Welcome to our guide on Bruges, Belgium, a fairy-tale city that exceeded all of our expectations during our 1-week Belgium tour. Beyond the famous chocolate shops and medieval bell towers, Bruges holds a collection of quiet corners where time seems to stand completely still. While most visitors stick strictly to the main market squares, the true heart of this fairy-tale city is found in its hidden green spaces; from serene, tree-lined courtyards to its beautiful windmill walk.
In this guide, we’ll share 20 of the top things to do in Bruges. We’ll take you on a tour of the must-see sites of the city centre, including the main squares, churches, bridges and quays. We’ll also share some lesser-known places to visit, must-try foods and attractions that are worth paying for.
Grab your walking shoes and come along as we explore the most peaceful, enchanting and photogenic attractions that Bruges has to offer.
Google Map of all locations in our guide
Explore the historic city centre
Exploring Bruges’ historic city centre on foot is the highlight of any visit to this enchanting city. River canals meander between buildings, flower arrangements adorn the bridge crossings and the cobblestone streets are home to some of Belgian’s most incredible architecture. Take time to wander around, getting lost and paying attention to the small details that make Bruges such a charming place to visit.
We recommend spending at least 2 full hours wandering around the city centre before checking out the main attractions. If you’d like to gain an insight into Bruges’ past, a free walking tour is a great start to your visit.
Market Square
Market Square is the busy centre of Bruges. It’s where you’ll find the iconic city hall building, the Bruges Belfry, which is the tallest building in the city, and an abundance of cafes and restaurants. Throughout the year, particularly in the summer months, Market Square hosts music events, performers and parades.
Visit Market Square to see the grand monument of Pieter de Coninck and check out the beautiful façade of the city hall. Another great option is to grab a seat outdoors in one of the many restaurants. People watching with a Belgian beer is a great way to soak in the atmosphere of the square.
Climb the Belfort Tower
One of the most prominent sites in Market Square is the Belfry of Bruges. Built in the year 1240 and with a height of 83 metres, it’s a great place to capture 360-degree panoramic views of the city below. The Belfry has a belltower, several scenic viewpoints and exhibits that give you an insight into its past.
The tower is one of the top attractions in Bruges. As such, it’s very popular and visitor slots often sell out the day before. Therefore, we recommend booking your visit online in advance. For an entrance fee of 16 euros (at the time of writing), you can climb the 366 narrow steps to reach the top of the tower.
Try Bruges’ speciality foods
A visit to Bruges isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s a city that’s famous for its delicious foods, and along with Brussels, it’s one of the best places in Belgium to try sweet treats such as Belgian Waffles and fries. Our top foodie recommendations include the classic Belgian waffles, fries, beer and chocolate. There are countless waffle stands and chocolate stores spread throughout the city.
Belgian’s speciality sweet treats aren’t a gimmick either. The quality is truly some of the best in the world! Sample some beer, chocolate and waffles during your visit and be sure to buy plenty extra to take back home.
Burg Square
While Market Square is the city’s bustling heart, De Burg is undoubtedly its soul. Serving as the administrative centre of Bruges since the 9th century, this grand square boasts some of Bruges’ best architecture. Surrounding it is the 14th-century Gothic Town Hall (Stadhuis), the Renaissance facade of the Old Civil Registry and the ornate Basilica of the Holy Blood.
When we visited, Burg Square was hosting a free music concert. It’s a fun, upbeat place to visit in the city centre, providing access to several shopping streets, attractions and eateries. Take time to appreciate the beauty of ‘De Burg’s’ buildings and soak in the atmosphere.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood
Located in the corner of Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is one of the most spiritually significant places to visit in Bruges. It is believed to contain a cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ that brought back during the Second Crusade.
Climb the grand staircase to the upper chapel and you’ll be greeted by a breath-taking burst of Gothic colour. The chapel features gilded altars, intricate wall murals and colourful stained glass windows. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is free to visit but can attract long queues. Arrive late in the afternoon or first thing in the morning for opening for lower wait times.
Chocolate Shop
Chocolate, chocolate, everywhere. You can’t visit Bruges, or Belgium in general, without trying some of its delicious chocolate. Belgian chocolate is world famous and chocolate shops can be found on almost all streets. You’ll find artisan truffles and standard slabs, but also unique chocolate creations.
Bruges is an excellent place to try chocolate and we found it to have more shops than any of the other cities we visited in Belgium. They’re everywhere! We personally recommend checking out Dumon Chocolatier for reasonably-priced chocolate, or Neuhaus for top-quality, high-end chocolate.
2BE Beer Wall
Bruges has no shortage of pubs and breweries. However, not many have as much popularity and as good of a location as 2BE. This bar and shop is a great place to visit in Bruges to sample a wide range of Belgian beers. It’s also home to the legendary 2BE beer wall. A true holy grail for beer lovers, the wall showcases hundreds of iconic Belgian bottles in a giant glass display.
Take some photos alongside the vast wall of beers before trying some in the adjacent pub, or buying some to take home.
Drink with a view on a terrace
If you’re a beer lover or simply want to try one of Bruges beloved past times, enjoying a drink by the river is one of the top things to do in Bruges. Café and bar terraces are spread throughout the city, giving you a nice view of passing boats as you sample the local beers.
The bar area of 2BE beer wall we just mentioned has a scenic terrace with a view of Rosary Quay. We sampled a couple of beers and watched the world go by from its atmospheric river terrace.
River Boat Tour
If you only do one thing during your time in Bruges, you have to embark on one of the river cruises. With a rich history dating back to the 9th century, the city’s river ways have long been an important network for trade and transport. These days, they’re occupied by electric tourist boats. For a fee of 15 euros per person (at the time of writing), you can take a scenic 30-minute cruise along Bruges’ canal network.
The group boat tour takes you underneath bridges, alongside important buildings and to some of the most picturesque areas of the city. A tour guide gives you fun facts and a brief history lesson along the way. The Bruges river tour can get very busy so we recommend arriving for opening for shorter queues.
Lake of Love
If you arrive in Bruges by train, Minnewater, also known as The Lake of Love, will likely be your very first taste of the city’s medieval magic. Located just a short stroll from the station, this picturesque lake features Gothic watchtowers, leafy walking paths and an abundance of weeping willow and sycamore trees. As well as being a relaxing area away from the tourist centre, it’s a good spot for photos.
It’s an ideal place to stretch your legs, take in the canal views, and ease into the city’s slow, fairy-tale pace.
Beguinage “Ten Wijngaerde”
Tucked away near the Lake of Love we just mentioned, Beguinage “Ten Wijngaerde” is a 13th-century sanctuary in the heart of Bruges. Originally built as a community for devout, unmarried women known as beguines, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features picturesque whitewashed cottages surrounding a serene, tree-shaded courtyard. Today, it’s home to practicing Benedictine nuns and a small church.
Take time to wander around the sanctuary on foot to see its quaint rows of cottages. If you’re interested in learning more about this place, we recommend joining a free walking tour or listening to an audio guide. It’s free to visit.
Rosary Quay
We already mentioned Bruges’ quaint canals, which you’ll come across as you walk around the city. Out of all of the bridges, canals and river viewpoints, Rosary Quay is the most famous. Instantly recognisable for its flower covered walls and weeping willow tree hanging over the river bend, it’s somewhere you probably recognise from social media and travel guides.
‘Quay of the Rosary’ gets its name from the medieval vendors who once lined this busy dock selling rosaries to passing sailors and pilgrims. These days, it’s a great spot for photo-taking, enjoying a drink with a view or boarding one of the river boats we told you about earlier.
Boniface Bridge
Bruges has many bridges, but not many are as famous and visually stunning as Boniface Bridge. Tucked between the Church of Our Lady and the Gruuthuse Palace, Boniface Bridge is probably the most romantic spot in Bruges. Though it looks straight out of the Middle Ages, this picturesque stone bridge was actually built in 1910. With drooping willow trees, and horse-drawn carriages reflecting off the canal, it provides the fairy-tale-like scenery you probably imagined before visiting Bruges.
We recommend visiting Boniface Bridge later in the day towards sunset. There are far fewer crowds, so you’ll capture better photos.
Bruges windmill walk
Next up is an activity that’s often overlooked. Most people think you have to visit the Belgian countryside to see windmills, but actually, Bruges has its very own, nestled on its eastern river bank. Walk 30-minutes east of the city centre and you’ll reach the Bruges windmill walk. Popular with cyclists and canal boats, the route follows the city’s old medieval city walls, passing several windmills along the way.
The walking route is a breath of fresh air away from the busy city centre, providing postcard-perfect views and good exercise. The windmills all have unique designs and one of them is still in operation.
Langestraat
Connecting the windmill park to the city centre, Langestraat is one of Bruges’ most vibrant, authentic streets. Lined with independent boutiques, cosy vintage shops, trendy cafés and traditional Flemish brown bars, it’s a place to visit in Bruges to get a feel for local life. Its colourful buildings and artsy shops and non-touristic cafes are a breath of fresh air, away from the busy city centre.
Take a short detour to Langestraat to check out its shops and eateries and experience a different part of the city. It also has several beautiful viewpoints of the riverside.
Koningin Astridpark
Koningin Astridpark is one of Bruges main green spaces. It’s a lush, quiet hideaway tucked just a short walk south of Burg Square. Centred around a picturesque pond, a classic bandstand and several weeping willows, the park is a nice place to sit down and relax with a view after a morning of sightseeing.
Koningin Astridpark has several shaded areas with park benches, water features, walking paths and a catholic church. Stop by for a break and a snack whilst exploring Bruges’ southern river bank.
De Halve Maan Brewery
We’ve already mentioned a couple of Bruges’ beer-focused attractions. De Halve Maan Brewery is the place to visit to see where some of the city’s most famous brews are made. Located south of the river, De Halve Maan is Bruges’ last remaining family-owned brewery. It’s where you can sample famous beers such as Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik. They also offer guided tours.
We joined their 45-minute brewery tour and enjoyed learning about the historic brewery and the beer-making process. The tour is split across multiple levels, taking you from the old Flemish brewing machines at the base, up to the scenic rooftop. It’s a small group tour with a guide and is a fun activity to check out, even if you aren’t a lover of beer.
Church of our lady
Bruges has over 30 churches spread across the city, some of them more impressive than others. Dominating the city skyline with its towering 115-meter brick spire, the Church of Our Lady is a Gothic masterpiece you can’t miss. Beyond its impressive exterior, this 13th-century church is famous for housing Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child sculpture. This historic work of art was one of the few sculptures to leave Italy during Michelangelo’s lifetime.
The church is beautiful to see, both inside and out and is well worth a visit. It’s free to enter, though you’ll need to pay a small fee to see Michelangelo’s sculpture.
Saint Salvador’s Cathedral
The other must-see church in Bruges is Saint Salvador’s Cathedral. Just as grand and imposing from the outside as Church of Our Lady, Saint Salvador’s takes the crown for the best interior. As the oldest church in the city, it has a medieval façade and is filled with ornate statues, colourful tapestries and several historic treasures. It also boasts a Baroque organ above its altar.
Visit Saint Salvador’s Cathedral to wander around its halls, gaze up at its stained glass windows and see the many artefacts and treasures of its inner museum. It’s free to visit for tourists outside of mass hours.
That wraps up our guide on the top things to do and places to visit in Bruges, Belgium. The city’s scenery and quaint charm made lasting impressions on us. It’s undoubtedly the best place we visited in Belgium! While day-trips are popular, we encourage you to stay overnight in Bruges for 2 or 3 days. Mornings and evenings have fewer crowds and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the top attractions.
If you have any questions about any of the places we’ve featured or would like to make your own suggestions, be sure to post a comment.
By Susie
Author bio:I’m a passionate traveller that loves a sunny beach holiday, but also appreciate the cultural side to a trip and checking out undiscovered destinations. I’m the go-to Toucan Traveller for great holiday stories, cool photos and foodie recommendations.