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- Last Updated on November 3, 2024
Bruges is one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe. In medieval times, it was a major trading center, and enjoyed abundant prosperity. However, the 1500s brought increased importance to other cities, and Bruges went into decline. By the 1800s, the city was impoverished and forgotten. This ended up being a blessing in disguise, as the city was not modernized with the rest of the country. Bruges’s medieval tangle of streets survived, and is now Belgium’s top tourist destination. Today, it is a fairytale land of horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down cobblestone streets, and elegant swans floating along canals.
While you could easily spend a week soaking up the atmosphere of this place, you can see the most important sights in Bruges in 1 day with this itinerary. You can even do this 1-day Bruges itinerary as a day trip from Brussels. Do the activities in the order listed to optimize your time.
Table Of Contents - Bruges Itinerary
STAR RATING KEY:
★★★ Top priority
★★ Highly recommended
★ Worthwhile
No Star – Skippable if not interested
Bruges Itinerary: 1 Day
Explore Historic Center
Exploring the historic city center is the single most important thing to do on this 1-day Bruges itinerary. As you stroll the medieval streets, try to imagine you are walking through town during its trading heyday, and it’s bustling with merchants instead of tourists. The frequent passing of horse-drawn carriages should help set the mood for you. You can walk around the city on your own, making sure to hit the most important spots, Burg Square and Markt Square. Go down as many surrounding side streets as you can.
For a more informative tour of the city, we recommend this historical walking tour of Bruges. Of note, while this is technically a “free” tour [~$3 booking fee], a tip of €10-15 per person is expected at the end of the tour.
If you prefer a private experience, we recommend this private historical walking tour of Bruges instead.
City Hall (Bruggemuseum-Stadhuis)
This structure was built as the city hall for Bruges during its medieval heyday. The building, with its characteristic pointed spires, is a gothic masterpiece. Inside, you can enjoy the elaborate decor of the time, as well as a set of large murals depicting important moments in Bruges history.
Cost and Hours: €7 per person. Open daily 9:30am – 5:00pm.
Address: Burg 12, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Website: www.museabrugge.be/en/
Begijnhof Courtyard
This beautiful courtyard, with its whitewashed facade, was historically a safe, quiet place for unmarried women to live. Today, it is the home of the nuns of the Order of St. Benedict. Of note, it is polite to remain silent while in the courtyard.
Cost and Hours: Free to enter. Open daily 6:30am – 6:30pm.
Address: Begijnhof 30, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Canal Tour
A canal tour is an absolute must-do on any Bruges itinerary. You simply can’t get the whole experience of the city without getting out on the water. You will appreciate this medieval town from a different perspective while you meander under romantic bridges along with the swans.
Expect an open-top boat with anywhere from 20-40 passengers. Boats generally don’t leave until they’re full, so hop on a full one if you can. There are 5 locations to catch the boats, and they all have essentially the same route. You don’t reserve your ticket in advance – just buy it when you’re ready to catch your ride. For detailed info on canal tours, see the official Bruges tourism website.
Cost and Hours: €12 per adult. Tours run 10:00am – 6:00pm March – mid-November. Tours are sometimes offered during the offseason, particularly during the Christmas market season.
*For map details zoom-in or click on the icon on the top left corner.
If You Have Time
De Halve Maan Brewery
Established in the 1800s, the De Halve Maan Brewery is one of the oldest family owned breweries in Bruges. There are several ways to experience the brewery. If you’re not that into learning about the beer and just want to try some, go straight to the restaurant. If you are a lover of beer, we highly recommend booking one of the tours. We took the classic tour and found it was one of the most interesting brewery tours in all of Europe. During the tour, your guide will also take you up to the rooftop for a gorgeous 360º view of Bruges.
Cost and Hours: €15 per person for the classic tour. Hours vary, check the website for details.
Address: Walplein 26, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Website: www.halvemaan.be/en/
Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
A horse-drawn carriage ride is a great way to get an introduction to the city in the morning, or rest your feet in the evening. You can find the carriages in Grote Markt square. These will take you on a 30-minute tour of the historic center for €60 per carriage (max 5 people). For more info, visit the city’s page on Bruges By Horse-drawn Carriage.
Address: Grote Markt, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Practical Info
Getting Around Bruges
Everything in touristic Bruges is within easy walking distance. You shouldn’t bring a car here.
Christmas Markets In Bruges
Despite being a relatively small city, Bruges has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. If you can schedule your visit during the Christmas season, you should. For more on this, see our page on the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.
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