When Belgium is concerned, Brugge is one of my all time favorites, so much so that we've visited three times! Nicknamed "Venice of the North", this preserved medieval town is filled with cobblestoned streets, picturesque canals, fantastic shopping and mouthwatering Belgian chocolates, cuisine and a long list of beers to try. Easily navigated, this town brings you back in time as you stroll along the peaceful streets.
Grand' Place/ The Markt (Above)
The heart of the city for centuries.
Opposite the Belfort, the historical buildings are now touristic restaurants.
Provincial Government Building/ Provinciaal Hof
The amazingly detailed and massive structure takes up an entire side of the the Markt.
The Belfort/ Beffroi
Bruges equivalent of the Eiffel Tower. A symbol of liberty, power and prosperity.
272 feet high with a staircase of 366 narrow and steep steps for climbing to and from the highest point. Expect to share the stairs with visitors ascending and descending with minimal space.
There is a mini-model of the Belfort in the front of the building.
Horse carriage tours line the front of Grand' Place. The price is somewhat steep.
For our ride, the 15 minute break at Minnewater was included as part of the 30 minute tour.
As our kids loved it, I was somewhat disappointed of the jip. I have watched several other tours cover other areas of Brugge so I wouldn't just cross this off of the list from our account.
A gorgeous small and hidden viewpoint off to the left side of Wollestrasse from the Belfort.
Located between two luxury hotels at the end of a arch covered doorway just before 'The Beerwall' on the same side of the street. (Views pictured above and below)
If you are only visiting for the day, pop into a nearby hotel or the tourist office for a map.
If you have the chance to visit during the spring and summer months, be sure to take a boat tour.
Along Wollestraat. These affordable tours cover the entire grand canal and offer amazing shots that just aren't possible on land. This was one of the best scenic boat tours we've experienced.
Along Katelijnestraat
Did I mention that Brugge is the Worlds's Capital of Chocolate? Oh yes, yes it is!
The richest chocolate you'll ever taste in your life lines the streets of this city.
49 chocolate boutiques entice you with their fresh handmade wares.
The richest chocolate you'll ever taste in your life lines the streets of this city.
49 chocolate boutiques entice you with their fresh handmade wares.
Choco Story Museum is a must visit for the chocoholic!
Sint-Jansstraat 7b
My favorite Chocolaterie! Sukerbuyc Chocolaterie. Katelijnestraat 5.
Family recipes of fine chocolates are made by hand in the shop!
Almost everything is made of chocolate! Keep your eyes peeled for risque chocolate body parts ;)
Many fantastic chocolate boutiques line the street of Katelijnestraat.
Many fantastic chocolate boutiques line the street of Katelijnestraat.
Basilica of the Holy Blood (pictured above and below)
Houses the urn containing drops of Christ's blood.
The Oratory is an example of 12th century Romanesque architecture.
Burg 10.
Basilica info: http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/musea.htm#3
Official Basilica site: http://www.holyblood.com/?lang=en
Burg 10.
Basilica info: http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/musea.htm#3
Official Basilica site: http://www.holyblood.com/?lang=en
A popular confections shop, La Cure Gourmande along Breidelstraat
on the way to the Burg and Basilica of the Holy Blood.
on the way to the Burg and Basilica of the Holy Blood.
The less touristic restaurants won't have the outside signs in five different languages.
Many will have English on the menu underneath the local language.
If not, bring along a translation book or tech it out with a translation app.
These restaurants tend to have high quality regional specialties.
You never can go wrong with Belgian beef!!! Mussels are also the local specialty.
Vlaamse stoofkarbonaden- a Flemish beef stew made with beer was one of my favorites.
Waterzooi: A rich chicken cream soup which is to die for originating from Ghent, Belgium. Vegetable, cream, chicken & eggs make up this soup, sometimes with fish as well. I dream of this soup!
For many more ideas on Belgian cuisine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_cuisine
With approximately 178 breweries in the country you may have a hard time deciding on which
beer to try first! I love tasting the local beer on tap, the Brugge Zot is a great start to your visit.
beer to try first! I love tasting the local beer on tap, the Brugge Zot is a great start to your visit.
Church of our Lady towering over the city.
Arents Court. One of the Four Men of the Apocalypse.
This hidden garden area is just off of Gruuthusestraat down a small alley with an arched gate.
A classic humpback bridge off of Arents court. Behind Church of our Lady.
A quaint spot just behind Church of our Lady. Over the bridge is Arents Court.
Gruuthuse Museum (above)- Dijver 17
Houses a large collection of historical objects relating life to a wealthy family in
Brugge between the 15th and 19th centuries.
Brugge between the 15th and 19th centuries.
The Begijnhof/ Beguinage entrance gate.
Founded in 1245. Houses the nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict.
A peaceful garden, whitewashed houses and a museum are hidden behind the building in this shot.
Please be quietly respectful as you visit. Photos aren't permitted after entering.
In my opinion, the entire Beguinage area is one of the prettiest spots in Brugge.
Pictured above and below.
Beguinage & museum info: http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/musea.htm#3
English is spoken clearly along with at least four other languages by many
of the locals who deal with tourists.
Canal in the Beguinage area
Beguinage area. "Minnewater" or Lake of Love. Pictured above.
In the evening, fairy lights illuminate this gorgeously peaceful
area creating one of the most romantic corners in Brugge.
Grand' Place lit up for the Christmas Market.
Christmas Market info: http://www.christmas-markets.org/belgium/brugge/location.php
Ice skating is available at the open air ice rink in Grand' Place/ Martkt during the Christmas Market.
The Belfort and open air ice rink during the Christmas Market.
Try a gluhwein (hot spiced wine) and the tasty treats from the outdoor stalls.
The open air ice rink in Grand' Place/ The Markt.
The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival is highly recommended.
Christmas Market stalls selling various holiday wares and foods. 
A farm cheese stand during the Christmas Market.
Above is the Biekorf underground parking garage. The clearance is extremely low and narrow. We own a small old Mercedes which scraped the sides as we entered! For larger or nice vehicles, I really recommend finding parking outside of town or a larger garage if possible.
Parking
Find parking online with: http://www.interparking.com/Public/Map.aspx?culture=en-GB
Brugge has seven parking lots/garages available around and inside the town.
The link above will help you decide on the location and price that suits your needs best.
Brugge's old town center is ringed off centrally from the actual city.
Free street parking is available on the outer ring if you find a spot open.
Street parking inside of the old town is not free and will cost a high price if ticketed.
Driving in, dropping off your luggage and parking nearby is a possibility.
Some hotels offer parking or recommend nearby parking.
Parking locations: Centrum Zand- t' Zand, Biekorf (pictured above)- Naaldenstraat, Pandreitje- Gevangenisstraat, Zilverpand- Zilverstraat, Katelijne- Katelijnestraat. Autocar- Bargeweg. only for tourist coaches and motorhomes.
Centrum Station: Buiton Begijnenvest- This car park is on the city outskirts with just a 15 minute walk from the city center. The rate is the lowest of all car parks and with presentation of the parking ticket, travel with the bus is free of charge to the city center and back. Buses run every 3 minutes!
Three surviving windmills along the city wall of Buiten Kruisvest street.
St. John's mill is now a museum.
A peaceful green park stretches along where the old city wall once stood.
Along this park you can visit the three windmills and four of the remaining gates.
The Asses' Gate is a favorite nesting area for the swans.
The Gate of the Holy Cross looks somewhat like a fort and is equipped with a drawbridge.
The Marshall's Gate is from the 14th century.
The Gent Gate separates the walled city from the suburbs.
Visit
Brugge is a very small city to visit. Transportation inside the old town is not needed as everything is within comfortable walking distance. If you only had a day, it's possible to see the main sights, enjoy a nice lunch and meander around without rushing. We enjoy a weekend visit when we have the time but our drive is only four hours from home. If I was flying overseas to get here, I would love a few full days but I would also recommend planning a Belgium sightseeing trip if you have more time. Every city, town and village is so unique with beautiful architecture, fantastic shopping and delectable cuisine. Belgium is one of my favorite countries in Europe.
Stay
Accommodation within the city will be pricier than staying outside of the old walls. If you drive to the city, staying 10km or less from the city center will save your budget. Parking is more accessible and is usually free with your stay. We have stayed both inside and outside of the city and enjoyed both. Staying inside gives you the convenience of enjoying dinner and drinks with a short walk back to your hotel.
Our stays:
Cordoeanier Hotel. Coreoeanierstraat 16-18. Comfortable, clean and simple rooms with friendly service conveniently located just around the corner of the Markt.
Breakfast included was served in the attached Cafe Rose Red.
Parking was recommended at the nearby garage or outside of the city wall.
Hotel site: http://www.cordoeanier.be/en/index.php
Cafe Rose Red: http://www.cordoeanier.be/en/rosered.php
Booking.com: http://www.booking.com/
Van Der Valk- Hotel Brugge- Oostkamp. Kapellestraat 146, Oostkamp 8020.
Only a 5-10 minute drive from the city center.
Excellent modern hotel with friendly service and large comfortable and clean rooms.
A large parking lot is on site and surrounds the hotel.
Hotel site: http://www.hotelbrugge-oostkamp.be/en
Booking.com: http://www.booking.com/
There are so many more beautiful sites to see in Brugge that I just can't cover them all.
Check out these helpful online sites to see all that there is to offer.
Brugge's official site: http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/index.htm
Tourist Map of the City & Sights: http://www.touristmap.net/belgium/bruges/map
Unesco World Heritage Center Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/996
Wikitravel: http://wikitravel.org/en/Bruges
Art Route Map: http://www.bruges-art-route.com/index.php/plan
The site is in Dutch, but you can translate the page automatically with google.
Any other helpful tips to share? Please do =)
No comments:
Post a Comment