Top Things to Do in Brugge

About the City

Brugge, Belgium, known as the 'Venice of the North,' is a picturesque city that seems lifted from a medieval fairy tale. Its cobblestone streets and quaint canals invite leisurely exploration, while the aroma of chocolate wafts through the air, tempting your taste buds at every corner. Lovers of history will rejoice in the city's well-preserved architecture, displayed in the grandeur of the Belfry and the splendor of the Markt Square. Art aficionados can marvel at the Flemish masterpieces housed in the Groeningemuseum, solidifying Brugge as a cultural treasure trove. However, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. The city's charm is no secret, which means it can be swarmed with tourists, especially during peak season, detracting somewhat from its fairy-tale feel. Also, with the omnipresence of chocolate shops and souvenir stalls, one might say the place borders on being a tad too commercialized. Weather-wise, Brugge's maritime climate can be fickle; one moment the sun might grace the historic facades, the next, you're drenched by an impromptu downpour. And for the budget-conscious, be warned: Brugge can tug tightly on those purse strings with its premium priced attractions and dining experiences. In all, Brugge is a city of contrasts, rich in culture and beauty, yet not without its fair share of modern-day tourism woes.

Things to Do in Brugge

Relish a Rich Rabbit Stew

Food & Drink

Hop on over for a dish that's stew-pendous! Belgian Rabbit Stew, known as 'Stoofvlees,' will make you wanna thump your feet with happiness. Slow-cooked to perfection, the meat just falls off the bone,...

Kayak the Canals

Outdoors

Ditch the walking shoes and let's get wet 'n wild Bruges-style – in a kayak! Paddle past historic buildings and under ancient bridges. Wave at the tourists on foot like you’re the king or queen of the...

Revel in a Chocolate Workshop

The Unexpected

Unleash your inner Willy Wonka and get hands-on in the chocolatey wonderland of Bruges! From bean to bar, you'll be melting, tempering, and yes - sampling, like a chocoholic in heaven!

Glide on Lace-Thin Ice at the Ice Sculpture Festival

The Unexpected

Slide on down to Bruges when winter hits and the city's famous Ice Sculpture Festival chills to life. Imagine a frozen wonderland where you can twirl and glide next to ice-sculpted dragons, fairies, o...

Clink Glasses at the Bruges Beer Experience

The Unexpected

Beer aficionados, get ready to sip your way through suds-istory at the Bruges Beer Experience. Here's where you get to cheers to health with a goblet of history, soaking up the tales of Trappist monks...

Solve the Riddles of the Historium Escape Room

The Unexpected

Fancy yourself a bit of a Houdini? Then get ready to crack your knuckles, flex those brain cells, and dive into the Historium's magical escape room. You'll be solving puzzles, sifting through clues, a...

Jog Historical

Outdoors

Strap on those running shoes and jog through history! Get your heart racing as you zip past gothic structures and briskly wave at the swans. Each step is a step back in time - a workout for your body ...

Kayak the Canals

Outdoors

Ditch the walking shoes and let's get wet 'n wild Bruges-style – in a kayak! Paddle past historic buildings and under ancient bridges. Wave at the tourists on foot like you’re the king or queen of the...

Jog Historical

Outdoors

Strap on those running shoes and jog through history! Get your heart racing as you zip past gothic structures and briskly wave at the swans. Each step is a step back in time - a workout for your body ...

Unearth Hidden Courtyards

Outdoors

Ready to play peekaboo with Bruges’ secret courtyards? Duck into these hidden wonders scattered around the city and find your own slice of peaceful paradise. Who needs a time machine when each courtya...

Feast on a Flaky Flemish Fish Pie

Food & Drink

Hook, line, and sinker, this fish pie is a keeper! Tuck into a traditional Flemish Fish Pie, known locally as 'vispannetje,' a creamy, dreamy concoction loaded with the freshest catch of the day, all ...

Discover the Enchanting Groeningemuseum

Sights

Art buffs, get ready to feast your peepers on some of the finest Flemish and Belgian paintings at the Groeningemuseum! From van Eyck to Magritte, every brushstroke tells a story that'll have you oohin...

Stroll through Minnewater Park

Sights

Take a romantic wander or a 'me-time' meander in the so-called 'Lake of Love.' With swans afloat and ancient trees whispering tales of yore, you'll feel like the star of a fairytale. Find your plot of...

Experience the Medieval Majesty of Markt Square

Sights

Give your feet a treat and saunter through the beating heart of Bruges - the Markt Square! This bustling plaza is a tapestry of history, draped with stunning architecture, and every step echoes with t...

Admire the Eclectic Gruuthusemuseum

Sights

Calling all history hounds and art aficionados! The Gruuthusemuseum is your go-to spot to dive headfirst into Bruges' rich past. Picture yourself perusing a former palace, now chock-full of antiques, ...

Get Serenaded by the Swans at the Love Lake

Sights

Ready for a pinch of romance sprinkled with pure zen? The Love Lake, known to locals as 'Minnewater,' is swan-central and the ultimate spot for a dreamy stroll. Let's hope you don't need to break up a...

Indulge in a Brugse Zot Beer Experience

Food & Drink

Dive into the world of Brugse Zot, the beer with a name that means 'Bruges Fool'! This local brew, iconic to the city, comes with a legend as bubbly as its head. Taste this blond or brown ale and feel...

Nibble on a Belgian Cheese Plate

Food & Drink

Get a 'taste Brie-lliance' by nibbling on a smorgasbord of Belgian cheeses. Imagine an array of soft, hard, stinky, and blue types, each with its own unique character, just waiting to be paired with a...

Gobble Up a Ghent Waterzooi

Food & Drink

Get your spoon ready for a dish that's comfort in a bowl! Ghent Waterzooi is like a big warm hug from Belgium itself, a creamy soup chock full of chicken or fish, leeks, potatoes, and carrots, all lou...

Conjure Sweet Melodies at a Carillon Concert

The Unexpected

Get your groove on with some high-altitude tunes at a mind-blowing carillon concert! Imagine, bell music raining down from the majestic Belfry tower. It's like the sky itself is serenading you with a ...

More Resources for Brugge