11 Best Things to Do in Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges – known as the Belfort – was built in 1220, with additions in 1240 and reconstruction after it burned down in 1280, 1491, and 1781. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow aptly wrote in a poem titled The Belfry of Bruges, “In the market-place of Bruges stands the belfry old and brown; Thrice consumed and thrice rebuilt, still it watches o'er the town.” It looms over the ancient square.

Standing 83 meters high, it is well worth the 366-step climb to view the entire city. On your way up the narrow spiral staircase, you can stop and catch your breath in the different rooms along the way. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the North Sea.

The Market Square (Grote Markt) is the heart of medieval Bruges. In the center is a statue celebrating Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninc, the heroes of the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, when a French Belgium was forced to recognize the Flemish emancipation. Appreciate the medieval-style houses – their roofs literally look like stairs to the clouds, and the colors are just as warm as the charm.

You can find various hotels with restaurants on the ground level that extend into the square. You can enjoy essential Belgian delights like fries, fresh mussels, local beer, and donuts. These restaurants do cater to tourists, so don’t expect the best prices in town but certainly enjoy the ambiance. The square is free of cars, but keep your eyes open for bicycles, mopeds, and buses.

The Gruuthuse Museum (Gruuthusemuseum) is a mansion that once belonged to the Gruuthuse family, one of the richest in Bruges. The Gruuthuse’s held quite a monopoly over the beer brewing market, and the house still holds many of their treasures from as far back as the 13th century. Audio tours in several languages are available for free at the front desk.

There’s a 3-piece oil painting on the altar that is worth spending some time in front of, and there are small folding chairs available for just that reason. Outside, listen for the harp player in the square. Located in medieval Bruges, Gruuthusemuseum is within a 5-minute walk of Belfry of Bruges.

Traditional lace-workers sell their wares at Kantcentrum, while boutiques like Point de Bruges sell delicate embroidered lacework in Sint-Anna Quarter. You'll also find about 50 chocolatiers inviting you to sample Bruges’ most famous treat.

2 local breweries are open for visits, tastings and sales – or just call in at any supermarket and take home some fine Belgium beer. Dozens of antique shops offer treasures, with bargains at the weekend market on the Dijver canalside.

Saint John’s Hospital (Hospitaalmuseum) was built in 1188 as a hospital for pilgrims and passersby in need of medical and religious attention before their deaths. Nuns and monks ran it from the 9th to 19th centuries, when a proper hospital was built.

Fortunately, the old one remains open for visitors and displays works of some of the best Flemish artists. The audio tour is free, as are the little chairs. Make yourself comfortable and pay attention to the painting of the original hospital, which gives you an inclination of what public healthcare was like in the past.

Bruges’ cobbled lanes, canal bridges and main squares Markt and Burg have a fairytale-like scenery throughout the day (and night). Swans often glide along city center canals like Dijver. The biggest attraction of a Bruges city break is simply wandering its beautiful old streets, admiring medieval mansions, art galleries, and tempting chocolate shops. Dine on specialties like waterzooi stew and moules-frîtes (mussels and fries), or linger over strong coffee or local beers at one of the many sidewalk cafés.