Bruges

Travel Guide

Bruges featuring a church or cathedral, a house and city views
Photo provided by Toerisme Brugge
Bruges which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and night scenes
Bruges featuring a lake or waterhole and bird life
Bruges
Medieval architecture, meandering canals and exquisite chocolate and beer: it's no wonder that more than 2 million tourists flock to this Belgian city each year.

Nunneries, belfries, guild houses, stone-paved squares and canals provide fascinating glimpses into Bruges’ past. Today, the old centre of Bruges is an internationally recognised World Heritage Site and the most popular destination in Belgium, but architecture and history are just part of the city’s appeal. Enjoy some of Belgium's famous beer and rich chocolate as you discover all that Bruges has to offer.

Walking is the simplest and perhaps the best way to see the compact town, but there are other options. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from the park near the tranquil Minnewater or a boat tour of the stunning Canals of Bruges.

At the centre of Bruges is its Grote Markt, a pedestrian zone featuring exquisitely decorative architecture. Climb the Belfort for the finest views of the city. Other places of interest include the Heilige Bloed Basiliek (Basilica of the Holy Blood), St. Salvator's Cathedral, Old St. John's Hospital and numerous bridges over the canals. If you have a rainy day, visit the Groeningemuseum and admire the mastery of the region's artists through the ages. Get insight into the religious history of Bruges at Begijnhof, a nunnery that has been in operation since the 13th century.

It's not just the history you must sample, however. Belgium is renowned for its unique brews, so be sure to try several beers along with your moules frites (mussels and fries). For dessert, visit Choco-Story, The Chocolate Museum, where you can study the history of Belgian chocolate before sampling this famous export.

Bruges is a perennial tourist attraction. It’s busiest during the summer when music and dance festivals fill the weekends. Cactus Festival in July features rock and reggae in Minnewaterpark. August's MAfestival focuses on early music with organ, harpsichord, pianoforte and baroque choirs. 

Bruges is charming in the colder months too, especially with seasonal attractions such as the Bruges Christmas Market and the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival, both held November to December. Seeing Bruges with a frosting of snow on the ancient buildings is an experience you'll never forget.

Where to stay in Bruges

Bruges Market Square showing markets, heritage architecture and street scenes

Historical Center Bruges

4.5/5(692 area reviews)

Travellers to Historical Center Bruges praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Choco-Story Museum and Burg.

Historical Center Bruges
Bruges showing boating and a river or creek as well as a large group of people

Bruges Center

Bruges Center is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Choco-Story Museum and Burg, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Bruges.

Bruges Center
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Zeebrugge

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Zeebrugge. You might want to make time for a stop at Zeebrugge Harbour or Knokke-Heist Beach.

Zeebrugge
Bruges showing boating and a river or creek as well as a large group of people

Steenstraat Quarter

If you're spending some time in Steenstraat Quarter, Bruges Christmas Market and Bruges Market Square are top sights worth seeing.

Steenstraat Quarter
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Dudzele

Dudzele is well liked for its museums. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Bruges area, you might plan a trip to Hoeke Windmill or Uitkerkse Polder.

Dudzele
West Flanders featuring a cemetery and flowers

Burg Quarter

If you're spending some time in Burg Quarter, Choco-Story Museum and Burg are top sights worth seeing.

Burg Quarter
Martin's Relais
Martin's Relais
4 out of 5
Genthof 4, Bruges
The price is S$205 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
S$205
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"This is such a charming hotel with history. We stayed in the library room and it was amazing. Very spacious and comfortable. It had two windows that looked out right onto the canal. It has some great restaurants within steps of the hotel. It’s also a short walk into the heart of Brugge so can easily ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jun, 2025

Martin's Relais
Martin's Brugge
Martin's Brugge
3.5 out of 5
Oude Burg 5, Bruges
The price is S$166 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
S$166
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,268 reviews)
"The location for visiting Bruges was absolutely excellent. The staff were really helpful. I can't think of anything I didn't like."

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Martin's Brugge
ibis budget Brugge Centrum Station
ibis budget Brugge Centrum Station
1 out of 5
Marie Popelinplantsoen 4, Bruges
The price is S$124 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
S$124
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"No more"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

ibis budget Brugge Centrum Station
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Holiday Suites Zeebrugge
Holiday Suites Zeebrugge
Kustlaan 99, Zeebrugge, Bruges
Stay at this apartment in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.2/10 Good! (177 reviews)
"Was amazing"

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Holiday Suites Zeebrugge
Dukes’ Apartments Grand Place – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection
Dukes’ Apartments Grand Place – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection
9 Mallebergplaats, Bruges
Stay at this aparthotel in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Bruges Market Square and Bruges Christmas ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
"Excellent location and a really nice flat. Will go again"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

Dukes’ Apartments Grand Place – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection
Bonobo Apartments
Bonobo Apartments
Goezeputstraat 5, Bruges
Stay at this apartment in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Bruges Christmas Market and Bruges Market ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (184 reviews)
Great apartment
"Lots of space, wonderful location, helpful hosts"

Reviewed on 20 May, 2025

Bonobo Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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