Bruges Travel Guide

One of the sweetest and most photogenic cities in Belgium, Bruges attracts millions of tourists each year with its architecture, history, and canals. Although the city’s population is recorded at around 120,000, it was visited by 8.3 million tourists in 2023. Let’s dive into the details of our day trip to this fairytale destination, Bruges.

Bruges Travel Guide: How to Get There?

1. Train

The train is the most popular mode of transport to Bruges. From Brussels-Midi Train Station, trains depart for Bruges almost every 15-20 minutes. There are different ticket categories, like first class and second class, and the prices vary accordingly. You can buy tickets either at the station or online [here]. We bought our tickets at the station for 20 EUR per person since we weren’t sure of our exact arrival time. The prices were the same online, so there’s no discount for buying online. The train, which departs from Brussels, also stops in Ghent and takes about 55-60 minutes to reach Bruges.

2. Bus

Besides the train, buses are the second most popular transport option. Buses depart every hour, and the journey takes around 1.5 hours. Ticket prices start from 6 EUR. I recommend using Flixbus, you can check all bus options, timelines and ticket prices from [here].

3. Other

If you prefer not to handle all these details yourself, you could buy a tour package that includes transport and activity fees. Depending on the package you select, the price may also include entry fees for activities in Bruges, museum visits, and even meals. You can look at tour options [here].

Bruges Travel Guide: When to Go?

We visited Bruges at the beginning of April. The weather surprised us with occasional rain showers, but overall, it was quite nice. The period from June to August is when Bruges sees the most tourists during the summer. Unfortunately, the heavy tourist presence can impact your ability to explore and enjoy the city fully. If possible, I’d recommend visiting either before or after the summer holiday season.

Apart from the summer, the most popular time for visitors is the Christmas season. With its festive market, decorations, and architecture, Bruges is one of the best places in Europe to experience the Christmas spirit.

Bruges Travel Guide: Where to Stay?

The vast majority of tourists who visit Bruges are day visitors and stay in Brussels. One of the reasons for this is that Bruges is small and has fewer and more expensive accommodation options compared to Brussels.

For these reasons, and because of the ease of transport, we also chose not to stay in Bruges. However, if you would like to stay in Bruges, I’d recommend staying in [this area], which has a fantastic location, allowing you to walk everywhere.

Bruges Travel Guide: Internet

Having internet on our phone was a huge advantage for checking train schedules, restaurant reviews, and menus while we explored. I purchased an eSIM and data plan from Airalo and used it without any issues throughout our trip. You can check out Airalo’s eSIM data packages [here]. When purchasing your first eSIM on Airalo, use the code IAMONT3974 to get a 3 USD discount. 😊

Bruges Travel Guide: Things to See

1. Belfry of Bruges

Built in the 1200s, this clock tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Bruges. If you’d like a panoramic view of the city, you can climb the clock tower and enjoy the scenery.

2. Market Square

The buildings in Bruges’ most popular square are architecturally stunning. I recommend picking a spot in the square to take in each building one by one and enjoy the beauty.

With horse-drawn carriages passing by, cobblestone streets, and historical, aesthetic buildings, this square transports you to another era. However, keep in mind that if you visit during peak tourist season, the crowds in this square can be a bit overwhelming.

3. Boniface Bridge

This is definitely Bruges’ most iconic, most photogenic, and most Instagrammable bridge and canal. After seeing the main square, we wandered through the beautiful streets to get here. We waited for a large tourist group to leave and then soaked in the view in peace. If you visit Boniface Bridge in the early morning, you’re likely to find it quiet and serene.

4. De Halve Maan Brewery

This brewery, where Bruges’ famous Brugse Zot beer is produced, is a must-see in Bruges. Operated by the same family for six generations since 1856, it’s a place steeped in tradition. The pipes originally built to transport the beer are still intact. The brewery has a lovely garden as well, where you can buy a ticket to watch the beer-making process.

5. Legendary Streets

Every street and neighbourhood in Bruges is gorgeous. I recommend putting away the map for a while and letting yourself wander through these streets, enjoying the charm. Some streets are full of surprises, leading to a park, a river, or a beautiful building at the end.

Bruges Travel Guide: Food & Drink

1. La Belgique Gourmande

One of the most famous chocolate shops in Belgium’s touristy city of Bruges, La Belgique Gourmande has a few branches in Brussels too. Inside the shop, there’s a wide variety of unique chocolates. Prices are around 15 EUR for 250g. We picked out our own chocolates one by one and tried them as we explored the city.

2. Bar Des Amis

If you’d like to avoid a tourist trap and relax with a drink close to Market Square, I’d recommend this spot. I tried Bruges’ special beer, Brugse Zot, here. Bottled beer prices range between 4-6 EUR, and it’s a fantastic place to sit outside and people-watch.

3. ‘t Brugsch Friethuys

We tried chips here, available in small, medium, and large sizes and served with a variety of sauces. We sat by the window and enjoyed the view, though we weren’t particularly impressed with the chips.

4. De Halve Maan Brewery

I’d highly recommend visiting this brewery, where Brugse Zot, Bruges’ famous beer, is produced, and enjoying a fresh beer in its garden. Beer prices are between 4-5 EUR.

Bruges Travel Guide: Tips, Notes & Closing

• If you arrived by train and haven’t yet bought your return ticket, make sure to check the timetable at the Bruges station before heading into the city. Be especially mindful of train times and days, as schedules may vary depending on the day of the week.
• Bruges is a very touristy city, so there are plenty of tourist traps. I’d recommend checking Google Maps reviews of any place you’d like to visit. For example, the places in Grote Markt have stunning locations, but most are rated between 2-3 stars, so there are plenty of spots to avoid.
• You can check out my other travel posts on Belgium [here].