The top 15 things to see, do, eat and drink in Bruges, Belgium
Last week I took a pretty impromptu four day trip to Bruges. It's the perfect city for a short getaway; built of bridges and Gothic architecture, small enough to walk around, full of places to eat things covered in chocolate, and drink an obscene amount of strong beer. Heaven.
Much like the people, the whole place is relaxed but lively, so feel free to take it easy and pretend you're far away from the wider world. Go out for a walk and a waffle, wander into an underground bar, head back for a midday nap when you've drunk too much, then go out in the evening to do it all again.
I'd really recommend trying to do these things (as well as the canal boat tour) before midday, as this is when places become significantly more overrun with tourists. You will likely stumble upon most of the significant buildings and landmarks just by ambling around, but here I have listed some of my favourite things to see.
St Bonifacius, 'lovers bridge'
In a city full of bridges, St Bonifacius is one of the most magical. Nicknamed the 'Lovers Bridge' it specifically attracts couples who come share a kiss and eternalise their love, or so the legend goes. It is a classic spot for sightseeing, overlooking one of the quainter, more narrow parts of the canal and framed by whimsical, unchanged buildings that seem to have escaped a fairy-tale book. Despite its potential novelty, 'Lovers Bridge' is undeniably charming and romantic, provided you find a quiet moment in the day to visit. Try early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds and catch the bridge in its most idyllic light.
Minnewater, 'lake of love'
Carrying on with the theme of romance, we have the 'Lake of Love' in Minnewater Park. Surrounded by towering trees and the occasional medieval, Gothic style building, the 'Lake of Love' is scenic and relatively tourist free. Sitting off the beaten track, this is a beautiful place to escape to when the streets begin to get a little too busy. Whether you take some time to walk around the park or just overlook from the bridge, you are sure to leave feeling refreshed and ready to explore the city some more. So relax, take some photos and see if you can spot any turtles in the lake.
Onze-lieve-vrouwekerk, 'church of our lady'
There are a lot of churches in Bruges but the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, or 'Church of Our Lady' is my favourite. Standing at 379ft, it is the second tallest brick building in the world, yet is somewhat unassuming amidst the Bruges skyline. Entry into the nave of the church is free, but you can pay for further admission if you'd like to delve deeper. The striking dark features against crisp white walls give the interior a surprisingly modern and stylish look. Whether you are religious or not, it is easy to appreciate this building for its resonance and artistry. Adorned with sculptures and golden accents, the 'Church of Our Lady' is rich with detail. Particularly the ornate pulpit at the right side of the congregation, which is a piece of art in its own right.
While Bruges is gorgeous, it is pretty small. This means that you can see most of the classic landmarks in a day, and unless you want to see them over and over again, I recommend finding some activities to do. They can really help to fill out your trip and leave you feeling like you've made the most of every day.
waffles 'n beer workshop
If there's one thing that you pay to do in Bruges, it should be this. The workshop begins with a beer tasting, (with alcohol free options available too) whilst the host tells you all about what you're drinking. Even when making the waffles, your glass is topped up the whole time, so you really get your moneys worth. I understandably left feeling pretty drunk. The recipe produces around three waffles each, and the process of making them is stress free and well explained. You can get delicious waffles anywhere in Bruges, but they're even more satisfying when you've made them yourself. Our host, Piet was accommodating and easy going, he made the whole experience fun and interactive for the group. We all laughed our way through the session. The Waffles 'n Beer Workshop in Bruges (wafflesnbeer.be)
canal boat tour
There are plenty of vendors across the canal offering boat tours, they all charge the same price and run fairly frequently.
However, I'd recommend the one I have linked below. Unlike some of the other tours which played prerecorded information, our guide spoke as he piloted the boat. He was funny and informative, detailing the hidden features of everything that we saw. Seeing the city from the canal makes it even more picturesque and enchanting, almost like being on a fantasy boat ride. The Industrial Revolution never reached Bruges, so you float around surrounded by medieval architecture. This is a good activity to do early on in your trip, as aside from being a pleasant thirty minutes, it is also helpful for finding your bearings.
koningin astridpark, 'queen astrid park'
Koningin Astridpark is a hidden gem. A piece of pure tranquility in the city. It is lush and green with chairs on the grass and a gentle, dancing water feature. While its nothing monumental, it is a gorgeous place to sit when its sunny and just breathe. Sometimes when travelling it can feel like a race to tick everything off a list, so it can be a welcome change of pace to slow down and take it all in. On our last day in Bruges we were stuck with the suitcase after checking out of the Airbnb, so we came here, sat by the water and read a book before the chaos of the journey home. I think this was the only place we went to in the city where there were no other tourists around.
think twice (t2) vintage
If you're a fan of shopping vintage or second hand then T2 is a must visit. Most of the time vintage stores are overpriced and have a pretentious kind of vibe, I was surprised to find this was absolutely not the case here. T2 is understated and chill with great quality items at incredibly reasonable prices. I'm talking genuine leather jackets for around €25. They have a well curated selection of items for sale, some from within the last twenty years and others dating back much further. With so many unique pieces to search through, there's something for almost everyone. Home - Think Twice (thinktwice-secondhand.be)
Full disclosure, I'm vegetarian so I have obviously only reviewed the places that I could actually eat at. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Bruges to try fresh fish and moules-frites if that's your kind of thing. If not, then hopefully some of these recommendations are more to your taste.
chez albert
These waffles are the best start to the day. Or the afternoon, or the evening. Made fresh in front of you and served warm, these liege waffles (thicker and more sugary than a Brussels waffle) are the nicest I've ever had. They are doughy and soft but not stodgy, with the perfect level of sweetness. The strawberry and Belgian chocolate topped waffle was my favourite of the ones I tried. The chocolate was creamy and delicious, not sickly at all, and the strawberries cut through with a refreshing juiciness. Its the perfect treat to grab and take with you to explore the city.
There's even a Chez Albert in Bruges train station, but in my opinion the one on Breidelstraat is the best. Chez Albert | The best Belgian Waffle
de republiek
Offering cocktails, bar food, mains and sharing plates, De Republiek is a great place to spend the evening. Secluded but lively, the courtyard seating area has its finger on the pulse of modern Bruges. Before visiting I had read one or two negative reviews of the food, which I can only disagree with. This is one of the few places you can go to for dinner that offers exciting vegan and vegetarian food. The Cajun loaded fries with vegan mince, red onion and mimolette cheese was so flavoursome and satisfying. And the baked camembert was, (and I don't use this word lightly) divine. Rich and creamy, served with an earthy brown bread. I am told that the meatier options are delicious too. De Republiek | Home (republiekbrugge.be)
chocolatier dumon
There are three of these stores dotted around Bruges, but the one on Eiermarkt is absolutely the cutest. Don't be fooled if it looks closed, it is most likely open, its just so small inside that the door has to be kept shut. Here you can find the best Belgian chocolate in a variety of forms and flavours. It's perfectly creamy, sweet and great quality. There is a large selection of products to chose from, ranging from small, affordable treats to decadent indulgences. If you're lucky you'll get to try a free sample. Chocolatier Dumon
chez vincent
If you're looking for classic Belgian fries, go to Chez Vincent. You can get them as plain or as decked out as you like, with upwards of twenty sauces to choose from. I got the cheese sauce which was thick and creamy, the fries were warm and crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside. I got a small cone which was more than enough because the portions are very generous. You can either eat in or take a cone on your adventures with you. Chez Vincent - Real Belgian Fries In the Heart of Bruges
sanseveria bagelsalon
This eclectic little cafe provides a much needed break from all the waffles and sweet treats in Bruges. The whole place has a sense of humor, from the decor to the menu, which offers an array of vegan and vegetarian options. The homemade ice tea is the nicest I've ever had and the food was delicious too. I got the James Veggie bagel, filled with avocado, mozzarella, tomato, pesto, lettuce and cream cheese. All really fresh and great quality. Sanseveria Bagelsalon seems to be very popular with locals, and is more affordable than some of the other lunch options and tourist traps you'll find in the Market Square. Sanseveria Bagelsalon | Home
go.fre
What's more fun than a waffle on a stick? Freshly made, you are able to pick between milk, white or dark chocolate and a variety of toppings. Or you can buy one of their premade, prepackaged ones as a souvenir to take home. These are perfect if you have a sweet tooth, the chocolate isn't as thick as that at Chez Albert but is definitely sweeter. The waffle itself is soft and almost cake-like so it's pretty secure on the stick, making for a perfect little snack while you're out and about. go.fre – The waffle-on-a-stick (gofre.be)
Belgium is known for its beer, specifically its strong (and reasonably priced) beer and there are some really cool places to try them out. A bar in Bruges typically won't serve the classic pint sizes that you may be used to. Instead a draft beer will be poured at 330ml, but at an average of 8% alcohol content that's really all you'd want. Smaller sizes also mean that you can try a lot more of the beers on offer.
t'poatensgat
There are other underground bars in Bruges, but T'Poatensgat has my heart. It's easy to walk right by this unassuming hole in the wall and not even notice, but its absolutely worth the visit. We ended up going two nights in a row because we loved it so much. Great music, chill atmosphere, amazing staff and the best selection of beers. We tried a different beer on every round; my favourites were the Enfant Terriple whisky infused beer, (recommended to us by the barman) and the Cherry Chouffe, which they had on tap and I miss already. The bar is open until the early hours of the AM so get ready for a good night out and make sure you have cash because they don't take card. There's an ATM less than a minute walk away. (1) 't Poatersgat | Facebook
2be beer wall and bar
Part bar, part exhibition, 2Be is a cool place to stop by and snap a picture or stay for a cheeky day drink. The inside walls are covered in 2416 different beers and the outdoor drinking area overlooks the canal and is gorgeous in the sunshine. They also have an expansive gift shop where we ended up buying the corresponding glasses to our favourite beers of the holiday. Here you can have some really fun drinking experiences, from tasting trays to funky glasses. We tried the Pauwel Quack which comes on a stand with a tall rounded glass that makes a 'quack' sound as the liquid moves when you drink. Any beer drinker should visit here and see what treasures they can find. 2be (2-be.biz)
Side note: Restaurants charge for water, so carry a reusable water bottle with you which you can fill up at refill stations around the city. Also always keep 50¢ on you for public bathrooms.
Hope you take the trip ;)
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