One Day In Bruges: Planning The Perfect Short Break

Bruges in a day? Yes, it's possible! Here's what to do if you're planning a short break and have one day in Bruges. 

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One day in Bruges - views like this are around every corner.

We LOVE Bruges! It is one of the most charming, the most romantic, and the most fun small cities in Europe. Indulging in short trips to Bruges in northern Belgium have been a highlight of our time in Europe and they've been the perfect relaxing interlude to otherwise busy trips. But what are the best things to do in Bruges, other than just walking around and eating chocolate (which, for the record, is a superb use of time)?

We've put together a Bruges one day itinerary of some of our favourite things. We've also reached out to some of the best travel bloggers we know to get their take on the best things to do in Bruges at night, their favourite restaurants and pubs, their top Bruges museums, suggestions on where to sleep and so much more. There is so much to see and do here!

Have we forgotten anything from the list? We want to hear what you love about this delightful city!

If you have one day in Bruges....

Photo by Daniël van der Kolk on Unsplash

If you're trying to see Bruges in a day, these are the absolute highlights that should be on your list. Your itinerary should include:

Following the self guided walking tour found in the Rick Steves Bruges guidebook. It's perfect for making sure you don't miss any of the little historical gems the city center has to offer. I also love that it points out cafes, restaurants, and pubs at all price points. Most guidebooks contain some version of a DIY city walking tour but in my experience, the Steves' guides are the best.

Visiting the Basilica Of The Holy Blood: For the spiritually inclined, a highlight of visiting the Basilica is that it houses a phial which contains the blood of Christ. For all visitors, this church, which dates to 1157, is well worth a short visit.

Making an artistic pilgrimage to the Church of our Lady: Home to Michelangelo's Madonna With Child, this is the only piece of Michelangelo's sculpture that left Italy during his lifetime, purchased and donated by a Bruges merchant shortly after it was carved in 1503. Looted by Nazis during World War II, it's survival is somewhat of a miracle, as is Michelangelo's talent. 

Climbing the Belfry Tower: A short 366 steps to the top, but who's counting? Your efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular view! Plan to go early or late in the day to avoid the line ups. If you're visiting on a Wednesday, take some time to enjoy the views of the weekly market from above and then visit the stalls yourself to pick up treats and souvenirs. 

A canal boat tour: Forget the horse and carriage rides! Bruges is ultimately a water city, the "Venice Of The North", and the best way to see it is by water. There are several different tour companies offering Bruges canal tour packages. Read the fine print to see what's included, how long they last, and what the final cost is. However, if you really do prefer dry land, you can always try a Bruges rickshaw tour - it's fun, different, and surprisingly comprehensive.

Checking out the 1100s archaeological excavation. It's in the basement of the Crown Plaza - just ask the front desk to have a quick peek and look around for free! 

This isn't all you can do in Bruges in one day - our colleagues have some incredible suggestions on what you can't miss during your visit! 

Photo by Olivier Depaep on Unsplash

Explore By Bike

"While Belgians are not quite as bike-crazy as their Dutch neighbors, it is still one of the most common methods of transportation in the country. On a recent trip to Bruges, my husband and I rented bikes for a day to explore Bruges like a local - and it was so much fun!

Because Belgians ride their bikes everywhere, bike paths are easily found and well connected. Even if you ride on the street, you don’t have to fear for your life, as drivers are accustomed to sharing the road. The other advantage of riding a bike is that you can cover much more ground. We rode along the canals for a few kilometers, explored the windmills on the ramparts and after peddling all over Bruges and the surrounding areas, we  took a well-deserved (beer) brake at one of the best breweries in Bruges (https://www.halvemaan.be/). 

Most visitors and day-trippers stay in a well-defined area in Bruges, so once we hit the saddle, we felt like we were getting to know the “real Bruges” and had the beautiful streets and canals almost to ourselves. " 

​Maria from Europe Up Close


Soak Up Some Interactive History

"In 2012, the Historium Bruges opened in the Grote Markt and it's one of the city's best things to do. It shows tourists and backpackers what Bruges was like in its heyday as a leading international port for European trade in the 15th century. The latest audio-visual technology immerses you into a captivating fictional story of young man working for the famous painter Jan van Eyck, as you walk through a variety of rooms and scenes. Inside the building there is also a full virtual reality experience of sailing along the canals into the market square during Bruges’ Golden Age, as well as other attractions. I love how this place uses 21st century technology to bring vibrant medieval Bruges back to life, so you can see how it’s much more than just a pretty city. Highly recommended."   

Claire atBackpacking Bella


Indulge In Chocolate

"For one of the best chocolate shops in Bruges head to my favourite, The Chocolate Line. This dreamy little chocolate shop was set up by top Belgium chocolatier Dominique Persoone and offers some unique takes on chocolate. There’s a range of extravagant flavours from the very traditional to somewhat off the wall. Think vodka passion fruit and lime or bitter ganache and marzipan with Japanese wasabi. The chocolates come in a range of designs like red chocolate lips, chocolate pills and even chocolate lip balm. Persoone is also renowned for his chocolate shooter which he designed for one of the Rolling Stone’s birthday parties to give a cocoa powder hit! Whilst in Bruges don’t forget to look out for Cuberdons. These cone-shaped ‘little noses’ are raspberry flavoured and a Bruges specialty."

Read about Christmas in Bruges on Suzanne’s blog, The Travelbunny.

2 Days in Bruges: Think beer, beer, beer!

Photo by VanveenJF on Unsplash

"There's something about the beauty of Bruges that makes us want to stop and smell the roses. Or the hops! Sitting on one of the canals to enjoy Belgium beers, or in a pretty courtyard (this brewery has both), with the the sun shining down on us was delightful. Bourgogne des Flandres provided the perfect location. It's less than a five minute walk from the Bruges Belfry and we loved getting a flight of different types of beer to try. (It's easy to order - there's just one flight option!) The namesake refers to a specific type of historic beer they brew mixing sweet and sour into a red, Flemish ale. Be sure to try it for an authentic Belgium beer experience. Note they are closed Mondays."

Mikkel from Sometimes Home


"Along with eating amazing chocolate and sauce smothered frites, drinking Belgian beer is a Bruge highlight! The city is full of awesome bars and pubs which serve a vast array of local beers. Our favourite spot is De Garre which is located in a tiny alley close to the main square. Behind the unassuming entrance the bar is teeming with locals and tourists and the atmosphere is fantastic. De Garre serves up a range of modern, traditional and quirky beers and we loved sampling the local offerings.

Just be warned… Belgium beer is super strong so take it easy or you’ll have trouble making it back to your hotel!" 
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Elaine and David from Show Them The Globe 

3 Days in Bruges: Step off the beaten path and visit the Beguinage

Photo by Corina from Another Milestone

"The Beguinage is a community of women who want to live in solitude without taking any vows. In many cities around Belgium these communities were set, and women lived there and prayed. One of the oldest is the one in Bruges, dating back from 13th century.  The constructions were built in 19th century and today Benedictine nuns are living there since the last beguine left almost 100 years ago.

The Beguinage in Bruges is a great destination for 3 days in Bruges when you need to be away from the crowds in the city. Once you cross the old bridge over the lake full of swans you will find a corner of calm and tranquility. Inside the Beguinage you can admire the white houses and enjoy the green meadow. And for the complete experience, go there in Spring and you will find it full of daffodils."

Corina from Another Milestone 

Timing: Are Bruges weekend breaks the best idea?

If you're dreaming of a few short breaks to Bruges, try to avoid the weekend if at all possible. Bruges weekend breaks are extremely popular - and for good reason! If you have a bit of flexibility, visit Brussels on the weekend, when all the European Union bureaucrats and staff go home and the hotels and restaurants are quiet (and cheap). When the capital fills back up on Sunday might and Monday morning, you'll find the best deals in Bruges. 

Cheap Restaurants in Bruges

Our personal go-to lunch spot in Bruges is Carlitos, a full fledged Italian restaurant and has a wide range of good choices for vegetarians and those allergic to gluten. We split a large, thin crust, wood oven baked pizza (8 slices was 15.00 Euros) and it was delicious! It came with a spicy chili olive oil that we couldn't get enough of and we ordered red wine for me (4 Euro for a small glass) and beer for Ryan. (At 2.50 Euro a small glass it was the same price as a cup of coffee!). We spent about 20 Euro for the two of us to fill up on incredible pizza and treat ourselves to drinks in a real, sit down restaurant. Great deal!

Our favourite dinner spot is Bierbrasserie Cambrinus. As soon as I saw it I knew it was exactly what we were looking for: A huge selection of local beers for Ryan and hearty, affordable local food for the two of us. We were able to employ a favorite strategy of ours for affordable dining: One of us orders the value priced Table D'Hote, with both of us enjoying the appetizer and dessert, and the other just orders one main course.

At Bierbrasserie Cambrinus, Ryan ordered the economical Table D'Hote and we split his delicious appetizer of Trappist cheese croquettes (unbelievably rich and decadent), as well as the creme brule made with dark beer for dessert. For a main course he enjoyed their signature Flemish Carbonades prepared with “Gulden Draak” beer, which was a savory beef stew, while I selected the half roasted chicken with salad and fries. The portions were huge, the service was good, and the prices were even better. My chicken dish was just 13 Euros, while Ryan's three courses were 27 Euros. Two huge mains, a generous appetizer, and a just-right sized dessert for about 40 Euros made us very happy indeed and it was fun to try food made with local beer as an ingredient. 

A few other cheap restaurants in Bruges worth noting:

Brasserie Medard: Beloved for its large bowls of spaghetti for about 5 Euros, reports on service are mixed (translation: the owner seems to prefer locals to tourists).

Ribs N Beer: Famous for it's all you can eat Monday specials for about 20 Euros. The rib sauce contains both beer and chocolate. That's Bruges for you!

Café Vlissinghe: Dating from 1515, it's the oldest pub in Bruges and maybe all in Europe. Popular for its lively atmosphere and good beer selection. Menu is good but not particularly lengthy. 

Soup: The ideal place to go if you want a simple, filling lunch - say, of homemade soup and bread. Affordable and well located.

Accommodations: Where to stay in Bruges

Feet dangling out of our window

Not a care in the world with this view!

Wondering where to stay in Bruges? We have several budget-friendly recommendations! Remember, Burges is usually more expensive on the weekend and mid-week availability is cheaper.
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Hotel Fevery: This eco-friendly hotel has just 10 rooms but a massive breakfast spread. Quiet and comfortable, guests are often welcomed with a sample of local chocolate. Lovely!

Hotel Asiris: Small, plain rooms are basic but clean and comfortable. Common areas are homey and there's a good breakfast. Note not all rooms have air conditioning, important in July and August.

Hotel Groeninghe: With a bit more personality than the standard small hotel in Bruges, this is a good option if you want more space (well, a little bit more space. Nothing in Bruges is particularly huge!) A few words of caution - some travelers report that the hotel will give away your room if you're late (yes, even if you have pre-paid). When in doubt, submit your arrival time for several hours after you intend to arrive. 

Ter Reien: Our personal favourite! I think it's the best place to stay in Bruges for the money. Our room was directly on the water and some of my fondest memories of Bruges are of dreamily staring at the window and looking at the canal. Good price, good breakfast, spacious rooms. Just one small negative: our bathroom's door was designed as a folding door - not the most private but there was also a clean communal bathroom down the hall for more discrete needs. If you don't get a canal side room, don't despair. The courtyard rooms do have a great bathrooms, complete with tubs.

... And, of course, there's always the Crown Plaza. I think the smaller hotels offer more value and personality but there's nothing wrong with spoiling yourself now and then.

Getting there: The Bruges to Brussels train

Walking into town from the train station.

Taking the train from Brussels to Bruges (or doing the reverse and taking the Bruges to Brussels train) is a quick, easy, relaxing way to get around. The train takes just under one hour and should cost you $20 or less. Having traveled by both first class and ordinary (second class) train in Belgium, I can assume you I couldn't tell the difference between the two kinds of carriages. By all means, grab the cheapest ticket you can find!

There are an average of 5 trains an hour from Brussels and Bruges, and vice versa, starting at 8:00 AM and concluding around midnight. Many Bruges to Brussels trains stop once, in Ghent, where you'll have to change trains. However, most trains are direct. 

Nearest Airport to Bruges

Photo by xandro Vandewalle on Unsplash

If you have your heart set on a little glamour and are determined to fly to Bruges, you'll be flying into ​Oostende-Brugge International Airport. It's the nearest airport to Bruges - but it's still about a 30 minute drive away. If you see a killer sale, by all means fly to Bruges. But the majority of visitors should simply take the Brussels to Bruges train. 

Bruges in a day? YES!

Photo by Alex Vasey on Unsplash

The fact that Bruges has not become completely over run with visitors (like Venice) and still hasn't raised its prices to match nearby Amsterdam and Brussels is a complete mystery to me. Even if you only have a short amount of time, you should GO. One day in Bruges will give you enough travel memories to last a lifetime!

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