Known as “the Venice of the North”, Bruges is a delightful medieval city with a unique feel. Many visitors come here on day-trips from Brussels, but the reality is that there is far too much to see in just one day. The city boasts a rich combination of history and Flemish architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
After a spell in the doldrums in the late 19th century, the city was given a huge boost by the publicity generated by Georges Rodenbach’s novel "Bruges la Morte". From there it grew to become the dynamic tourist centre we know today, boasting a maze of quaint streets, stunning architecture, delightful restaurants and bars and a myriad of imposing historical monuments.
Brussels National Airport is the closest international airport to Bruges, and is located 8 miles from Brussels city centre. Brussels airport is a major international transport hub and connects to a vast number of cities across Europe and beyond.
To get to Bruges from Brussels airport you can take a train to any of the main train stations in Brussels (Nord, Centrale and Midi), all of which have connecting train services to Bruges.
An alternative way of travelling to Brussels is by Eurostar, which offers a high-speed passenger train from London (St Pancras International station) to central Brussels via the Channel Tunnel. There are departures throughout the day, with a journey time of 1 hour 50 minutes
The city can be visited at all times of the year. However, if you would rather not share the city with throngs of other visitors, it’s best to go before Easter. It can get extremely crowded between April and September, particularly during the height of summer, at weekends and during school holidays.
Another very busy time is during the famous procession of the Holy Blood in early May - one of the oldest religious events in the world, which attracts thousands of spectators.
Probably the best time to visit is during spring or autumn when it isn't too chilly and you don't have to fight for breathing space. You should also be aware that many of the city’s sights are closed on Mondays.
A central hub of activity in Bruge is the Market Square. Located in the medieval commercial centre of the city, and boasting a multitude of cafes and restaurants, this is a great spot for people watching. On Wednesday mornings, the square lives up to its name by hosting a street market.
The Belfry Museum, one of the city's most impressive monuments, can be found on the square. Dating back to the 13th century, it towers above the square and is well worth climbing the 366 steps to the top to enjoy the superb views over the city.
The city’s other main square, the Burg, is the historical centre of Bruges and boasts several splendid buildings, including the Stadhuis (the oldest town hall in the country), the Court of Justice, the impressive Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Reanaissance Recorder’s House.
For culture vultures, the Groeninge Museum contains a fabulous collection of Flemish art dating back to the 15th century. The collections include works by such famous names as Jan van Eyck, Hieronymous Bosch and Marcel Broodthaers, as well as Renaissance, baroque and modern works.
Bruges' main shopping streets are between Markt Square and the old city gates, with many international brand high-street names to be found here. In the centre there are also a number of shopping galleries, including Zilverpand, Ter Steeghere and De Gouden Boom. A vast amount of shops offering lace and chocolate can also be found all over the city centre.
Most of the nightlife in Bruges tends to revolve around drinking rather than dancing, with many of the bars to be found in the streets in and around the old town. Large nightclubs are a little thin on the ground, with the syper-stylish Kant the best of the bunch. However, nearby Ostend, Antwerp and Ghent are full of venues where you can dance until the early hours.
For a quieter evening, the state-of-the-art Concertgebouw concert hall, near the railway station, has a varied programme of musical events, ranging from classical music to rock and pop concerts. For a nightcap, the Eierarkt Square, near the Markt, is a pleasant place to take stroll, or to enjoy a beer or a coffee in one of the many cafes.
Also in May, the Red Rock Rally is a free rock concert and outdoor party that celebrates workers' day, taking place in Bruges' Astridpark.
The Bruges Triple Days sees three days of fun and music on the city’s Market Square, featuring mainly local artists.