Il Belgio è un’ottima destinazione se vuoi vivere affascinanti città storiche, bere birra e mangiare cioccolato. Mentre ci sono molti posti in tutto il paese dove puoi concederti queste esperienze, pochi sono così popolari come la città di Bruges. I viaggiatori spesso si fermano a Bruges come gita di un giorno da Bruxelles, ma questa deliziosa città delle Fiandre ha più che sufficienti cose da fare per farti divertire da sola.
Sebbene tu possa sicuramente trascorrere più tempo in città, se lo desideri, i posti migliori da visitare a Bruges possono essere condensati in una giornata di visite turistiche. Per assicurarti di inserire tutto e non perdere i punti salienti della città, è meglio arrivare preparati, motivo per cui abbiamo creato questo itinerario completo di Bruges. Ecco tutto ciò che devi sapere per sfruttare al massimo 1 giorno a Bruges.
The perfect 1-day itinerary for Bruges
Part of what makes Bruges such a popular tourist destination is that visitors can truly experience the best of Bruges in just one day. While you can certainly spend more time in the city, vacation days are precious and travelers often have less time in places than they would like. That’s why this itinerary shows you exactly what to do in Bruges in 1 day so you don’t miss what makes this Belgian city so special.
However, before we get to our Bruges itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you don’t want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise man once said: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.
Heymondo, partner of FullTravel, offers a travel insurance with a 10% discount for all our FullTravel readers. Just click on this link and proceed with the purchase with the discount already applied.
Now that we’ve covered this important topic, let’s move on to our Bruges travel itinerary. Keep reading to discover how to fit in all the best things to do in Bruges.
Note: if you want to learn more about the fascinating history of Bruges, consider booking a guided walking tour. On this tour, a private guide will show you all the historic highlights of the city as well as some of Bruges’ quieter neighborhoods.
Markt
There’s no better place to begin your stay in Bruges than with the magnificent Markt, an old-style market square right in the heart of Bruges’ historic center, surrounded by some of the city’s most captivating monuments. The buildings date from different periods and feature different designs, from colorful gabled houses to the whimsical neo-Gothic provincial court.
Other great squares around Bruges worth visiting include De Burg and Jan Van Eyck Square, but for an immediate impact, the Markt is hard to beat. It’s also home to Bruges’ main Christmas market, with its wooden stalls and ice skating rink.
Bruges Belfry
There is another attraction at the Markt where visitors will want to spend a little more time: the city’s imposing belfry. The Bruges Belfry rises 83 meters (272 feet) above the square, making it hard to miss. It is also a rather distinctive building as the tower emerges from the roof of a smaller building: the covered market hall called Halle.
Inside the tower is a melodic carillon of 47 bells that regularly play throughout the city. Visitors can climb to the top of this tower for its panoramic views, but the journey requires conquering 336 steps. Fortunately, halfway up the stairs is the Old Treasury, where you can catch your breath while viewing the city’s historical documents.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Taking Breidelstraat out of the Markt, you’ll quickly reach De Burg Square, home to the exclusive Basilica of the Holy Blood. Admiring the church from the square, you might think it is important for its ornate and golden facade or for its unconventional shape.
However, the reason this basilica is a must-see attraction has to do with the legend of its sacred relic, which, as its name suggests, contains the blood of Christ. The sacred relic, contained in a vial, is one of many brought here after the Crusades and is brought out twice daily for the veneration of the faithful. Even if you miss these special services, it’s worth taking a look inside this elaborate 12th-century church.
Canal Tour
Bruges is a city famous for its picturesque canals, so you’ll definitely want to allow plenty of time to explore them. There are several ways to organize your visit, from the ever-popular canal boat cruises to cycling along them or simply walking. Regardless of your approach, Rozenhoedkaai is an ideal starting point. With the belfry tower in the distance, this spot offers a classic view of the charming canal scenery. Another classic spot to visit is the Langerei, with its series of pretty bridges.
Church of Our Lady Bruges
While there are many churches in Bruges, another important one not to miss is the Church of Our Lady. This monumental Gothic Catholic church was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and boasts the tallest tower in all of Belgium, standing 115 meters (379 feet). But it’s actually inside the church that you’ll find its most impressive elements, from the splendid golden tombs of dukes and duchesses to the famous sculpture of the Madonna with Child by Michelangelo.
After visiting the Church of Our Lady, be sure to walk behind the building to visit the Bonifacius Bridge, perhaps the most romantic spot in the city. This adorable little brick bridge sits on one of the most scenic stretches of Bruges’ canals and is a photographer’s dream.
Saint John’s Hospital
There are also many museums around Bruges where visitors can learn more about the city, but one of the most unusual is Saint John’s Hospital. Located just across the street from the Church of Our Lady, this museum and art gallery is housed inside an 11th-century hospital, one of the oldest in Europe. If the idea of seeing what a medieval hospital would have been like doesn’t immediately appeal, then its works of art and exhibits on medieval medical instruments and medicines are sure to.
Begijnhof
Venturing further from the city center, our next stop is the beautiful white houses of the Bruges Begijnhof. This beguinage, a community for emancipated lay women who chose to lead a religious life, dates back to 1245 and is different from anywhere else in the city. Centered around a small tree-filled park, it is lined with traditional white houses now inhabited by nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict. The park is a must-visit in spring when daffodils and other flowers bloom, creating a sea of colors.
Minnewater
A pleasant place to end your time discovering Bruges is with a walk by the water at the charming Minnewater. Taking the south exit from the Begijnhof, you’ll arrive at one end of this gentle lake and its peaceful surroundings. Stroll along the waterfront to the solitary Poertoren tower. On the other side of the bridge is Minnewater Park, a beautiful and tranquil place dotted with picturesque buildings nestled in greenery.
Do you have more than 24 hours in Bruges?
At this point, you should feel confident knowing how to spend your first 24 hours in Bruges. But what should you do if you have more time? There are definitely other places to visit around the city, including churches, museums, and the bike path along the scenic Damme Canal. Another option, however, is to visit some other Belgian cities on a day trip. Keep reading for some tips.
1. Ghent
To see another memorable Flemish city like Bruges, make Ghent the target of your day trip. This university city is a bit larger than Bruges and hosts sublime Gothic architecture that makes it a true pleasure to visit.
Start with St. Bavo’s Cathedral, an imposing cathedral that houses the famous altarpiece of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Around the cathedral, there is a large pedestrian area featuring several important city landmarks, from the elegant Ghent Belfry to the modern City Pavilion and the imposing town hall.
Continuing through the old town, you soon reach the charming and scenic Leie river waterfront, lined with all sorts of wonderful buildings. Follow the river north on winding cobblestone streets to reach the dramatic Gravensteen castle, which boasts among other things fantastic views of the city.
2. Brussels
Rather than making a day trip to Bruges from Brussels, why not do the opposite and head to the capital for the day? Due to the many international organizations that call Brussels home, the city has an unfair reputation for being boring, but those who visit it quickly learn how charming and fun it can be.
There is no better place to start a visit to Brussels than with the extravagant Grand Place. Although famous for the flower carpet that brightens the square every two years, it is also flanked by magnificent architecture best seen in the Gothic town hall.
From there, it’s a short walk to the iconic but disappointing Manneken Pis statue. A better use of your time is to explore different parts of the city center. The Lower Town has the splendid Mont des Arts gardens or Petit Sablon Square, and luxury boutiques inside the Les Galeries Saint Hubert gallery. For culture, head to the Brussels Comic Strip Centre which combines the Belgian love for comics with stunning Art Déco architecture.
3. Antwerp
Antwerp is another great Flemish city that definitely deserves a day trip, especially for all the art and history connections the city has. Even arriving at Antwerp is special thanks to the eclectic architecture of Antwerp Central Station, one of the grandest railway stations you might encounter.
As cliché as it sounds, start your visit with the city’s main square, where you will find the illustrious Town Hall and the evocative Brabo Fountain. From there, it’s a short walk to Our Lady Cathedral which features artworks by the famous local artist Peter Paul Rubens. Later, you can also visit Rubens House where the artist lived and see many more of his works.
Other cultural landmarks around Antwerp include the UNESCO-listed Plantin-Moretus Museum, which traces the history of the printing press, and the modern Museum aan de Stroom displaying over 470,000 pieces related to Antwerp’s history. A fun activity while visiting the city is trying to find the various hidden passages and alleys, such as Vlaeykensgang Alley or Felix Passage.
That sums up everything you need to know about visiting Bruges in 1 day, also giving you ideas on what to do if you have more time there. I hope you now understand why it’s such a worthy inclusion in your Belgium itinerary.
Best Time to Visit Bruges
One of the most important parts of trip planning is determining the best time to visit Bruges. As with most places, the number of tourists and weather conditions will have a big impact on your decision.
The busiest time to visit Bruges, or anywhere in Belgium for that matter, is always summer. From June to September, you can expect huge crowds of tourists around the city, leading to higher accommodation prices and longer lines to board the famous boat tours on the city’s canals. Therefore, it’s best to avoid summer if possible.
Travelers are better off planning their trip for spring or the Christmas period. Visit Bruges around April or May and not only are there fewer tourists, but the city is full of beautiful colors as flowers bloom everywhere. And while Bruges can be cold before Christmas, the city is completely transformed by its Christmas markets and surprisingly free of visitors.
How to Get Around Bruges
Those intending to visit Bruges will be pleased to know that it is a fairly easy city to get around since it is both relatively compact and very flat. It also helps that most visitors won’t venture much beyond the heart of its historic center.
This means Bruges is a destination that travelers can comfortably explore on foot without needing a car or public transport. In fact, if you have a car, it is probably advisable to leave it in one of the many parking lots outside Bruges’ historic center.
If walking around Bruges doesn’t appeal to you, there are several alternatives, including cycling. Bicycles are a part of daily life in Belgium and a great way to experience the city. There are several bike rentals offering bicycles at hourly or daily rates, generally €5 per hour or €10–20 per day.
Public transport is the other main option for getting around Bruges, with some selected routes crossing the historic center. Bus tickets start at €3 for a 60-minute ticket with unlimited transfers; these can be purchased at ticket machines, stations, or via the De Lijn app.
Where to stay in Bruges
The right accommodation can elevate a good trip into a fantastic one, so deciding where to stay in Bruges is a rather important decision. Fortunately, Bruges is full of lodging options and has a simple layout, which should make it easy to find a suitable place to stay. Most accommodations in Bruges are located in the historic city center.
The key thing to keep in mind is that you really need to book in advance if you are traveling in peak season. Below are our recommendations for the best places to stay in Bruges across different budget ranges.
Treat yourself to a stay at Hotel Dukes’ Palace Brugge, a luxury hotel set within a stunning 15th-century residence. The five-star hotel offers spacious and elegantly furnished rooms, as well as a spa, garden terrace, bar, and restaurant.
For a good balance of comfort, style, and affordability, Hotel Monsieur Ernest is a fantastic place to base yourself. This three-star boutique hotel is housed in a renovated former brewery and boasts rooms with elegant decor and an excellent free breakfast.
Belgium is not the cheapest destination, but a budget-friendly option for travelers is Hostel Lybeer Bruges. This conveniently located hostel offers dormitories and private rooms, a shared kitchen, and regular activities like beer tasting and karaoke night.
For more accommodation options in Bruges check Booking.com. They continually offer the best rates and their personalized service is perfect.
