Bruges in numbers
865 AD
FOUNDATION
118 thousand
POPULATION
AREA
138 km²
Why visit Bruges
Bruges is a historic city in Belgium, known for its medieval charm and idyllic atmosphere. Despite its size, it is one of Belgium's top tourist destinations and is very popular all year round. Its picturesque streets and canals and its gastronomy make the capital of Flanders a unique and unforgettable place.
One of the main attractions of Bruges is its old town, which is full of medieval houses, canals and squares. The Crab Market is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions, with a wide variety of shops and restaurants. The Belfort Tower is another important tourist attraction in Bruges, with a panoramic view of the city.
In addition to its tourist attractions, Bruges is known for its art and culture. The Groeninge Museum is one of the most visited museums in the city and houses a wide variety of Belgian and international art. The Bruges Theatre is another important museum in the city, which offers a wide range of performances and events. Bruges is a little gem: centuries ago in Northern Europe it was nicknamed "Die Scone", the beautiful one.
We share with you 30 places to visit distributed in the following categories:
The Middle Ages encapsulated between canals and swans. This small Belgian town has more than a thousand years of heritage, from its ancient textiles to its tempting chocolates.
3 Museums, Galleries and Palaces
For its size, Bruges does not have as many famous museums as other European cities. However, the collections of its main art galleries are proportionately rich in works of international Gothic and Flemish Primitives, a "Northern Renaissance" that developed in parallel to that of the Italian cities.
9 Monuments and Landmarks
About a thousand years ago, a small village in Flanders was home to a textile industry which, two centuries later, was to become the main economic centre of the region. By 1400 AD, it had some 200,000 inhabitants - ten times more than the historic centre has today!
In our list of must-see places you can discover the French and Spanish influence in Bruges. Thanks to their proper preservation, a visit to the buildings of Bruges is like a journey back in time to the High Middle Ages. And in this cheerful little city, every landmark is just a stone's throw away from each other.
10 Churches and Temples
Every day, the churches of Bruges ring their bells to accompany the flowing water in their canals. The long history of Catholicism in Flanders combined with its economic heyday to build marvellous churches with interiors full of relics.
The most important of these is the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges, originally Romanesque with Gothic additions, which treasures a phial containing a piece of cloth with the blood of Christ, brought from the Holy Land during the Second Crusade. A few blocks to the southwest you will find the imposing Cathedral of San Salvador, which is almost 900 years old since its foundation and has a remarkable heritage treasure.
7 Squares and Parks
As you walk through the squares of Bruges, imagine the medieval merchants who lined them with their stalls and carts. Goods and languages from all corners of Europe were traded and shipped back to their distant destinations.
The green spaces of Bruges welcome you and bid you farewell to the city. As you enter from the train and bus station, you can stroll through the Minnewaterpark with its beautiful swans and many bridges. Before leaving in the afternoon, you can stroll through Queen Astrid Park, a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the historic centre, where the locals go to relax a little.
List with 30 places to visit in Bruges
🏛️ Museums, Galleries and Palaces
1. Arentshuis
2. Groeninge Museum
3. Gruuthuse Museum
🏰 Monuments and Landmarks
4. Almshouses
5. Beguinage of Bruges
6. Belfry of Bruges
7. Bruges Town Hall
8. Franconate of Bruges
9. Gunpowder Tower
10. Provincial Court
11. Rose Quay
12. St John's Mill
⛪ Churches and Temples
13. Basilica of the Holy Blood of Bruges
14. Cathedral of St. Saviour of Bruges
15. Church of St. Anne
16. Church of St. Elizabeth
17. Church of St. Giles
18. Church of St. Jacob
19. Church of St. Magdalene
20. Church of St. Walburga
21. Jerusalem Chapel
22. Our Lady of Bruges
🌳 Squares and Parks
23. Burg Square
24. Graaf Visartpark
25. Market Square
26. Minnewaterpark
27. Queen Astrid Park
28. Sebrechtspark
29. Tanners' Square
🎡 Experiences and Activities
30. Bruges Boat Ride
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