Medieval History and Beauty in Brugge, Belgium - 24-Hour Travel Guide

Enjoy a beer and the scenic view at one of Bruges' many outdoor cafes.

Grote Markt and the Belfry tower

Miniature village: the view from the Belfry tower

Take an evening boat ride through the canals (photo courtesy Flickr: raindog)

Overview - Brugge (or Bruges, in French) is a quaint, medieval town that looks more like a miniature Christmas display than an actual place. Find out why this Flemish-speaking village is the perfect place to spend 24 hours exploring canals, cobblestone streets and bell towers.

Breakfast - Forget the tourist cafes, why not grab a fresh baguette or bread loaf and a hunk of gorgeous cheese from one of the vendors at the farmers market in Grote Markt – the city square. Bask in the Belgian sunshine on a park bench with your perfect continental breakfast!

Morning - Spend this morning in the south part of Bruges. Start at the bulky, gothic cathedral, St. Salvators kathedraal. It’s columns and arches are excellent examples of Gothic architecture, and the church is also home to a lovely set of tapestries. After that, venture further south to the Begjinhof, one of the most well preserved traditional Belgian communes in the country. Whitewashed houses surround a square green where unmarried women were once encouraged to live and do pious acts – similar to nuns. Finish the morning off with a short stroll over to the Minnewater, or the Lake of Love, a large pond with a medieval lock house.

Lunch - The Laurent Brasserie and Tea-Room (St. Amandsstraat) provides excellent value in a funky, relaxed setting. Try one of their kooky sandwich concoctions or a big bowl of soup and frites to fill your tummy for the afternoon ahead! You’ll also love the placemat, which features a colorful map of Bruges for you to take away. They are located just a few minutes from the main market square.

Afternoon - Put on your strong legs and have a go at climbing the 366 stairs to the top of the Belfry tower. This spot was made famous in the film, “In Bruges” when Brendon Gleeson falls to his death from the top of the tower. From high above, the rooftops and laneways make Bruges look like a miniature town. You’ll probably be pretty tired after the long trek up and down, so treat yourself to a pre-dinner snack of frites and beer alongside the picturesque canal.

Dinner - The quaint, local Bistro ‘De Schilder is the place to be for a leisurely Bruges dinner. It is an unpretentious but comfortable small restaurant where the proprietor is also the waiter, host and bartender. Try a big pot of Moules Frites, a Belgian speciality of muscles, or sample a sugary waffle or pancake. To drink, quaff down a half-litre of local Bruges Blonde or try one of the Trappist ales – Westmallen is a good but strong bet!

After Dark - Take an evening boat cruise along the canals for a more romantic view of Bruges’ medieval character at night. The uplit stone and orange glows will make you swoon as you drift gently under bridges and past ancient towers. Afterwards, warm up out of the crisp Belgian air over a local brew next to the fire in one of the many cafes that dot periphery of the Markt square.

Sleep - The Adornes (St Annarei 26) is classic Bruges with high ceilings and antique Flemish décor. The location couldn’t be better, at the junction of the two canals at Spiegelrei, putting you smack dab in the center of the main sites of the town. They also offer a tasty breakfast.

Tags: bell tower, canal, Beer, medieval