Bruges in a Day: Is This Fairytale City Really Worth the Hype?

This is a detailed guide on what to see and do in Bruges, including where to stay, important historical facts, and how to get there, along with many pictures. 

I didn’t know about this place until I decided to meet up with a couple of friends during my return trip to the old continent from my second home in Mexico. I let them decide the itinerary and hotels; for once I wasn’t the guide!  Little did I imagine that it would be such a cute little place, definitely worth visiting.

The only downside, in my opinion, was that being so popular, it was extremely crowded and outrageously expensive, even more so on the weekends. You probably wouldn’t even notice it, but I love deserted places and when I see crowds I feel a sort of constraint…but that’s just me.

The old city, a World Heritage Site, is definitely worth a visit. We stayed one night and a full day, and it was enough to visit the entire historical center and enjoy all the culinary specialties, especially the chocolate.

Insider tip – if you have more than one day, consider renting a bike and riding all the way to the cute little town of Damme, less touristy and definitely worth the ride.

Things to do in Bruges if you have 1 or 2 days only

Strolling around the old city, getting lost among its red brick walls and canals and the breathtaking art of the gothic churches, eating chocolate and French fries ( well, Belgian)  was my favorite thing to do, but, ok, I will give you a list of specific places to visit :

The Markt

The Markt is a must that you cannot miss, like in every historical city, it is the main plaza surrounded by beautiful, colored historical buildings and dominated by the 89 m civil tower, which you can climb up to the top and enjoy an amazing 360º view of the city. ( 15 Euro)

Walk along the canal

Renamed Rozenhoedkaai (not sure how to pronounce it :), the main canal in Bruges and the most photographed. You can also take boat tours that will take you to otherwise unreachable corners of the city. It’s not surprising that it is one of the most photographed angles of the old town.

Hang out in Burg Square

Very close to the Markt, a few steps on the east side, you will find the not-to-be-missed Burg Square, the beating heart of the city, for the impressive architecture of the surrounding buildings, such as the civic register and the beautiful Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Visit the Hanseatic neighborhood

It’s the home of the ancient merchants that has still preserved the old style and atmosphere.

Walk up to the Minnewater

Meaning the lake of love, it’s a beautiful romantic place situated on the border of the city within a huge park, it was one of the important piers where cargo boats used to dock and connected Bruges with Ghent.  It’s definitely a great place to visit and walk around. There is also a lovely restaurant right on the lake if you get there on an empty stomach.

See the windmills

From the Lake of love, we walked all around the perimeter across the park for about 2 km until we reached the first of the windmills that surround the old city. That was worth a visit as well, as it looks a little anachronistic, and yet it matches very well with the old colored houses and the green vegetation. From the little height of the mill, you can also admire the majestic towers of the churches from a distance. It definitely makes great pictures.

Visit the Charity hospice

It’s a cozy, lovely village within the city, an oasis of peace and tranquility. It’s a group of apartments built around a lovely flowered garden and donated in the past to people in need and still inhabited. You can still visit them and admire the medieval architecture and atmosphere.

Check out the smallest lane in the world

Pay a visit to the Historium

If you have extra time, you can fit in The Historium, in the Markt. It is an original way to be thrown back to history and live the golden age of Bruges through a virtual reality experience. (19.00 Euro)

1. A great option would be to rent a bike and ride around the city, not because you wouldn’t make it on foot, but it would be just fun, as this is the main means of transportation, from what I have seen. They also rent a tandem ( around 10 Euro for 4 hours)

WHAT TO EAT IN BRUGES

As we were there for only one night, I am not able to suggest a specific restaurant, except one superb place, “Le pain quotidien” that we found by chance (Simon Stevinplein 15- you can check on this map also). You will see a lot of tables and chairs in the square which is a good option too, but we enjoy a lot the internal garden and the small lovely decorated sitting areas inside the restaurant. The food is great for breakfast and lunch, they have great original options, with organic produce and vegan choices as well.

In general, the city is full of cozy little restaurants, some of them very elegant and pricey and others more laid back and funky places to hang out. The specialty of Bruges is the mussels, which you cannot miss in the world unless you are allergic! The fries, and of course, the chocolate.

You will see chocolate shops everywhere, and I would dearly suggest you forget any sort of diet for a day and indulge in a box of the finest chocolate in the world. Many shops will allow you to make your own box with as many chocolates as you want of any type and pay by weight.

Just make sure you don’t get stuck in the shop :). The waffle with any sort of topping is great too. I love it with cream and strawberries but also plain.

Shopping in Bruges

If you feel like shopping and have extra time, there is one special road where you can find lots of fine clothing, accessories, and home decor. That’s Steenstrat, one of the roads that connect the station with the city center. So you cannot miss it.

Where to stay in Bruges

We stayed at the Ibis budget, close to the railway station and very comfortable, a great quality/price compromise. The rooms are clean and modern. A little small for three people but well organized and practical. The fact that it was beside the station became handy because when we checked out we left the bags in their luggage room and went out for a last morning round of the city and we went back to pick up our bags right before going to the station to catch our train to Bruxelles.

However, if you prefer to stay right in the middle of the medieval center, there is a great competition among beautiful luxury boutique hotels that will make you feel transported back in time, living like in an ancient medieval luxurious residence.  I didn’t visit them all, unfortunately, as I didn’t have the time. But I did a little search and I thought I would offer a suggested list for you to choose from.

Hotel van Cleef

This is probably the finest hotel in Bruges, located in the heart of the city. It is an old mansion refurbished and turned into a hotel, and it merges the modern design with the original style, and you will feel transported back in time once you enter the door. It has a beautiful public area that welcomes external guests for tea upon reservation only.

Hotel Prinsenhof Bruges

With only 24 rooms, this cute boutique hotel in the center of Bruges is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Like many other prestigious properties, the modern Prinsenhof hotel is hidden behind the facade of the original old mansion that has been bought by a Family and refurbished into a beautiful luxury property with dedicated attention to detail and comfort.

Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce – Luxe Worldwide Hotel

Considered one of the most romantic hotels in Europe, with its 16 beautifully and individually decorated rooms, this legendary property is indeed one of a kind. They excel in service and attention to details and will make your stay really unforgettable.

Hotel Heritage – Relais & Chateaux

Situated right behind the Markt, this beautiful boutique hotel has the prestigious Relais & Chateaux signature, a guarantee of luxury and charm. The decor may seem too pompous for some, but it really wants to evoke the history and the tradition of the popular town, and the flower patterns on the walls and in the tapestry convey a sort of homy feeling.

Hotel Fevery

Cozy and modern property a little off from the center but within walking distance, it offers an affordable choice for your stay in Bruges, in a historical atmosphere with modern facilities and comfort.

Hotel Ter Duinen

A modern hotel in a historical, cozy atmosphere, on the bank of the canal Langerei, it offers lovely and minimal accommodation with style and comfort. It seems that the popular buffet breakfast is very much appreciated.

Hotel de Orangerie

This beautiful property belongs to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World association and its a former Carthusian convent from the 15th century and has been turned into one of the most romantic and elegant hotel, located in the heart of Bruges on the “De Dijver” canal.

Pand Hotel Small Luxury Hotel

Another perfect example of luxury and history combined together and guaranteed by The Small Luxury Hotel Association. Located as well in the heart of town, it offers amazing views of the city, comfortable and elegant rooms with luxury linen and attention to detail.

Botaniek Hotel

If you wish to live fully your Burges experience, staying in an old mansion but still keeping a low budget, this is the hotel for you. Conveniently located at a walking distance from the Burg, this hotel offers a welcoming and tranquil atmosphere for a reasonable price.

Grand Hotel Casselbergh Bruges

118  rooms in the heart of Bruges and overlooking the canal, this hotel combines the charm of the old town with contemporary luxury.

Hotel Dukes’ Palace Bruges

The hotel is the former residence of the Burgundian aristocracy and it now offers 110 luxury, decorated rooms and high-end service. The huge and immaculate garden creates a bucolic atmosphere in a historical setting. It is the ideal place to relax and enjoy your tranquility a few steps away from the historical center.

Grand Hotel du Sablon

Located right behind Burg, it’s another option among the beautiful historical places where you can stay.  It’s a comfortable 3-star hotel.

Hotel Aragon

The perfect marriage between luxury modern and historic charm, this is what this hotel represents. You won’t be disappointed.

Hotel Navarra

A stunning 4 stars hotel at the doors of the historical center offers modern architecture with a minimalist design and exceptional service. You feel like you are entering into a royal palace.

Hotel Biskajer Adults Only

Probably the only adult-only hotel in Bruges, minimal and unpretentious indeed, the modern and simple external look is very different from what you will find inside, which appears older and very dark. Prices are affordable.

Flanders Hotel

This elegant hotel, located in the heart of Bruges, offers amazing service and a heated pool, bucolic gardens, and a sumptuous breakfast.

Academie Hotel

The quaint and charming hotel is located very close to the popular and romantic Lake of Love and a few steps away from the other interesting attractions of the beautiful city.

Oud Huis de Peellaert

This luxury 4-star hotel offers 50 elegantly decorated and furnished rooms with modern facilities. The 16th-century wellness room in the authentic basements and the bucolic courtyard and bar are its signature features.

A few historical facts about Bruges

Its historic center overall deserves a first place on the list of things to see. It has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, I presume, either for its beauty and historical importance, which you can feel anywhere you go

• Already from the Roman Empire, the city seems to have been considered a strategic commercial hub by Julius Caesar when the first fortifications were built to protect the important city from the pirates’ conquests.
•  It is a city of huge historical importance since the medieval age, when, thanks to its canals, it was established as the most important trade center of northwestern Europe, linking trade with the Mediterranean.
• It appears that the first stock exchange in the world opened here in 1309 and developed into the most sophisticated money market of the Low Countries in the 14th century.

• From then onwards, it was a continuous flourishing for the city, which reached its apogee in the 15th century when Bruges became the center of the Reign of Bourgogne and the center of production of luxury goods. Famous artists found here their inspiration for their majestic creations, and the most beautiful churches and palaces were built, among which are the government buildings that you can admire now.
• In 1500, Bruges started to feel the economic decline, falling behind Antwerp, which was becoming the new most important center of the Low Countries.
• In the last half of the 19th century, Bruges became one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, and some attribute its touristic blooming to the book  “Bruges the Dead” written by the symbolist novelist George Rodenbach, who even made the sleepy city into a character.

Further notes on Bruges

Movie set in Bruges – In Bruges – 2008 – comedy – crime 

Books on Bruges – Bruges the dead by George Rodenbach.

How to get to Bruges

This is definitely one stop you don’t want to miss if you travel around the region. It’s located just 50 minutes from Brussels Midi station by train, besides other connections from Amsterdam, Paris, London, Cologne and many more.

If you are in Bruxelles, Trains run very often, 1 per hour (14-19 Euro), and it takes less than an hour to get there. You can check out the time and get your ticket online here.

From London, there are direct buses with FLIXBUS – it takes 6 hours, but it’s direct and it is only 20 euros.

Other cities such as Paris and Amsterdam are connected via Brussels, which is actually another beautiful city worth a visit.