The gorgeous gothic city of Bruges, also known as Brugge in Flemish, looks like it’s stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale, with its medieval buildings and meandering canals. Most of the best things to see in Bruges are within short distance of each other- often within walking distance, so you’ll be able to do a lot in just one day in Bruges!
This 1-day Bruges itinerary was written by Zhen from Greedy Girl Gourmet.
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One Day in Bruges Itinerary
Europe gets hot in summer, so my favorite times to visit Bruges are spring or fall when the temperatures are slightly lower but with enough sunlight, allowing you to pack a lot in one day. Let me guide you through this itinerary for spending one day in Bruges!
Morning: Markt Square, Breakfast and Boats
Visit the Market Square
I suggest starting your day at the iconic Market Square, where you can:
- Marvel at the iconic 83-meter-tall Belfry Tower of Bruges (Belfort van Brugge), a UNESCO World Heritage Site tall enough to be seen from most parts of the city. Those who are more fit may want to climb the 366 steps up to the top to hear the bells ring from close-up, as well as get a bird’s eye view of the canals and surrounding buildings. However, note that the number of people allowed to do so is quite limited, so expect to queue for some time. (I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance.)
- Admire the Provincial Court (Provinciaal Hof): in the 13th century boats could reach this building!
- Try some of the famous Belgian waffles with a cup of hot chocolate.
- Buy some unique and amazing souvenirs from Belgium
If you’re in Bruges on a Wednesday, there has been a weekly market held at Market Square since 1985. You can check out some of the stalls, but it’s mostly fresh produce, so it may only interest those staying somewhere with an attached kitchenette for cooking. Market Square is also the meeting place for free walking tours, which is a fun way to spend a few hours in Bruges and hear some local insights into the city.
Embark on a Boat tour
Bruges is a very walkable city, but one of the best ways to see it is definitely by taking a boat tour through its waterways. Before 2016, you used to be able to see Fidel, the cutest golden retriever, hanging out or sleeping in one of the windows of Côté Canal but, unfortunately, he has since passed on.
However, you may still be lucky enough to see swans gliding by your boat, during the (approximately) 30-minute journey which will take you past many of Bruge’s most famous attractions, between Jan van Eyck Square and the Beguinage. The canals were built as part of the city’s old shipping industry and are now also UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along the way, the boat captains will share many anecdotes and fun facts about the city.
Where and when you can board a boat ride: Huidenvettersplein 13, 8000 Brugge (5 minutes from the Belfry.) The boat rides are available if you visit between early March and mid-November. During other times, their availability will be at the discretion of the boat companies.
Explore Burg Square
Just 3 minutes from Market Square is Burg Square, one of the oldest bits of the city center and where all the important decisions about Bruges are made. Even today, the city administration of Bruges still occupies the imposing, 14th-century Gothic Town Hall.
Here, you can visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek). The 12th-century church gets its interesting name from a religious artifact that is thought to hold a drop of blood from Jesus Christ. One of the best Gothic buildings in Bruges, the church is also free to enter (although if you want to visit the museum in the church, there is a fee). Admire buildings from every period of Bruges’ history: the medieval town hall, the neoclassical court of justice, or the baroque deanery. For lunch, there are waffle vendors here as well as many cafes and restaurants.
Afternoon: Chocolate museum, art museum and/ or Brewery Tour
Discover the Chocolate Museum
As a chocoholic and Asian food blogger, visiting Choco-Story, the Chocolate Museum where you can learn all about the history and process of chocolate-making in Belgium is one of my favorite things to do in Bruges. And, of course, indulge in some of the freshly made sweet treats! I learned enough to make my own Matcha Nama Chocolate when I got back (click through for the recipe).
You can visit the museum alone or combine it with a workshop where you get to make your own chocolates. Together, the museum tour and class will take about 1.5 hours. Even if you don’t take part in a workshop, the tour itself ends with a demo and tasting session, which is included in the price. You will need to climb stairs in the museum, so it may be an issue for the elderly and less mobile. (My Asian travel blog, alovelettertoasia.com, focuses on traveling with elderly relatives, so I always take note of how accessible attractions are.)
Visit the Art Museum (Groeningemuseum)
In the Groeningemuseum you can view six centuries of Flemish and Belgian art, from Flemish Primitive art to 18th and 19th-century pieces and modern artworks. (The historic collections are better than the modern ones though). Audio guides in various languages are available, but the information provided is quite sparse, so Google will be your best friend here. Enjoy seeing works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Mewling, Gerard David, and many other artists.
Depending on how much time you spent at the earlier attractions, you may or may not have time for a Brewery Tour. I’m not a huge fan of beer, but since we’re in Belgium, how can we not visit one of Bruges’ historic breweries? I recommend De Halve Maan Brewery (Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan) where you can sample local Belgian beers (even unfiltered ones) and learn about the brewing process from the past to the present day. The tour lasts for around 45 to 60 minutes.
For those of you who skipped walking to the top of the Belfry, you can also get a good view of the city from the brewery’s roof. The brewery also has a restaurant, so you can have an early dinner here to wash down the beer (the meat stew is great!). Like the Choco-museum, this brewery tour involves climbing steps- some quite narrow and steep- so consider yourself forewarned!
Evening: Stroll along the Quay of the Rosary
Take a stroll along the scenic Rozenhoedkaai (Quay of the Rosary.) Located beside the canal, this is a gorgeous spot where you can practice your photography skills and try to capture the sunset. If you didn’t grab a bite at the brewery’s restaurant, there are many eateries nearby where you can stop for dinner, or maybe grab some traditional Belgian frites (fries) from a local vendor.
Alternatively, you can visit first thing in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds. If you did that, you could visit Minnewater Lake, or the water of love, in the evening instead. This quiet park with over 3000 trees is about 15-20 minutes from the city center and a favorite place for lovers to take a stroll: it is said that despite its association with tragic romance, lovers who cross the bridge together will live happily ever after. Ironically, the lake is said to be named after a young lady Minna, who was in love with a warrior Stromberg but forced by her family to marry someone else. To escape a loveless marriage, she ran away and ended up dying in Stromberg’s arms.
What to Eat in Bruges
Some local specialties to try in Bruges are:
- moules-frites (mussels and fries): there is even a Fries Museum in Bruges! Poules Moules is a popular place to eat this.
- carbonade flamande: this Flemish beef stew cooked in beer is the perfect comfort food for winter and my favorite dish of the trip
- chocolate: be sure to try the city’s own chocolate, the Bruges swan or Brugsch Swaentje.
Where to stay for one day in Bruges
The best place to stay for one day in Bruges would depend on your budget! The city is also close enough to Brussels and Ghent that you could stay at either place or train over. If you decide to base yourself in Bruges, I highly recommend staying in the old city center (so much prettier.) Some hotels you can consider include:
The Dog House: if you’re traveling with your pooch or just a dog-lover, this dog-friendly, luxury bed-and-breakfast is perfect for you. Located very close to the center of Bruges- but not right smack in the middle of the madness- it has stylish interiors, an area for your best friend to chill, and an outdoor courtyard.
Grand Hotel Casselbergh Bruges: For those with a larger budget, go for this hotel that has historic charm but modern conveniences, such as a wellness center and hammam.
B&B Huis Koning: situated along Canal Reien, this charming adults-only bed and breakfast makes for a wonderful stay within easy distance of Grote Markt. They only have four rooms (AC-ed!) so you have to act fast!
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