A weekend in Bruges is a very nice option if you want to get away from it all. Bruges is known and loved all over the world thanks to its beautiful streets and buildings. I spent two days there and I can tell you that there is a lot to see and do in Bruges. To make it a bit clearer, I would like to give you a planning including walking route for a weekend in Bruges.
Beguinage
I start my weekend in Bruges around 1. We start our route through the city in the Katelijnestraat, south of the main squares. Halfway through this street you can turn left (into Wijngaardstraat) to the Begijnhof. In many European cities you will find these types of courtyards, where single women or men used to live, who together formed a Roman Catholic community. I have already seen quite a few Beguinage, but this one still managed to amaze me. The Beguinage in Bruges is truly beautiful. Around a field full of daffodils are lovely white houses where the beguines used to live. Of course I was very lucky: the daffodils are only there in the spring. One of the houses is furnished in an old style and open to visitors. Nice to walk through and feel how life used to be. Entrance fee: Beguinage is free, Beguinage house €2,-.
Saint John’s Hospital
Walk back to Katelijnestraat and continue on your way. After a few minutes you will come across the next attraction: the Sint-Janshospitaal. This former hospital dates from the 12the century and is therefore the oldest hospital on the European mainland. The building has the feel of a church: high ceilings, huge windows and dark stones form the backdrop of the former infirmary. Now it is a museum where you can learn all about the history of medicine. It is very impressive to actually walk around in the hospital itself and in the meantime see how people used to perform treatments here. Entrance price: €12,-
St. John’s pharmacy
A hospital also includes a pharmacy. Walk 20 meters further into the street and immediately turn left. With the same entrance ticket you can take a look at the former pharmacy. This is completely furnished in the old style and lovers of apothecary jars, cabinets and other trinkets can indulge themselves here. Wonderful to see what a pharmacy used to look like! Entrance fee: free on presentation of your ticket to St. John’s Hospital
Expo Picasso
Something of a completely different order is the Expo about Picasso. This is located right opposite the pharmacy and for enthusiasts it is definitely recommended to go here. I personally find Picasso very interesting and I have already visited several Picasso museums. I liked the expo, but I have to explicitly state that it is mainly interesting for connoisseurs. My friend knows nothing about Picasso and liked very little about it. Mainly etchings, engravings and ceramic objects are on display. Entrance price: €10,-
Brewery De Halve Maan
You have probably become quite thirsty from all this new knowledge and information. Now you can choose to go into one of the many cafes that Bruges has to offer, but it is actually much more fun to walk back to where you came from. One street in front of the Beguinage is the De Halve Maan Brewery. The world-famous Brugse Zot beer is brewed here and an informative tour is given every hour from 11 a.m. After 45 minutes full of information about the special history of this brewery, you can take a seat in the adjacent grand café and be treated to a delicious glass of Brugse Zot. Then feel free to stick around for a tasty cheese board and another beer! Admission: €15 including a glass of Brugse Zot Blond, Brugse Zot Dubbel and a Straffe Hendrik Tripel.
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Bruges Beer Museum with tasting
If you want to taste even more specialty beer and learn more about it, the Brugs Biermuseum is also a great place to visit. Of course you can also skip the Halve Maan if you think it’s a bit too much beer in a row. In the Beer Museum you will be taken in an interactive way through the process of beer making and the history of beer. Of course, this experience will also be concluded with a tasting of three beers. A must for beer lovers! Entrance fee: €16 including a tasting with 3 beers.
Ibis Hotel Bruges
After your visit to De Halve Maan and/or the Beer Museum, it’s time to find your hotel. We stayed at the Ibis Hotel, which turned out to be a very good budget option. The Ibis is located in a stately, old building with a classic look. The rooms are not very big, but contain everything you could possibly need: a bathtub, a hair dryer, a desk and a mini fridge. You stay here on a bed and breakfast basis, but you can also book an additional breakfast. This breakfast is perfectly fine with a good choice of fresh delicacies, sandwiches and good coffee. If you are looking for a pleasant hotel, right in the center of Bruges, the Ibis is highly recommended. Bruges is not a cheap city and this is a very nice hotel for a nice price.
Other tips for accommodation in Bruges
Apartment: House Loppem 9-11
Lovely apartment with roof terrace in the center of Bruges.
Historic Hotel: Hotel De Castillion
Beautiful historic hotel dating from the 15th century located in the heart of Bruges.
Normal hotel: Hotel Navarra
Hotel in a 17th century mansion with indoor pool, spa and fitness.
Dinner
After you’ve freshened up, it’s time for dinner. If you don’t feel like walking far, One Minnewater is a must. To get here, walk south out of Katelijnestraat (the opposite side to where you walked during the day) and turn right at the first street. You can already see the restaurant at the end of the street. Ideal! As soon as the food came on the table we attacked, so unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures. At One Minnewater you really eat Flemish. Think stews and rabbit legs.
Belfry tower
The next morning, after an extensive breakfast, walk towards the city center. You do this by simply walking straight ahead until you reach Simon Stevinplein and then turn right into Steenstraat. You are now in the middle of the Market, with the huge Belfry tower on top. Those who love beautiful views should definitely not skip climbing this tower. You may have to queue for a while, as not too many people are allowed to go up at once. Fortunately, the view makes up for this! Entrance price: €14,-.
Sailing a boat on the canals
Enjoy the beautiful buildings in the square, but don’t take a seat on the terraces. The food and drink here is expensive and usually not worth the money. Instead, cross the square and turn right into the street. Here you will find Le Pain Quotidien, a chain of tasty organic pastries, sandwiches and dishes. When you’ve satisfied your appetite, walk straight across from Le Pain Quotidien into the street to the Burg. You can also visit the Gothic hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood here. I liked to take a look inside, but not a real must see for Bruges. Entrance fee for the Gothic Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood: free.
Walk straight down the square and you walk straight to a boarding point in front of the boat. As far as I’m concerned, this is highly recommended when the weather is nice: you can see the city center of Bruges from the waterfront and you can take great photos. A tour lasts about 45 minutes and the guide speaks 4 different languages. Price boat trip: €10,-.
Would you rather do a more complete tour? Then book a boat trip followed by a guided city walk.
Fries Museum
After this boat trip it is time for the very last sight: the Frietmuseum. If you say Flanders, you say fries (and no fries). In fact, you really shouldn’t skip the Fries Museum during your weekend in Bruges. In a playful way you discover everything about fries and of course at the end there is the possibility to taste a cone of fries. Recommended! Entrance price: €7,-.
For us, the two days in Bruges were over. If you haven’t had enough, then the Groeninge Museum also seems to be really worth a visit!
Cycling in Bruges
Don’t want to miss anything about Bruges and would you like to learn more about this city? Then a bike tour with a local guide might be something for you! I always enjoy discovering a city by bike. This way you see a lot more than if you go out on foot and you also come to places that you might otherwise have missed. Fun to do, especially if you’re short on time.
The Vespa Trip through the surroundings of Bruges
Do you have a little longer time in Bruges? Then it is great fun to go out for a day with a Vespa! You pick up your Vespa in the center of Bruges and then set course for the hinterland. Via Damse vaart you drive to picturesque Damme and then you explore the nature reserve ‘t Zwin. A wonderful tour that shows you a completely different side of Bruges!
I loved my weekend in Bruges. Bruges is a very nice city that has a lot of cultural activities to offer. I do recommend going in early spring or late fall. Now it was fine to do in terms of crowds, but a little later in the year it is very touristy. So something to keep in mind!
