Like a Fairytale: A Day Trip Guide to Bruges, Belgium

Sharing a day-trip guide to Bruges, Belgium

Bruges (or Brugge) is indeed, as you may have heard, like a fairytale. Located in Flanders, just 25 minutes by train from Ghent, the historic center of Bruges has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval architecture and is well worth a day trip. Truth be told, there are very few things to do in Bruges, and the city feels almost like an open-air museum. I don’t know that I would consider making the city my home base while in Belgium (unless I was specifically looking for an excuse to slow down!). What I do know is that you won’t be the only one trekking in on a morning train and trekking out in the evening. But no matter how long you decide to stay, your time spent in Bruges will be worth it, I promise.

The center of Bruges is quite small and very manageable on foot, but if you have mobility issues or if the weather is particularly bad, De Lijn serves Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent (so if you already have a day pass from one of those cities – you’re good to ride in Bruges!). The city center is shaped a bit like a rounded, wobbly diamond, with the main station (Station Brugge) located just outside of the ring road on the southwest side of the city. To get to the Markt in the heart of the city, simply look for the tall Belfry, and walk in its direction. Once you’ve arrived, take in the beauty of the square, but watch out for pickpockets.

From there, where you go is technically up to you – but here’s what I recommend:

BRUGES SIGHTS + ATTRACTIONS

Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwwkerk)

Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwwkerk) | Mariastraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

The Church of Our Lady is best known for Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child (the only of the artist’s pieces to leave Italy during his lifetime) but plays host to a large number of other works as well. Admission to the church is free, but there is a small fee to visit the museum (which includes the Michelangelo work).

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Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek)

Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek) | Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Perhaps the best-known church in Bruges, the Basilica of the Holy Blood contains a vial of what is said to be Jesus’ blood. The relic is on display in a separate portion of the church, behind which you are not permitted to take photos (see above photo). While there is no posted fee to view the relic, donations feel as if they are expected. Some visitors may say a prayer, and others may simply peer into the glass vial, which was brought to Bruges during the Second Crusade. Whether or not you believe the blood is that of Jesus Christ is up to you; either way the church as a whole is still an impressive work of art.

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Belfry (Belfort)

Belfry (Belfort) | Markt 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

The Belfry in Bruges is quite hard to miss, as it can be spotted from most points within the city center (unless you’re currently in the Belfry, of course!). As long as you’re up for 366 steps, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the medieval city. Good to know: the lines to enter can get exceedingly long, as there is a limited capacity inside. Come early if you can, otherwise, bring a snack and a drink to pass the time.

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Bruges’ Parks

Koningin Astridpark | Park, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Minnewaterpark | Minnewater 1/15, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Another lovely way to pass the time in Bruges is to find a comfortable place in the city’s parks. The city is achingly picturesque, and clearly, locals love spending time lounging and enjoying their public spaces. And if you’re thinking any of these places look familiar, that’s probably due to this film.

EATING + DRINKING IN BRUGES

Breakfast at Kottee Kaffee

Kottee Kaffee | Ezelstraat 68, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

It’s really tough to find good places to eat in towns as heavily-touristed as Bruges. Reviews feel heavily skewed and it’s hard to avoid restaurants that are simply churning out food to the masses. Kottee Kaffee feels like a local place; the kind of place where it seems like everyone knows the owners and wants to stop for a chat. The place was very busy when we arrived, and we couldn’t be seated at a regular table due to others’ reservations. Instead, we were seated in two cozy chairs with a small coffee table – and it couldn’t have been more perfect. We shared the “Sweet Salt” breakfast with toast, jam, charcuterie, and cheese and two coffees. It was a lovely pause in our morning.

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Lunch at Blackbird

Blackbird | Jan van Eyckplein 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

With such a large breakfast, we weren’t hungry for lunch until later in the day and you know what that means: not much is open. Something light sounded lovely, and Blackbird boasted healthy fare: soups, salads, and sandwiches. We each ordered an opened-faced sandwich, and neither of us could eat more than half. If we returned, I would consider sharing a sandwich and possibly ordering a cup of soup.

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Coffee at We Are Coffee Makers

Cafuné now We Are Coffee Makers | Academiestraat 8, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Good coffee is lacking in Bruges. After sipping and tossing an undrinkable cup of joe from another shop earlier in the day, we made it into ~~Cafuné~~ now We Are Coffee Makers. These folks know what they’re doing – this spot is really an oasis in a coffee desert.

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Waffles at Chez Albert

Chez Albert | Multiple Locations

I know, I know. I said we didn’t have any good waffles in Belgium, but the waffle we had from Chez Albert was the “best” we had from a stand or shop. They offer Liege waffles with plenty of toppings, but I think that’s a bit overkill. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, this might do the trick.

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Drinks at Brouwerij De Haalve Man

Brouwerij De Haalve Man | Walplein 26, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

For any beer drinker, a stop at De Halve Maan (which means “half-moon,” not “half-man” as I keep reading it in my mind) for a Brugse Zot beer is a must. The brewery is bustling yet comfortable. If the weather is nice, find a place on the patio to enjoy your brew.

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Dinner at Assiette Blanche

Assiette Blanche | Philipstockstraat 23, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Every so often we indulge in a “nice” meal and decided to do so at Assiette Blanche. We’re very value-driven and try to keep meals in the €7-15 range as much as possible. The pre-fixe dinner menu at Assiette Blanche is ~~€37~~ now €50 – not cheap, but not outrageous for a three-course meal either. The menu changes seasonally, so you know that whatever you get will be fresh. We were also encouraged to linger for the whole of the evening, which we would have done if we weren’t concerned about making the train back to Ghent!

SHOPPING IN BRUGES

Lace in Bruges

Bruges has all the high-street shops, but I know you’re not here for that. The city has a deep history of lace-making, though sadly the craft has nearly died out. Still, you’ll see plenty of small shops selling lace – some of it antique and hand-crafted locally, some of it new and handmade but made elsewhere in the world, and still others mass-produced by machine. You can usually tell which pieces were made locally by their high price tag, but ask plenty of questions before purchasing.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: BRUGES

Bruges is easily reached by train from major stations in the region but is best reached from Ghent or Brussels as transit time would top out at about an hour each way (if you’re coming from Antwerp or Paris, it may be worth considering an overnight stay). Public transit is available, but as I mentioned, likely not necessary for a day in the city. That being said, a bicycle would be a lovely way to experience the city if the weather complies (I have not personally used their service, but this rental company has good reviews). Good food can be a bit hard to find in the city; when searching for restaurants online, judge by the reviews written in the local language. If they’re mostly positive or mention aspects you look for in a restaurant, it’s probably a safe bet.

Arrive early if you can, as the city is full of day-trippers. Take time to mosey around the city; Bruges is a great opportunity to slow down on an otherwise jam-packed itinerary. However, you’ll want to wear comfy shoes as the city’s beautiful cobblestone streets may get to you by the end of the day. Take a break midday and join the locals in the parks with a snack and a drink. And of course, fans of the cult film In Bruges will enjoy following along with this city map with filming locations.

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