What to see and do in Bruges 17 must-sees

BrugesCity Hall is a jewel of Gothic architecture. Its construction was completed in the ^15th century, making it one of the oldest monuments in the Netherlands at the time. The first thing to do is to take the time to admire its façade. It is richly decorated, with large windows and a multitude of niches housing statues of the counts and countesses of Flanders. Created by Van Eyck, these are now reproductions, having been destroyed during the French Revolution. The roof features three soaring turrets. You should also pass through the reception hall and have a look around before moving on to the beautiful Gothic hall on the second floor, with its polychrome vault and ^19th-century murals.

Explore the beautifully preservedmedieval city of Bruges ona guided walking tour by booking right here!

The Bruges Beguinage dates back to 1245 and was built by the Countess of Flanders Marguerite of Constantinople. It was a monastic place where single women and widows could live devoutly. This enclosed site features some thirty charming white cottages set in a wooded enclosure. It also houses the Gothic church of Saint Elisabeth, and one of the houses has been converted into a museum to show how the beguines lived and worked in the 17th century. The whole complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a great place to take a peaceful stroll and simply enjoy the tranquility.

Immerse yourself in the narrow streets of Bruges on an audioguided tour on your phone , which you can book right here to discover medieval Bruges through stories and facts.

The Church of Notre-Dame is a splendid Gothic church, most of which dates back to the ^13th century. It was restored in the ^17th century and the interior, from the altars to the confessionals, bears witness to the presence of the Baroque style. What particularly sets it apart from the outside is its 122-metre-high brick tower. This makes it the tallest brick structure in the world. A visit to the church's interior is also a must, with Michelangelo's Madonna and Child and the choir housing the tomb of Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy.

The Groeninge Museum is one of Bruges' leading art museums, with works dating from the 15th^century to the present day. Visitors can view some 100 works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints. In particular, it is the flagship museum for Flemish primitives and ^16th-century Mannerists. But you can also see works related to other currents such as Belgian surrealism, Flemish expressionism and the neoclassical style. Artists represented in this cultural Mecca include Jan van Eyck, Albert Grégorius, Magritte and Brusselmans. Exchanges with other major international museums also allow you to attend some very fine temporary exhibitions.

If you're tempted by a visit to the Groeninge Museum, we recommend you buy the 72-hour Musea Brugge card here . You'll enjoy free admission to Bruges' museums and s ights, including the Belfry, Groeninge Museum, Town Hall and Church of Our Lady.

Bruges' belfry stands atop the wool and cloth market where craftsmen stored and sold their wares. Built between the 13th^{and 15th} centuries, this 83-metre-high monument was an important symbol of power in medieval times. Its imposing neo-Gothic tower houses a carillon of 47 bells, one of the most famous in Europe. It's not always easy to see, but Bruges' belfry leans 83 cm to the southeast, rather like the Tower of Pisa. When visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site, it's worth climbing the tower's 366 steps to enjoy a sublime panoramic view of Bruges and the surrounding area.

Construction of this exceptional monument began in the ^10th century and was completed in the late ^15th century. The St. Saviour's Cathedral is Gothic in style, built of brick and reaching a height of 99 meters. However, there are some elements from the Flemish Renaissance period. The interior is richly decorated. Visitors can see Brussels tapestries, gobelins, stalls, mausoleums and a great organ. Also not to be missed is the cathedral's treasury, home to superb paintings by Flemish primitives such as Hugo van der Goes and Dirk Bouts.

The Minnewater, often referred to as the Lake of Love, is a body of water located in the south of Bruges' historic district. It is surrounded by a picturesque park, the Minnewaterpark, where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll. It's a great place to relax and watch the swans on the lake, as well as the beauty of the traditional brick houses all around. It's also a romantic spot for lovers. Indeed, following a legend dating back to Roman times, it is said that all lovers who make a vow on the park's bridge will feel eternal love for each other.

On a trip to Bruges, it's hard not to stop off at a bar between two visits to enjoy a good beer. The Bourgogne des Flandres brewery is another place where you can learn all about the secrets of hops and the brewing process. During your visit, you'll be surprised by the fresh scent of hops and malt, then watch how beer is brewed by professionals. There's also the opportunity to learn how to digitally tap a beer, and the adventure ends with a tasting of a Flanders Burgundy, with an exceptional view over the canals of Bruges.

If you're interested in the art of beer-making, go here to book yourvisit to the Bourgogne des Flandres brewery and distillery!

The small dimensions of the charming little Place des Tanneurs give it an intimate atmosphere. The centerpiece is a column bearing the emblem of the tanners' guild: two lions holding a shield. The many restaurants that have set up shop on the square, and the delicious smells that emanate from it, undoubtedly make you want to sit down on a terrace and enjoy the gastronomic delights. It's also a place where artists take their place to offer their paintings. Afterwards, you can enjoy a digestive stroll along the nearby canal.

The grandiose Gruuthuse Museum is housed in the former palace of Louis de Gruuthuse. Louis de Gruuthuse was lord of Bruges and knight of the Golden Fleece. He belonged to a family that made its fortune selling "gruut", a mixture of herbs used by brewers. Today, this beautiful building, which has retained its medieval charm, is a museum that takes visitors on a journey through the history of Flanders. On display are masterpieces such as antique jewelry, lace, weapons, furniture, pottery, musical instruments and everyday objects from centuries past. Don't miss a visit to the oratory, a private chapel linking the palace to the nearby Notre-Dame church.

Diamond polishing and trading is one of Belgium's main export sectors. However, it is interesting to note that Bruges, and not Antwerp as one might think, was the first diamond center in Europe. For example, the world's very first engagement ring was designed in Bruges for the wedding of Emperor Maximilian ^I and Mary of Burgundy in 1476. The BrugesDiamond Museum is a great place to visit, presenting the history of diamonds and offering daily polishing demonstrations. It remains the only diamond museum in Belgium, and is a true pioneer in showcasing this art form.

If you're visiting the Kantcentrum de la dentelle, you'll need an afternoon to get the most out of your visit. The Kantcentrum is housed in the Maison-Dieu Jerusalem, founded in the ^15th century by the family of the Genoese merchant Adornes. Access is via a bucolic garden and a cobblestone path leading to the charming old-fashioned cottages. Maisons-Dieu were originally built by guilds for members of the profession and their widows, or by wealthy citizens to help the elderly or needy. They are all built around a central garden with a chapel, well and water pump. There are many of these in Bruges, but they have been dedicated to a very specific task. That of preserving and passing on to younger generations the art, love and passion of lacemaking, as well as the precise handling of bobbins.

Comprising two churches, the edifice features a Romanesque chapel dedicated to St. Basil, built in the early ^12th century, and above it, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, built in 1480 and transformed in the ^19th century into a neo-Gothic building. The former was built in accordance with the wishes of Thierry d'Alsace, Count of Flanders, who had brought back the relic of the Holy Blood found in the Holy Land during the Second Crusade. The lower chapel is on the first floor. From here, a spiral staircase dating from 1530 leads to the Chapel of the Holy Blood, which became a basilica in 1923. The tiny museum exhibits numerous period liturgical vestments, paintings and the famous 1617 shrine containing the relic of the Holy Blood. This is brought out in procession every Ascension Thursday at 3pm, and is on view in the basilica every Friday.

In the heart of Bruges, the Maison de Croonn is home to the Choco Story museum. The museum was founded some twenty years ago by the Van Belle family. It's a must-see if you want to know everything there is to know about chocolate! Housed in a magnificent house that has been listed since 1962, the museum offers an initiatory journey into the world of chocolate. You'll learn all about its history, from the Mayas and Aztecs to the courts of Europe, the secrets of its manufacture and all the anecdotes that surround it... The high point of the visit is a demonstration of praline-making, followed by a mouth-watering tasting session. Click here to book your ticket for the Musée du Chocolat, including audio guide!

In Bruges, a trip on one of the small boats that criss-cross the central canals (usually following a 30-minute loop) is a must for any visit to the Belgian city. You'll discover that Bruges is connected to Zeebrugge, Ghent and Kortrijk via its canals, that the city's oldest bridge dates back to the ^14th century, and that the city boasts 11 churches. The city center is home to several embarkation docks, all offering cruises with the same looped itinerary. If you don't want to have to wait long to get on board, choose a dock that's less crowded, i.e. less central. Keep this in mind!

Click here to book your small groupboat cruise, including a guided walking tour of Bruges!

Let's put a stop once and for all to the evil spirits who still dare to present Belgium as the land of frites-mayonnaise and beer. Admittedly, the Belgian kingdom consumes a lot of frites (but what a delight) and beer... Beer is to Belgium what wine is to France! Over 500 varieties are produced in the country. Belgium also showcases its expertise in chocolate and pastries. But the country also boasts a fine culinary tradition and a genuine culture of haute cuisine. Proportionally speaking, Belgium has as many Michelin stars as France. In this respect, Flanders has a great culinary tradition that has long since earned its stripes. Traditional cuisine, nouvelle cuisine and regional specialties go hand in hand. In addition to carbonnade flamande, speculoos, moules-frites and the famous Belgian chocolates, there's a whole range of quality products and tasty recipes that make the cuisine of the flat country so rich.

Bruges is a great city for window shopping. Stores are generally open from 9am to 6pm. Apart from lace and chocolate, Bruges has a lot to offer, especially in terms of works of art and decoration. The festive season is also an opportunity to discover original gifts at the Christmas markets in this great destination in December 2023. The main shopping streets are Steenstraat (boutiques of major international chains, shoe stores, chocolate stores) and the more bourgeois Noordzandstraat, extended by Geldmuntstraat, Smedenstraat, Wollestraat and Vlamingstraat.

Take a romantic stroll along the city's canals, visit the Bruges Beguinage, enjoy the lively Grand-Place, stroll through the narrow streets of the city and see the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral..