Brugge : book your hotel

Fancy a visit to the Venice of the North? Find all our advice and spend a wonderful stay in Brugge, a real gem of Belgium.

Located in the northwest of Belgium, Brugge is the capital of West Flanders, the only coastal province in Belgium. Nicknamed The Venice of The North, the city is known for its canals, paved streets and unique architectural style. Wondering how to get to Brugge? It's easy, with an airport and train station at your disposal. Choose a central hotel to suit your needs and enjoy walking around the city with ease.

If you don't have a plan in Brugge, you can have a wonderful time exploring the streets and lanes. The whole city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! This historical city comprises beautiful façades, ancient buildings and religious monuments among the top things to do in Brugge. Not to mention parks and pretty gardens, making it perfect for a romantic getaway. Families can also find something to their liking in Brugge, thanks to the many things to see, do, eat and drink. Stroll around the streets, bike along the canals or even discover them by boat. Visitors can enjoy getting lost in this beautiful city, where medieval stone and brick constructions live alongside more modern architectural styles. You only need to find an elevated point to look at the unique patchwork of the buildings of this city.

Brugge's historic centre is charming and beautiful. Whether you prefer to wander or make a beeline for the city's curiosities, the Markt (Market Square) is a good start. This part of the city is studded with restaurants and cafés with beautiful façades, making the square a perfect place to stop for a break. Finding an idyllic table for lunch or dinner is easy in this picture-postcard scenery. The Belfry of Brugge is also in Market Square – towering 83 metres over the city, you can't miss it. Climb the tower's 366 steps to the top and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Brugge. A few streets along, find the golden buildings of Burg Square. Brugge was once a fortified city, and the ancient defences have their marks in various places in the city. Come across enormous doors and old entrance points while you wander around the edge of the historical centre. There's a seven-kilometre walking route around the remnants of these fortifications, so you can enjoy a historical tour on foot or by bike. Look out for Coupure canals, the Lake of Love, and the windmills of the Sint-Anna Quarter.

Brugge is home to many impressive religious buildings, must-sees for any history or architecture lovers. The Basilica of the Holy Blood makes a lasting impression, thanks to its artfully crafted façade, embellished with statues. The basilica combines Roman architecture and gothic style with elements from the Renaissance. Inside, this well-decorated basilica displays beautiful religious paintings and one relic thought to be stained by the blood of Christ. There's a small museum for visitors to learn more about the building's past, making the Basilica one of the must-see attractions in Brugge. The Saint-Salvator Cathedral is the oldest church in Brugge, a simple construction dating back to the 10 th century. The Diocese of Brugge has been standing since the 19 th century, a brick cathedral with a 99-metre bell tower. Inside, its baroque decoration displays many religious paintings and artworks, with one picture from Dirk Bouts. One of the tallest bell towers in the world (122 meters) is part of the unmissable Church of Our Lady. The Madone de Bruges is also unmissable.

Another unmissable stop on your tour of Brugge is the city's beguinage, Ten Wijngaerde. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage, the architectural complex is separated from the city by an outer wall. Ten Wijngaerde was once inhabited by the beguines. These religious women chose to live a life dedicated to god without leaving the community. There are no beguines at Brugge beguinage today, but some Benedictine sisters live in the buildings. A place of quietness in the city centre, the beguinage includes a garden with trees and flowers, pretty white houses built between the 15 th and 18 th centuries and the St. Elisabeth Church. After visiting the beguinage, enjoy more serenity at the neighbouring Minnewaterpark. This beautiful, romantic location backdrops the Lake of Love. Legend has it that lovers who make a wish on the lake's bridge stay happy together forever. The Hotel ibis Brugge Centrum is ideally located a hundred metres away from this charming location.

There are many things to do in Brugge, including exploring the city's famous canal network. This is one of the best things to do in Brugge! Along the canals, you will come across many quays where you can find tour operators offering guided cruises. Sail alongside swans and experience the city of Brugge from a unique perspective, noticing things only visible from the water. If you don't have sealegs, no problem! You can also discover the canals on dry land. The Quay of the Rosary (Rozenhoedkaai) is one of the most popular locations to enjoy the city, boasting a picturesque view day and night. The Dijver is also a lovely place to walk and look at the canals.

Brugge is a city for foodies. From famous Belgian waffles to many more pastries, speciality dishes and – of course – Belgian beers! Belgian waffles are often of significant size, making a delicious snack at any time of the day or night. Enjoy traditional baked goods, like the famous Brugge Knot, Kletskoppen (almond biscuits) or Roggemaffen (raisin bread). How can we talk about food in Brugge and not mention the city's beautiful Belgian chocolates? In Brugge, chocolate is king and deserves its own museum. Find many traditional chocolate shops dotted around the city, where you can pick up a treat or gift for someone back home. If you prefer savoury flavours, why not grab some Belgian fries? Enjoy a lunch of mussels and fries or order them alongside a Belgian carbonnade, a delicious beef stew made with local beer. Savour some Flemish rabbit or pork marinated in abbey beer, or try Waterzooi, a traditional meat and vegetable broth. In Belgium, a satisfying meal is always served with beer. It will be easy to find bars putting the spotlight on the area's famous brews. You could also visit a museum to beer inside the welcoming De Halve Maan brewery. If you want to uncover Flemish gastronomy, find many restaurants throughout the city. Take the time to read menus while you walk around to find a perfect spot to delight your taste buds. Prefer to eat in? The Hotel ibis Brugge Centrum has its own restaurant with a menu full of local specialities.

Brugge is a beautiful European destination for art lovers. Many religious buildings incorporate painting and sculpture on their exterior and inside. Near the Church of Our Lady, the Hospital of St. John is home to a whole collection of archives and works of art, particularly masterpieces from Hans Memling. You could also discover old medical instruments and admire one of the oldest European frameworks in the Diksmuide attic. The Groeninge Museum (Groeningemuseum) reveals the whole history of the Belgian fine arts. Enjoy the work of Flemish masters such as Hans Memling, Gerard David and Jan Van Eyck. You can also see the Statue of the Latter. The Concertgebouw is a music venue displaying a collection of modern art – a perfect place to visit for fans of creative culture.

Brugge is a dynamic, cultural city filled with history. You can explore several museums dedicated to its evolution over time. The Historium is a perfect place to step back in time. This unique space hosts interactive exhibitions to take you into Bruges during the Middle Ages. As a more classical museum, the Gruuthusemuseum is situated in a historic hotel, an imposing and wonderful treasure of a building. Recently renovated, you can visit this splendid museum with an audio guide and discover the history of Brugge effortlessly way.Explore the surrounding areas of Brugge To enjoy the Brugge countryside, you can follow the Brugge Green Belt to go around the city. While you can go on foot, renting a bike makes the 53 kilometres circuit more accessible. During this beautiful ride, you will discover green scenery with woods, castles and canals, and charming little villages