Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country, and the seventh largest city of the country by population.
The Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower in the centre of Bruges, Belgium. One of the city's most prominent symbols, the belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger.
Learn more Book this experienceThe Markt of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the West Flanders Provincial Court originally the Waterhall, which in 1787 was demolished and replaced by a classicist building that from 1850 served as provincial court and after a fire in 1878 was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in 1887.
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Royal Kitesurf School offers you a flexible training program adapted to your level of experience, on the edge of the North Sea.The training program of Royal Kitesurf School consists of 4 lessons of about 3 hours each. If you already have experience ...
Book this experienceThe Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Roman Catholic basilica in Bruges, Belgium. The church houses a relic of the Holy Blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders.
Learn more Book this experienceThe Gruuthusemuseum is a museum of applied arts in Bruges, located in the medieval Gruuthuse, the house of Louis de Gruuthuse. The collection ranges from the 15th to the 19th century.
View on Google Maps Book this experienceExplore the beautiful Bruges at your pace with the TouringBee app. The tour starts near the train station and concludes at the lively Market Square. Know about the city's top attractions from the app, including St. Salvator Cathedral, Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde, Burg Square, The Belfort, and Scenic streets and quays. Enjoy a clear and interesting narrative about Bruges' history, local cuisine, and cozy cafés with 21 stops. Tour around the city to your liking. Pause the guide for a coffee break, shop for souvenirs, or wander down a side street. Skip any stop or replay stories as often as you'd like.
Book this experienceThe Frietmuseum is a museum in Bruges, Belgium, which is devoted to the history of potatoes and the production of Belgian fries. It describes itself as "the first and only museum dedicated to potato fries".
View on Google Maps Book this experienceBurg Square is a square and former fortress in Bruges. It is one of the main squares of the city.
View on Google Maps Book this experienceThe Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only preserved beguinage in the Belgian city of Bruges. There are no more Beguines living there, but since 1927 it functions as a convent for Benedictines, founded by canon Hoornaert.
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Knokke-Heist is a municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Heist-aan-Zee, Knokke, Duinbergen, Ramskapelle and Westkapelle. On January 1, 2006 Knokke-Heist had a total population of 34,063.
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Knokke is a town in the municipality of Knokke-Heist, which is located in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium. The town itself has 15,708 inhabitants, while the municipality of Knokke-Heist has 33,818 inhabitants.
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Ostend is a coastal city and municipality, located in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke, Raversijde, Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast.
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The Mu.ZEE is a museum in Ostend, Belgium, specializing in Belgian art from 1830 onwards. It was created in 2008 by the fusion of the former Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten Oostende, both located in Ostend.
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Middelkerke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, on the North Sea, west of Ostend. The municipality comprises the villages of Leffinge, Lombardsijde, Mannekensvere, Middelkerke proper, Schore, Sint-Pieters-Kapelle, Slijpe, Westende and Wilskerke.
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Westende is a town in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West-Flanders. It lies on the Belgian coast, also called Flemish coast. It used to be the far west of the island Testerep which lay along the Belgian coast.
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Westende is a town in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It lies on the Belgian coast, also called Flemish coast. It used to be the far west of the island Testerep which lay along the Belgian coast.
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Nieuwpoort is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Nieuwpoort proper and the towns of Ramskapelle and Sint-Joris. On 1 January 2008, Nieuwpoort had a total population of 11,062. The total area is 31.00 km² which gives a population density of 350 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Nieuwpoort is Geert Vanden Broucke In Nieuwpoort, the Yser flows into the North Sea. It is also the home of a statue created by Jan Fabre called Searching for Utopia.
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20 pictures of Bruges from Libby Penner, Razvan Horhat, Pedro Carballo and other travelers
Travel to Bruges if you like:
🏘️ Town 🏞️ Waterway 🗼 Landmark 🌆 SkylineTo get to Bruges, fly into Brussels Airport and take a train to Bruges. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with trains running frequently throughout the day. Alternatively, you can also take a train from other major cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or London with a connection in Brussels.
It's a good idea to book a few things in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Book your accommodations and any guided tours you may want, such as a canal cruise, a walking tour of the city, or a visit to the famous Belfry Tower. You may also want to reserve a spot at one of the popular beer tasting events in the city.
As for costs, Bruges is relatively affordable compared to other European cities. Expect to spend around €50-€70 per day on average for food, transportation, and attractions. Accommodations can range from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious hotels, so prices may vary greatly.
Some of the best things to do in Bruges include taking a canal cruise, exploring the historic city center, climbing the Belfry Tower for panoramic views, and visiting the Groeningemuseum for a taste of Flemish art. Don't miss the Church of Our Lady, which houses Michelangelo's Madonna and Child statue.
For dining in Bruges, consider De Vlaamsche Pot for traditional Belgian cuisine, Bistro De Schaar for delicious seafood, or Le Mystique for a fine dining experience. If you're looking for Belgian waffles, Chez Albert is a must-visit spot.
When it comes to accommodations, consider staying at the Hotel de Orangerie for a luxurious experience along the canals, Hotel Van Cleef for a boutique hotel experience, or St. Christopher's Inn Hostel for budget-friendly lodging.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience, consider visiting the Frietmuseum, the world's only museum dedicated to the history of Belgian fries. Another unique experience is a bike tour through the picturesque countryside surrounding Bruges. Explore the quaint villages, windmills, and farmlands that make up the region, allowing you to see a different side of Belgium away from the tourist crowds. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to visit the hidden gem of the Begijnhof, a tranquil and historic convent that dates back to the 13th century. It's an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, offering a glimpse into the lives of the beguines who once lived there.
The months of May to September are the hottest, but it rains the least between February and May.
The month of May is the best weather compromise.
Bruges can be visited on foot as most of the attractions are in the center.
It is also possible to use a bicycle. From the train station, the bus serves the center in a few minutes.
There are many chocolate shops in the historical center:
The best places to eat are close to the busy areas, restaurants offer generally low prices and fast service.
A few streets away, more authentic and quality-oriented restaurants and pubs offer nice alternatives.
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