Bruges, nicknamed the « Venice of the North, » is one of our favorite nearby destinations. We’ve had the pleasure of exploring it several times, and each visit is a unique experience. Whether you spend half a day, a full day, two days, or more, this city always offers something to explore. Here, we suggest a detailed itinerary for a two-day trip that we took during our first visit to Bruges.
Day 1 :
We arrived in Bruges early in the morning by train and were immediately captivated by the city’s peaceful atmosphere. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, where we had booked two nights in an affordable establishment located at the entrance to the city, near the central station.
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Bruges Central Station Hotel
Address: Marie Popelinplantsoen 4, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
Coordinates: 51°11’47.5″N 3°13’08.2″E
During our next visits to Bruges, we chose to drive and found a convenient parking lot, ideally located at the entrance to the historic center : Interparking Brugge – Parking ‘t Zand (51°12’19.0″N 3°13’01.8″E)
We began our exploration at the Grote Markt. This is the historic and lively heart of the city. Surrounded by magnificent buildings with colorful facades and typical gables, it is dominated by the majestic Belfry of Bruges. This iconic square is full of restaurants, cafés, and horse-drawn carriages ready to show you around the city. A true nerve center, it offers a vibrant atmosphere and a perfect setting to admire the medieval architecture of Bruges.
The Belfry of Bruges, 83 meters high, is one of the city’s most iconic symbols. It dates back to the 13th century and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Bruges. It houses a carillon of 47 bells whose melodies resonate throughout the city. This historic monument bears witness to Bruges’ rich commercial and political past.
We take advantage of the proximity of the Basilica of the Holy Blood to visit it.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges is an iconic church located on the Bourg Square. It is famous for housing a relic believed to contain the blood of Christ.
Returning to the Grand Place, we find two famous waffle spots on Breidelstraat (51°12’30.7″N 3°13’33.0″E):
- Chez Albert
- Go.fre
We take the opportunity to taste this Belgian specialty. Waffles are an iconic Belgian culinary specialty. There are two main varieties:
- The Brussels waffle: large, rectangular, airy, and often served with sugar, chocolate, cream, or fruit.
- The Liège waffle: smaller, oval, with a denser batter and pieces of pearl sugar that caramelize during cooking.
We continue towards the Beguinage of Bruges, passing through the small park « De Dijver. » It is a picturesque green space located along the Dijver canal, offering a magnificent view of the city’s historic buildings. It’s a peaceful place where visitors can relax while admiring the medieval charm of Bruges.
We continued our exploration with the Bruges Beguinage, also known as the Vineyard Beguinage. It is a haven of peace founded in 1245. Formerly occupied by beguines, it now houses Benedictine nuns. This peaceful place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of traditional white houses surrounding a tranquil garden. It offers a serene atmosphere, ideal for a timeless stroll in the heart of Bruges.
On the way back to our hotel for a short break, we strolled along the Lake of Love (Minnewater).
The Lake of Love is a romantic pond surrounded by a lush green park. According to legend, its name comes from a tragic love story. With its elegant swans and picturesque bridges, it’s an ideal place for a peaceful stroll or a contemplative break.
After a short break, we set off for a boat trip on the Bruges canals. The ticket office is located on Wollestraat (Ticket office for Boat Trip: 51°12’25.4″N 3°13’36.4″E).
We pay €15 per person for a 30-minute tour.
A boat trip on the canals of Bruges is a must-see experience for discovering the city from a unique perspective. We sail through the charming canals, surrounded by medieval buildings, picturesque bridges, and magnificent historic facades.
A guide narrates the tour, sharing anecdotes and facts about Bruges.
For example, in Bruges, there was a famous dog named Fidel. He was a Labrador retriever who was often seen relaxing at a hotel window overlooking the city’s canals. He became a real tourist attraction, even appearing in the film In Bruges.
Fidel sadly passed away in 2016, but his image remains iconic for visitors to Bruges.
We were lucky enough to see him during our first visit to Bruges in 2014.
It’s a peaceful and romantic tour, ideal for admiring the beauty of the city from the water.
We ended our first day in Bruges at the famous De Halve Maan Brewery, where Brugse Zot beer is brewed. The brewery is located on Walplein Square (51°12’08.9″N 3°13’27.3″E).
Walplein is a charming little cobblestone square in the heart of Bruges, known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming terraces.
Day 2 :
After a good night’s sleep, we continued our exploration of Bruges, enjoying the city’s early morning tranquility. Strolling through its peaceful streets, we finally reached the Grote Markt. A short walk from this iconic landmark, we discovered Bruges Bike Rental, a bike rental shop (Niklaas Desparsstraat 17: 51°12’36.3″N 3°13’27.2″E).
We rented two bikes for the day and set off to explore the city on two wheels.
We started with a tour of the historic center of Bruges.
Around noon, we had a quick lunch at a traditional French fries shop.
For our last afternoon in Bruges, we decided to fully enjoy the city by exploring the charming Sint-Annas neighborhood by bike, known for its peaceful atmosphere, picturesque streets, and rich historical heritage.
The Sint-Annas neighborhood is a haven of tranquility, far from the tourist hustle and bustle of the city center. It is distinguished by its cobbled streets, modest houses, and peaceful atmosphere.
We continue our tour to the Windmills of Bruges. Among them, the Sint-Janshuismolen, dating from 1770, is still in operation and open to the public.
We finish our tour, return the rental bikes, and spend one last night at our hotel before leaving Bruges the next day.
We once again enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of Bruges, savoring our last moments in its picturesque streets before returning to our hotel.
We spend a final restful night, filled with the memories of our stay.
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