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Before you go
Your trip to Bruges.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Bruges – Flandres Ocidental Destination Bruges and the coast Capital
How to get there
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Brugge 2 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Direct trains link Brussels to Bruges in about an hour, and Ghent is less than half an hour away. Brugge station is on the south side of the center: from there it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Markt, or accessible by city bus. Those arriving by car leave vehicles in parking lots on the edge of the center, because inner streets have restricted access.
How many days
A full day covers the Markt, the Belfort, the Burg, the boat trip on the canals and the Begijnhof. With two days there’s time for the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, a museum, walks through the quieter streets to the east and a bike trip to Damme.
When to go
From April to October boats operate and the days are long; in July and August the center gets crowded. November to February is cold and rainy, with short afternoons, but the streets are quieter. Weekdays tend to be calmer than Saturdays and Sundays.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The center is compact and walkable, and trains connect Bruges with Brussels, Ghent and Ostende. A car only helps to explore the countryside, and center streets have limited traffic. Rental bicycles are a good way to reach Damme.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Bruges
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Morning
Markt and climb to the Belfort
Start early at the Markt, before the tour groups arrive, and climb the Belfort’s 366 steps at the first reserved slot. From the top, identify the towers and canals you’ll visit for the rest of the day.
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Afternoon
Burg, basilica and boat on the canals
Walk to the Burg, see the Gothic town hall and the two chapels of the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek. Continue along the Blinde-Ezelstraat to the Rozenhoedkaai and board the half-hour boat tour on the Reien.
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Late afternoon
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Begijnhof and Minnewater
Walk south to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk and Michelangelo’s Madonna. Finish in the quiet courtyard of the Begijnhof and on the Minnewater bridge, with low light over the water.
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Evening
Illuminated center
Return via the Dijver and the Rozenhoedkaai to see the illuminated façades and dine near the Markt, where the Belfort is lit.
2 days in Bruges
Day 1
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Morning
Markt and Belfort
Start the day at the Markt by climbing the Belfort, booked in advance, and go through the treasury room and the carillon.
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Afternoon
Burg and canals
Visit the Burg and the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek and take the boat tour departing from the Rozenhoedkaai or the Dijver.
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Late afternoon
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
See the 115-metre brick tower, the Madonna and the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy.
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Evening
Walk through the city center
Walk the streets around the Markt and the Burg with the buildings lit up.
Day 2
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Morning
Begijnhof and Minnewater
Arrive early at the Begijnhof, when the courtyard is almost empty, and continue to the Minnewater and the park around the lake.
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Afternoon
Bike to Damme
Rent a bike and pedal along the bank of the Damse Vaart to Damme, among centuries-old poplars. See the Gothic town hall and the Church of Our Lady before returning.
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Late afternoon
Eastern neighborhoods
Back in Bruges, walk the quieter streets east of the center, along the canals and the windmills of the old ramparts.
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Evening
Dinner and local beer
Try Flemish cuisine and a beer brewed in Bruges, in moderation, at one of the bars in the center.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What language is spoken in Bruges?
Flemish, the Dutch spoken in Belgium. English works well in shops and museums.
Can you see Bruges on a day trip from Brussels?
Yes, the train takes about an hour. But the center is quieter early in the morning and at night, after day-trip groups have left, and to enjoy that you need to stay overnight in the city.
Why is Bruges called the Venice of the North?
Because of the canals that cross the center, the Reien, which connected the city to the sea in the Middle Ages and are now used by sightseeing boats.
How far is the train station from the center?
About 1.5 kilometers to the Markt: around 20 minutes on foot or a few minutes by city bus.
Does Bruges have a beach?
Not in the center. The coastline is about 15 kilometers away, and Ostend can be reached by train in a few minutes.