Bruges in a Day: The best things to do in Bruges
Are you a fan of quaint towns, delightful treats, and a dash of history? Then, a day trip to Bruges should be on your list. We were staying in Lille for 2 weeks for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and, in between games, we took the opportunity to explore a few places such as Bruges, Ghent and Éperney.
Top tip: Before you visit, make sure you watch Martin McDonagh’s film In Bruges starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clémence Poésy and Jérémie Renier.
Bruges is a small place and the best way to enjoy the city is to walk around and take in the beautiful simply architecture and get lost amongst its narrow streets and canals.
Getting to Bruges
Getting from Lille to Bruges was a breeze as it’s just a 60-minute drive from Lille. And once you arrive, you'll find a conveniently located car park (Interpark) just outside the city, so you can avoid driving around the narrow complex streets of the old town.
From the car park, you can stroll to the city centre in under 10 minutes or hop on their free shuttle service, which drops you off right in the heart of town.
Driving times to get to Bruges
60 mins from Lille
60 mins from Ghent
80 mins from Antwerp
90 mins from Brussels
90 mins from Calais
Bruges also has a train station, and you can get there in just under 2 hours from London if you take the Eurostar to Brussels and then a Belgian train to Bruges (your Eurostar ticket includes any Belgian train for 24 hours).
The closest international airport is Oostende-Brugge International Airport, a 50-minute drive from the city.
Eat Belgian Waffles
These golden, crispy delights, often topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate, are more than just a treat; they're an experience. Here are some of our recommendations.
Chez Albert: With two takeaway shops in Bruges, Chez Albert offers a variety of toppings for your hot waffle, including milk and dark chocolate, whipped cream, strawberries, and more.
Oyya: Here, you can combine your fresh waffles with a vast selection of ice cream flavours, adding a cold bite to your hot waffle.
Lizzie's Wafels: While there may be a queue, Lizzie's Waffles are worth the wait, but make sure you go hungry. These waffles are more substantial than their takeaway counterparts and are perfect for a hearty meal rather than a quick snack.
Our Belgian waffles from Chez Albert.
Enjoy a coffee to go alongside your waffles
Here are some coffee shops to recharge at during your visit:
Margritt: This relaxed coffee shop opens at 9:30 am and serves coffee, cake, and lunch. It's an ideal spot to kick-start your day.
Cafuné Specialty Coffee Bar & Roastery: If you're seeking good coffee and light bites, Cafuné is the place to be. Note that they're closed on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Vero Caffé: Offering breakfast, brunch, coffee, and delectable cakes, Vero Caffé ticks all the boxes for a delightful cafe experience.
Alice enjoying a latte from Margritt.
Indulge in some chocolate and candy
A trip to Bruges wouldn't be complete without indulging in its famous chocolates and candies. Here are some must-visit sweet shops:
Leonidas: This iconic chocolate shop is a treasure trove of pralines, truffles, and other decadent delights.
Confiserie Zucchero: This candy shop is a must-visit if you're a fan of handmade sweets. You might even catch a candy-making demonstration in-store.
Take a chocolate masterclass
If you seriously love chocolate why not try making your chocolate from those in the know at The Bruges Chocolate Workshop? Learn how to make two types of Belgian chocolates over 2.5 hours and enjoy a hot chocolate to end the class, not forgetting to take your handmade chocolates (over 30 pieces each) home.
€42 per person (for people over 12 years old only, sorry kids).
www.brugeschocolateworkshops.com
Climb the Belfry Tower
Beffroi de Lille, the iconic bell tower in the centre of the old town, offers beautiful views over the city. There is an ascent of over 400 steps up 104 metres. Some will be glad to know an elevator is available after the first 100 steps.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and must be booked in advance via their tourism website.
If you’ve watched ‘In Bruges’, you should know all about the tower and its narrow steps.
Note that the Belfry Tower is closed on Mondays.
Take a river cruise
If you fancy seeing Bruges from a different perspective, then you may want to consider renting a bike or, better still, booking a river cruise. Most boat tours last approximately 30 minutes, as the government imposed the same fixed route for all the cruise operators. You will see the most scenic spots along the canals, which enchant this historic city.
Learn about Belgian beer
Beer might be the reason you have come to Bruges, and if that is the case, there are an abundance of beer houses, but if you want to delve a little deeper and learn about its history, brewing techniques, along with taste and smell along the way, then you may want to book the Bruges Beer Experience.
Note this is a self-guided tour, which is interactive through an iPad. There is a tasting bar where you can try up to 16 flavours of draft beer.
Alternatively, if you prefer a guided tour, you should visit the internationally recognised De Halve Maan beer tour. A fun fact is they have a two-mile beer pipeline under the city, allowing the beer to flow from their brewery to their bottling site. They offer different types of tours ranging from 45-90 minutes and start at €16 per person.
Indulge in some mussels
Ever wondered why mussels have a strong association with Bruges? This culinary connection results from historical circumstances when winter brought about a scarcity of fish. At the same time, the nearby North Sea had an abundance of mussels, making them an economical substitute for fish in Belgian households.
Moules-frites (mussels and fries) reign as a beloved dish in Belgium, holding the distinction of being the country's national dish. You'll easily find this dish in Bruges's traditional restaurants.
We, of course, wanted to eat Moules-frites whilst in Bruges, so we visited Poules Moules, a restaurant whose name hints at its speciality in mussels and rotisserie chicken. We are committed to providing candid feedback about our dining experiences, and while this establishment came highly recommended and looks amazing, we regrettably found it to be pretty average (sorry!).
Our Bruges Map
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