What to do in Bruges?
That question has plagued many tourists, actors, and hired hands in between jobs for years. A better question: what should you do in Bruges if you’ve never been and what could you do instead?
With Brussels close by, Bruges is a city sometimes skipped as visitors make a beeline through Belgium to the capital. But doing so means bailing on the chance to wander a charming canal-filled city that’s got its share of classic European attractions and a boatload of crowd-adjacent sites a bit beyond the basic “best of Bruges” itinerary.
Image Credit: Getty Images, mbell. Image Location: Rozenhoedkaai, Bruges
What to do in Bruges
Strike a balance between culture and fun with these better-known Bruges sites.
Climb The Belfry Tower
The guide book says it’s a must see. This 13th century bell tower is number one on every list of what to do in Bruges for a reason. Isn’t that reason enough to climb the narrow, winding steps for a lovely view?
Wander the Markt
Admittedly, the Markt is another to-do that travel advisors insist upon your itinerary. It is a tourist hotspot, so do with that information what you will, but it’s also earnestly one of the prettiest city squares in all of Belgium.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Belfry Tower, Bruges
Book a Canal Tour
A boat tour through Bruges is absolutely ideal for any sized itinerary. Most last under an hour and give you the right amount of “did you know” trivia and selfies to make a memory without making a mess of a tight schedule.
Explore the Groeninge Museum
Don’t know the difference between an original Marcel Broodthaers and an authentic Jan van Eyck? The Groeninge Museum extensive collection of Belgian and Flemish art will ensure you’ve got insightful critiques of Hugo van der Goes to share at the next art gallery opening.
See Medieval Bruges in VR
The Historium sounds like the most boring auditorium for your college history class, but it’s actually one of the coolest places to learn about Bruges. Using interactive VR, you can tour the city as it was in medieval times — or skip all the educational stuff and spend hours playing other VR games.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Mariastraat, Bruges
What to else to do in Bruges
Let’s just say that all those canals, bridges, cobbled streets, churches, and all that other fairytale stuff isn’t your thing. We’ve got your backup plan for this whole being in Bruges thing.
Bar Ran
Super chill, solid list of beer and spirits, and emits airwaves of funk, disco, and good conversation: Bar Ran is that neighborhood bar where your corny joke gets a laugh, your love of Abba gets a fist bump, and your penchant for a quirky cocktail is never side-eyed.
Kasteel Van Loppem (maze)
Loppen Castle is yet another neo-gothic castle in Europe that warrants a visit, yet also elicits an eye-roll for the American adventurer who’s already spent enough time in castle queues from Scotland to Spain. But this one has a hedge maze that’s given tourists a run for their money for 150 years.
Hof de Jonghe
A sheep-filled orchard just begging to be photographed, Hof de Jonghe is a picture-perfect place for a picnic. It’s a small space and easy to miss, but it’s a great way to break up a day of museum (or bar) hopping and enjoy Bruges’ natural side.
Image Credit: Getty Images, eyewave. Image Location: Blankenberge Beach
Blankenberge Beach
You didn’t plan on packing your boogie board, bikini, and board shorts for a mid-year trip to Bruges, did you? Blankenberge Beach is just an 11-minute train ride from the center of the canal-lined city and has sunbathers and skimboarders on its sandy shore. Rent a colorful hut in the summer to get a tan as brown as a Belgian brune.
Boudewijn Seapark
Technically in Bruges but requiring a short cab ride, Boudewijn Seapark is a boatload of fun for families and the young at heart. Seal, sea lion, and dolphin shows are on deck for breaks in between riding bumper cars and thrill rides.
Find yourself Bruges-bound?
Finding yourself in Bruges is as easy as downloading the Trainline app and booking a cheap ticket from Brussels, Amsterdam, or dozens of other European cities near the capital of West Flanders.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Hongjie Han. Image Location: Markt, Bruges