Bruges

Travel Guide

Bruges featuring a church or cathedral, night scenes and a city
Photo provided by Toerisme Brugge
Bruges showing a river or creek, night scenes and heritage architecture
Bruges featuring a lake or waterhole and bird life
Bruges Belfry featuring a city, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
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 center of Bruges is an internationally recognized 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 center 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 a city, street scenes and markets

Historical Center Bruges

5/5(608 area reviews)

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

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

Bruges Center

Bruges Center is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Choco-Story Museum and Burg.

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 featuring 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
Brugge is known as "Venice of Belgium," and the canal tours are a lovely way to see the renaissance architecture on a sunny afternoon.

Sint-Pieters

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Sint-Pieters is noteworthy for its coffeehouses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Bruges City Theater and The English Convent.

Sint-Pieters
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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
Martin's Relais

Martin's Relais

4 out of 5
Genthof 4, Bruges
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥21,287 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥21,287
¥23,936 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (1,001 reviews)
"We loved this hotel, the family room was large, the beds comfortable and the bathroom was excellent. Didn’t eat breakfast at hotel as we preferred to go out and eat at nearby cafes. Its position was central and it was easy to walk around Bruges which is exactly what we wanted. The staff were kind ..."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Martin's Relais
Dukes’ Palace – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection

Dukes’ Palace – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection

5 out of 5
Prinsenhof 8, Bruges
The price is ¥42,015 per night from Sep 5 to Sep 6
¥42,015
¥45,907 total
Sep 5 - Sep 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bruges. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,011 reviews)
"Perfect place to stay in Bruges! We stayed two nights and enjoyed a luxurious room, great service and a delicious dinner onsite."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Dukes’ Palace – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection
Martin's Brugge

Martin's Brugge

3.5 out of 5
Oude Burg 5, Bruges
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥16,087 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥16,087
¥18,424 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,343 reviews)
"Poor internet, no water in lobby. No fridge. Check in did not tell us about ice or housekeeping. Not enough towels. Beds comfortable! Pillows not comfortable, all wadded up. Fabulous location and quiet. Cereals in morning were not marked correctly (needed GF muesli but was granola. Fruit was old ..."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

Martin's Brugge
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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (187 reviews)
Great base location to visit region.
"Family stay to visit the surrounding region. Hotel is clean and has everything you want. Location is busy but has great transport connections."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 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 Jun 30, 2025

Dukes’ Apartments Grand Place – by Dukes’ Hotel Collection
Comfortable apartment, close to downtown and train station

Comfortable apartment, close to downtown and train station

Brugge
Stay at this apartment in Bruges. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Bruges Christmas ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (137 reviews)
"Excellent property for price. Nice two spacious bedroom. I will return to the same place in the very bear future. Safe and easy parking Overall Excellent"

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Comfortable apartment, close to downtown and train 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.

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