Bruges

In the 2nd century AD there was a Gallo-Roman settlement, but the city got its foundations in the 9th century when the Vikings landed. The name Brugge indeed likely comes from the Old Norse "bryggja", translating to harbor or jetty, and was first mentioned between 850 and 875. During the following centuries there were strong connections to the north, and Bruges became one of the trading points of the Hanseatic League. Interestingly, the historical Hanseatic harbour of Bergen is also known as Bryggen.

Bruges became the capital of Flanders in 1089, and an 1134 storm created the tidal canal Zwin, improving the connection to the sea. As such the city developed into the economic capital of northwestern Europe in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, and this was the golden age of the city. This age saw the construction of many of the city's impressive old buildings, and its second city wall. The world's first stock exchange was formed, the Waterhalle was a lively trading place, and the city of 46,000 inhabitants was a home to painters, architects and other artists and the Duke of Burgundy set up one of his courts here.

The death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482 marked the beginning of the end of the golden days. The royal family soon left, nearby Antwerp became a more important trading point, silting eventually made the Zwin unusable, and the Spanish rule from 1592 to 1713 during which several wars were fought in the region all made the city one of the poorest, rather than richest cities in the region. The city changed hands between the Austrians, French and Dutch before becoming part of the independent Belgium in 1830.

The Industrial Revolution didn't bring much industry to Bruges. Ironically, the poverty that characterized Bruges in the 19th century is one reason the town's historic architecture is so well-preserved: there was usually simply no budget to modify the town on a large scale. However, in the 1890s two events revived interest in the city; on the cultural side the novel Bruges-la-Morte by Georges Rodenbach and on the economic side the construction of the Port of Zeebrugge, one of Western Europe's most important freight ports today. A canal from Zeebrugge to Bruges, the 12-km-long Boudewijnkanaal, was finished in 1905. Also, the 1902 art exhibition of Flemish Primitives (Early Netherlandish painting) helped re-establish Bruges as a cultural center.

However, of much greater significance in shaping the town's highly touristic character, is of course the historical architecture found in virtually the entire historic city centre. Although many monuments and other buildings in the town centre have medieval origins, referring to Bruges as a 'medieval' town is inaccurate, considering most of the architecture in the historic centre dates to the 17th century and later, with many buildings (such as the old Town Hall at Burg square) having undergone serious neogothic-style renovations, chiefly under the influence of the architect Louis Delacenserie (1838-1909). Surviving both world wars mostly intact, the old town was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2000 and two years later it held the title as the European Cultural Capital.

Even by Belgian standards, Bruges has a poor reputation for its weather. Compared to other western European cities like London and Paris, the weather in Bruges is colder and damper. Even in July and August, average daily maximum temperatures struggle to exceed 21°C (70°F) and rainfall averages 203 mm (8 in) a month. In autumn, temperatures drop off quite rapidly and winter months are damp and chilly.

The summer visitor should always be prepared for rain in Bruges, as warm and sunny weather is not constant during that season. The daily and monthly temperature variations are quite small; average highs and average lows don't exceed a range of 9°C (or 16°F).

Bruges shares its airport with Ostend (OST ^IATA). The Ostend-Bruges International Airport has a long runway and a seaside location providing for a picturesque approach, but its passenger traffic is pretty much limited to seasonal flights to holiday destinations. It is also a major hub for cargo airlines, so planespotters may find it of interest.

More viable as a point of entry is the Brussels National Airport (BRU ^IATA), Belgium's largest, as well as Charleroi (CRL ^IATA Brussels South) and Lille (LIL ^IATA), so getting to Bruges by train is by far the easiest way. Only one change at one of the three main stations is needed and the entire connection takes about 1½ hr.

Travelling to Bruges on Belgium's excellent rail system is a natural choice. Trains to and from Brussels leave every 30min to 🌍 Brugge station during the day. The journey from Brussel-Zuid (Dutch) or Bruxelles-Midi (French) to Bruges takes about an hour. You can also travel from Brussels-Central or Brussels-North on the same line, and trains travelling to Bruges are travelling in the direction of any coastal station except De Panne (so any train to Ostend / Oostende, Knokke or Blankenberge is fine). If you're travelling on the Eurostar that same day, this cost may be included in your ticket if it shows "Any Belgian Station". Otherwise, buy a ticket when you get to the station. Luggage lockers are available 06:00-22:00. For more information on schedules, prices, and services visit the website of the NMBS/SNCB. Note that there are first and second class seats. To identify them, look for a number next to a "no smoking" sign somewhere in the wagon. For groups of travellers under 25, a 10-ride card might be the cheapest, that offers 10 pre-paid rides between any Belgian train stations.

Be aware that trains are often full to and from Bruges, especially during rush hours, so if you or your travel companions have any problems with mobility you could be standing the whole trip or at best sitting in the entry area of the carriage. There isn't really any solution to this during the tourist season when Bruges is wall to wall people.

From the train station of Lille Flanders, there are hourly trains to Bruges. Though crossing the boundary might result in non-available reductions (s.a. the 10-ride card).

From the railway station, all hotels are easily reachable on foot, it can also be done with a backpack. However, if you have a suitcase consider taking a taxi because the cobbled streets make the use of wheeled suitcases or carry-on bags very difficult. Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes, because of the cobblestones.

Buses and camping vehicles are not allowed within the city centre. There is a perfect parking place for them on the south side of the city with a newly designed gangway bringing you directly into the heart of the town. It is in general a bad idea to venture inside with a car, as parking is limited and finding your way difficult. There are multi-storey car parks a five-minute walk from the city centre. Nice city mini-buses cruise the town with high frequency, and in any case, the historical centre must be traversed on foot, by bicycle, by horse-drawn carriage or by boat to enjoy it.

DFDS Seaways operates ferries from Dover to Dunkirk every 2 hr. From Dunkirk, Bruges is 75 km away. This can only be done by driving as they do not take foot passengers. A DFDS ferry to Holland from Newcastle sails daily. From its port in IJmuiden, Amsterdam you can reach Bruges is less than 3 hr by car.

The ferry from Kingston upon Hull to Zeebrugge was axed in 2021.

Virtually all dock at the major harbour of Zeebrugge. In addition to ship's tours, most offer shuttles to Blankenberge, a nearby town offering economical, hourly train service to Bruges, which is 20 minutes or so away.

• 🌍 Kruispoort (Cross Gate), Langestraat. Part of the second city ramparts of 1297. The current gate dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. 
• 🌍 Smedenpoort (Blacksmith's Gate), Smedenstraat. The first gate was built in 1297-1299 but was rebuilt in 1376-1378. After that there were several changes to the building. The gate is completely surrounded by water. A renovation in 2009 made the gate look shining again. 
• 🌍 Ezelpoort (Donkey Gate), Ezelstraat. Just like the Smedenpoort, this gate is completely surrounded by water. Nowadays the gate is only used by pedestrians and cyclists. The gate previously also was called the Oostendsche Poort (Ostend Gate) since the road through the gate lead to Ostend. 
• 🌍 Gentpoort (Ghent Gate), Gentpoortstraat. One of the four remaining city gates of the second city ramparts of 1297. In the gate building is housed a museum. 

Musea Brugge Card covers Groeninge Museum, Belfort (Belfry), Stadhuis (City Hall), Sint-Janshuis Mill etc.

Chocolate shops are plentiful and the standard is always high. Word on the street is, that you can get anything covered in chocolate and moulded. A few chocolate shops also let you have a seat an order a homemade chocolate milk or other drink. There is a particularly vast number of chocolate shops at the Katelijnestraat.

• 🌍 Stef's, Breidelstraat 18 (between Markt and Burg). A fairly cheap option. (updated Aug 2020)
• 🌍 Chocolatier Van Oost, Wollestraat 11. If you are willing to spend a little more, Chocolatier Van Oost on Wollestraat is a must for high-quality artisanal chocolate. (updated Aug 2020)

• 🌍 Dumon, Eiermarkt 6, ☏ +32 50 34 62 82. Excellent, very high-end chocolate creations. They also make chocolate drinks. 
• 🌍 Het Chocoladehuisje, Wollestraat 15, ☏ +32 50 34 02 50. Artisan chocolates. Place where you can buy the original chocolate breasts. Has a nice piece in their window on special occasions. 
• 🌍 The Chocolate Line, Simon Stevinplein 19, ☏ +32 50 34 10 90. Almost always has original and funny chocolate-art in their window. Run by a (locally) famous chocolatier, Dominique Persoone. Fame comes with a price: The Chocolate Line is quite expensive compared to the many other chocolate stores in Bruges. (updated Jun 2017)

For those who do not wish to buy chocolate in the chocolate shops, the local supermarkets also sell a good variety of mass-produced chocolate at fairly low prices. For the frugal, you can buy 100-200 g gourmet bars of chocolate for about €1 each. Good brands to buy are Côte-d'Or and Jacques, both are Belgian.

If you don't want anything more than a sampling of the most famous Belgian beers, supermarkets (not night shops!) are probably your best choice. They even have gift packs with glasses. There are also many boutique-style beer shops that sell high-quality gift packs of Belgian beer, as well as beer-focused cafés (such as 't Brugs Beertje which has over 300 different types of beer to offer).

There are plenty of arts and crafts shops too, with some excellent local artists. The lacework is risky: if everything sold was produced locally, the entire town would be working in the lace industry! There is a school for lace though, where you can still get "the real thing".

Most European tourists come for the weekend, so shops are open Tuesday through Sunday, but many shops and museums are closed on Mondays. Be sure to plan ahead.

• 🌍 Rombaux, Mallebergplaats 13, ☏ +32 50 33 25 75. A record, guitar and piano store, run by a friendly family in a landmark building, incredible atmosphere with a huge collection of jazz, classical but also modern records. They further have a guitar and piano instrument department and a good collection of sheet music. (updated Sep 2021)

• 🌍 Books & Brunch, Garenmarkt 30, ☏ +32 50 70 90 79. Tu-F 08:30-18:00, Sa 09:00-18:00. An ideal combo of second hand book store and a brunch/dessert-eatery (but you can just have a cup of coffee or a tea too). (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 The Olive Street Food, Wollestraat 12, ☏ +32 50 41 50 96. W-M 12:00-20:30. An authentic Greek takeaway place just a minute of walking away from the Belfry/Grote Markt. They offer food that is not only well-seasoned and extraordinarily savoury, but also very affordable, especially compared to other places to eat at in the Bruges' historical centre. €6.5 for a medium-sized wrap, €11 for a larger box of food (Sept 2021). (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Brasserie Medard, Sint-Amandsstraat 18, ☏ +32 50 34 86 84. Huge deal for low budget just near the centre: a mountain of (tasty) spaghetti with tomato sauce, cheese, and mushrooms for €3. Two options on the menu: vegetarian, non-vegetarian - both at the same price. Double its size for just €2 extra. Very cheap beer too (kriek at €1.50) (all prices as of July 2010). Most tables order the spaghetti. Tourists aren't welcome until they sit: be sure to sit down and impose your presence to be served. If you wait to be seated, you are likely to be sent away for no reason. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Le Pain Quotidien, Simon Stevinplein 15, ☏ +32 50 34 29 21. A sandwich chain founded in Brussels but now found in the US, France and a number of other countries. Most of the food is organic, and the sandwiches (in particular the Tartine Bouef Basilic) are delicious. Somewhat expensive. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 The Potato Bar, Sint-Amandsstraat 31, ☏ +32 50 33 91 19. One of the better fries shops (frietkoten/frituren) Bruges has to offer. Both classic fries with mayonnaise as well as burgers and fries with a variety of toppings available. Vegetarian options. €3-4.5 for fries with toppings, €8-11 for a burger (Sept 2021). (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Cropains, Geldmuntstraat 21. Not much indoor seating, but delicious "croque monsieurs" (grilled sandwiches) and wraps, with vegetarian options. €6-€8 for a grilled sandwich or wrap. (updated Aug 2022)

• 🌍 Brasserie Forestière, Academiestraat 11. Nice and calm restaurant, good food, not too expensive. Good menu for vegetarians. Meal of the day (soup, main dish, dessert or coffee/tea) costs €14 (May 2019) although this is the cheapest menu it has little choice. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 L'Estaminet, Park 5, cafelestaminet@telenet.be. Good food, nice terrace, cool bartender. Try the renowned spaghetti for €8 or the delicious croque monsieur. 
• 🌍 De Bottelier, Sint-Jakobsstraat 63. A favourite restaurant of many of Bruges' residents. Very reasonable prices and excellent food. Closed Sunday and Monday nights. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Tom's Diner, West Gistelhof 23. Fantastic upmarket take on satisfying, home cooked food. Prices are reasonable, as well. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Petite Aneth, Maria van Bourgondiëlaan 1, ☏ +32 50 31 11 89. With only 7 tables, small and cosy, with a personal touch. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Cambrinus, Philipstockstraat 19 (near the market place), ☏ +32 5033 2328. 11:00-23:00 daily. This is a very popular place, and for a reason. They have some of the best selection of Belgian beers, more than 440 in total. Some beers have really odd names like Satan, Lucifer, Nostradamus, or the Brunette. It's primarily a restaurant though, as all their hearty food are prepared with a special kind of beer. It's really delicious. Mains go for €17-19, but they also have the €26 prix fixe "Menu van de Brouwer", which features several Trappist beers. Make a reservation in advance, as else they might not have any seats available. €25-30. 
• 🌍 Grand Cafe Passage, Dweersstraat 26, ☏ +32 5034 0232. Attached to the Passage hotel/hostel (see below) is the atmospheric Grand Café, serving traditional Belgian cuisine and beers. Prices are slightly lower than the tourist traps and well worth it. Try the beef stew (very tender) or the ribs. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Trattoria Trium, Academiestraat 27, ☏ +32 50333060. This is a great spot to have a nice dish of pasta or pizza and is fully Italian. They also sell olive oil, pasta sauces and other authentic products. The decor has a warm home feeling. Try out their antipasto and the excellent house wine. €15-20. 
• 🌍 Curiosa, Vlamingstraat 22 (just off the main square), ☏ +32 50 34 23 34. A good place for a lunch and a beer. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Maximiliaan van Oostenrijk, Wijngaardplein 16, ☏ +32 50 33 47 23. Midrange restaurant offering plenty to eat including oysters and meat cooked several ways plus, of course, frites. There is not much for vegetarians. (updated Aug 2022)

• 🌍 In 't Nieuw Museum, Hooistraat 42, ☏ +32 50331280. Belgian grill restaurant, well off the tourist track. Excellent steaks, reasonable prices. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Kok au Vin, Ezelstraat 19/21, ☏ +32 50 33 95 21. Memorable Kok au Vin (both the appetiser and the restaurant); the prices are reasonable for the high quality. Family owned and run. Reservations recommended. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Den Gouden Harynck, Groeninge 25, ☏ +32 50337637. Gastronomic restaurant which offers three course meals. (updated Jul 2022)

• 🌍 Camping Memling, Veltemweg 109, ☏ +32 50 35 58 45. The only camping-site in Bruges, 3.2 km from the Markt. 
• 🌍 Lybeer Travellers' Hostel, Korte Vuldersstraat 31, ☏ +32 50 33 43 55. In the city centre. Has a mixture of private rooms and dorms. Good common area and bar. Pub crawls and beer tasting are available. 
• 🌍 Passage, Dweerstraat 26, ☏ +32 50 34 02 32, info@passagebruges.com. Very clean and quiet, centrally located Hotel/Hostel with a restaurant-bar downstairs. The name "Passage" comes from the little alley-way right next to the building which you have to pass through in order to reach the reception. Prices for the hostel are around €14 and breakfast costs an extra €5. 
• 🌍 Snuffel Backpacker Hostel, Ezelstraat 47-49, ☏ +32 5033 3133, info@snuffel.be. Check-out: 10:00. Friendly, a straight line from the central Markt and cheap. Breakfast is included and cheap internet available, with free Wi-Fi. And the bunk beds have ladders. Live music on regular basis, in the bar with the cheapest beers in town where tourists and locals get together! €15. 
• 🌍 St Christopher’s @ The Bauhaus Hostel, 133-137 Langestraat (Métro: Crimée), ☏ +32 5034 1093, fax: +32 5034 1093, info@bauhaus.be. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Part of the St. Christopher's Inn hostel chain. Beds include locker, privacy curtain, reading lights and individual power-points. €16. 

• 🌍 Atlas Guesthouse, Zevenbergenlaan 1, ☏ +32 494 39 32 94, info@atlasguesthouse.be. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Located between the forest and the historic city of Bruges, this cottage offers spacious accommodation with modern facilities including free Wi-Fi. Atlas Guesthouse has bicycles available to rent and a large terrace with a barbecue. Flat-screen cable TV with a DVD player is provided in the living room which includes a large sofa. The cottage features a kitchen with a hob and an oven. Atlas Guesthouse also has a washing machine and a bathroom with a bath/shower combination. For stays longer than 4 days guests benefit from a 15% discount on the price. From €85 per night for a double room. 
• 🌍 Aquarius Guestroom, Witte-Beerstraat 31, ☏ +32 50 31 19 26. 
• 🌍 Hotel Acacia, Korte Zilverstraat 3A-5, ☏ +32 50 34-44-11, fax: +32 50 33-88-17, info@hotel-acacia.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Ideal location behind the Market Square and Belfry (car free area) situated between the two main shopping streets of Bruges. Free wifi, a cosy lounge and terrace. Must see the parrot Coco who greets the guests every day! From €98 per night for a double room. 
• 🌍 Asinello B&B, Ezelstraat 59a, ☏ +32 478 38 86 47. Check-out: 11:00. Lovely bed & breakfast with 3 private rooms, each with their own bathroom. A hammam is also onsite. This is a great option for a romantic weekend. €100-150. 
• 🌍 De Notelaar, Schaakstraat 17, ☏ +32 50 37 31 97. Bed and breakfast outside of the city centre. 
• 🌍 Eleven B&B, Elf-Julistraat 37, ☏ +32 475 59 51 49. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. They can host up to 11 people, ideal for families, ask to cook you their lobster meal. €70-140. 
• 🌍 Hotel De Tuilerieën, Dijver 7, ☏ +32 50 34 36 91. Famous hotel. 
• 🌍 Hotel de Goezeput, Goezeputstraat 29, ☏ +32 50342694, info@hotelgoezeput.be. Modern and comfortable rooms in a traditional building. Relatively close to the station. €60 for a single. 
• 🌍 Hotel 't Keizershof, Oostmeers 126, ☏ +32 50 34 26 94, info@hotelkeizershof.be. On a quiet street near the station, has rooms starting at €50 and is not far from the centre. Basic breakfast is available. 
• 🌍 Hotel Salvators, St.-Salvatorskerkhof 17, ☏ +32 50 33 19 21, fax: +32 50 33 94 64, hotel@hotelsalvators.be. Quirky art hotel in the centre, next to St Salvators Church. This traditional Bruges townhouse has been thoughtfully renovated, with each of the rooms decorated in its own style. Some of the rooms have en-suite jacuzzi, and some sleep up to 5 people. The hotel offers internet access and cycle hire for guests. From €70 per night for a double room. 
• 🌍 Hotel Asiris, Lange Raamstraat 9, ☏ +32 50 34 17 24. A restored patrician residence in the shadow of the 15th century St-Gillis church, with 13 rooms, €75 for a double room. You can also reserve a parking place for €15 / night. 
• 🌍 Hotel 't Voermanshuys, Oude Burg 14, ☏ +32 5034 1396. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:30. Clean, spacious rooms in the centre. Very friendly staff and includes a substantial breakfast. €60 for a double with shared toilet/shower. 
• 🌍 Hotel Prinsenhof, Ontvangersstraat 9, ☏ +32 5034 2690, fax: +32 5034 2321, info@prinsenhof.com. This elegant and friendly four star hotel is perfectly situated near the Grand Place & historic town centre of Bruges, with secure private parking. From €189. 
• 🌍 Hotel Bliss, 't Zand 21. Check-in: 15.00, check-out: 11.00. Small hotel with 19 rooms, situated in centre. It is easily reached via the E40 (exit8) and you will find the hotel right opposite the main exit of the underground car-park. 
• 🌍 Hotel Floris Karos (address=), Hoefijzerlaan 37, ☏ +32 50 34 14 48. 3 star hotel a few minutes away from market square. €71. 
• 🌍 NH Hotel Brugge, Boeveriestraat 2, ☏ +32 50 44 97 11. Good food and comfortable beds near to parking on the inner ring road, the concert hall and main bus station, in an attractive and completely modernised old building. The staff are obliging and helpful and food is excellent at all meals. Salads, main courses and desserts were all a delight, with the desserts scoring particularly high for attractive presentation. If there was a weak spot, it was the quality of the orange juice at breakfast. Rooms are spacious, perhaps 50m² or more and the beds have crisp white sheets, duvets and comfortable mattresses. Wireless internet in the rooms needs an Orange subscription but this is modestly priced compared to many hotels. However, some rooms did not seem to have good Wi-Fi reception. 
• 🌍 Hotel Monsieur Maurice, Leeuwstraat 8 (next to Leeuwebrug), ☏ +32 50 61 63 60. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Within the oldest ramparts of the medieval city, in the heart of the city, but in the middle of a green area. dbl €125 (Breakfast and taxes included). 
• 🌍 Hotel Ter Reien, Langestraat 1 (Located on the Groenerei canal, just east of the town centre.), ☏ +32 50 34 91 00. 
• 🌍 Ibis Brugge Centrum, Katelijnestraat 65, ☏ +32 50 337575, H1047@ACCOR.COM. This chain hotel is conveniently located and comfortable. (updated Nov 2015)

• 🌍 Boniface Hotel, Groeninge 4, ☏ +32 50 49 00 49, fax: +32 50 49 00 46, info@bonifacius.be. The charm of a private home and the comfort of a deluxe hotel. 
• 🌍 Hotel The Pand, Pandreitje 16, ☏ +32 5034 0666, fax: +32 5034 0556, info@pandhotel.com. Located in an 18th-century building. 
• 🌍 Canalside House, Groeninge 16, ☏ +32 50 977 900, info@canalsidehouse.be. Built in the 17th century as a gracious townhouse, it now provides the guests two luxurious suites with unrivalled panoramic view of the canal and the imposing church of Our Lady's. €191. 
• Novotel Brugge. The Novotel forms a complex with the Ibis, cleverly hidden within the very heart of the old town of Brugge, and offering the usual Novotel family-friendly facilities, including even a small outdoor pool. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Crowne Plaza Brugge, Burg 10, ☏ +32-50-446844, hotel@cpbrugge.com. A regular Crowne Plaza with some top-level rooms under sloping wooden roofs. Room rates from €120. (updated Sep 2020)