Top Things to Do in the Bruges | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Bruges

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is located right next to the City Hall in the Burg Square of Bruges. It is a prominent two-storeyed chapel that holds a lot of significance for Christians all around the world as it is a house to the relic from the time of Christ's crucifixion. The cylindrical vial is believed to hold a piece of cloth from Jesus Christ's last apparel. The piece of fabric is famously known as soaked with the blood of Christ. The basilica itself was built in the 1150s by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders.The church is also a prominent monument because of its architectural prowess and historical significance. The basilica has been continuously renovated since its establishment. The church attracts a lot of travellers - religious and not, because of its cultural, architectural and historical value to the experience of the city of Bruges. The vial, extremely protected inside the basilica, is allowed outside its walls only on the Ascension Day when the basilica holds a Procession of the Holy Blood. One can expect to be in awe of the age-old sculptures, murals, statues, artworks and paintings exhibited around the basilica and in the Museum. Read More

Belfort (Belfry & Carillon)

Situated south of Markt, standing at 83m tall, Belfry is the finest bell tower in Bruges. You will be rewarded with a breath taking panoramic view of Bruges if you successfully make the unfettered climb of 366 steps. Halle, built in 1248 and once the main market place of the city, encloses a quaint courtyard. The entrance to the Belfry is through the inner courtyard. It houses a Carillon with 47 bells hanging in the tower.On the way up, the Treasure Room on the second floor, holds records of civic documents like city's charter, public funds, city's seal etc.æ Read More

The Beguinage was once home to the beguines, emancipated laywomen who led a pious and celibate life. Situated at the edge of a canal, the first house of the cluster has been converted into a small museum. It is a UNESCO word Heritage site from the 13th century. Home to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, the white washed walls of the Beguinage symbolise tranquility. This cluster of houses was founded in 1245 as a home to women from all backgrounds dedicated to charity work, yet not bound by any religious vows. Stroll around the lush green courtyard gardens as you soak in the quaintness of the scene. Read More

Through six generations, this brewhouse has existed since 1856 and is the last family brewhouse in Bruges The 'Brugse Zot' , the Bruges city beer is brewed here, known for its strong taste and high fermentation, based of malt, hops and special yeast. There are guided 45 minute tours of the brewery following which you can sample the blonde version of the Brugse Zot.

The Burg is one of the city's most beautiful squares. The southern part of this square is fringed with some of the city's finest buildings. Located right next to Markt Square, it is rather small but no less magnificent. Breidelstraat, east of Markt leads to Burg. Named after the fortress built here by the first count of Flanders, this square is a reflection of the wealth of the city. Burg has remained the centre of political and ecclesiastical power. The Stadhius (city hall) on one side, has survived, but the St. Donaaskathedraal, on the other side was destroyed by the French Army. Stadhuis (City Hall)- Bruges has been governed by the 14th century City Hall. It is a remarkable building with exemplary architecure. The Gothic Hall and the Historic Hall are rich insights into history and art prevalent then. The Museum, in the main hall showcases several interesting artefacts. Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed (Basilica of Holy Blood) - On the right of the Stadhuis, towers the Basilica. It is comprised the æRomanesque style lower chapel and upper chapel, known to house the crystal vial containing a drop of Christ's blood and the relics of St. Basil. Each year in May, the crystal vial is paraded in the streets of Bruge as part of the Procession of the Holy Blood. Read More

Bruges' most famous local brewery, De Halve Maan, is located on a well-connected Walplein road. It is a family-run business and has opened a unique brewery museum which provides guided tours to visitors regarding the background of this historic brewery. It is a 500 old vintage brewery. All beer lovers, get on board! De Halve Maan, started in 1854, has transformed itself into a must-visit tourist destination in Bruges. In 2016, new double beer pipeline was installed, over 3.2 kms long, to ban the traffic of trucks for transporting beer. These double pipelines have become quite the thrill as people flock together to get a view of them. The tours of the brewery explain the history of the Maes family that invested over six generations in this business. It also takes one to the back functioning of the brewery: the various types of equipment used and the details of the techniques used in brewing. The history of the brewery is longer than the history of about any modern brewery. It had to undergo a lot of uphills and downhills to reach where it currently is. It is also the producer of the world famous beer called Brugse Zot, which is the best beer in Bruges. Some of the other beers brewed here are Brugse SpotZot, Brugse Bok, Hendrik Hendrik, Hendrik Wild, Brugse White beer and others. The place also serves delicious lunch in its cosy place and provides a splendid view of the canals. Read More

Located in the Groenige district, Groeninge Museum centralised Bruges' collection of paintings in 1930, which had been scattered till then. Bruges' most celebrated museum has a rich collection of Flemish Primitive and Renaissance works depicting the wealth of the city. It provides an insight into the history of Belgian visual art, with Flemish primitives as the main highlight. Admire masterpieces like the Virgin and Child with Canon Van der Paele by by Jan van Eyck amist several other exquisite pieces of art, including neoclassical pieces, Flemish expressionaism and post-war modern art.æ Read More

The Historium, located right in the centre of this city, provides the visitors just that - a tour of Bruges's lavish history curated through new technologies. The tour includes a visit to the Historium Story, Historium Exhibition, Historium Virtual Reality and Historium Tower. The city of Bruges, first and foremost, is a historical town. Its history has given it a unique place in the travel industry such that people from all over the world travel to Belgium, to visit this small town rich in its medieval past. The Historium as an idea originated in a Flemish family back in 2006. It has been operational and open to visitors since 25 November 2012. The Historium has so much to offer that one can take up an entire day to delve into the Golden Age of Bruges. There are various packages designed for travellers such that the visitors themselves have a say regarding their experience. There is also a bar available at the Historium for travellers to dive straight into after their visit at the Historium. This historical museum promises to travellers from all walks of life a proper and wholesome experience of the city of Bruges as it lived and thrived back in the medieval ages. Read More

Markt, Bruge's most bustling square is right at the heart of the city. Ensconced between buildings with historical importance, it is the perfect blend of culture, tradition, history and modern lifestyle. It is one of the most photogenic places in Bruges. Markt used to be an extremely busy Waterehalle, an underground warehouse where goods were loaded and unloaded by commercial ships for sale in the Market. Today the canals are still there, albeit underground. Get on board the horse-drawn carriages or buggies, while they whisk you away for a glimpse of the Neo-Gothic Provincial Hof, the Belfry, the brick made Huis Bouchoute, Cronenberg or even for a quick snack at the Frietkot,æfries stand. The cafes here although extremely irresistible from the outside, are quite a pocket pinch on the inside. Read More

The Memling Museum is located just across Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk. The Museum is a must-visit for all painting lovers and art dwellers because it represents one of the most famous painters of the Flemish Primitives - Hans Memling. It is named after Hans Memling. The paintings of Hans Memling are preserved in this Museum after the old St. John’s Hospital stopped its operations as a hospital in 1978. There are six paintings in the museum of the 15th-century painter who was known for his classical paintings lacking neither in detail nor harmony.The paintings of Hans Memling held in this museum are the St. Ursula Shrine, St. John Altarpiece, Diptych with Our Blessed Lady and Maarten van Nieuwenhoven, Mystical Marriage of St Catherine and two others. Painters and artists have made the city of Bruges a stop for all cultural and art enthusiasts. This ensures visiting Memling Museum would be a great wonder and will you with utmost artistic inspiration in case you were running low. Read More