Travel Tips for Visiting Bruges

Things to see in Bruges

Bruges is a wonderful city – explore it on a free guided tour, where a local guide will show you all the major sights, from the monumental buildings to picturesque little streets. The tour includes a visit to the famous landmarks, such as the Grote Square and the Belfry of Bruges. The belfry is located in the Market Square, which is a space full of history. Medieval fairs and great popular uprisings took place there. It’s now simply crowded with people. While on the tour, you can also listen to the stories and legends from the city’s medieval past.

I also present you a tour that will, along with the major sights, also introduce you to the city’s cultural side. It will take you to the oldest chocolate shop and to the famous breweries. You and your guide will part on the terrace with a view of the gorgeous river canals. The Belgian brewing tradition has even found its place on UNESCO’s list. During the trip, visit the St. John's Hospital as well, which is one of the oldest hospitals in the world. You’ll get to walk down the narrowest street in the city and observe the golden statues on the impressive courthouse. At the fish market, you can count if there really are 126 of them. And after all the walking, you can take a look at the medieval city from the water. The tour starts at a beautiful and magical Quay of the Rosary, which is located at the crossroads of two canals. The boat will take you past two façades, covered in ivy, and underneath beautiful bridges.

To top it all off, there’s some relaxation in store at a secret garden of a poorhouse where you’ll be surprised by the beauty of the hidden places. It’s worth to explore Bruges by bike because cycling paths are well-established. And don’t forget to visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which was once said to have housed a bottle of the blood of Christ. The bottle can still be viewed each day at a specific time. Another famous church is the Church of Our Lady from the 13th century, which is most famous for housing Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child statue. But it’s not the only famous piece of art. The Burg Square with its 14th-century city palace is the soul of the city. The grandiose square is surrounded by famous buildings dating to various centuries.

Things to do in Bruges

Learn how to become a master chocolatier and make your very own Belgian chocolate in just two hours and a half. In the workshop, you’ll learn about the entire process of making the famous chocolates and chocolate bars that are actually crunchy chocolate bars sprinkled with dried fruit. The final product will be thirty pieces of chocolate that will travel with you wherever you want.

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is a complex of white houses dating back to 1245. Beguines used to live a life of celibate here once. Today, it’s a home to the nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict and multiple female residents of Bruges who decided not to marry.

The Frietmuseum is a museum dedicated to the history of potato and the production of Belgian fries. It’s the first and the only one of its kind. Choco-Story Bruges is a large chocolate museum located in the De Croone building, a former wine tavern. At Historium Brugge, you can learn about the history of the medieval Bruges through virtual reality and a themed room, which recreate life as it was in the city’s golden age. The Groeningemuseum is a must for all art lovers, especially if you’re a fan of the Flemish works of art from the past centuries. The museum also houses lots of gruesome paintings.

Staying in Bruges

Fifteen minutes from the main station is where you’ll find the HI hostel Europa. It consists of the main buildings and two wings. It also boasts a large garden and a sports field. All HI members can book your stay 10% cheaper.

Choosing the right travel guide

The Pocket Bruges & Brussels is colourful, easy to use and fits perfectly in your hand. It’s your gateway to all the major sights in this picturesque city.

How to send your loved ones a postcard from Bruges?

The best postcards are the ones that are personalised. You can send them through MyPostcard. New users can send their first postcard for free with the HIGlobetrotter promo code through the Globetrotter profile.

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