, you’ll feel like you’re immersed in a fairy tale…
Climb the Belfry of Bruges (Belfort)
Climbing the city’s belfry is one of the must-do activities in Bruges. It’s one of the most beautiful in the country! With its 83 meters in height, it can be seen from almost any corner of the Flemish capital.
However, we recommend going up to the highest part to contemplate one of the best views of Bruges. You’ll have to work up a sweat though, as you’ll climb a rather uncomfortable and claustrophobic staircase with 366 steps. But the view from the top makes it all worthwhile!
Entry to the Belfry of Bruges costs €14.
These are just the first four highlights of what to see and do in Bruges. The city offers many more attractions, each adding to its charm and allure.
Fall in love with the Bruges Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint Saviour is one of the most beautiful religious buildings to see in Bruges. It’s the largest and oldest church in the city, founded in the 10th century, though most of the current structure dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. This is because the cathedral had to survive four fires and the iconoclastic fury, an ancient Christian religious movement that rejected the worship of sacred images and sought their destruction.
Interestingly, the cathedral was originally built as a simple church and was never intended to become the main place of worship in Bruges.
Take a canal tour, an essential thing to do in Bruges
Bruges is a super picturesque city, largely thanks to its canals. If you want to enjoy the city from a different perspective, we recommend taking one of the tourist cruise boats. You’ll navigate through the city on water, enjoying excellent views of its medieval architecture.
And don’t worry if it rains, as most boats offer covered tours in case of rain. Unfortunately, you can’t book in advance, but there are several companies offering tours departing from different docks, with similar durations and prices. We recommend enjoying the cruise just before sunset. It’s magical!
Stroll along the Langerei canal bank
Langerei is one of the most picturesque canals to see in Bruges. It’s slightly off the city center, so it’s usually less crowded. And that’s even better! We recommend strolling along its bank to appreciate the beautiful architecture that surrounds it.
These experiences add to the charm of Bruges, making it a delightful destination for travelers seeking history, beauty, and a touch of magic in Belgium.
Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, one of the most beautiful buildings to see in Bruges
Certainly, the first thing that will catch your attention about this temple is its name. But the Basilica of the Holy Blood is not named by chance! Inside this 12th-century building, which was once the residence of the Count of Flanders, lies a phial containing the blood of Christ. It is believed that Thierry of Alsace brought it to Bruges after the Second Crusade in the 12th century.
Thanks to its valuable treasure, this basilica attracts thousands of tourists every year. The phial is exhibited in the upper chapel from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm daily, and also on Fridays from 10:15 am to 11:00 am. Undoubtedly, one of the most intriguing things to see in Bruges!
Entry is free, though if you wish to enter the museum, the cost is €5. There you can see super interesting objects such as a crown that belonged to Mary of Burgundy.
Photograph the Bruges Town Hall
In Burg Square, next to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, you can discover the beautiful Gothic building that houses the Bruges Town Hall. It’s not common for town halls to be tourist attractions, but the Gothic building of the Bruges Town Hall is well worth a visit.
It is one of the oldest town halls in the Low Countries and Belgium. Construction began in 1376 and lasted until 1421. To give you an idea of its magnitude, it later inspired the architects who built the town halls of Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, and Oudenaarde.
If you’re an architecture enthusiast, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this square. It’s worth entering the building to see its two most famous rooms: the Gothic Hall and the Historical Hall. They are incredible!
Entry costs €7 and it’s one of the most interesting visits to make in Bruges.
Learn about art at the Groeninge Museum, an intriguing thing to do in Bruges
The Groeninge Museum is the most important attraction to see in Bruges and one of the most relevant nationally. If you love art, you can explore an impressive collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings by grand masters such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.
Entry to the museum costs €14. However, if you are sensitive, it might be better to skip it as there are some very bloody works!
Cross Bonifacius Bridge
Bruges isn’t named after its association with witchcraft. Its name originates from its bridges! In Dutch, “brug” means bridge, and the city is named for the many bridges it houses.
But none are as famous as Bonifacius Bridge. It’s a brick pedestrian bridge crossing the canal between the Church of Our Lady and the Groeninge Museum. It’s very picturesque! In a city as historical as Bruges, it’s surprising that this bridge is one of the newer ones, built in the early 20th century. However, its fame is due to the panoramic views it offers. Visiting it is one of the best things to do in Bruges.
Visit the Church of Our Lady
Right next to Bonifacius Bridge, you can visit another of the most beautiful and famous religious temples to see in Bruges. This church dates back to the 13th century and, as its name indicates, houses the statue of the Virgin and Child by the famous sculptor Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Apart from Michelangelo’s famous work and other artistic treasures by local geniuses, the church is renowned for its enormous spire. At 115 meters in height, the spire of the Church of Our Lady is the tallest in the country. Quite impressive! It’s a church of records, being the second tallest brick tower in the world.
Finally, inside the church, several dukes’ remains are also laid to rest. Entry to the church is free, though if you want to see the artworks and tombs, entry costs €7.
These attractions in Bruges offer a rich tapestry of history, art, and architectural marvels that make it a must-visit destination in Belgium.
Eat the best waffle in Bruges at Chez Albert
When we talk about Belgium, inevitably waffles come to mind. They are one of the local specialties! In Bruges, you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy these treats, but none as good as Chez Albert. The location is quite central, just a 2-minute walk from Markt. Without a doubt, tasting one of their waffles is one of the best things to do in Bruges.
Buy chocolates at Chocolat de Julie, highly recommended to do in Bruges
Belgian chocolate is renowned as one of the best in the world. So, before leaving the city, make sure to buy some delicious souvenirs for your family and friends. In the center of Bruges, there are hundreds of shops of this kind, some more commercial than others. We chose this small store where we were very well attended and all their products were excellent.
Buy their pralines, typical Belgian chocolate-filled bonbons. They are delicious!
Drool over at the French Fry Museum
We’ve talked about waffles, chocolate… but we also have to mention French fries! This fast food is one of the emblems of local gastronomy. In every city in Belgium, you’ll find numerous establishments serving French fries. They are part of the culture!
So, if you want to learn more about them, we recommend visiting the curious French Fry Museum. Entry costs €8 and it’s one of the quirkiest things to do in Bruges. You’ll learn about the history of potatoes, their preparation, and a lot more.
Learn about beverages at the Beer Museum
Belgium also has a great beer tradition. So, a museum dedicated to this beverage is a must! However, what makes this museum worthwhile is its interactivity. It’s not boring at all!
You can smell, touch, and even taste the ingredients used in beer brewing. And you can even do a tasting! Regular entry costs €12 and if you want to add a tasting, it’s €18.
Visit the Beguinage of Bruges
Bruges is a very touristy city year-round, but if you want to take a breather, we recommend visiting the famous Beguinage. To give you an idea of its importance, the buildings of the Beguinage of Bruges are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Most of its buildings were constructed in 1245 as a religious sanctuary for poor women, elderly or widows. Today, the Beguinage is separated from the city by a wall surrounded by a moat, and since 1927, it’s been a Benedictine monastery where you’ll find much peace.
Relax in Minnewaterpark and learn about its legend
If you’re looking for another place to unwind, this park is one of the most attractive places to see in Bruges. It’s very photogenic. Its main attraction is the Lake of Love, which hides a beautiful story.
According to legend, a beautiful young woman was in love with a warrior from a neighboring tribe. The girl’s family did not agree and did everything possible to marry her to another man. She never accepted it and ran into the forest, where the warrior found her and she died in his arms. Since then, it has become one of the most romantic sites in the city.
Enjoy and learn about Belgian chocolate at Choco Story, a very interesting visit to do in Bruges
If you want to learn about the origins and history of chocolate, we recommend visiting this interactive museum. There are several museums of this kind in Belgium, including one in Brussels. Here, you’ll take a journey through the history of chocolate and the development of the industry in Belgium. But the best part is that they let you taste various types of chocolates!
Entry costs €11.
Take a day trip to Ghent
And finally, to wrap up this post about the best things to do in Bruges, we couldn’t forget to recommend a day trip to Ghent. Along with Brussels and Bruges, Ghent is one of the main tourist destinations in the country.
Both cities are only 20 minutes apart by train. So, you can’t miss it!
Bruges captivates visitors with its rich history, culinary delights, and enchanting landscapes. Whether immersing yourself in its medieval charm, indulging in its renowned chocolates and waffles, or exploring cultural treasures like the Beer Museum and the Beguinage, Bruges consistently offers unforgettable experiences. Don’t miss the chance to wander its cobblestone streets and tranquil canals, each hiding stories waiting to be discovered. Plan your trip to Bruges and immerse yourself in its timeless allure.