Belgium

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48 Hours In Bruges | The Ultimate Guide to Belgium's Medieval city

Travel back in time to Belgium’s medieval, pocket-sized city and spend a whirlwind 48 hours in Bruges. Known as Brugge in Flemish, the fairy-tale town is magical and unspoilt, around every corner is another enchanting cobbled street or quaint red brick building. It’s no wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peaceful canals weave their way through the narrow streets and under picturesque stone bridges, giving the town the nickname Venice of the North. It’s one of the smaller European city’s and therefore it’s easy to explore Bruges by foot, which saves on the cost of public transport!

Fun Fact: There are over 80 bridges in Bruges!

Known as the chocolate capital of the world, Belgium’s reputation does not disappoint. Delicious chocolatiers are to be found around every corner, which is perfect for any fellow sweet treat lovers, like us! Belgian beer is another of it’s world famous commodity’s. With all it’s exports, it’s no surprise the roots of the city are as an important hub of trade within Europe.

Belgium is only a short train ride away from London and with easy access from the country’s capital Brussels, Bruges can be reached from London on train within 3.5 hours. It really is the perfect place for a romantic weekend away!

I was lucky enough to spend 48 hours in Bruges with my Mum and Sister as part of a HENterrailing (My Hen Do combined with Interrailing) adventure in 2023! We spent a week traveling and visited Bruges, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Copenhagen.

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Is 2 days in Bruges enough?

Two days is the perfect amount of time in Bruges. In fact, some people do Bruges and Ghent within one day, which personally I feel is a little rushed. Bruges is smaller than people expect but it still has plenty of things to explore, delicious food to taste and hidden gems to discover.

The best way to explore a new city is to take a morning to walk around, looking around the squares, side streets and getting a bit lost. There are plenty of things to fill a two day itinerary with and 48 hours in Bruges will give you a chance to really take in and experience the charming fairy-tale city.

Is Bruges worth visiting?

Yes, Bruges is definitely worth visiting! A trip to Bruges is enchanting, captivating and memorable, it’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and does not disappoint on the historical side. It’s picture-perfect stone bridges, charming cobbled streets and delightful squares just add to it’s timeless beauty. It should be on everyone’s European bucket-list!

 

Why is Bruges so famous?

Bruges is famous mostly for it’s medieval architecture and historic centre, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also famous for many other things, including it’s Lace, made by Nuns traditionally and canals, hence the nickname ‘Venice of the North’.

But most importantly, it’s a foodie’s heaven and it’s famous for it’s scrumptious chocolate, waffles, fries and beer! 

Where should I stay in Bruges?

There are so many accommodation options in Bruges so it can be hard to choose. The best location in the city is as close to the historic centre as possible as everything is in easy walking distance from there. 

Our Accommodation Recommendation

££

Hotel Marcel – 3 Star

  • Boutique Hotel
  • Central Location (Only 150 metres from the main square) – not the house pictured above
  • Free Wifi
  • Luggage Store

Getting to Bruges

The easiest way to get to Bruges is by train, the Eurostar connects London with Brussels within 2 hours. Bruges as a city is very well connected with public transport and also to other parts of Europe. Depending where you are travelling from, there are several methods of transport below.

Train

From London, we caught the Eurostar from St Pancras International to Bruges, via Brussels, which takes a total of around 3.5 hours. The journey from St Pancras to Brussels takes around 2 hours and then you can catch any train from Brussels to Bruges, which is around a 1 hour journey. The cost of the Eurostar can range quite a bit depending on the time of year and when you book, but as with many things it tends to be cheaper the further in advance you book.

Plane

You can also fly into Bruges if you are coming from further afield. The nearest airport would be Ostend-Bruges International Airport (OST). However, if you live in the UK or central Europe, train may be easier, quicker or cheaper, so always check!

Car

If you are based in central Europe you can drive to Bruges, but it’s worth first checking the travel time, cost of fuel and if parking is available at your hotel. Otherwise, it may be more cost effective to travel by train. There’s no real need to hire a car in Bruges either, as everything is within walking distance. 

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48 Hours in Bruges | Itinerary

48 Hours in Bruges is just enough to explore the fairy-tale town, taste the delicious Belgium chocolate and see the top sights.

Our 2 Day Bruges Itinerary below includes top tourist attractions along with food recommendations and top tips.

Day 1

AM

Breakfast at That’s Toast!

Markt

UNESCO Old Town

Lizzies Waffles

Lunch at Potato Bar

PM

Burg Square

Rozenhoedkaai

Old St Johns Site

Church of Our Lady

St Salvator’s Cathedral

Dinner at Mozarts

 

Breakfast at ‘That’s Toast!’

That’s Toast! is a delicious and quirky brunch spot in central Bruges. They have a range of food from healthy homemade granola or classic smoked salmon and avocado to more unique flavours such as black bean chicken or mushroom hummus. It’s not too expensive either and will set you up for the day!

 

Markt and UNESCO Old Town

The old market square, Markt, is the heart of the medieval town and part of the historic centre of Bruges, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Markt alone there are several sights to see before you even begin to explore the side streets. The square is lined with colourful buildings and cute cafe’s, that all angle towards the main attraction, the Belfort (Belfry).

The Belfort is an iconic bell tower, it was built in the 13th century and any visitor who feels fit enough can climb the 366 steps to the top, where you are rewarded with panoramic views of the town. It costs around €15 per person to go in but you can still take amazing pictures and look around the outside from below for free.

More options: If you are looking for a rainy day or addition to your itinerary, Historium Bruges is also located in Markt. This is a medieval museum style tour of the city with the option of a virtual reality experience. Tickets start at €20 per person.

From Markt, spend the rest of the morning exploring the cobbled side streets and taking in the incredible architecture. Don’t forget to pop into the world famous Dumon Chocolate shop which is just off Markt too!

Top Tip: You can buy a ticket that includes 13 locations, with most museums and top sights in Bruges covered, here.

Lizzies Waffles 

If you are feeling a bit peckish during your morning of exploring, Lizzies Waffles serves the biggest waffles in Bruges just off Markt square (and by big we mean XL!). XL waffle cost ~€7.50 + extra for toppings, the strawberry and chocolate topping is delicious!

If you are still full from breakfast, maybe pop in just to try one of their quirky hot chocolates, where they give you a chocolate tulip to melt in hot milk (~€6).

The Potato Bar

Whenever you’re ready, lunch at The Potato Bar is delicious and surprisingly the menu is… POTATO’s!

From loaded fries to croquets, it’s a great spot to try some of Bruges’ famous fries! You can either order individually or a selection of croquets and topped fries to share between friends.

Burg Square

Burg Square is another picturesque spot in central Bruges, it’s lined with incredible architecture and even has a park at one end where you can relax on a bench to take in the atmosphere.

One one side is Bruges City Hall, which dates back to the 12th century. Nestled in one of the corners is the entrance to the breath-taking Basilica of the Holy Blood, which dates backed to 12th century and is a huge landmark in the city.

Rozenhoedkaai

The Instagram famous Rozenhoedkaai, is the most photographed spot in the city. The picture-perfect red brick buildings and cobblestone bridges meet two canals in this spot and it creates this stunning corner spot. Here you’ll see various boat tours departing and arriving as well as stunning floral arrangements along the dock area.

Fun Fact: Rozenhoedkaai translates to Quay of the Rosary, as this was where Rosarys were sold in the 18th century.

Old St John’s Site

St John’s is the site of an old hospital in Bruges that dates back to medieval times. It’s easy to stumble upon when exploring the side streets and it is definitely worth taking a small detour through the grounds. It began as a small hospital and was eventually expanded to incorporate a monastery. It continued to expand, resulting in 8 wards but closed in 1977 when the hospital moved to another premises. Since then it has been used to host events and exhibitions.

Church of Our Lady

This stunning piece of architecture is filled will incredible pieces of art, along with it’s intricately decorated interior it is also home to Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna and Child’. At 115.5 meters high, the tower is the second tallest brick church tower in the world! If you would like to go inside, entry is free entry however to see the section with Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna and Child’ requires a ticket.

St Salvator’s Cathedral

St Salvator’s is Bruge’s oldest church, with the site dating back to as early as the 10th century. It’s the city’s main church and is filled with more stunning pieces of art and detailed interiors.

Dinner at Mozart’s

This is an absolute must if you are in Bruges. We discovered this restaurant through Instagram and honestly, what an amazing place! It looks so normal and nonchalant from outside but if you head to the back it opens out into this huge library, filled with cosy train carriage seating and suitcases. They serve all you can eat ribs with their own delicious Mozart sauce, along with other options such as fish stew, vegetarian quiche and chicken skewers.

Top Tip: Make sure when you book, you request to be seated in the library area. There is a dining area up front but that is just a plain restaurant style and the library area is completely hidden from there.

Day 2

AM

Breakfast at Vero Café

Explore Bruges and see the Windmills

PM

Begijnhof / Beguinages

Minnewater Lake

Oyya Waffles

Breakfast at Bruges Cutest Cafe

Vero Cafe serves tasty and picture perfect food, it’s located in the heart of Bruges just off the main square in a quaint and peaceful square with some outdoor seating too and private terrace area. It’s perfect for that early morning coffee and bite to eat, even the tea they serve is beautiful!

Visit Bruges Windmills

The Windmills are located just on the outskirts of Bruges, around 20 minutes from Markt Square. The walking route is also a chance to see a few more sights in Bruges! First up, Jan Van Eyckplein Square, a beautiful spot with stunning views of the canals and cobbled streets. Around 70 yards up from the square is Genthof 7, the oldest wooden house in Bruges. Then on the last leg of your walk, be sure to walk via Gouden-Handrei, which is a picturesque canal lined with quaint cottage style houses.

After exploring the cobbled streets of Bruges, you will eventually see a windmill at the end of the street. There are 4 windmills remaining in Bruges, all perched on mounds along the old city boundary. They are such an interesting part of the city’s history, although only 4 stand today, there were originally around 25 with some dating back to the 13th century.

If you want to know more about their history, some of the windmills are open to visitors during spring and summer (~€5 per person).

Begijnhof / Beguinages

These peaceful buildings were a sanctuary for women, providing safety and religion for those who were unmarried or widowed. Many of the houses were built in the 17th or 19th century however there are still some remaining that were built in the 13th century. These buildings are also now registered under UNESCO World Heritage. To this day, it remains a peaceful escape from the bustling streets beyond, there are even signs restricting noise in the area. It’s now a Benedictine convent and you can step inside the church and walk the grounds, which feel like you have stepped back in time.

This spot is also near many restaurants and shops so this is a great time to have some lunch! We stopped by Délice Brugge for a quick bite to eat, but there are plenty of good options in the area depending on what you fancy.

Minnewater Lake

This is a serene and romantic spot, many people come here for a walk to escape the town and immerse themselves in nature. Minnewater Lake is also know as the Lake of Love and couples can stroll across Lovers Bridge to catch some of the prettiest views in the park.

Fun Fact: It was once believed that water nymphs or sprites lived in the lake. In Dutch water nymphs/sprites translate to ‘minnen’ and so the name, Minnewater lake, was born.

Oyya Waffles

Oyya Waffles are said to be some of the best waffles in Bruges and they did not dissapoint! If you are in need of an afternoon snack and heading back into central Bruges, Oyya was delicious and you can mix and match your chocolate (white, milk or dark) with various toppings too.
 
For dinner, there are lots of places to dine, we tried a touristy restaurant near Rozenhoedkaai which we wouldn’t recommend. However, be sure to try find somewhere you can taste some of Belgium’s famous flemish stew. 
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FAQ's

Hopefully our 48 hours in Bruges itinerary has inspired you to take the leap and explore somewhere new. You might still have a few unanswered questions and that’s ok! We’ve got you covered, listed below are some of the most common FAQ’s.

What is the best month to visit Bruges?

There isn’t really a best time to visit Bruges, it’s so picture-perfect it’s hard for it to look bad in any weather! However, if you’re looking for reliable and warmish weather, May to September would suit you. Winter would also be like a fairy-tale, with the Christmas decorations and lights hung, but just remember to wrap up warm!

Spring (March, April, May) – A great time to visit to avoid crowds and save money, it is still popular during this time but nowhere near as busy as summer. Some places may still be closed as it’s the start of the season. Temperature highs of between 5-15C.

Summer (June, July, August) – In Summer, Europe is hot, sunny and busy. It’s the best time of year for warm weather however the crowds can overflow this quaint town. Temperatures of around 21C.

Autumn (September, October, November) – A great time to visit to avoid crowds, although it may still be busy during weekends. Temperatures may range between 6-18C.

Winter (December, January, February) – If you’re lucky to get snow and ice, the fairy-tale town will look extra magical and you may even be lucky to see a Christmas market. Temperature highs of around 7C and lows of 2C.

Is Bruges a walkable city?

Bruges feels like it was made with pedestrians in mind. Many streets are pedestrianised and everything is within a short walk of each other. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes as those cobbles can be painful!

Is Bruges near Brussels?

Yes, Bruges is very near Brussels. Infact, it’s only 1 hour on the train or a 1.5hr drive by car! Some people even do Bruges as a day trip from Brussels, although we would recommend 48 hours in Bruges to be able to absorb the city.

Is it expensive in Bruges?

In short, yes Bruges is expensive, but so are many other European cities.

Excluding accommodation, you want to budget around €50-70 euros per person per day. This will vary depending on how much you want to eat, attractions you want to visit and transport you use. Accommodation will increase this, but there are a range of options from budget hostels to 5 star boutique hotels.

For 48 hours in Bruges you really don’t have to spend a lot, as you don’t necessarily have the time to go into all the attractions, the biggest spend is most likely going to be accommodation.

Thanks for reading!

Fancy spending two days in the charming city of Bruges?

We hope our 48 Hours in Bruges post has you craving the historical city and world famous chocolate!

We love to hear feedback and if you’re planning a trip to Bruges or Belgium, let us know what you’re up to whilst you’re there! Thanks for reading, for the latest updates follow us on Instagram and drop us a message to say hi!

Eve and Nick