Best Things To Do in A Day in Bruges, Belgium
Belgium is probably one of the prettiest countries in Europe. It’s also small enough to go from the capital, Brussels, to the gorgeous city of Bruges, on a one-hour train journey. With Bruges being so easily accessible, and hands-down, one of the most picturesque cities I’ve ever been to, I would highly recommend a day trip to this charming medieval gem if you ever find yourself in Belgium.
What makes Bruges so special are the beautiful, picture-perfect buildings, squares and canals that are found in the historic town centre. Between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, Bruges became a central hub for trading goods across Europe. The gorgeous medieval architecture that was built during the trade boom is still fully intact and is what makes Bruges so famously romantic.
A tour boat cruising along the beautiful Bruges canals, passing the historic Flemish brick buildings.
Walking along the cobbled streets that run alongside the canal, and wandering through the squares and green spaces filled with beautiful buildings, really takes you back in time. You feel like you’re in a real-life fairy-tale. This, mixed with the sweet smells of Belgian waffles and chocolate in the air, makes Bruges truly unforgettable. It’s a city just waiting to be explored.
Most Picturesque Sites in Bruges
Get ready to repeat the words “That’s so beautiful!” constantly during your time in Bruges, because it seems that there’s something gorgeous to look at round every corner of the city. With so much to take in, it can be difficult knowing which are the best sites to see.
1. Markt Square
Markt Square is probably one of the most photographed areas of Bruges, with the historic charm of the colourful medieval buildings and their terraced roofs, old-school carriages led by horses, and the incredibly impressive Belfry of Bruges towering above it all.
Markt Square boasting beautiful buildings and the Belgian flag.
The Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell-tower built in the 13th century, stands 83 meters tall in the centre of Markt Square. We walked through the tower gate and stood underneath it, to really get a proper understanding of how tall and historic the tower is. Visitors can choose to climb the 366 steps of the winding spiral staircase to the top of the tower, for an amazing arial view of the square below. Tickets are 16 Euros per person, and also give you access to the Treasury and Carillon, located within the tower.
2. Burg Square
Burg Square, although not as impressive as Markt Square, definitely deserves a visit during your time in Bruges. This historic square has served as the political centre of the city for over 1000 years. Bruges city hall was built in 1376 and features a beautiful wooden vaulted ceiling and wall murals depicting the history of Bruges.
You will also find the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a Romanesque, Gothic church that is home to a relic that contains a drop of blood from Jesus Christ. This incredible church is beautiful inside, and out, but the lines to get in can extend across the entire square, so be prepared to wait if you’d like to enter.
3. Rozenhoedkaai
Rozenhoedkaai, or Rosary Quay, is the most picturesque spot in Bruges, perfectly showcasing the romantic charm of the city. This gorgeous Bruges icon features a dramatic weeping willow tree that cascades over the meeting point of the Groenerei and Dijver canals. This is the ultimate photo op spot to capture the magic of Bruges, it is quite a busy spot through, so if you’re looking for a quieter, but just as beautiful spot to enjoy the Bruges canals, Mary’s Bridge is a hidden gem that I fell in love with.
Rozenhoedkaai, the most photographed spot in Bruges, with the weeping willow tree brushing over the two canals.
4. The Church of Our Lady
The Church of Our Lady is a breath-taking Gothic church, located just as you come into the centre of Bruges. The famous Michelangelo sculpture, Madonna and Child, is housed within the church. You’ll also find incredible works of art depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ in and around The Church of Our Lady. Donations are welcome, but there is no entrance fee into the church, so you are free to wander through and soak up the beauty inside.
5. Minnewater Park and Love Lake
If you have some free time, and the weather is on your side, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Minnewater Park and feed the swans and ducks that call Love Lake their home. This stunning green space was surprisingly one of my favourite spots in Bruges, because it’s not as crowded as the city squares and canals. This park made me feel like I was a character in the Belgian version of Bridgerton or Pride and Prejudice!
Minnewater Park House
Bruges is one of the most beautiful, and most romantic cities that I’ve ever visited, but it does come with a lot of crowds, especially on a weekend. Despite the busyness, there are picturesque spots all over Bruges, so don’t be afraid to wander through the streets, away from the top sites, and get lost in the stunning historic charm!
Best Belgian Waffles and Chocolates in Bruges
Belgium is world-famous for three things: chocolate, waffles and beer. I’m not a big drinker, so didn’t try the beer in Belgium, but I did get to enjoy delicious waffles and top-quality chocolates, my favourites both being in Bruges.
For delicious sweet and savoury Belgian waffles, and great sit-down service, I would highly recommend House of Waffles, located right near the Belfry of Bruges. You can choose to have a sweet or savoury topping, served on either the Brussels waffle, which is light and airy, or the Liege waffle, which is denser and heavier. Both are types of waffles served in Belgium, made with different kinds of dough. They are both super yummy, but my favourite was definitely the Brussels waffle.
Delicious Brussels waffles with strawberries and chocolate ice-cream.
There are so many amazing chocolate shops in Bruges, that it’s hard to choose which one to buy from. Considering the chocolate is hand-made and quite expensive, making the right choice of shop should be serious business. There is an image displayed on the windows of the best chocolate shops in Bruges, called the Guild of Bruges Chocolatiers, which will tell you that the chocolate inside the shop is authentic, hand-made Belgian chocolate.
Our favourite chocolate shop in Bruges, belonging to the Guild, was Pol Depla Chocolatier, situated near Church of Our Lady. Make sure to have a budget of around 30 Euros, or more, to get a good amount of chocolate while you’re there!
Delicious authentic Belgian chocolate.
How to Get to Bruges from Brussels
There are direct trains, that leave every 15 or 30 minutes, from Brussels to Bruges. You can hop on the train either at Brussels Central, or Brussels Zuid. I would recommend using Brussels Central, as it is centrally located, and feels like a safer, more pedestrian-friendly station. The price of the train from Brussels to Bruges depends on the time of week you travel. We were there on a weekend and got return tickets for around 23 Euros per person.
If you’re flying or taking the train into Belgium, there is a high likelihood that you’ll be arriving in Brussels. We flew into Charleroi Airport from the UK, with Ryanair and then booked a Flibco bus that took us to Brussels Midi station. We based ourselves in Brussels for the duration of our time in Belgium, because Bruges, and other stunning areas of Belgium, are all accessible from there by train.
A beautiful river shot of the romantic city of Bruges.
Bruges is a city filled with romance and charm. It brings out your inner child, encouraging you to spend the day eating chocolates and waffles, reminiscing about childhood fairytales. That’s what makes this city so special. It’s the feeling of fantasy and fun that overtakes you.
If you ever visit Belgium, make sure to include a day trip to the incredibly beautiful city of Bruges. It’ll definitely be one of the most magical places you’ve ever visited and you’ll make memories that your inner child will never forget.
