Bruges might be small in size, but don’t underestimate this enchanting city. With elegant canals, cobbled squares, medieval buildings, and handcrafted chocolates, there are plenty of things to do in Bruges, Belgium. Yes, it’s touristy, in large part due to the fame of the film In Bruges. But don’t let that put you off.
Plan to stay for at least a couple of nights to best experience “the Venice of the North”; if you’ve got more than a weekend, add a few extra nights to your itinerary to add in a day trip to nearby Ghent or Damme.
Trendy, forward-thinking Brussels might be home to Belgium’s best nightlife and museums, but Bruges certainly wins on charm and accessibility. Now, let’s dive into our favorite things to do in Bruges, Belgium, on a weekend getaway.
10 Epic Things To Do In Bruges, Belgium On A Weekend Getaway
1. Take a leisurely boat tour down the canals
Bruges is a city of canals, hence its moniker “The Venice of the North.” Boat tours are an inexpensive but fun way to get a sense of the city while taking in the centuries-old architecture. Most tours last about 30 minutes and depart from Huidenvettersplein.
2. See ‘Madonna with Child’
Michelangelo’s only masterpiece to leave Italy, this exquisite sculpture resides inside the Church of Our Lady. The 13th-century gothic church, with its soaring brick steeple, is well worth a visit itself.
3. Eat all the things in Bruges
There’s a reason why we gained a few pounds over just a couple of days in Belgium. Home to some of the world’s best chocolate, waffles, french fries, beer, and mussels, do yourself a favor, and eat as much as possible during your visit to Bruges. Don’t miss Chocolatier Sukerbuyc for a family-run chocolate tasting experience. And be sure to do as the locals and try dipping your fries in mayonnaise!
4. Take a tour of De Halve Maan
Bruges one surviving brewery tops the list of things to do in Bruges. We recommend booking your tickets in advance as the group sizes are limited. Even if you’re not interested in the beer-making process, some of Bruges’ best views are from the roof of the brewery.
A visit to the De Halve Maan Brewery is 12 euros and takes about 45 minutes.
5. Take a bike ride to Damme
Damme is a small village just outside Bruges. It’s as lovely as could be, but without the notable tourist feel of Bruges. The relaxed cycle will take you past a shady tree-lined canal. Once in Damme, keep an eye out for the historic Hoeke Windmill.
6. See the sheep
Grab all the fixings you need for a leisurely picnic and head to Hof De Jonghe. This grassy park is home to free-roaming sheep, the perfect entertainment while you’re sipping wine on a sunny afternoon.
7. Visit the Groeninge Museum
You don’t need to be an art aficionado to appreciate the impressive collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings at this world-class museum. The colorful, post-modern building is hard to miss.
One of the best things to do in Bruges is simply to get lost. Start by wandering the colorful Markt, or Old Market Square, and then keep going from there. You can’t miss this bell tower in the center of Market Square. Climb to the top of the 366 steps for panoramic city views, and you’ll quickly see why this is on every list of things to do in Bruges. On your way out, take time to admire the Belfy from afar—the tower actually leans slightly to the east! It doesn’t get more romantic than a weekend getaway to Bruges, Belgium. So it’s only fitting that for such a romantic destination, an equally romantic hotel is necessary. For this, there is Hotel Heritage. Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage is a boutique luxury hotel housed in a building that dates back to 1390. Over the years, the building has served many purposes, from merchant’s house to family home to central bank. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the Creyton family purchased the building and converted it into the luxurious hotel it is today. Our visit to Hotel Heritage was the perfect combination of 19th century style and 21st century amenities. Each of the 22 rooms is individually decorated with a diligent attention to detail. I had no trouble swooning over the décor that made use of hardcover books, typewriters, fresh flowers, candelabras and artwork. Our room was extremely small, but still felt cozy-chic. The luxury, eco-friendly Nilson bed was the commanding feature, partially because it took up most of the space, partially because it was just so incredibly comfortable. The exquisite chandelier was another favorite detail of mine, while Dan found great amusement in the old-fashioned phone that actually functioned to call reception. Additional in-room amenities included an iPad with WiFi, a Nespresso machine, a trouser press, and a well-stocked mini-bar. Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage boasts a luxurious lounge, one of the most unique workout centers we’ve ever seen (see photo below!), and Le Magnum Bar (featuring a private library and extensive wine list). Also within the hotel is the renowned restaurant Le Mystique—a 2 red-fork restaurant in the Michelin Guide. Chef Steenkiste is known for his innovative cuisine featuring organic produce and local ingredients from Flanders. Though we didn’t get to eat at Le Mystique ourselves, we did enjoy the luxurious dining room for a champagne breakfast buffet each morning. I’m quite convinced now that champagne at breakfast is one of the best things in the world. Could there be a more romantic way to start your day? Unfortunately we’ve found the staff at historic boutique hotels can sometimes be a bit pretentious; however, that’s certainly not the case at Hotel Heritage. The staff here goes above and beyond to ensure each guest has a one-of-a-kind experience in Bruges. Whether it was telling us the best family-run chocolate shop nearby, helping us arrange a brewery tour at De Halve Man or advising us on the best afternoon biking trip, the staff was always courteous, friendly, and most importantly, extremely helpful. Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage’s idyllic location makes it not just the most romantic place to lay your head, but also the most convenient. It’s perfectly situated within walking distance of the city’s most iconic sites, including the theatre district, shopping district, gourmet restaurants, and popular tourist attractions including the Belfry Tower, the Church of Our Lady, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and all the historic museums. We loved the flexibility of being able to pop in and out of our room as we pleased throughout the day. Regularly considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, we had very high expectations for Bruges. Luckily, we can say that the city proved to be every bit as romantic as we had hoped. We can’t wait to return to Bruges to discover even more of the city’s best things to do! We were guests of Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage. We were not asked or required to write a positive review. 8. Wander Bruges’ Fairytale-like Markt
9. Climb to the top of the Belfry of Bruges
10. Stay at Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage
Have you visited Bruges before? Did you love it as much as we did? Does Hotel Heritage look like somewhere you would like to lay your head?
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We are thinking of going to Belgium and Bruges too, thanks for sharing this post it’s convincing us even more! :)
Franca recently posted…Mercado de Motores – Madrid’s ‘Other’ Vintage Flea Market
YAY! Definitely, you have to go. It’s such a charming place :)
I love that in things to do, number one is drink beer and number two is eat chocolate. Right on. The pictures look beautiful!
Rebekah recently posted…Travel in Sichuan: All the places I want to go
Oh yes. We have to keep our priorities straight ;-P It also probably explains why I gained weight over the five days we were in Belgium haha!
Love your pictures of Bruges! It’s my favorite town in Europe to go for a weekend trip – such a beautiful, charming place with fantastic food and beer! The hotel you stayed in looks really nice – I’ve only stayed in small B&B’s there. I love that you mentioned the canal cruise – I’ve done it twice, and although I often avoid obviously touristy things, I just love the view of the city by boat. Though I personally prefer my favorite bar in Bruges, ‘t Brugs Beertje, over a trip to the De Halve Maan brewery for beer tourism :-) Great post, and I will have to visit that chocolatier next time I’m there!
Sara @ SimplySaraTravel recently posted…How to Celebrate Bastille Day 2014 in Paris
Thanks so much Sara! Glad to hear you enjoyed the post, and thanks for offering your expert advice on the beer! I’m not sure if we went in Brugs Beerje or not, but we’ll definitely remember it for our next visit :) I wish we could get away for a weekend visit there more easily!
Wow this just gives me the itch to travel Europe, but it’s a bit tough with the 2 kiddos. That decor featuring the vintage telephone and beautiful library are enough to make me long for a taste of culture.
Corinna recently posted…Modern Romantics – Blush & Grey Inspiration Board
Thanks Corinna! It was so nice for us to be back in Europe for that very reason. There’s just so much to culture and history to discover!
Wow — looks like a great hotel, and in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. I hate to ask, but what does a night there cost? I spent a day in Bruges last winter, and wrote a blog post about it, but my dream is to go back there and stay a few days. Imagine spending Christmas in Bruges — what a fantasy.
Paul (the Travelling Boomer) recently posted…The coffee shops of Toronto: a video
Christmas in Bruges would be absolutely amazing! I can imagine few places more wonderful! The prices of the hotel are based on occupancy, so I imagine if it is quite busy over the holiday season that they would be on the higher end, probably around 300 euros a night. Definitely inquire with the hotel though- if you book early before the hotel is filled, then the prices will probably be lower. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the info. Sounds like this hotel is beyond my budget, unless I win the lottery ;). Even so, it’s a great idea for those who can afford it. I’ve recommended it to Gery at intohistory.com, which specializes in historic properties that have been turned into hotels. Maybe it’ll be featured one day …
Paul (the Travelling Boomer) recently posted…Five weird things I learned at the Danish National Museum
Can you believe that we have never been to Bruges even though it’s so close! It’s been on my hit list for a while. I have to do something about it! :)
Paul Farrugia recently posted…The Friday Photo Project | Lake Toba
Ahhh you absolute have to go!! It’s so wonderful :D
We’ve heard so many wonderful things about Bruges! (Friends went for the beer, chocolate and bicycling.) And now you’ve pointed out the perfect hotel for us :-) One day…
Sand In My Suitcase recently posted…Charming Europe Hotels: Five faves
Hope you get to visit soon! The beer, chocolate and bicycling are definitely three of the top reasons to go :)
I’m hoping to go to Brugges this year or next ideally at Christmas time as I hear the market is amazing but this hotel sounds like the perfect place to stay :) I’ll definitely keep it in mind if I make it there! Love the vintage phone!
Shikha (whywasteannualleave) recently posted…A North Norfolk Weekend Break – Activities, Sights & Seals
how unique the concept and the interior of that hotel,, wish could visit Belgium someday. Not just unique, but the hotel looks so comfort at all. Eat the Belgium chocolate, the best wishes i have <3
It’s definitely a one of the kind place! I certainly hope you get the chance to visit for yourself, and when you do, you know where to stay. ;-) We definitely had our fill of delicious chocolate! All the best and happy traveling! :-D
Awesome post! The City of Bruges is truly magical and what a wonderful experience. Sitting out watching the canal tours roll by while sipping a tasty beer, can’t beat it!