Reserve on a train to Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium. As a port city, Bruges is and has been an important centre for fishing and European trade and is known for its cobbled streets, medieval buildings and canals. Thanks to its rich history, the city centre has been named a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The city is also well-known for being home to the College of Europe, an elite institute for European studies. The medieval architecture of Bruges remains mostly intact, making it one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the continent. Visit and discover the rich history of Bruges through its many landmarks, attractions and famous historical building, such as the Church of Our Lady.
Visiting Bruges
From Bruges Station, those visiting Bruges are excellently located to either drop their things at their accommodation for the night or to start exploring the city. Heading north from the station, travellers will be able to enjoy the greenery and riverside as they walk through the Koning Albert I Park and Garden towards the Art Gallery Koetshuis and visit the Site Oud Sint-Jan, which exhibits works by modern artists such as Chagall and Picasso inside a building that formerly functioned as a hospital. If wanting to get a greater taste of Flemish art specifically, visitors can also head to Groeninge Museum. Travellers will also then be able to visit the Gothic Catholic Church of Our Lady Bruges, just across the road from the Groeninge Museum, which was founded in the 13th-century and is known for its Michelangelo statue and soaring tower. Then, visitors can head down the road to Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, with its tremendous Gothic tower, which was built in the 1300s and is notable for the Flemish art decorating its vast interior.
Continuing on, travellers can head to towards either the Zilverpand Bruges Shopping Centre for some retail therapy or, alternatively, head towards the Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower with 366 steps up to a viewing platform over the city. If feeling peckish, visitors can then head to the Market Place, which is just a two-minute walk away and offers a bustling space in the heart of the city, providing eateries surrounded by historic buildings. Travellers can head back towards the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which is famous for housing a phial believed to contain a cloth with Christ’s blood. They can then walk through the idyllic Koningin Astridpark Park and Garden towards Gentpoort, before wandering along the river down to the Minnewaterpark, where they can wind down after their full day. As Bruges is so compact, there are affordable options for accommodation throughout the city, so visitors will be able to choose where they want to stay based on proximity to their desired attractions and destinations.
Book your train to Bruges
Bruges Station is the main railway station in the West Flanders in Belgium. It is located just southeast of the city centre and it is only a 12-minute walk to Minnewater Lake. The station opened in 1838 with the Ghent to Bruges railway and has been operating out of the current building since 1939. It is one of the busiest stations in Belgium, with many intercity and local services offering routes to other destinations within the country. The station offers a number of facilities, including luggage lockers, shops, cafes and restaurants for the convenience of travellers. There is also a tourism office located at the Eurostar terminal of the station where visitors can go to get more specific information on what to see and do around town. Given Bruges' size, visitors will find themselves excellently located upon arrival, as most of the city is within walking distance of the train station. It is most convenient to get into Bruges by train, as there are ongoing efforts to reduce traffic within the historic inner city, so as to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel by train from London to Bruges in just 2h 58m and take in all this historic town has to offer!
For more information about travelling in Belgium, check out our trains in Belgium page and stay one step ahead with your travel plans.