While visiting Brussels, the capital of Belgium, a day trip to Bruges is a must. Or even longer if you have the time in your schedule. Bruges is known for their canal, many bridges, cobbled streets and medieval looking buildings. Although it is quite touristy (especially in the summer months), it is still worth a visit. In addition, if you have the time, Ghent is also worth checking out before/after Bruges.

Getting to Bruges from Brussels is very simple. There is a train that goes directly from Brussels-Centraal to the Bruges train station. Unfortunately, it is NOT that budget friendly (€16.10 each way) but it’s the cheapest transportation option. The trains are nice but get really busy with lots of tourists (even in the off season – winter).

Things To Do (on a budget)

While there isn’t a crazy amount of things to do in Bruges, I think the main appeal of the Bruges is its charm. While there is lots of popular shops and restaurants (H&M, Zara, McDonalds, etc.), they are in the old original buildings. The look of the buildings and the canal running through the city almost reminds you of Amsterdam, except on a much smaller scale.

The Markt Square

The main square in Bruges is definitely the main attraction. It is very medieval looking (even though it has obviously been modernized) and you feel like you have went back in time. In the warmer months, there is a bunch of stalls set up throughout the square. Despite grey weather, the Markt square is always busy with tourists as well as locals. There is lots of stores to do some shopping, grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant or simply walk around and take it all in.

Chocolate & Waffles

There are MANY chocolate and waffle shops to check out and indulge in. The chocolate shops that are not big name brands tend to be better, in my personal opinion. While the big chain ones do have good chocolate still, the smaller and more local ones tend to be more fresh and flavourful in my experience. So grab a waffle or a bag of chocolate and sit by the canal or in the square to savour every last bite of it!

Get Lost

Bruges is an extremely walkable (or bike-able!) city. The best way to get around the narrow cobblestoned streets is to walk or bike. Wandering around and getting lost in the magic of Bruges is a requirement. Overall, be sure to include Bruges in your itinerary when visiting Belgium – it is a unique little city that is not to be missed! 💛

Thanks for reading! Just a heads up – I will be posting a new blog every Thursday (and occasionally more than once a week if I’m feeling extra ambitious that week). Topics will include travel tips/things to do for other places in Italy and throughout Europe, how to deal with COVID-19 cancelling your travel plans, tips for travelling on a budget, etc! In no particular order, so you’ll have to subscribe and receive my blog each week right to your email inbox to see what each weeks blog will be on!