Bruges Travel Guide
Often dubbed the ‘Venice of the North’, the photogenic waterways and fairytale architecture make
Bruges one of the prettiest cities in
Belgium.
Bruges’s stunning
UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is a medieval masterpiece, like an open-air museum where visitors can experience a rich concoction of Flemish architecture, art, history and food. Immortalized in the movie In
Bruges, it has become immensely popular, and its streets throng with camera wielding tourists throughout the year. They are here for good reason: magical sights are found around every corner, and the sound of horse-drawn carriages riding cobblestones only adds to the city’s romantic allure.
The landmark Belfry Tower on the central Market square is probably the foremost attraction, as the views from the top of this 15th-century masterpiece are stunning. Don’t miss out a boat ride down
Bruges’s iconic canals either, remembering to visit Burg Square, where you’ll find the
Basilica of the Holy Blood, which claims to possess the blood of Jesus Christ himself.
The city is replete with museums that showcase everything from furniture to folklore.
The Chocolate Museum and
Beer Museum are self-explanatory, while
the Friet museum is where visitors can learn why French fries should really be called
Belgian fries.
Gourmands won’t be disappointed either.
Bruges is bursting with restaurants where
local Belgian cuisine reigns supreme. Those on tight budgets might wince at some of the prices, but it’s hard to hold that against this city this pretty.
In many ways,
Bruges has become a victim of its own popularity. Old Town property prices have been pushed beyond the reach of most locals and many of the quaint, canal-side dwellings are being used as second homes by part-time residents. Consequently,
Bruges can feel like a bit of a ghost town in the quieter seasons and even the summer when visitors have gone to bed. If you’re looking for hedonism, look elsewhere.
Still, visitors will be galvanized by
Bruges’s historic beauty, which is largely unspoilt by progress. Preserved in a time long-forgotten, it makes the city the perfect cultural mini-break or a great stopover for travellers exploring
Europe.
Pint-sized
Bruges has been punching above its weight for centuries. The diminutive Flemish city has achieved great things economically and culturally and remains one of the most popular destinations in
Europe as a result.
Its achievements have largely been attributed to its links with the sea, which have been exploited since the 2nd century AD when Gallo Roman settlers began using them to trade with Britain and the rest of Gaul.
The Franks took over the region in the 4th century and plied their trade through the port, which was raided by the Vikings in the 9th century.
Bruges got off lightly thanks to its sturdy Roman fortifications and the port quickly resumed trading. It was around this time that the name Bryggja first came about, which means ‘Landing Stage’ or ‘Wharf’ in the Old Norse language.
After successive centuries of growth,
Bruges entered a golden era and by the 15th century it had become the most important trading centre in Western Europe. As
Bruges prospered, the Royal House of Burgundy took up residence in the city. It also became an artistic hub, with painters such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling finding their creative niches in the city, helping the fine arts scene flourished.
But when the Burgundians left in 1482, the city declined and lost much of its business to Antwerp. Luckily, the city was thrown a lifeline in the 17th century courtesy of the lace industry.
During this time, Charles II of the UK used the city as a base for his court in exile. However, this brief period of prosperity was a false dawn; the recovery stalled and
Bruges became impoverished and lost three quarters of its population.
In the end, it was a novel that revived the city’s fortunes with Georges Rodenbach’s 1892 book Bruges-la-Morte sparking international interest in what had become a long-forgotten backwater.
As visitors flocked to
Bruges, the city reclaimed its past glories with the development of a new port at Zeebrugge in 1907, which continues to expand today.
Bruges is home to the world’s oldest stock exchange.
The city’s Old Town became a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Madonna of Bruges was the only sculpture made by
Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime.
Bruges has a mild climate and is generally warm and temperate. There isn’t really a bad time to visit
Bruges; even a dark, brooding sky seems to accentuate the city’s gothic good looks.
Spring (March to May) sees temperatures gradually increase from 2°C (35.6°F) in March to 18°C (64.4°F) in May. Most tourists arrive in the summer months, so visit in spring for a less-crowded city to explore.
Summer (June to August) is the peak season for visiting Bruges. Visit in July if you’re looking to take part in musical festivals. However, if you have an aversion to jostling for space with other tourists, avoid the peak season.
Autumn (September to November) is typically rainy. The average temperatures in November are around 7°С (45°F) and 12°С (53°F). Believe it or not, but it has been said that September is one of the sunniest months of the year.
Winter (December to January) is made even colder by the cold winds that come from the coasts. But don’t be disheartened, the Christmas Market in Old Town and December Dance festival will lift your spirits and keep you warm inside.
Getting around Bruges
The cobbled streets of
Bruges’ Old Town are well worn by the millions of tourists who have walked around this fairytale city. And you should take a leaf from their book, because the best way to explore
Bruges is on foot. Built in a bygone era before the motor car, the Old Town was never designed to accommodate vehicles and is best avoided. If you want to get from A to B quickly then follow the locals’ lead and get on your bike – two wheels are definitely better than four in
Bruges.
If that sounds like too much effort, you could always jump in a taxi and let the driver worry about navigating the city’s narrow streets and one-way systems.
operates the
Bruges city and Flanders. regional bus services, with more than 50 routes serving the city and surrounding areas including the coast.
Telephone: +32 70 220 200
Website: www.delijn.be
The main bus terminal is outside the railway station, with many services also stopping at ‘t Zand opposite the new Concert Hall and in the central Market.
You can buy single tickets (valid for any journey within one hour), SMS tickets (cheaper, and ordered via your mobile phone), a 10-ticket Lijin card, a one-day pass, a three-day pass or a five-day pass.
You can find taxi stands at Market and at the station, and you can use
Uber and
Bolt Local operators :
Euro Taxi
Telephone: +32 50 317 731
Taxi Snel
Telephone: +32 50 363 649
If you can avoid driving in Bruges, it’s best to do so. Streets in the Old Town are easily congested, and on-street parking is expensive and limited to designated areas; in metered spaces the maximum stay during the day is two hours, which leaves you barely enough time for a Flemish lunch.
Add this to the confusing one-way systems and you have a motoring experience that could make a saint swear.
If you have no choice but to bring your car, find a hotel with reserved spaces to take the hassle and expense out of parking. Alternatively, you could leave your motor at Centrum Station where there is a 1,500-space car park. The charge includes a bus ride into the city.
Cycling is a popular and practical way to get around in Bruges, but cyclists should be careful on the narrower historic streets of the centre. You can hire bikes from :
De Ketting-The chain
Address: Gentpoortstraat 23, Bruges.
Telephone: +32 50 344 196
Website: www.deketting.be
Bruges Bike Rental
Address: Niklaas Desparsstraat 17, Brugge.
Telephone: +32 50 616 108
Website: www.brugesbikerental.be
To rent a car in Bruges, you will need a valid form of identification (ID card or passport), a driver’s license, and a credit card. It is very important that your driver’s license and a credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company in Bruges will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit.
Our simple booking system makes it easy to reserve online before you go, offering flexible short- and long-term rental, all at great prices with no hidden charges, so when you arrive all that’s left is to discover the best of this exciting city.
In partnership with Get Your Guide
Book popular activities in Bruges
Things to see in Bruges
Attractions
After the iconic Belfry Tower, the 122m-high (400ft) Church of Our Lady is the most imposing building in Bruges – and also one of the most beautiful. Inside this epic church, visitors can admire an incredible collection of art including Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna and Child, as well as the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold.
Address:
Mariastraat, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 345 314
Opening times: Daily 09:30-17:00.
Website:
www.museabrugge.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
An absolute must for visitors to Bruges is a climb to the top of this 83m-high (272ft) tower
Belfry of Bruges, where efforts are rewarded with a stunning panorama of the city and surrounding countryside. On your way up, marvel at the incredible clock mechanism and a carillon of 47 bells, which used to organise life in medieval Bruges and warn the citizens of an enemy advance.
Address:
Markt 7, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 448 743
Opening times: Daily 09:00-20:00.
Website:
www.bezoekers.brugge.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
The
Bruges City Hall dates from 1376. Its gothic council chamber on the building’s first floor is open to the public and features spectacular ceilings decorated with medieval carvings. An adjoining chamber houses displays of documents and works of art.
Address:
Burg 12, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 448 111
Opening times: Daily 09:30-17:00.
Website:
www.visitbruges.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Belgium is renowned for its beer, and this family brewery (the name means ‘Half Moon’) has been producing a range of traditionally made tipples here since 1856. The only brewery left in the Old Town, it offers multilingual tours daily, ending with a chance to taste. The views from the top of the brewery are worth the ticket price alone.
Address:
Walplein 26, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 444 225
Opening times: Sun-Wed 11:00-18:00.
Website:
www.halvemaan.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Short of developing your own time machine, this multimedia museum is the best way to experience Bruges during its golden age. Passing through a series of themed rooms you can smell, see and hear about all aspects of life in the 15th century, when the city was one of the most powerful in Europe.
Address:
Markt 1, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 270 311
Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00.
Website:
www.historium.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Kantcentrum (Lace Centre)
Dedicated to Bruges’s best-known industry, lace, this museum is housed in restored 15th-century almshouse. It offers lace-making demonstrations Monday through to Saturday, with additional courses for those that want to find out more. Once you’re finished, the adjacent Jerusalem Church is a quirky pit stop and is free for lace museum customers.
Address:
Balstraat 16, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 330 072
Opening times: Mon-Sat 09:30-17:00.
Website:
www.kantcentrum.eu
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
- Basilica of the Holy Blood
Basilica of the holy blood located in Burg Square, the basilica boasts two beautiful chapels: St Basil’s Chapel, which dates back to the 1100s, and the Holy Blood Chapel, where you’ll find the supposed sacred blood of Jesus Christ. The holy claret is stored in a rock-crystal vial that was taken by Thierry of Alsace after the Second Crusade to Jerusalem in the 12th century. It’s put on show daily. The basilica also has a small museum displaying ecclesiastical exhibits, which you have to pay to enter.
Address:
Burg 13, Bruges
Telephone:
+32 50 336 792
Opening times: Daily 10:00-17:15.
Website:
www.holyblood.com
Admission Fees: No (admission fee for museum).
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes
St John’s Hospital has some of Europe’s oldest surviving hospital buildings and it dates back to the 13th century. It’s far too antiquated to be suitable for Belgium’s modern health service, so it has been converted into a museum that commemorates its 800 years of helping the sick. Displayed under the fantastic wooden ceiling are primitive instruments and cringe-worthy diagrams of ancient medical techniques, which make you glad to be in the 21st century.
Address:
Mariastraat 38, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 448 743
Opening times: Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00
Website:
www.museabrugge.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Dedicated to one of Belgium’s most-famous traditions, Choco Story is a must-visit for chocoholics. Tracing the story of the cocoa-based treat from the times of the Maya and Aztecs to modern manufacturing processes, visits here include chocolate-making demonstrations and a shop in which to indulge the tastebuds.
Address:
Wijnzakstraat 2, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 612 237
Opening times: Daily 10:00-17:00.
Website:
www.choco-story.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
What
the Groeninge museum lacks in size, it certainly makes up in stature. This renowned art gallery holds six centuries worth of work, showcasing a comprehensive collection of Flemish, Belgian and Dutch art by such luminaries as Jan van Eyck, Hieronymous Bosch and Marcel Broodthaers.
Address:
Dijver 12, Bruges
Telephone:
+32 50 448 743
Opening times: Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00.
Website:
www.museabrugge.be
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Tourist Offices
- In and Out / Tourism Bruges
Address:
‘t Zand 34, Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 50 444 646
Opening times: Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-14:00.
Website:
www.ticketsbrugge.be
Just west of the city centre, In & Uit Brugge is a one-stop shop for reservations, tours and advice. There is also an information desk in the Historium (Markt 1), with the same opening hours.
Tourist passes
The
Brugge City Card, offers free admission to 27 museums, free canal boat tours and a handful of other discounts. Passes are available for 48 or 72 hours.
Things to do in Bruges
-
Get on your bike out to Flanders
With its famously flat surface, cycling around Belgium is joy unbridled for amateurs and enthusiasts alike. You can stick to Bruge’s wobbly pavements, but there’s rural beauty galore in Flanders’ cycling trails, which take in the region’s waterways and villages. About getting decked out with some wheels. Speak to
De Ketting
Telephone: +32 50 344 196
Website: www.deketting.be
If wandering around Bruges’ sights doesn’t quite quench your appetite for walking, there are plenty of hiking trails to be discovered just outside the city.
The tourist office, will be able to point you in the direction of some of the finest countryside walks in the Flanders region .
Telephone: +32 50 444 646
Website: www.visitbruges.be
-
See beer, smell beer, drink
The Maes family has been brewing beer in Bruges since 1856, and have opened the doors to their brewery for visitors to get an insight into the creation of this most Belgian of tipples.
Tours of
De Halve Maan run daily between 11am and 4pm (though sometimes run at 5pm on Saturdays) and take 45 minutes, with each visitor getting a glass of the Bruges Zot Blonde at the end.
-
Take a visit to the Chips Museum
Consider for a second: chips. Is there such an evocative word in the culinary dictionary? In Belgium they certainly don’t think so, which is why Bruges is home to the world’s only museum dedicated to them.
The Friet museum, will take you on a whistle stop history of the little golden wonders then give you a chance to eat your fill.
Telephone: +32 50 34 01 50
Website: www.frietmuseum.be
Belgium’s iconic waterways might have been valuable trade routes for many centuries, but more recently they’ve been commandeered by the watersports bridge.
From kayaking and canoeing to jet skiing and yachting, there are plenty of water-based activities to get involved in in the Flanders region. The good folk at Water Creatie will do you right.
Website: www.waterrecreatie.beBruges tours and excursions
Bruges tours
A boat tour of Bruges is arguably the most civilized way of exploring the city. The canals offer a different perspective on the Old Town and if you take one of the evening tours it is one of the most romantic (and cheapest) diversions Bruges has to offer. Frequent boat tours depart from several points on the south side of Bruges and last around 30 minutes.
Telephone:
+32 50 444 646
Website:
www.visitbruges.be
If you’re going to explore one of the prettiest medieval cities in Europe, why not do it in the manner of the Middle Ages? The sound of hooves clunking along the cobbled streets has been ringing out in Bruges for centuries, and taking a horse-drawn cab is a wonderfully nostalgic reminder of a bygone era. Frequent tours depart from Markt Square, and most last 30-minutes.
Several times a week throughout the year, and daily in July and August, two-hour guided walking tours of Bruges depart at 1600 from the tourist office. For a livelier history of the city, tag along on a In Brugge tour, which usually swings by some of the city’s best watering holes. Visit St Christopher’s Inn Hostel at the Bauhaus (Langestraat 133- 137) for details.
Telephone:
+32 50 444 646
Website:
WalkingTours
Bruges Excursions
Zeebrugge, a seaside resort and the port of Bruges, lies just 16km (10 miles) north of the city, and is easily reached by bus or train. Attractions here include the Seafront maritime theme park, whose centrepiece is a Russian Foxtrot submarine, open to visitors.
WWI battlefield minibus tours are another alternative for a day out from Bruges. Quasimodo Tours operates trips to Paschendale, Ypres and other important sites three times weekly from February to December.
Telephone:
+32 50 370 470 or +32 80 097 525
Website:
WWI battlefield ToursShopping in Bruges
Bruges is hardly a Mecca for shoppers; the city might have a healthy mixture of independent and high street retailers, but the choice fails to rival that of nearby Brussel or Antwerp and prices are high, thanks to the hordes of tourists visiting the city. There are a range of designer boutiques, high street brands and local markets scattered throughout the city, not to mention numerous chocolatiers selling their delicious wares around the Old Town.
Bruges is also famous for its production of lace goods, which can be found in specialist shops and local markets.
There are about 80 lace shops in the city.
The main shopping areas in Bruges are situated between ‘t Zand and Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Montstraat and Jakobstraat are the main retail arteries of the city, with other streets lined with shops leading off from these.
On Wednesday morning, there’s a great food market in the Markt Square, while ‘t Zand Square is a great place to pick up bargain clothes on Saturday. The Fish Market across the canal from Burg Square trades from Tuesday to Saturday and there’s a brilliant flea market on the Dijver Canal at the weekend.
The big chain stores are concentrated on Steenstraat, while Noordzandstraat features numerous boutique outlets.
Opening hours for shopping in Bruges are generally 10:00-18:00.
Bruges claims to be the world capital of chocolate and it’s hard to argue otherwise. The city is home to a plethora of chocolatiers (good examples include ‘t Kanthuisje at Breidelstraat 5 and Chocoladehuisje at Wollestraat 15), which lure many a sweet-toothed tourist in with their seductive displays. You get a whiff of nostalgia as your chocolate is weighed and packaged, although locals will tell you that the stuff you get in the supermarkets is just as good and a fraction of the price.
For an authentic taste of Bruges, visit the Old Town’s only working brewery, De Halve Maan (Half Moon), where you can pick up bottles of the local brew.
An admirable selection of Belgium beer can also be found in the city’s off licenses or at ‘t Brugs Beertje (Kemelstraat 5).
If you’re looking for souvenirs, don’t miss the fabulous Quartier Bricolé (Langestraat 50). Renovated in 2008, this quirky shop promotes traditional Flemish craftsmanship and sells locally made knickknacks. The city’s markets are also good for arts and crafts, including the lace goods that Bruges is famous for manufacturing.
Sales tax in Bruges is 21% and can be refunded to non-EU citizens by shops affiliated to Global Refund.
Participating shops will issue a Global Refund cheque, which should be stamped at customs.
Restaurants in Bruges
There’s certainly no shortage of restaurants in Bruges, which makes it all the more baffling why the vast majority of them are so expensive. Granted diners can usually expect a quality meal for their euros, but those on a budget may get frustrated with the lack of sit-down options. The Bruges restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €50)
Moderate (€30 to €50)
Cheap (up to €30)
These Bruges restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal and a glass of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they include service charges and taxes but not tip.
Expensive
Cuisine: Belgian
This innovative eatery has been richly rewarded for its services to local gastronomy.In recent years, parkrestaurant has scooped a string of awards for its creative Belgian cuisine, This culinary wizard uses beer in many of his dishes, which can be enjoyed in the understated splendour of the dining area.
Address: Minderbroedersstraat 1, Brugge.
Telephone: +32 497 801 872
Website: www.parkrestaurant.be
Cuisine: French
Admire one of the prettiest panoramas in Bruges while quaffing gourmet cuisine at this idyllic, canal-side restaurant. Overlooking one of the most famous waterways in Bruges, Duc de Bourgogne serves excellent French food in dated opulence. This charming restaurant is also popular for breakfast, lunch or an overpriced coffee.
Address:
Huidenvettersplein 12, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 332 038
Website: www.ducdebourgogne.be
Cuisine: French, Belgian
This fusion restaurant blends French and Flemish flavours with exotic tastes to great effect. This culinary synthesis has quite rightly made Guillaume one of the most popular places to eat in Bruges. Not even the restaurant’s decor has escaped the fusion treatment; old wooden beams compliment the contemporary styling and hip vibe.
Address:
Korte Lane 20, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 344 605
Website:
www.guillaume2000.be
Cuisine: Fine dining
Welcome to Restaurant Zet’joe* With an impressive career and a passion for refined gastronomy, Geert Van Hecke enchants his guests with a unique and sophisticated culinary experience. This restaurant it made a rapid rise to the gastronomic top.
Address: Langestraat 11, Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 50 338 259
Website:
www.zetjoe.be
Moderate
Cuisine: Belgian, French
One of the city’s oldest restaurants, this place has been satiating local hunger pangs for over 250 years.Sleek modern furnishings compliment the historic building, and the refined French-Belgian cuisine is no shirker either.Nestled among some of Bruges’s most important historical sights, on one of its prettiest streets, a table on the outdoor terrace is a must on a warm evening.
Address:
Mariastraat 36, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 330 614
Website:
www.gruuthusehof.be
Cuisine: Belgian
‘No nonsense cuisine at decent prices,’ claim the proprietors. And we can’t argue with that, because this stylish restaurant does a stellar job with its Flemish themed menu. Specializing in steamed mussels and eel dishes, the vaulted cellar of Mosselkelder offers a warm and romantic setting to spend an evening and the prices are surprisingly sensible.
Address:
Huidenvettersplein 5, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 330 212
Cuisine: International (French, Belgian, European)
This restaurant specializes in local organic food, with many vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, prepared in coconut oil. However, with these honest ingredients, Réliva does not only restrict itself to vegetarian and vegan options, but also offers a unique selection of fresh North Sea fish and organic meat. This unique restaurant offers something everyone will enjoy.
Address:
Goezeputstraat 6, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 331 307
Website:
www.reliva.be
Cuisine: French, International
Just north of the Markt, the Zwart Huis (Black House) bistro is a buzzing joint with a romantic candlelit ambiance, which is at home serving both trysting couples and groups on a night out. The excellent food leans towards classic French steakhouse, but you’ll also find kangaroo and Thai curry on the menu. Live music some Sunday nights (usually jazz or blues) ups the party atmosphere a notch.
Address:
Kuipersstraat 23, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 691 140
Website:
www.bistrozwarthuis.be
Cheap
Cuisine: Italian
Cheap restaurants in
Bruges are rarer than rocking horse manure and even those on generous budgets can become weary of the pricy dining experience. So Bocca is a breath of fresh air. This jovial eatery and takeaway sells some of, if not the cheapest food in town. However, the price is not reflective on quality; their range of pasta dishes are delicious.
Address:
Dweersstraat 13, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 616 175
Website:
www.bocca.be
Cuisine: Syrian
The centre of Bruges you’ll find Taboulé, a cosy, dimly lit, traditional Syrian style restaurant where diners can escape inflated tourist prices.The service be nice, and there’s no faulting the honest prices.
Address: Langestraat 81,Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 50 338 701
Website::
www.taboulebrugge.be
Cuisine: International
This cracking little tavern near the Lake of Love takes on an oriental flavour its innovative menu. Curries and wok dishes join forces with some more traditional Flemish options, which are tasty and sensibly priced. If it’s sunny, grab a seat in their garden, which is a great spot to while away an afternoon sampling their extensive range of Belgium beers.
Address:
Oostmeers 124, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 330 454
Website:
www.stoepa.beBruges Nightlife
While Bruges has plenty of pubs to choose from, the city’s woeful lack of clubs makes for a pretty tame night out, so don’t go packing your dancing shoes. Most of the action takes place around the Old Town, where a gamut of traditional-style bars sell heroic selections of beer. If you want to hang out with the hip crowd, then head to the haunts around Kuipersstraat and Zilverstraat. Tickets and information for all cultural events can be obtained from the In & Uit tourist office.
Bars in Bruges
If you’re struggling to pronounce the name of this place now, then you’ve got no hope after working your way through some of the bar’s 300 beers. Festooned with nostalgic beer adverts, this warm and welcoming watering hole is a veritable shrine to Belgium’s national drink and what the friendly staff don’t know about their bevies ain’t worth knowing.
Address:
Kemelstraat 5, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 339 616
Website:
www.brugsbeertje.be
It’s rather difficult to find ‘t Poatersgat (The Monk’s Hole), but those that persevere will find steps that lead to a spacious, candlelit cellar bar. Once you get past the gloom and the slight whiff of damp hanging in the air, this atmospheric spot is perfect place to spend a few hours – especially as you make your way through its 120 beers.
Address:
Vlamingstraat 82, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 495 226 850
Website:
‘t Poatersgat
One of the best bars in Bruges,
De Garre is tucked away down the narrowest street in the city. This medieval-style bar serves a potent beer named (you guessed it) De Garre, which is so strong the bartenders will only serve you three. Each glass comes with a portion of cheese that does absolutely nothing to soak up this eye-blurring brew.
Address:
De Garre 1, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 341 029
Website:
www.degarre.be
Clubs in Bruges
It might look fairly slick, but Bras Cafe is notorious for raucous themed nights, fancy dress and cheap drinks promotions. Marginally more respectable than neighbouring Ma Rica, this lively, good-natured club is a place where inhibitions are best left at the door. Expect partial nudity, drunkenness and debauchery.
Address:
Het Zand 10 (‘t Zand 9), Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 344 565
Website:
www.brascafe.be
Housed in the former Bank of Bruges, De Coulissen is the city’s only real nightclub and a popular hangout for cool cats. The antithesis to Bruges’ other so-called clubs (where beer swilling and bad dancing is the aim of the game), De Coulissen has a touch of class and a roster of quality DJs who spin quality, left-of-centre tunes until the early hours.
Address:
Jakob Van Ooststraat 4, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 56 154 115
Website:
www.decoulissen.be
In the absence of a proper clubbing scene, many revellers wind up in Ramuzi Lounge Bar where floors are sticky, drinks are cheap and girls aren’t always as old as they claim. The music centres around commercial dance, which can be enjoyed after making the most of the bar’s ‘crazy hour’. Definitely not the most salubrious dance floor you’ll ever stick to.
Address:
Cordoeaniersstraat 1/A, Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 468 333 404
Website:
www.ramuziloungebar.be
Live music in Bruges
Bruge’s primary contemporary music venue hosts rock bands, world music events and international DJs in a concert hall that can be varied in size to accommodate from 100 to 1,000 gig-goers. The organization that owns the venue also organizes the 3-day Cactus Festival in the Minnewater park each July.
Address:
Bargeweg 10, Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 50 332 014
Website:
www.cactusmusic.be
- Concertgebouw (Concert Hall)
Bruges’ top music venue is the Concertgebouw on ‘t Zand Square and regularly presents classical music, opera, ballet and a range of contemporary performances. The main auditorium seats 1,300, while there is also a smaller Chamber Music Hall with a capacity of 350.
Address:
‘t Zand 34, Bruges.
Telephone:
+32 50 476 999
Website:
.www.concertgebouw.be
Run by musos for musos,
Joey’s is a dimly lit, down-to-earth bar that doubles up as an intimate live music venue. Performances are sporadic, so it’s pot luck whether you’ll catch a band or not. However, if you don’t get to hear any live acts, the easy-going atmosphere, friendly bartenders and potent cocktails will be something of a consolation.
Address:
Zilverstraat 4, Brugge.
Telephone:
+32 484 630 583Bruges Food And Drink
Bruges is a culinary delight offering a variety of dining experiences. From traditional pubs and world cuisine to renowned ice cream bars and contemporary lunch spots, there’s something for every palate. The city is particularly known for its superb seafood, waffles, and of course, the best beer and chocolate in the world.
For a local taste, you might want to try moules-frites (mussels with fries), beef stew, and Trappist beers. There are also Michelin-starred restaurants like Bartholomeus with views of the North Sea, and charming canal-side bistros like Le Chef et Moi serving classics with fresh local ingredients.
Would you like more specific recommendations or details on where to eat and drink in
Bruges?
The ground in Flanders is pretty fertile, which is very good news for their vegetables.
The best asparagus is grown around Mechelen, about an hour from
Bruges, which is why you’ll find it on most menus.
Of course then there’s the Belgium endive. It’s tasty, but more importantly it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals and good for the old digestion (so should offset the chocolate and beer you’ve eaten).
We recommend visiting
De Bron. They’ve been serving up organic vegetarian food, under an impressive glass roof, for more than 25 years.
These gooey, sticky treats are best eaten warm from a street vendor. There are slight regional variations.
The
waffles in Bruges should have larger pockets and be crispier than the ones you get in the UK.
They’ve also come with a ridiculous choice of toppings. At places like
Oyya, they can serve them in cones so you can eat while you walk around. Multi-taskers.
Good news: the humble potato chip is one of Belgium’s national dishes.
Frite carts are the best places to try fries and eat cheaply in the city centre, but be patient. If there’s a long queue it’s a good sign.
Bruges isn’t far from the coast so you’ll also get some excellent moules-frites here – that’s mussels and chips to us (sounds better in French though).
They also have the world’s only chip museum – hard to believe, eh? The
Friet Museum is in the gothic Saaihalle, a former wool hall – it’s the only surviving medieval trade hall in the city.
You’ll get the low-down on the history of potatoes, and then try some fries, cooked by a chef who’s cooked for the Belgian royal family, down in the cellars.
Flemish stew – also called stoofvlees or stoverij – is a proper winter warmer.
And it’s also slow cooked in beer, another Bruges speciality (more on that later), which has to be a good thing.
The basic recipe has been around since the middle ages, and you can try all sorts of versions, mainly beef, from the type a mum would make you for your tea to some fine-dining versions.
When in Bruges, eat it with bread smothered with mustard for a hefty kick.
The Belgians love their beer – and a word of warning – it’s a lot stronger that the average UK pint. If you don’t realise it at the time, you’ll be painfully aware the next day.
Either learn about how beer is made and then try five beers, or err, pay slightly less and just skip the museum entirely.
The large beer tasting hall on the 2nd floor offers snacks and views over the market square.
Their café serves an unfiltered version of their famous zot blonde beer – this is the only place in the city where you can try it. You can take a brewery tour and there are city views from the roof (if you can handle the steep stairs).
A relatively new brewery experience centre is the
Bourgogne de Flandres. They’ve moved back to the centre of town so you can try their Flemish specialities.
Brugs Beertje is a pub with 300 types of beer if you like a big selection.
What Bruges doesn’t have a shortage of is chocolate shops. Belgium chocolate is famous around the world, as the Choco Story Museum will tell you. Inside the converted fifteenth century wine tavern, there’s chocolate experts to chat to, historic chocolate recipes and lessons on how it’s made. Ok, it’s not Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, but you might snaffle some free samples along the way. If it’s truffles you’re after, Dumon chocolaterie keep scooping awards for the best chocolates in the city, as does The Chocolate Line. Jean Galler holds the royal warrant for pralines in Belgium. Their chocolate bars are known for their colorful wrappers.
Now we’ve told you the best things to eat, we should really give you a steer on where to find some of the best restaurants in Bruges. As in most cities, it’s sometimes best to take a stroll away from the main tourist areas, like Market Square and Burg Square.
To find the best places to eat:
- Bonte B: This is run by one of Belgium’s top chefs. A top-end dining option.
- De Vlaamsche Pot: Mario Cattoor is at the helm here and he uses his grandmother’s original recipes. More of a family bistro style-restaurant.
- Rock Fort: Another restaurant at the higher end of the scale with a seafood specialism.
- Assiette Blanche: Seasonal French-Belgian classics and local specialities.
- De Refter: Seasonal classic cooking with set menus to help you decide.
- L’Estaminet: More a “brown pub” and cafe than a restaurant. It’s famous for its spaghetti and large outside terrace.
- De Bottelier: A popular place with the locals. Its décor is rather fun, hats and old clocks mainly. You’ll find it above a wine shop in a canal-side garden.
- #food: Homemade comfort food with a new menu for each season.
- Gruuthuse Hof: Get some classic Belgian cuisine in one of city’s oldest restaurants, opened in 1751.
- De Stove: It’s very small, so might be wise to book ahead for their seafood – including grey shrimps and turbot fresh from nearby Zeebrugge.