home Zander Detailed map of Bruges - streets, house numbers, districts. Bruges – a city of interest in Belgium Brewery Museum De Halve Maan Brewery

Detailed map of Bruges - streets, house numbers, districts. Bruges – a city of interest in Belgium Brewery Museum De Halve Maan Brewery

Bruges is a quiet Belgian tourist town with beautiful canals and a Flemish spirit. Here you can easily plunge into Belgian provincial everyday life and get lost among the medieval narrow streets, escape from Brussels for a couple of days from European institutions, listen to a special dialect, taste delicious beer and be surprised by the friendliness of the local residents - and they are actually most often indigenous, unlike Brussels. We tell you how to get there, where to live and how to have fun in a mini-guide to Bruges.

Transport

The first step is to get to Belgium. You can fly to Brussels from Vilnius by Ryanair. If you buy tickets in advance, you can count on € 20. It flies from there AirBaltic(from € 158 return). You can fly from Warsaw on Ryanair for €9, if you're lucky. All these low-cost airlines fly into Charleroi, “South Brussels”. The most optimal transfer now is flibco.com: to Brussels - € 14, directly to Bruges - € 17, but there are nice promotions up to € 5. No one canceled Blablacar, very lucky coincidences happen, the price is halved. Trains run constantly from Brussels, your option is Go Pass tickets (up to 26 years old) with a 50% discount, to Bruges costs only € 6. By the way, on weekends you can get everywhere for half price. The road from Bruges to Brussels takes only 1 hour; in addition, you can visit Ghent with one ticket, but that’s a different story.

Using public transport in Bruges is difficult, as the city is compact and easier to get to on foot or by bike. Especially if you are staying in the old part of the city. Moreover, one trip on a city bus will cost € 3 (this is more expensive than a good glass of Belgian beer!), with the same ticket you can transfer to another route within an hour.

You can rent a bike from €6 to €15 per day. Cheapest service Deketing (Gentpoortstraat 23 te 8000 Brugge) , 5 minutes from the central square, check the return time, they close early. In addition, you can find another provider near the station Bruges Bike Rental (Niklaas Desparsstraat 17) .

Housing

Cheap housing in Belgium is difficult, so you can try to fit in with couchsurfing.com, don’t have high hopes: the city is small, but there are a lot of tourists. But airbnb.com developed very well, prices range from €50 to €100 for an excellent apartment, so for traveling with a group this is probably the best option.

But if it doesn’t work, then there are still a couple of options left. Hostel prices start from €15.

Snuffel (Ezelstraat 42)- the hostel is located in the central part, the atmosphere is youthful, parties are organized in the bar, locals also drop in, there are beer tastings, and they rent out bicycles.

Lybeer (Korte Vulderstraat 31) - typical atmosphere of the city of Bruges: an authentic house with all the medieval features, a small number of rooms, 5 minutes from the central square - you get the feeling that you are in another dimension.

Charlie Rockets (Hoogstraat 19)- an excellent hostel for a large company, many places, a great party, a large bar with billiards and live music. So if you get bored, you can just go to a party and even go to a screening of a rock film.

For those who love comfort, you can stay in Ibis (Katelijnestraat, 65 A) . A chain hotel with all modern facilities at an average price near the station.

And for big movie fans and Colin Farrell fans, it’s worth mentioning Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce Hotel (Wollestraat 41-47). It was in this hotel that he ate, slept, had breakfast overlooking the canal and jumped from the window in the film “Lie Down in Bruges.” True, the price for such pleasure is a bit steep (€ 265 per night). Although you should just approach: the view of the hotel is considered the most photographed place in the city.

Cultural program

Bruges is a provincial tourist city and an excellent place for a relaxing holiday. It’s hard to find a party place here, but you won’t be able to avoid the Flemish architecture, quiet pubs, nice locals and peace. The historical part is included in the UNESCO list. Here you can make several walking routes, get lost in romantic parks, and climb one of the mills. You can start exploring the city during Free Walking Tours in Bruges .

Although a boat ride along the canals seems like a rather trivial activity, it is worth it. The streets look completely different. It is advisable to choose a better time so that the boat is not too crowded; there are really a lot of tourists in the city, especially on weekends. The pleasure costs €8, but the view is mesmerizing. In the very center you can find a pier Boottochten Brugge (Nieuwstraat 11) .

If after all the walks you are still drawn to history, it’s worth visiting the history museum Historium Bruges (Markt 1). It was just updated, so there are plenty of interactive things. He will tell you about Bruges, its surroundings and Belgium. An additional bonus is one of the most picturesque streets on which it is located.

IN Groeningemuseum (Dijver 12) you can find paintings by Jan van Eyck, a native of Bruges, the same inventor of oil paints and an artist of the early Renaissance - the locals are very proud of him.

If you're tired of history and silence, go to the Skate Park or youth center De Comma (Binnenwag 4). There are very interesting events on the schedule, as a bonus an additional opportunity to get to know the local crowd.

After long walks, you can lie on the grass or play Frisbee in one of the parks. Minnewater-Lake or Lake of Love is located very close to the train station, so you can brighten up the time you have to wait for the train. And Astridpark appears completely unexpectedly among the narrow streets.

If you have a little time left, don’t miss the opportunity to breathe in the sea air, the North Sea is just a stone’s throw away. The easiest option is to take the train to Ostend (Oostende), it will take no more than 20 minutes. A more interesting option: ride a bike to Zeebrugge (Zeebrugg), a port city with sand dunes, is 20 km away. Or an equally attractive option is to visit the “resort” Knokke(Knokke-Heist)- Belgian Monaco, in the same 20 km. On the streets you can meet famous Belgians, expensive cars and interesting houses. Due to the “resort” nature of the town, prices in establishments are inflated (you should prepare in advance), but, for example, you can warm up in Restaurant Cezanne (Lippenslaan 98, 8300 Knokke-Heist) . The tea room has excellent homemade desserts.

There is a national park nearby Zwin with a variety of bird species, including flamingos. A place for lovers of nature and sea air, and there are also interesting interactive things in the exhibition hall. The best way to get there is by bus from Knokke.

Where to eat

Bruges, as a typical tourist town, pleases with an abundance of small and very cozy places with a pleasant atmosphere. The prices are Belgian: the lunch menu averages from €12, but the portions are excellent.

Start your morning at a coffee shop Li O Lait (Dweerstraat 30), very tasty pastries, interesting coffee mixes and unforgettable hot chocolate with honey and Maltesers. You can connect to Wi-Fi and admire the beautiful drawings on the walls.
For more serious food you can go to Sanseveria Bagelsalon (Predikherenstraat 11) . The best burgers in town, delicious salads and huge portions.

Royal Frituur & Eetboetiek (Langestraat 181 A)‒ local high-quality fast food, suitable for lovers of vegan food. For example, a large Belgian potato (you can get kicked out for the phrase French fries) with spring roll and homemade mayonnaise will cost only € 6. The place is more of a takeaway, but the very nice owner Anna can rent a blanket for a mini-picnic, which guarantees additional piquancy for the cool sets After all, just a stone's throw away is the lawn near the Kruisvest mill, a picturesque view of the city and a place for youth hangouts. Frisbee teams gather here on weekends, and in winter you can go downhill.

In the very center it’s worth stopping by for lunch Brasserie Forestiere (Academiestraat 11). The lunch menu costs € 12.5, there are days with mussels and very tasty fish soups.

You can spend the evening in an authentic Flemish place Cafe Vlissinghe (Blekerstraat 2). Despite the fact that this is the oldest cafe in the city, operating since 1515, the quality is at the highest level with very reasonable prices. There are very few seats, old large tables where several groups can crowd together at the same time, delicious beer and a pleasant atmosphere.

You can find cuisine from all nations of the world in Stoepa (Oostmeers 124). Close to train station and Minnewater-Lake. In summer, a beautiful terrace with interesting events is organized in the courtyard.

Bars

Bruges, like the rest of Belgium, is famous for its beer. This is where beer flows through the water pipe, it's not a joke, Google it! Don't chase after popular places, trust your intuition, just look into the nearest bar. Talk to the locals and find out what they like and recommend. If you meet a big connoisseur, they will add a couple of drops of essential oil to your beer, and in one glass you will try 2 different high-quality beers, so don’t shy away from experimenting. But if you are still afraid of making a mistake, here are a couple of proven places.

"Anti-tourist" bar Cafe "t Stokershuis (Langestraat 7). It is not customary to make noise here, and friendly leisurely conversations over a glass of beer are encouraged. One gets the impression that nothing has changed here since the 50s: the bar counter is faithfully guarded by a cat, the menu is handwritten and the best, rare beers are available. It’s not difficult to win the host’s favor, but it’s better to immediately say that you are a tourist and the place was recommended by a local friend.

All types of Trappist beer (not only from Belgium) can be tasted in Cafe Rose Red (Cordoeanierstraat 16) . This is a very touristy place next to the hotel, but there are always free places. Cozy atmosphere, fresh roses on the ceiling and interesting offers. For example, every month there is a special type of beer, the recipe for which will not be saved in the future.

For a creative atmosphere, check out Republiek (St-Jakobsstraat 36) .

Spacious youth bar with guys from Lumière Cinema‒ cinema of alternative films.

You can have a big party in a Belgian chain Bar des Amis (Eiermarkt 19). Loud music, a lot of young people, there are concerts with local bands on the weekends.

The above does not mean that wine lovers will have nothing to do in Bruges. A quality wine bar isn't too hard to find. One of the best Wijnbar EST (Braambergstraat 7). To say that the guys understand wines is an understatement. The choice is large, from ordinary glasses to exquisite bottles, and any choice is accompanied by a detailed story. It feels like I attended a master class at a famous winemaking school.

Popular place with delicious tapas

The city of Bruges (Belgium) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and quite rightly ranks among the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Europe. It is difficult to single out individual attractions in this city, because the whole city can be called one continuous attraction. Every day, about 10,000 tourists from Belgium and other countries come here, intending to explore the most interesting sights in Bruges - this is a very large figure, considering that the local population is only 45,000 people.

What you can see in Bruges in one day

Since the most important historical and cultural attractions of Bruges are located close to each other, if you lack time, you can allocate only one day to explore them. It will be much more convenient if you draw up the optimal travel route in advance - a map of Bruges with attractions in Russian can help with this.

By the way, for 17-20 € (the amount depends on whether the hotel provides a discount - you need to ask for it upon check-in), you can buy a Bruges museum card. This card is valid for three days, and it works at most of the attractions in Bruges, which will be discussed later.

For about seven hundred years, the Grote Markt in Bruges has been the center of the city and its main square. To this day, market pavilions stand here and attract buyers, thanks to which it got its name “Market Square”. Beautiful historical buildings and simply colorful houses located around the square, numerous souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes - all this attracts tourists who come here not only from all over Belgium, but also from all over the world.

All year round, day and night, the square has its own, bright and interesting life. Here you can order a portrait from a traveling artist, listen to street musicians play, and watch dance groups from different countries perform.

Before Christmas, a large outdoor skating rink is being set up at the Grote Markt - everyone can visit it for free, you just need to bring your skates.

It is from here, with the Market Square, famous far beyond the borders of Belgium, that most excursions begin, during which guides offer to explore the most famous sights of Bruges in one day.

Belfort Tower (Belfry) with bell tower

The first thing that attracts the attention of tourists who find themselves at the Grote Markt is the Belfort Tower, which is considered the historical and architectural symbol of the city of Bruges.

This building, reaching a height of 83 meters, has an interesting architectural design: its lower level in cross-section is a square, and the upper level is a polygon.

Inside the tower there is a narrow spiral staircase of 366 steps, rising to a small observation deck and a gallery with a bell. It will take a lot of time to visit the observation deck: firstly, going up and down the narrow stairs cannot be fast; secondly, the turnstiles operate on the principle: “one visitor leaves, one comes in.”

But those tourists who do go up to the observation deck of the tower can look at Bruges and its surroundings from a bird's eye view. The view is literally breathtaking, however, you need to choose the right day for this - without clouds, sunny!

By the way, it is best to time the ascent so that you are at the top by 15 minutes to any hour of the day - then you can not only hear the bells ringing, but also see how the musical mechanism works and how the hammers knock on the bells. There are 47 bells in the Belfort bell tower. Mary is the largest and oldest, it was cast back in the 17th century.

Visit the tower Belfort and you can look at Bruges from its height any day from 9:30 to 17:00, paying for entrance 10 €.

Town Hall (Stadhuis)

Burg Square

From the Belfort Tower there is a narrow street, following which you can go to the second city square - Burg Square. In terms of its beauty and tourist attendance, it is in no way inferior to the Market Square, and there is a lot to see in Bruges in one day.

In Burg Square, the Town Hall building, which houses the Bruges City Council, looks especially elegant. This building, built in the 15th century, is a worthy example of Flemish Gothic: light facades, tracery windows, small turrets on the roof, luxurious decor and ornaments. The town hall looks so impressive that it could decorate not only a small town, but also the capital of Belgium.

In 1895-1895, during the restoration, the Small and Large Halls of the municipality were combined into the Gothic Hall - meetings of the city council are now held there and marriages are registered. The Town Hall is open to tourists.

This building also houses the Bruges City Museum.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Burg Square

On Burg Square there is a religious building, famous not only in Bruges, but throughout Belgium - this is the Church of the Holy Blood of Christ. The church received this name due to the fact that it houses an important relic for Christians: a fragment of cloth with which Joseph of Arimathea wiped the blood from the body of Jesus.

The architectural design of the building is quite interesting: the lower chapel has a strict and heavy Romanesque style, and the upper one is made in the airy Gothic style.

Before visiting this shrine, it is advisable to find information in advance about where and what is located inside the building. In this case, it will be much easier to navigate and you will be able to see many interesting details.

Every day, at exactly 11:30, the priests bring out a piece of cloth with the blood of Jesus, placed in a beautiful glass capsule. Anyone can come and touch it, pray or just look.

Entrance to the basilica is free, but photography inside is prohibited.

Time to visit: Sunday and Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00, and from 14:00 to 17:00.

De Halve Maan Brewery Museum

There are unique museums and attractions in Bruges that will be not only interesting, but also delicious to visit! For example, the operating brewery De Halve Maan. For many centuries, since 1564, it has always been located in the historical center of the city on Walplein Square, 26. Inside there are several restaurant halls, an enclosed courtyard with tables, as well as a beer museum building with an observation deck equipped on the roof.

The tour lasts 45 minutes and is in English, French or Dutch. The entrance ticket costs about 10 €, and this price includes beer tasting - by the way, beer in Belgium is unique, but very tasty.

Excursions to De Halve Maan take place according to the following schedule:

in April - October from Monday to Friday and on Sunday every hour from 11:00 to 16:00, on Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00;
in November - March from Monday to Friday at 11:00 and at 15:00, on Saturday and Sunday every hour from 11:00 to 16:00;
The museum is closed on the following days: December 24 and 25, as well as January 1.

In Bruges (Belgium), sights related to brewing are not an isolated case. In the city center, at Kartuizerinnenstraat 6, there is another operating brewery - Bourgogne des Flandres.

Here you are allowed to watch the beer making process and conduct an interesting interactive tour. There are audio guides in different languages, in particular in Russian.

At the exit there is a good bar where, after the end of the tour, adult visitors are offered a glass of beer (the cost is included in the ticket price).

At the end of the excursion, everyone can receive an original souvenir reminiscent of Belgium and its delicious beer. To do this, you need to scan your ticket and take a photo. After a payment of 10 € is made at the checkout, the photo will be printed as a label and pasted onto the Burgun 0.75 bottle. A wonderful souvenir from Belgium!

Adult ticket will cost 10 €, for child – 7 €.

For tourist visits, the brewery the company is open every day of the week except Monday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Minnewater Lake

Lake Minnewater is a surprisingly pretty and incredibly romantic place in the Minnewaterpark. Everyone who comes here for a walk is immediately greeted by snow-white swans - a whole flock of 40 birds lives here. Residents of Bruges consider swans to be a symbol of their city; many local legends and traditions are associated with these representatives of birds.

It is best to visit the park and lake in the early morning, when there is not yet a large influx of tourists. At this time, here you can take a photo with a description as a souvenir of Bruges and its attractions - the photographs turn out very picturesque, like postcards.

Beguinage

Not far from the central part of the city (you can get there by carriage from the Market Square, or you can walk on foot) there is a quiet, cozy place - the Beguinage, a noble home-refuge for beguines.

To get to the Beguinage territory, you need to cross a small bridge. Behind it is a small chapel on the north side and a large one on the south, and between the chapels there are quiet streets with small white houses decorated with red roofs. There is also a modest park with huge old trees. The entire complex is surrounded by canals, in the waters of which swans and ducks constantly swim.

Currently, all the buildings of Beguinage are placed at the disposal of the convent of the Order of St. Benedicta.

The area is closing for tourists at 18:30.

What else can you see in Bruges in one day, if time allows?

Of course, when you arrive in Bruges, you want to see as many sights of this ancient city as possible. And if you managed to see everything recommended above in one day, and still have time left, in Bruges you will always find where to go and what to see.

So, what else to see in Bruges, if time permits? Although, perhaps it makes sense to stay here for another day or two?

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Groeningemuseum

At Dijver 12, close to the famous Bonifacius Bridge in Bruges, is the Gröninge Museum, founded in 1930. Tourists for whom “painting” is not just a word should definitely visit there and see the collections on display. The museum has many examples of Flemish painting dating from the 14th century, and especially the 15th-17th centuries. There are also works of Belgian fine art dating from the 18th to 20th centuries.

There is a museum Gröning every day of the week except Monday, from 9:30 to 17:00. The ticket costs 8 €.

Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

There are attractions in the city of Bruges that make it famous not only in Belgium, but throughout the world. We are talking about the Church of Our Lady, located on Mariastraat.

The architecture of this building harmoniously mixed features of Gothic and Romanesque styles. What makes the building especially impressive is the bell tower, which literally reaches into the sky with its top - this is not surprising at a height of 122 meters.

But what makes the Church of Our Lady famous is Michelangelo’s sculpture “Virgin Mary and Child” located on its territory. This is the only statue of Michelangelo taken outside of Italy during the Master’s lifetime. The sculpture is located quite far away, besides it is covered with glass, and it is most convenient to look at it from the side.

Entrance to the Church of Our Lady in Bruges is free. However, in order to approach the altar, admire the beautiful interior decoration, and also see the famous creation of Michelangelo, all tourists over 11 years old need to buy a ticket for 4 €.

Go inside the church Our Lady and you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary from 9:30 to 17:00.

St. John's Hospital (Sint-Janshospitaal)

St. John's Hospital is located near the Cathedral of Our Lady, at Mariastraat, 38. This hospital is considered the oldest in all of Europe: it was opened in the 12th century, and it operated until the mid-20th century. Now there is a museum here, and there are several thematic rooms.

On the ground floor there is an exhibition telling about the healing of the 17th century. Here you can see the first ambulance, visit the premises of an old pharmacy with portraits of its owners hanging on the walls. The museum has a collection of supplies for the pharmacy and hospital of that time, and most of these medical instruments inspire real horror in modern man. However, this part of the museum is a place of great interest to those interested in the Middle Ages.

On this same floor are six of the most iconic works by the famous Belgian artist Jan Memling, who lived in Bruges.

On the second floor there is a periodic exhibition called “Bruegel’s Witches”, which tells how the image of the witch has changed over time in Western European art. Here, if you wish, you can take original 3-D photographs in witch costumes, and there are costumes in children's sizes - there will be something to see in Bruges with children!

Museum in the former St. John's Hospital open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 to 17:00.

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Walking around Bruges, exploring its various attractions, one should not forget that there are beautiful, cozy parks here. In Koningin Astridpark it will be great to relax on comfortable benches, admire old tall trees, watch the ubiquitous ducks and swans, and look at the pond with a sculpture. And also remember the well-known film “Lie Down in Bruges”, some scenes of which were filmed in this city park.

Windmills

There is a wonderful place on the eastern outskirts of Bruges, in Kruisvest, where you can take a break from the landscapes of the medieval city in an almost rural idyll. A river, the absence of cars and crowds of people, a landscape with mills, a natural hill from which you can admire Bruges from afar. Of the four mills standing here, two are operational, and one can be seen from the inside.

And don’t be afraid that it’s a long way to get to the mills! You need to go from the city center in a northeast direction, and the journey will take only 15-20 minutes. On the way from Bruges, sights will be encountered literally at every step: ancient buildings, churches. You just need to be careful, not miss a single detail and read the signs on old buildings. And on the way to the mills there are several beer bars that are not indicated on tourist maps of the city - they are visited only by local residents.

Bruges (Belgium) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Bruges with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Bruges (Belgium)

Bruges is a city in Belgium in the historical region of West Flanders. This is a city of amazing architecture and charm, one of the most picturesque in Europe. Bruges is located 20 km from the North Sea coast near the border with the Netherlands, so the Dutch influence here is felt especially strongly in the language, cuisine, and architecture. The city's heyday during the Middle Ages left behind remarkable architecture and many attractions. The city seemed frozen on the border of past and present. Walking around it, you catch yourself thinking that you are in some kind of historical film or find yourself in the real Middle Ages. Speaking of the film, the famous film “Lie Down in Bruges” takes place here, which only added to the city’s popularity!

Bruges is located between the cities of Ghent (the capital of East Flanders) and Ostend (the largest Belgian city on the North Sea coast) on a plain. Bruges is often called the “Venice of the North” because three large canals connect here, so deep that even some ships can navigate them. The origin of the city is associated with the German word "Brücke", which means bridge. In the Middle Ages, fairs were held near the bridge. This name quickly passed on to the educated settlement.

general information

General information about the city of Bruges

Population - more than 110 thousand people.
There are 54 bridges in the city, 12 of them are made of wood.
Language - Dutch, French, German
Area - 138 sq. km.

Climate and best time to visit

The climate in Bruges is temperate. The distance from the North Sea is about fifteen kilometers. It is therefore not surprising that the city is heavily influenced by the sea. Usually there are fairly mild winters and moderate (not hot) summers. The weather is determined by the western and eastern fronts. The western front that dominates most of the year brings clouds and rain. The eastern front brings dry and warm weather in summer and cold, but not excessive, winter, usually without snowfall.

It rains quite often in Bruges, so be sure to take umbrellas or raincoats (jackets). The driest months are February and April. The rainiest months are October and November.

When is the best time to go to Bruges? Probably at any time of the year. The city is beautiful in any season and weather. But Bruges is especially beautiful during the Christmas holidays. Great time to visit is late spring and summer.

Practical information for tourists

In Bruges you can drink tap water.
Not all museums allow photography and video recording. Also, in some places you cannot take pictures with flash.
Tips are usually included in the bill. If you are satisfied with the service, you can leave an additional tip. It is enough to round the bill up.
The language in Bruges is Dutch with a Flemish dialect.
The main monetary unit is the euro.
Payment by card is possible in shops and restaurants. There may be a fee for withdrawing cash. Also, in some places (especially markets and small shops) cards are not accepted, so it is better to have some cash with you.
Bruges is a safe city. The only thing you really need to be wary of is pickpockets. Be alert and do not leave valuables unattended!
Markets are usually open from 8.00-13.30.
Tourist tax in Bruges is 2 euros per person per night.
To go to the toilet, you can go to any cafe/bar and buy something. There are several public toilets in the historical center, which are free.
In Belgium there is a ban on smoking in public places.
Alcohol is not sold to persons under 18 years of age.

How to get there?

Brussels International Airport is located an hour's drive from Bruges by train or car. It is also quite easy to get to Bruges from any major city in Belgium and the Netherlands. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Holland. You need to change planes in Antwerp.

Public transport

There is no tram line in Bruges, much less a metro. The main means of transportation, besides bicycles, are buses and trams. It is convenient and convenient for transportation to rent a bicycle or a horse-drawn carriage.

Food and drink in Bruges

Bruges has quite a lot of restaurants serving traditional and European cuisine, as well as famous fast foods. You should definitely try Flemish cuisine: stews, seafood, mussels. Beer lovers should pay attention to Brugse Zot and Kwak. The city has fine dining restaurants with Michelin stars, as well as fairly inexpensive pubs and cafes. It is clear that eating in the historical center will be more expensive than far from the tourist trails.

Saving money in Bruges

Bruges is not a cheap city. Prices become noticeably higher as you approach the historical center and popular tourist spots. This applies to accommodation, food, entertainment and parking. But you can save a little here too. If you don't want to spend too much money on food and drinks, you can eat away from the tourist routes or buy food at the market (or at large chain stores). If you want to save money on getting around the city, you can walk or rent a bicycle. To save on accommodation, we recommend booking hotel rooms and hotels during the “lowest” tourist seasons - February, March, October, November.

Shopping and purchases

Bruges is not only about interesting sights, museums and routes. These are also excellent opportunities for shopping and shopping. There are many interesting shops here, as well as stores of famous brands. The main shopping street is Steenstraat. Other popular shopping areas are Noordzandstraat, de Vlamingstraat, de Katelijnestraat and de Geldmuntstraat. Bruges is also one of the chocolate capitals of Europe. Those with a sweet tooth should check out the Katelijnestraat and the market square de Markt. Since this is where most of the chocolate shops are located.

Hotels and accommodation

There are quite a lot of hotels in Bruges of different price categories. Of course, it is best to book hotels in the historical center of the city. Rooms in them, of course, will be more expensive, especially in the “high season”. Be careful, not every hotel has good sound insulation. Therefore, it is better to avoid renting rooms that face noisy and crowded streets and squares. It is better to look for accommodation in advance to have more options.

Museums of Bruges

Bruges is a city of museums. Here are the most interesting of them:

Archaeological Museum - historical exhibitions related to the city and region. Address - Mariastraat 36 a, Brugge
Beer Museum - all about the history and intricacies of Belgian brewing. Address - Breidelstraat 3, Brugge
The Salvador Dali Museum and Gallery is a collection of graphic art by the famous artist. Address - Markt 7, Brugge
Diamond Museum - exhibitions of diamonds, diamond polishing technology, etc. Address - Katelijnestraat 43, Brugge
Groeningemuseum - overview of the history of Belgian art and the masterpieces of Flemish artists. Address - Dijver 12, Brugge
Gruuthusemuseum - palace of famous lords, rich collection of tapestries, lace, furniture and silverware. Address - Dijver 12, Brugge
The Torture Museum is an interesting collection of artifacts in one of the oldest prisons in Europe. Address - Wollestraat 29, Brugge
The Lamp Museum is the largest collection of lamps in the world from antique to modern. Address - Wijnzakstraat 2, Brugge

Story

The founding of Bruges dates back to the ninth century AD. The settlement was granted city status in 1128. Bruges quickly became an important trading center in Western Europe. This was facilitated by its advantageous strategic location at the intersection of northern Hanseatic trade and southern trade routes.

The city's golden age begins in the 12th century and continues until the 15th century. Bruges then had a population of nearly fifty thousand inhabitants, while Amsterdam was then a village of only about three thousand inhabitants. The presence of the Burgundian dynasty also had a huge positive impact on Bruges. A very important point was that the largest Flemish fairs were held here. Interestingly, the city authorities were quite enterprising. When the old fair system began to fail, Bruges traders began to use new forms of economic exchange - bills of exchange and letters of credit. The city has also always readily welcomed foreign traders.

The decline began in the 15th century, when the Zwin Canal, which literally cut off Bruges from the sea, began to silt up. The functions of the main port city were transferred to Antwerp. Attempts to restore the city to a dominant position in the 17th and 18th centuries were unsuccessful. Antwerp held its position firmly. The city's population declined rapidly from 200,000 inhabitants to 50,000 inhabitants by 1900.

Bruges failed to regain its position as the main trading center of Flanders, but it became a popular tourist destination in the early 20th century and remains so to this day! Yes, and the Second World War left almost no scars on the face of the city, so almost all historical buildings are original.

Sights of Bruges

The historic city center is the main attraction of Bruges. Walking through it, you get the impression that this is an open-air museum - ancient streets, charming squares and beautiful facades of buildings that seem frozen in the past. The sounds of horses that still walk the streets of Bruges and the small number of cars only enhance this feeling.

Another interesting attraction of Bruges are the famous canals. Thanks to them, the city is often called the “Venice of the North.” These waterways fit very organically into the architecture of the city, and the picturesque bridges and amazingly beautiful landscapes will definitely not leave you indifferent!

The most picturesque canals: Rozenhoedkaai, Groenerei and Minnewater.

Boniface Bridge is a surprisingly romantic place in Bruges. This small stone bridge, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is one of the youngest bridges in the city. It quickly gained popularity and became one of the calling cards of the city.

The Kruispoort city gate is an ancient gate from the early 15th century with two massive towers. The armies of Charles V and Napoleon passed through these gates.

The courthouse is a beautiful neo-Gothic building built in the late 19th century.

Tower of the Virgin - the 115.5 meter brick tower of the Virgin illustrates the skill of the builders of Bruges. The church displays a valuable collection of works of art: the world famous Madonna and Child by the brilliant Michelangelo, countless paintings from the 13th century, and the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold are located here.

The Market Square is the hallmark of Bruges. Beautiful ancient architecture and interesting sights attract many tourists to the square. The architecture is dominated by a high belfry.

Belfort Belfort

The belfry or bell tower of Belfort on the market square is one of the most recognizable symbols of Bruges. This is an 83 meter tower built in the 13th century. There are 47 bells in the bell tower. To get to the top you need to overcome 366 steps. But it's worth it! From here you have a beautiful view of the old city!

Jan van Eyck Square is a charming square in Bruges that is named after the famous artist born in Bruges.

Other interesting sights:

The Town Hall is one of the oldest town halls in Western Europe, existing for more than 6 centuries. This is a beautiful Gothic building with beautiful halls.
Right on the corner of Jan van Eyck Square there is a remarkable building with a striking tower, built at the end of the 14th century and used to serve as a meeting place for merchants.
Prinsenhof is the palace of a favorite of the Burgundian court in the 14th century.
Boechoute House is a 15th century building in the corner of the market square with a clock mechanism.
The Barge Bridge is a striking example of asymmetrical architecture.

St. Anne's Church is a simple 17th-century Gothic church that surprises with its rich Baroque interior.
St Giles' Church is a fine example of brick Gothic, built in the 13th century. The interior is made in neo-Gothic style.
St. John's Mill is an ancient mill, the only one in Bruges that is open to the public and has retained its original location and can still grind grain.
The Saint Sebastian building is the building of the archers' guild, whose history goes back 600 years.
The seminary is a 17th-century Cistercian abbey, a unique green spot in the middle of stone Bruges.
St James's Church - The modest chapel of St James, built in the 13th century, became a large church in the 15th century. The church is famous for its many art treasures received from the city's rich people.

Video about Bruges

For those who are planning to visit the glorious city of Bruges, this post will be very useful. I’ll take a little break from personal diaries and do some socially useful work. Joke! But there is so much truth in it... In general, let's decide where and what attractions there are in Bruges, which route is best to take a walk, what you must see in Bruges, and what you can skip. And here many will find the answer to the question: “How many days to spend in Bruges?” I think the answer to another question like “Is it worth going to Bruges” has long been answered :)

As soon as we arrived in Bruges, a guidebook in Russian was purchased at the nearest souvenir shop - a necessary and vital thing for those who prefer to explore the sights on their own while traveling. We will not retell the text of the guidebook here, we must respect the work of the creators, I will say one thing - it is written quite interestingly, a lot of colorful photos, full of useful information. Author Simon Sauer, cost approximately 7 euros.

For this post, I borrowed two maps of walking tour routes around the sights of Bruges from the guidebook, I think the authors won’t mind much, given my reviews :)

So, two different routes. The first can be considered a “mandatory tourist program”, the second is optional. We were in Bruges for three days, we had enough time to explore both routes and still have time to visit the museums.

The first route “Famous Bruges” starts from the Markt and ends there.

However, if you came to Bruges for just one day, and even by train (central station, point 26 on the map), then start exploring the Cathedral of Sint Salvador (27) and beyond. The route will end right at the station. However, everything is clearly visible on the map (the picture can be enlarged):

Second route “Little-known Bruges”:

We also walked along the second route, which, perhaps, evokes less enthusiastic feelings, but nevertheless is also interesting and leaves a lot of impressions.

Well, now you know what to see in Bruges and which routes are worth walking along. How long to spend in Bruges? From one day to the rest of your life :) I would personally recommend coming for at least a couple of days.

Update! Continued: Walk along the canals and the Belfort watchtower

, Belgium: description, photo, where it is on the map, how to get there

Bruges historic city center- a unique example of a medieval settlement, the most important part of the city’s identity. Bruges is not just one of the most beautiful historical cities in Belgium, but also a city that was once the commercial and cultural capital of Europe. It is included in 1000 popular places in the world according to our website.

This charming city with medieval buildings attracts tourists like a magnet.

Geographically, it is located approximately 100 km from Brussels. Trains depart from the capital's airport every 30 minutes to Bruges. Travel time is about 1.5 hours.

The architectural monuments of Bruges mean a lot both for Belgium and for the whole of Europe. Sometimes this city is called the “Second Venice”. It does not have the notorious skyscrapers, modern highways or shopping centers. Filled with fairy-tale houses reminiscent of Flemish lace, it seems frozen in the 15th century. Numerous canals and narrow streets run along its perimeter.

Outwardly, it seems that the whole city is sleeping peacefully, except for the center. In the very heart of the city, life is in full swing. There are interested tourists, medieval horse-drawn carriages, lively fairs on the Grote Markt, and annual festivals. Geographically, the historical center of Bruges is divided into two parts: Markt and Burg. If one of them contains shopping malls, then the other contains objects of national importance.

One of the most interesting sights of the city is the Belfort watchtower (XIII century), with 366 steps leading to the observation deck. Another popular attraction is the ancient Church of Our Lady, which seamlessly combines ancient elements with modern technology. It is noteworthy that the development of Flemish painting is closely connected with Bruges.

Photo attraction: Bruges historical center

Bruges historic city center

Belfort Bell Tower

The historical center of Bruges on the map:

Bruges on the map of Belgium

City of Bruges, look where it is Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium on a map of Belgium. Use the search to look at another city on the world map.