One Day in Bruges Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
If you are planning a trip to Bruges Belgium and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. I’m always a fan of Europe’s fairytale towns and Bruges is high on my list of the best. The city is referred to as Venice of the north because it is full of beautiful canals. You will also find medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, crooked bridges, market squares, and lace shops as well as what Belgium is best known for, waffles, chocolate, fries with mayo, and amazing beer. But there’s so much more! Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Bruges Belgium bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Bruges Belgium trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Belgium Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
A Perfect Day in Bruges: Exploring the Highlights in 24 Hours
8 AM Book your train ticket to arrive in Bruges around 9 AM. The main train station is Station Bruges, which is 1 hr 15 min away from the Brussels Midi station. The train station is about a 20-minute walk to the city center or a five-minute bus ride. The city center is compact and walkable.
10:30 AM Belgium waffles are the best. Begin the day with the 1.5-hour Bruges Waffle Workshop. Be sure to book your tickets before you arrive, this experience sells out.
Noon Begin exploring the city at Jan Van Eyck Square and make your way toward Grote Markt. Consider taking the 366 steps up the Belfry of Bruges for city views. Continue wandering the city center. Do not miss the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Blinde-Ezelstraat, and Boniface Bridge.
3 PM Have a late lunch in a café in Burg Square before enjoying a canal cruise.
5 PM Make your way back to the train station for your return ride.
30 Top Things to Do in Bruges Belgium During a Day Trip
- Check out the view of the Quay of the Rosary
- Cruise the city canals (cash only)
- Climb up the Belfry of Bruges, 366 steps
- See St Salvator’s Cathedral
- Photograph the gothic Bruges City Hall
- Take a guided rickshaw city tour
- Eat a Liege Waffle at Chez Albert
- Learn the city’s history at the Historium Museum, be sure to climb the tower
- Grab a beer with a view at the Duvelorium Grand Beer Café
- Enjoy a picnic next to Minnewater Lake
- People watch in Burg Square
- Take the De Halve Maan brewery tour, reservations
- Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood
- Check out the medieval wards at Saint John’s Hospital
- Bike the Windmill Walk
- Shop for souvenirs on Stoofstraat
- Browse the fine art at the Groeningemuseum
- Book a waffle-making class
- Photograph the beer wall at 2be, then taste a few
- See Michelangelo’s Madonna with Child at the Church of Our Lady
- Rest your feet with a treat at the Old Chocolate House
- Wander the Hansa Quarter admiring the architecture
- Photograph Boniface Bridge and Blinde-Ezelstraat
- Learn the history of fries at the Frietmuseum (Fry Museum)
- Buy souvenir lace
- Tour The Chocolate Story, watch a demonstration, and enjoy the samples
- Say hello to the sheep in Hof de Jonghe
- Attend the free harp concert at Site Oud Sint Jan
- Watch diamonds being polished at Diamantmuseum
- Visit Loppem Castle
- See the poppies in Flanders Fields
Check Visit Flanders Belgium website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Where to Go From Here: Day Trips From Brugge Belgium
Can you squeeze another day into your exploration of Begium? Consider a visit to Ghent, Antwerp, or Brussels. Each city is easy to reach by train and has plenty of fun things to do. Ghent Belgium is a port city full of Gothic buildings, cobblestone streets, canals, waterfront cafes, a castle, waffles, Gruut Beer, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
READ One Day in Ghent Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Brussels has been referred to as the Capital of Europe; it is the home of the European Union Commission and the headquarters of NATO. The city is full of art nouveau, cobblestone pathways, sidewalk cafes, comic book murals, a little boy famous for peeing, frites, waffles, beer and melt in your mouth chocolates.
READ How to Spend One Day in Brussels Belgium
Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city. It is also the world’s diamond capital. Antwerp Belgium is gritty and a favorite of the hipster crowd. You will find coffee cafes, second-hand stores, art galleries, and vinyl record shops. In 2019, Lonely Planet awarded Antwerp as a Top 10 City in its Best in Travel Awards.
READ A Perfect Day in Antwerp Belgium: Exploring the Highlights in 24 Hours
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