Bruges Destination Guide

The Market Square is one of the city's central attractions

Introduction

Bruges is a medieval fairytale. Belgium's most scenic city boasts ancient buildings with impossibly ornate facades, immaculate cobbled squares, churches and museums around every corner and a network of canals crossed by more than 80 historic bridges.

It's little wonder that Bruges is known as the 'Venice of the North' and that its ancient centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An ideal short hop destination, Bruges is all about gazing at gorgeous architecture and art, eating and drinking well (especially chocolate and beer) and strolling through picturesque streets. You're unlikely to have your grown-up weekend marred by rowdy stag nighters – Bruges attracts a more sophisticated type of tourist.

The canals in Bruges give it the name of the 'Venice of the north'

Sights

Every building in Bruges seems to be historically important. Even if you're not interested in history or art, they're just beautiful to look at.

Start at the bustling Markt (Market Square) surrounded by intact medieval architecture, including the 13th century cloth-workers hall and its Bell Tower.

There's a great view from the top and it houses the municipal 'Carillion' of 47 bells. The full-time bell-ringer regularly puts on free concerts that ring out across the city. The Burg is an equally impressive square with its beautiful 14th century gothic City Hall.

Nearby, 900-year-old St John's Hospital displays some of local painter Hans Memling's greatest works, while the spire of the Church of Notre Dame (13th–15th century) makes it Europe's highest brick building. Inside are the tombs of Charles the Bold of Burgundy and Michelangelo's statue of The Virgin.

Bruges was the cradle of Flemish art during the northern Renaissance. The work of master painters like Jan van Eyck and Gerard David are dotted around the churches, public buildings, and museums of the city. The Groeninge Art Museum, five minutes from the Burg, has the best collection.

The Gruuthuse Museum displays Flemish lace, ceramics and furniture in an exquisite stately palace and you can see delicate lace being made at the Bruges Lace Centre.

When the crowds get too much, take a stroll along the city ramparts or cycle five miles along the canal to Damme, an unspoilt medieval village around an ancient square famous for its second-hand bookshops.

Bruges is one of the world's first tourist destinations attracting wealthy British and French tourists for over 200 years

Shopping

Bruges is a busy regional centre with chain stores, stylish boutiques, and antique and craft shops in the main streets between Markt square and the old city gates. Most are open from 9am until 6pm but some have late night shopping on Friday. Supermarkets are situated outside the city.

Local craft specialities include lace, chocolates, candles and jewellery. There are markets almost every day somewhere in the city, but for unusual souvenirs visit the weekend flea markets.

Indulge your sweet tooth with some Belgian chocolate

After dark

Bruges' deathly quiet nightlife is a national joke among Belgians. Most visitors settle for a stroll by the canal, an evening boat trip or quiet after-dinner drink.

Ask at your hotel or tourist office for details of concerts and performances – particularly at the city's new concert hall, the arts centre and some of the liveliest bars.

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact.

Eating

You will not struggle to find places to eat and drink. The city teems with teahouses, bars, cafés and restaurants. One square had 23 cafés side-by-side at the last count.

There are plenty of interesting regional delicacies to try, from the signature Belgian 'take-away' of a paper cone of frites (chips) and mayonnaise to one of the scores of local Belgian beers.

Look out for Hochepot (duck or rabbit stew) and Waterzooi (fish or chicken soup). Endive, a vegetable related to chicory, is a popular ingredient, as are potatoes in various forms including deep-fried croquettes, potato and leek pancake and stuffed baked potatoes. There are many local desserts too – most of them involving chocolate.

Walking everywhere is easy within Bruges' compact city centre, and the best way to discover its hidden alleyways and canals. Cycling is also very popular and bike hire shops are plentiful. Perhaps the most relaxing way to enjoy the sights is on a canal cruise or tour by horse-drawn carriage.

Getting there, getting around

The nearest international airport is Brussels, about an hour by train from Bruges. The Eurostar train from London to Brussels is another option. Driving there is easy too, as Bruges is only a short distance from channel ports or the tunnel terminal.

Note that once in Bruges, traffic is discouraged from the historic centre. Leave your car in one of the big, cheap car parks on the edge of town, like the one next to the station. There are free buses into town, but it only takes ten minutes on foot.