Quite frankly it’s not too hard to spend a perfect weekend in Bruges. This small town in Belgium is probably one of the cutest we’ve ever been to. If I’m being honest, I think Belgium is one of the most underrated countries in Europe and Bruges is definitely one of the most underrated cities.
It’s known for its beautiful cobbled streets, medieval buildings and the canals. The incredible architecture and history of Bruges actually helped it to be named a UNESCO World Heritage City. Walking through the streets you will feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. They’ve done little to make the city modern which is the best part.
While there are many cities that you can visit from for a day, I would recommend spending a bit more time to relax and wander around. Half of the fun of staying in Bruges is getting lost through the small European streets.
We were lucky enough to have visited during the Christmas season. Our weekend in Bruges was made even more special with the festive Christmas market set in the main square. I can’t tell you how lovely it was to walk through the streets with the Christmas lights and decoration while sipping mulled wine. Don’t worry though, it’s not just a place to spend the Christmas season, Bruges is a good place to visit at any time.
| What to do |
Of course, if you’re only going to be spending a weekend in Bruges you want to make sure you’re hitting the most popular sites. Being prepared is the best way to do that. Make yourself a little itinerary before you travel and write down all of the places that are a must on your list. We’ve rounded up a few of the most popular for you to add to your list for a weekend in Bruges.
| Wander through Market Square |
You simply can’t visit Bruges without walking through the Market Square. Not only is it one of the most central points and almost impossible to miss but it’s also a stunning area. The colours and unique architecture of the buildings also make it a great spot for photography. In the middle of the square, you’ll find statues of 14th-century war heroes but I won’t pretend like I know who they were!
| Belfry of Bruges |
Walking through the Market Square, it would be impossible to miss the Belfry tower. It’s also one of the most iconic symbols of Bruges. If you’re looking for the best ‘birds eye view’ of Bruges, climb up the 366 steps towards the top of the tower. This is the one thing we wish we did while in Bruges so don’t make the same mistake we did!
| Rozenhoedkaai |
This is probably the most photographed spot in Bruges and definitely not a spot I was going to miss! I swear it’s more beautiful in person than it is in photographs so it’s not hard to see why so many tourists flock to the area. There is little else to do than enjoy the views but there are a few restaurants and cafes in the area to sit and enjoy the perfect view.
| Beguinage |
This tranquil spot located centrally in Bruges really surprised me actually. It was almost as if we turned a corner and there we were this quiet, serene space. The white homes and the manicured garden was founded in 1245. It’s now home to the nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and many other women of Bruges who have decided not to marry.
| Burg Square |
Stepping into this square feels like a contrast to much of the other architecture in the city. The gothic style makes it stand out and for good reason as it was one of the earliest inhabited areas in Bruges. Seeing as we hadn’t done much research before visiting the area we came across this almost by accident. One of the main buildings in the square is the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
The Basilica is decorated completely differently from the other buildings it stands between. It’s rumoured to be the home of a vile of blood taken from The Crucifixion. It doesn’t cost anything to walk in. Once inside, you are almost immediately in a lineup that takes you in a circular path past the vile. It’s such a weird thing. The now blackened blood is placed inside another giant tube adorned with gold pieces. A person stands behind it making sure you don’t touch anything before you’re shuffled on and asked for a donation. It’s definitely worth seeing if you ask me, whether you believe it’s real or not.
| Hansa Quarter |
Did you know that from the 13th to the 15th centuries, Bruges was one of the most important trading centres in Europe? Yeah, I didn’t either. The Hansa Square during the height of trade was a prominent location for merchants and buyers. Today it’s home to a few more beautiful buildings in this small Belgium city and a statue of one of Bruges’ renowned painters; Jan Van Eyck.
| Church of our Lady |
I know, I know, there are so many churches in Europe it’s very easy to get sick of them. While I always recommend at least walking inside, as many of them are free to entre, they also make for beautiful landmarks wherever you visit. The Church of our Lady is no different. Many people actually trek to Bruges just to visit this church as it’s home to Michelangelo’s famous Madonna and Child statue.
| Get lost |
With so many back streets, side streets and main streets it’s really quite easy to get lost in this little town. It’s also something I recommend you do. That’s one thing I absolutely love about Europe, even the simplest and most unassuming of streets have some amazing buildings. Put that with the cobblestone streets or various canals in Bruges and you have the perfect recipe for wanderlust.
Have we convinced you to spend a weekend in Bruges yet?
| Hotels in Bruges |
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