Taking a few days off to visit Belgium? Find the Bruges itinerary that suits you best!
Nicknamed the » Venice of the North » thanks to its canals, Bruges is an absolutely beautiful, charming and adorable city. The Belgian city doesn’t have a huge wealth of things to do. But that’s what makes it so incredibly charming. While elsewhere you’re rushing to see monuments, museums and other tourist attractions, in Bruges you can take your time to live life to the full. With its beautiful canals and pretty medieval streets, travelers can simply stroll, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Just by wandering around at random, you’ll always find a place of interest to visit in Bruges. Would you like to discover Bruges in 3, 4 or 5 days? In this article, you’ll find a few ideas to help you plan your Bruges itinerary!
Bruges in 3 days
Day 1: Markt, Belfry and historic center
Must-sees: the Markt, the Belfry, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Quai du Rosaire
Areas to stay: historic center, around the train station or Sainte-Walburge
Our advice: don’t rush, take your time to lose yourself in the streets and around the monuments.
On this first day of our Bruges itinerary, we recommend a gentle tour of the historic city center. The focal point and heart of the city is, of course, the Markt, Bruges’ famous market square. It’s surrounded by charming restaurants and typical cafés, all adorned with beautiful facades emblematic of the city. It’s the ideal place to come for lunch or dinner, sample a famous Belgian waffle or enjoy a local beer! And, of course, you’ll be able to take some great photos of this postcard-perfect setting.
The Markt is also home to the Belfry, overlooking the city. Magnificent by day, it’s even more so at night, when illuminated! You can climb the 366 steps to the top. Up there, 83 meters high, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Bruges and the surrounding area!
After this first stage of your Bruges itinerary, head for the Place du Bourg, home to Bruges Town Hall. Built around 1400, this sublime Gothic building is well worth a visit. If you can, take the time to visit its interior. Then take a tour of the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Its interior is equally magnificent, and admission costs just two euros! Its name comes from the relic of the Holy Blood, said to preserve the blood of Christ. On Ascension Day, it is the focal point of a large procession around Bruges attended by thousands of people.
After that, we suggest you lose yourself in the streets and along the canals. Stroll along the Quai du Rosaire, immerse yourself in the city’s medieval atmosphere and admire the facades of centuries-old churches. To round off this wonderful first day, enjoy a waffle if you haven’t already, or visit a local brewery.
Day 2: Canal cruise
Not to be missed: a boat cruise, Minnewater (Lake of Love), Koningin Astridpark (Queen Astrid Park) and Saint-Sauveur Cathedral.
Areas to stay: historic city center, around the train station or St. Walburga.
Our advice: book your cruise in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Whether you plan to discover Bruges in 3, 4 or 5 days, you should always plan a boat trip. A trip along the canals is a must on your Bruges itinerary. In particular, you’ll see places you couldn’t otherwise see except from the canals. Walks generally last around 30 minutes. A guide will explain the history of the city, and tell you more about its cultural riches and anecdotes. But above all, you can admire the peaceful banks from the comfort of your own seat.
To continue discovering Bruges, we also recommend following in the footsteps of the film Bons baisers de Bruges. You should rent or request a bike from your hotel. This is the ideal way to get around Bruges. Once you’ve done that, go to the tourist office and pick up a leaflet about the film’s locations. If you haven’t already seen it, don’t forget to watch it before your stay! Otherwise, simply take in the sights along the way: the Markt and Belfry, of course, the Place du Bourg, the Minnewater, the Queen Astrid Park and the square featuring the statue of Jan Van Eyck.
To continue this Bruges itinerary, we recommend a stroll along the banks of the Minnewater, then back into the center. Take this opportunity to visit St. Saviour’s Cathedral. Built in the 10th century, it is the oldest church in Bruges. Located along one of the main shopping streets, you can visit it free of charge. This beautiful Gothic brick edifice will impress you with both its size and its ornate interior.
Day 3: Discover the history of Bruges
Must-sees: Historium de Bruges, Beguinage.
Areas to stay: historic center, around the train station or St. Walburga.
Our tip: book your entry to the Historium in advance.
For this third and final day – if you’re visiting Bruges in 3 days, of course – you can choose to delve deeper into the city’s history. To do so, visit the Historium de Bruges. This exceptional museum lets you relive the magical atmosphere of the city’s Golden Age! Thanks to a sublime interactive, playful and immersive staging, you’ll plunge into a story set in medieval Bruges. You’ll also discover the city through an extraordinary virtual reality experience. This tour will delight adults and children alike.
After the museum, we recommend a visit to the Beguinage. Situated in the southern part of the historic center, this place offers a true interlude of calm and contemplation. Built in 1245 by Marguerite of Constantinople, this monastery was first opened to welcome single women to lead a pious, autonomous and communal life in an urban setting. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, it now houses a community of Benedictine nuns. The place is worth a visit for its large garden and its beds of daffodils, tulips and trees. You’ll also admire some charming little white houses dating from the 15th to 18th centuries.
To round off this colorful day, you can choose to visit one of the museums listed below. Or soak up the city’s unique atmosphere one last time with a stroll along the canals. Lose yourself in these streets and find a small local brewery. A strong beer or a good typical dish should help you get over the bitterness of leaving this charming medieval city!
Bruges in 4 days
Planning a 4-day visit to Bruges? Be happy! You’ll be able to enjoy its delightful atmosphere even more by adding a few stops to your itinerary. The city is home to numerous museums. Some are dedicated to Belgian gastronomy, others to culture, history and art. Of course, even if you’ve planned to visit Bruges in 3 days, you can always include a stopover at one of the museums listed below! Here’s how to spend your fourth day in Bruges:
For gourmets
When you think of Belgium, you think of Belgian specialities! And in Bruges, gourmets won’t get bored. During your Bruges itinerary, you’ll be able to sample chocolate, French fries, beers and waffles.
- Let’s start with Bruges waffles. One of the best places to eat them is Chez Albert, a stone’s throw from the main square.
- For French fries, there are plenty of places worth a visit. The most popular is the Potato Bar. You should also pay a visit to the Frietmuseum. Here, visitors can learn all about Belgium’s national institution: French fries! Among other things, you’ll discover why « Vlaamse Friets » (Flemish fries) are unlike any other fries. And, of course, you can taste the difference!
- After the fries, it’s time to indulge in one of the world’s finest desserts: chocolate. All of Belgium loves chocolate, and Bruges is no exception. As with fries, we recommend a visit to the Choco-story. But you can also sample chocolate in many of the stores in the center. There’s even a guided tour of the city around Bruges’ chocolate factories!
- Finally, and to round off a solid day of tasting, you should of course discover Belgian beers. We recommend the De Halve Maan brewery. It’s the only family-run brewery still in operation in the center of Bruges! You can take a 45-minute tour with a French-speaking guide. He’ll tell you all about the brewery’s history and even how beer is made here. At the end of the tour, of course, you’ll be treated to a tasting session in the courtyard.
For art and history enthusiasts
You’ve already indulged yourself on tastings during your first three days in Bruges? Then we recommend a visit to some of Bruges’ best museums.
- In particular, the Groeningemuseum (Groeninge Museum) is a must-see. This art museum brings together major works by Belgian painters spanning six centuries: Flemish primitives such as Jan Van Eyck, neoclassicism with Joseph Odevaere and Joseph Ducq, Flemish expressionism and 20th-century modern art with René Magritte.
- Nearby, you can also visit the Hôpital Saint-Jean and the Musée Gruuthuse. The latter traces 500 years of Bruges history through its collections of historical objects.
Bruges in 5 days
Does your Bruges itinerary last 5 days? Then for your fifth day, we recommend you visit the city’s surroundings, or even one of its neighbors. For example, if you haven’t already done so, you could visit the coastline. Alternatively, you could visit the Bruges windmills.
The windmills of Bruges
To do this, you’ll need to get away from the city center. By bike or on foot, you can easily reach Sainte-Anne, a charming Flemish suburb. You’ll discover Bruges’ four remaining windmills, only two of which are still in operation. Along the way, you’ll also be able to admire a number of beautiful, opulent, typically Flemish residences.
The beach
To occupy your last day in Bruges, and weather permitting, you can easily reach the beach from Bruges. The city is only an hour from the coast. In summer, take a train to Ostend or Knokke-Heist, the two beaches most popular with locals. Once there, you can sunbathe, swim or try your hand at water sports.
Bruges in a week
Your Bruges itinerary lasts a week? Then that’s perfect! You’ll have the opportunity to visit all the places we’ve listed. Rest assured, it’ll probably be more than enough to keep you busy! However, if some of the places listed above don’t appeal to your curiosity, here’s a list of other interesting places you can include in your Bruges itinerary:
- Explore the stalls of the Vismarkt fish market.
- Visit the Church of Our Lady and admire Michelangelo’s sublime marble statue of the Virgin and Child, dating from 1504. This is the only work by the Italian artist to have left Italy !
- Take a tour of the Volkskundemuseum, the Museum of Folk Life, to learn more about the inhabitants of Bruges and their daily lives from the 19th to the early 20th century.
- Visit the Diamantmuseum to learn more about this precious stone and its trade, and watch a cutting demonstration!
- Admire the sublime Church of Jerusalem, located in Sainte-Anne and built on the model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
- Take a stroll around the historic center and admire each of the 4 medieval gates: the Gent Gate, the Holy Cross Gate, the Damme Gate and the Ezelpoort.
Transport in Bruges
There are three ways to get around Bruges: by bus, by bike or by car. For your itinerary in Bruges, we recommend using the first two. For excursions, you can also take the train to the beach or another Belgian city.
Rent a bike
To rent a bike, you’ll need to pay between €10 and €15 on average for one day. Most rental companies don’t allow their bikes to stay out overnight, due to theft. If you want to keep it overnight, you’ll need to check with your hotel and prove to your rental company that your bike can be kept in a safe place overnight. Some hotels also offer free bicycles for sightseeing in Bruges, in addition to a cozy night’s sleep!
The historic heart of Bruges is only 2 to 3 kilometers in diameter. You can visit almost everything on foot or by bike. The center has many one-way streets and a 30 km/h speed limit. These measures are obviously designed to discourage car use. However, bicycles can use most streets in both directions.
Bus travel
For your other travel needs, take the bus rather than the car. Bruges is well served by bus. Bus maps can be downloaded online. But you can also use Google Maps to plan your route around Bruges. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, and cost from €2.
Parking your car
If you’re coming to Bruges by car, there are several parking lots, especially in the city center. Underground parking lots cost around €10 a day in this part of town. On the outskirts, parking is often free.
We do, however, recommend the station parking lot. It has 1,600 spaces, is open 24 hours a day and costs just €3.50 a day. It’s also a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
Enjoy your stay in Bruges!