Bruges – City Guide, Belgium

Get ready to be charmed because we’re heading to Bruges, Belgium – a city that looks like it popped straight out of a storybook. Think winding canals, Medieval Architecture, Chocolate Shops, Breweries, Frite and Waffle shops and a wealth of postcard perfect views.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the must-see sights, uncovering some places off the tourist trail, giving you an idea of what you can do in just 48 hours here in the city. It’s a city for history buffs, romantics, foodies, and anyone seeking a magical escape. So join us as we show you the top places to visit in Bruges, the city to savor.

1 . Grote Markt

Location: Markt, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free!

You’ll more than likely want to start your exploration from the heart of the city at the Old Market Square known as the Markt. Since the year of 958, the grote markt has been the centre of life in Bruges, it’s arguably the most beautiful square in the city and the perfect place to begin your discovery.

The Grote Markt in Bruges is the central square around which the settlement developed in the Middle Ages. Here you can see the row of houses on the north side of the square, with the colourful steeped gables typical of the city. Today those buildings house restaurants and cafés and frite shops.

You might also notice the in the middle of the square stands a statue of the folk heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who successfully defended the city against the French in 1302.

2. The Belfry of Bruges

Location: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Adults: €15 // 7-17 Years: €13 // 6 or Under: Free // Musea Brugge Card: Free
The Belfry of Bruges Website

The skyline is dominated by three famous towers, but the most iconic and beautiful is the great tower of the Belfry. It’s original year of construction is hard to pinpoint, but the bottom part is most likely from the 13th century.

If you’re feeling brave enough, climb the steep 366 steps to the very top for the most rewarding and impressive panorama of the city in all it’s glory. I’d like to add if you’re worried about the steps, there are places and rooms to stop off on the way up giving you essential time to catch your breath.

The stunning views you’ll have in your memory will last a lifetime. You can spend time up there looking out over the cobbled streets and do some people watching from above. Costs to enter and enjoy the Belfry are listed above at the time of visiting in 2025, or free if you’d like to look around the outside and below in the courtyard for free.

3. Historium Brugge & Duvelorium

Location: Markt 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Historium: Various Prices, Check this Website // Duvelorium: Free!
Historium Brugge & Duvelorium Website

If you are looking for something to do if its a rainy day or just a different way to experience a museum a trip to, Historium Brugge, also located in Markt is a great alternative part of your itinerary. This is a medieval museum with a twist, it uses Virtual reality and interactive exhibits to bring the story of Bruges in the early 1500s to life.

Adding to the allure, the Historium also features a Duvelorium, the only duvel cafe in the world with free entry where you can sit back and enjoy a refreshing in house beer with the best views of the Markt and Belfry. We had such a great time sitting, relaxing and people watching and this bar is fantastic to learn about some of the speciality beers on tap and maybe even sample something different to usual go tos. The terrace area is the spot to enjoy priceless and unforgettable views of the market square.

4. Bruges Beer Experience

Location: Breidelstraat 3, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Adults: €14 ( €20 with Tasting ) // 5-12 Years: €9 // 4 or Under: Free!
Bruges Beer Experience Website

Why not take a stroll to the nearby Beer Museum Experience. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual drinker, the city does offers something for everyone. The warm hospitality, paired with the rich beer culture, makes the museum a must-visit destination. The museum is well laid out, informative and interactive, this approach means you’re free to explore as much or as little as you choose, making you feel less pressured and moved along. Once you get past the amazing beer memorabilia whilst you tackle the stairs, you’ll be given the option to a tablet which turns it into an interactive experience.

There are Picture codes all over the museum that you scan, and you can watch videos/hear audio about the history of beer, there are many photo opportunities throughout, making your visit unforgettable. You’ll be treated to a sensory experience too of all the ingredients, so you really can Taste, smell and touch all that goes into the process of brewing. The beer bottle collection room was very impressive, it’s great to take the time to see the beers of the world and reminisce of times when you’ve enjoyed one of these beverages! Of course at the end of the tour you’re more than welcome to enjoy a drink or a flight of beers inside the unique bar where there is a great selection of beers.

5. Basilica of the Holy Blood

Location: Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free! ( €5 Entry to the Museum )
Basilica of the Holy Blood Website

Our must see in this area has to be the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This is a church dedicated to the relic of the Holy Blood. As the story goes, the relic was collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by the Count of Flanders, to Bruges.

One of the most remarkable aspects is the opportunity to see the Blood of Jesus, a revered vial said to contain drops of Jesus’s blood, which is only displayed for a few hours each week, And celebrated yearly in the town of Bruges.

The atmosphere inside is deeply cultural, religious and not to mention breathtakingly beautiful. If you’re planning on adding this to your ‘things to do in Bruges’ list, it’s worth noting that the basilica is free to visit daily from 10am to 5pm but are closed for services, and if you wish to view the Museum of the Holy Blood that holds Bruges relics and treasures, there is a reasonable €5 entry fee.

6. Frietmuseum

Location: Vlamingstraat 33, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Adults: €11 ( ) // 3-11 Years: €6.50 // 2 or Under: Free!
Frietmuseum Website

A visit to the Friet museum is something odd to see, it’s quite comical, with photographs of potatoes covering every wall. But if you’re interested to learn something about the good old fry, this museum has it covered.

We actually learned something too, Did you know that Fries originated in Belgium, and were brought to America during the Civil War, when 2 American soldiers tried Friets from 2 Belgium soldiers? These Belgium soldiers just happened to speak French… hence the French Fry!

It’s packed full with memorabilia of fries throughout the ages and you can even watch a quirky song about fries.

7. Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

Location: Mariastraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Museum: Adults: €8 ( ) // 8-17 Years: €4 // 7 or Under: Free! // Musea Brugge Card: Free!
Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) Website

You really will be spoilt for things to do, no matter what weather conditions you face on your time in Bruges. Next a visit inside Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk or The Church of our Lady should be on the list. The church is a remarkable example of the exceptional craftmanship of Bruges medieval builders, constructed of gothic architecture in the 13th and 15th centuries, this 115 metre brick tower is the third tallest brickwork tower in the world.

Step inside and you’ll see the impressive collection of art treasures and it’s vastly rich interior. Some notable pieces inside the museum are the ornate 16th century tombs of Charles the Bold and his Daughter, Mary of Burgundy, amongst those tombs there are beautiful painted crypts and more impressive paintings.

Part of the church is completely free and welcome to visitors, but there is also an additional fee to a small museum set to the right of the church, mainly to see Michelangelo’s white marble sculpture the ‘Madonna and Child’ completed around 1504, the piece is famous for being one of the few Michelangelo sculptures outside of Italy.

8. Saint-Salvators Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal)

Location: Steenstraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free! ( Donations Accepted )
Saint-Salvators Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal) Website

Your trip should not be without experiencing the masterpiece that is Sint-Salvatorskathedraal. We think this is a mesmerizing gem in the heart of Belgium. From it’s exterior, you might not be inclined to head inside, but trust us, be intrigued and visit this incredible cathedral. The modest, tall structure of Saint-Salvator dates back to the 10th century and still remains the main church of Bruges, but it has not always been a cathedral though, as it used to be a common parish church.

In the 19th century, after Belgium’s independence, the new Bishop of Bruges gave it the status of cathedral and added the tower to make it more impressive, as you step inside the doors you’ll agree with that statement.

It’s grand nave shares peace and serenity, whilst the walls are covered in tapestries and stunning stained glass sharing a story and painting a scene. Talking of tapestries, the one that lines the choir at the altar is just magnificent, you could spend hours just looking up, but Best of all, your visit here is completely free.

9. Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery & Distillery

Location: Kartuizerinnenstraat 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Adults: €16 ( With Beer Flight: €28 ) // 12-16 Years: €8 // 12 or Under: Free!
Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery & Distillery Website

Beer is very much back on the agenda seeing as there are breweries, bars and quirky cafes all around the city. Bruges has a rich tradition in beer making and the Brewery of Bourgogne Des Flanders should be on your list. The beer was originally brewed in Bruges from 1825-1957 but after the brewery closed down the production was taken over by Timmermans outside of Bruges.

As of 2015, the brewing process returned to the city in this new microbrewery tucked just minutes from the main square, complete with a beautiful Canalside bar and restaurant and gift shop. You have the option of visiting the brewery and touring it like we did, where you’ll explore the brewery and breathe in the smell of malt and fresh hops in the lofts.

After the tour you can enjoy a flight of beers from the tap including the house beer, Bourgogne Des Flanders, it’s a great way to explore the selection of different beers on offer and even the 0.0 percent beer was very refreshing and light.

10. Lake of Love ( Minnewater )

Location: Minnewater, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free!

For some calming green space, Minnewater park is located to the south of the city centre. It’s a lovely park with pathways meandering through beautiful flowerbeds set next to the Minnewater Lake also known as the Lake of Love. There are a number of cafes and restaurants, and it’s a wonderful spot for an afternoon stroll. Minnewater is a large lake that features a lock house at one end.

It’s regarded as one of Bruges’ most romantic places and is connected onto Lovers’ Bridge. You can wander around the lake and walk over the bridge into the adjacent Minnewater Park. This is the bridge that is actually Lovers’ Bridge. Local legend says that if you cross it with your loved one you’ll have everlasting love together.

11. Beguinage “Ten Wijngaerde” (Begijnhof) & Chapel (Begijnhofkerk Sint-Elisabeth)

Location: Begijnhof 3-7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free!
Beguinage “Ten Wijngaerde” (Begijnhof) & Chapel (Begijnhofkerk Sint-Elisabeth)

A trip to the Beguinage of Bruges is often overlooked, but it is absolutely worth stepping into. The Beguinage is known for its peaceful ambiance and it’s so welcoming from the crowds flocking to the city. It was founded in the 13th century as a community for beguines, independent women who dedicated their lives to prayer and service, they would live in these beautiful, simple white uniform houses and their days filled with quiet devotion.

You should definitely visit the Begijnhofkapel whilst you are here, a 17th century church filled with baroque architecture. It’s a simple but very beautiful building, it’s interior isn’t as impressive as the many others in the city but its a calming place and there is a real sense of spiritualism. Well worth looking in whilst here.

12. Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai)

Location: Rozenhoedkaai 3, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Cost: Free! – Boat Tour: Adults: €15 // 4-11 Years: €9 // 4 or Under: Free!
Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai) Website

You might recognize our final stop, as it’s plastered all over social media. Rozenhoedkaai or Rosary Quay, is one of the most picturesque spots in Bruges, celebrated for its stunning views and historical significance. This charming quay is situated along the city’s iconic canals, where you can take in the enchanting scenery that has remained unchanged for centuries.

The quay is framed perfectly by magnificent medieval buildings and is a prime location for photography enthusiasts looking to capture the essence of Bruges. As you stand at the edge of the quay, you can admire the famous Belfry of Bruges and the surrounding architecture that reflects the city’s rich history.

The area is not only a feast for the eyes but also a hub for leisurely activities. You can enjoy a peaceful walk along the canal, which is also an ideal starting point for boat tours, allowing you to explore Bruges from the water and gain a unique perspective of this stunning city.

Bruges, is often called the “Venice of the North,” its canals and picturesque stone bridges give the impression you’re in your own fairy-tale surrounded by cobblestone streets and beautiful medieval buildings. But its compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot. Our advice is to simply see the sights on foot, let your feet or feeling guide you through the hidden courtyards and the lesser known alleyways to discover a different perspective for yourself.

Even amidst the inevitable bustling crowds, you’ll find something to enjoy, free or otherwise. For us, Bruges was more than just another city break; it’s a feeling, a memory, a place where time slows down and beauty surrounds you. I hope with our suggestions on how to enjoy your time in Bruges, that you’ll find your own magic there. The Link to start your adventure is here.

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Till Next Time!