- Stay overnight to see the city before day-trippers arrive and after they leave
- Eurostar to Brussels plus a one-hour train gets you there from London in around three and a half hours
- The centre is small, flat and car-free in parts, so walk or cycle
- Book the Belfry climb online, as visitor numbers are limited
- Airports
- Brussels (BRU), about 1h30 by train; Brussels-Midi Eurostar terminal about 1h by train
- Best time to go
- April-June and September; late November-December for the Christmas market
- Type
- City
Bruges is the most perfectly preserved medieval city in northern Europe, a UNESCO-listed tangle of canals, cobbled lanes and step-gabled houses that was a wealthy trading hub in the Middle Ages and then quietly fell asleep for centuries. It is compact, flat and astonishingly pretty, with a beer and chocolate shop on almost every corner.
Its popularity is also its challenge: cruise and coach groups pour in by day. Stay at least one night and you get the quiet canals at dawn and lamplit squares after dark. For the rest of the country, see our Belgium guide.
Where to stay
- Around the Markt and Burg – right in the middle, close to the Belfry and the main squares. Very convenient but the busiest area by day.
- Langestraat and the east – quieter streets towards the old windmills on the ramparts, with good-value guesthouses and local bars.
- Near the Minnewater and Begijnhof – peaceful and romantic, a short walk from the station.
- Sint-Anna – a residential area across the canal from the centre, with a neighbourhood feel.
Many hotels are in historic buildings with steep stairs and no lift, so check if that matters to you.
Things to do
- The Markt and the Belfry – climb the 366 steps of the 13th-century Belfry for views over the rooftops. Numbers are limited, so book a time slot online.
- The Burg – a smaller square with the ornate Gothic City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
- Canal boat trip – half-hour trips leave from several jetties and are the best way to see the city's back gardens and bridges.
- Groeninge Museum – Flemish Primitive masterpieces, including works by Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.
- Begijnhof and Minnewater – a serene walled courtyard of white houses, next to the "Lake of Love".
- Beer and chocolate – tour the De Halve Maan brewery, the last working brewery in the centre, and try a few independent chocolatiers.
- Ramparts and windmills – walk or cycle the green ring around the old town, past working windmills.
Ghent is just 30 minutes away by train, and the WW1 sites around Ypres are around an hour away by car or on an organised tour.
Getting there and around
The easiest way from London is the Eurostar to Brussels-Midi in about two hours, then a direct train to Bruges in about an hour; an "Any Belgian Station" Eurostar ticket can include this onward journey. If you drive, Bruges is under 90 minutes from Calais via the Eurotunnel or Dover ferries; leave the car in the large car park by the station rather than trying to drive in the centre. Flyers can land at Brussels Airport, which has direct trains to Bruges in about 1h30.
From Bruges station, it's a pleasant 15-20 minute walk into the centre, or a short bus ride. Once there, walk everywhere or hire a bike.
When to go
April to June and September are ideal, with pleasant temperatures and long days. July and August are warmest but busiest, and weekends are crowded all year. The Christmas market and ice rink fill the Markt from late November to early January. Winter outside the festive season is cold and grey but very quiet and much cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bruges worth more than a day trip?
Yes. A day trip lets you see the highlights, but staying one or two nights means you'll see the city at its quietest and most atmospheric in the early morning and evening.
Can you get from London to Bruges by train?
Yes. Take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi and change for a direct train to Bruges. The whole journey takes around three and a half hours including the change.
Is Bruges expensive?
Hotels and restaurants around the main squares are pricey, especially at weekends. Eat a street or two away from the Markt, and visit midweek for better hotel rates.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
