Créé par Emilie, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
© Shutterstock
The city of Bruges is located in the Flemish part of Belgium, where inhabitants speak Belgian Dutch. This medieval city will give you the impression of taking a leap back in time with its canals, typical town and small alleys... The one nicknamed the Venice of the North has the means to pleasantly surprise you whether you stay with family, friends or as a couple!
To help you prepare your trip, here's a small guide of the unmissable stages of the city of Bruges.
Discover Bruges: its monuments, history and secrets.
Bruges is a historic city known for its canals, churches and ancient buildings. It was classified as UNESCO World Heritage in 2000. Bruges is a popular destination for tourists who also come to taste its culinary specialties.
Among the main tourist sites in Bruges, we can mention:
- The Market Square with its belfry,
- The Saint-Sauveur Cathedral,
- The Gruuthuse Castle,
- The Groeninge Museum.
The city is also known for its canals that wind through the city center and offer a beautiful view of the ancient buildings. It's impossible to visit Bruges and not enjoy a ride on the canals, the Venice of the North has so much to offer!
To learn more about the history of Bruges, you must visit the Historium Museum located in a magnificent building where films, special effects, music and virtual reality plunge you directly into the heart of the city's history in sumptuous settings. The museum presents a permanent exhibition on the city's history, as well as a collection of religious art.
Bruges is also known for its culinary specialties, such as grey shrimp croquettes, Ghent waterzooi, Flemish carbonnade, chocolate and beer.
The best activities to do in Bruges.
Bruges is a magnificent city known for its medieval architecture and canals. There are also many gardens and parks perfect for relaxing after a long day of visiting. Here are some of the best activities to do in Bruges:
1 – The museums of Bruges
- The Groeninge Museum: It presents a collection of Flemish art from the 14th to the 20th century.
- The Chocolate Museum of Bruges: An excellent choice if you have children, as they will be able to learn everything there is to know about chocolate, from manufacturing to tasting.
2 – A ride on the canals of Bruges
One of the best ways to see Bruges is to take a cruise on the city's canals.
You can admire the magnificent buildings along the canals, while enjoying interesting commentary on the history of Bruges. Cruises lasting from one hour to a full day.
3 – Beer
Belgium is known for its beer, and Bruges has many breweries where you can taste the best Belgian beers.
The Brasserie De Halve Maan is a family brewery that produces a blonde beer called Brugse Zot, while the Brouwerij Lindemans brewery produces a fruity beer called Kriek.
There are also many beer bars in Bruges where you can taste beers from breweries around the world.
4 – Shopping in Bruges
There are many designer, jewelry and clothing shops in Bruges, but also many shops where you can find typical souvenirs from Bruges such as: chocolates, beers, trinkets...
Where to eat and drink in Bruges?
Bruges has many restaurants and bars where it's good to eat and drink. Most establishments are located in the city center near the main tourist sites.
The restaurants offer varied cuisine, ranging from traditional Belgian cuisine to international cuisine. There's something for all tastes and budgets. For beer lovers, Bruges is also an ideal city. The city has many breweries and beer bars where you can taste the best Belgian beers. Most bars also offer simple but tasty cuisine, perfect to accompany beers.
If you're looking for a good restaurant for lunch or dinner, here are some suggestions:
- Restaurant Den Dyver, located right in the city center, it offers traditional Belgian cuisine in a warm atmosphere.
- Restaurant La Cuisine, located a few minutes walk from the city center, it offers refined cuisine in an elegant setting.
- Restaurant L'Estaminet, located in the Dijver district, it offers traditional Belgian cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
- Restaurant Bierbrasserie Cambrinus, located in the city center, this tavern is renowned for its beers (400) and its simple but tasty cuisine.
- Restaurant Biercafé De Gouden Boom, located in the Dijver district, it's a beer bar renowned for its wide selection of beers and traditional Belgian cuisine.
Where to sleep in Bruges?
Visitors to Bruges are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. Most hotels in Bruges are located in the city center, close to all the main attractions.
For those looking for more affordable accommodation, there are many youth hostels and other budget accommodations in the city. Campsites are not so numerous in the region, but there are a few outside of Bruges.
Among the most popular hotels in Bruges, we can mention:
- Hotel Heritage,
- Hotel Dukes' Palace,
- Hotel Prinsenhof.
These hotels all offer comfortable rooms and high-end amenities, but their price can be quite high.
Youth hostels often offer dormitory beds at very affordable prices, but rooms can be a bit noisy and amenities may not be as luxurious as those in hotels.
There are also some budget pensions and guesthouses in downtown Bruges.
Camping Ter Heide is about 10 minutes by car from downtown Bruges and offers spacious pitches for tents and caravans. Camping Vosseslag is a bit further away, about 20 minutes by car from Bruges, but it's surrounded by forests and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Discover the surroundings of Bruges: villages and tourist sites not to be missed.
For those who want to explore the surroundings of Bruges, there are many possibilities. The city of Bruxelles is only an hour away by train, and offers many attractions, such as the Grand-Place, the Comic Strip Museum and the Brussels Zoo.
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the many trails in the Soignes forest, located a few kilometers from Bruges.
There are many villages and tourist sites not to be missed. Damme and Sluis are two pretty little towns to visit, they are easily accessible by bus or train from Bruges.