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

Plan Your Travel To Bruges

Places To Visit In Bruges

Museums in the Dijver Mansion

In the old city of Bruges stands Dijver, a street, and a canal. Dijver street is located on the southern bank of the watercourse. The Groeninge Museum, the Gruuthuse Museum, and the Arentshuis located in Dijver are an integral part of the Musea Brugge. Musea Brugge (Bruges Museums) has been keeping Bruges alive since 2019. The Groeninge Museum displays an extensive collection of Flemish and Belgian artwork. The Gruuthuse Museum, better known as the museum of history, is located in a 15th-century city castle. From medieval paintings to Gothic figurines, the museum showcases exquisite pieces of artwork. The Arentshuis is located in a townhouse featuring fine arts from the 15th century. The museum is a must-visit for its exhibit, majorly showcasing artwork by a British artist, Frank Brangwyn. Read More

The Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert is a series of shopping arcades of 230 meters within walking distance of Grand Place. The Royal Saint Hubert Gallery is Europe’s first enclosed retail arcade, featuring cafes, theatres, libraries, elegant chocolate stops, and luxury shopping stores. This gorgeous gallery is roofed with an arched glass pane and iron framework. A one-of-a-kind shopping experience with historic surroundings and cultural spaces. The arcade is segmented into King’s and Queen’s Gallery, each spreading over 100 meters. The Royal Gallery is a perfect example of Belgium’s creativity, displaying everything from art to poetry. Read More

About 2 minutes away from Belfry, Rozenhoedkaai (Quary of the Rosary) stands at the intersection of the Groenerie and Dijver canals. It is considered to be one of the most photographed locations in Bruges. The night view is next to unforgettable. With the gorgeous illuminations of castles and lit terraces, the spot stands enchanting for its romantic appeal. It is believed that Rozenhoedkaai was the mooring spot for ships back in the Middle Ages, where traders would offload and reload goods. You can start off with a boat ride with swans for company. This happens to be one of the best spots to unwind and enjoy the serene landscape around with a drink. If you’re planning to visit from March to October, suit yourselves for a happening flea market down the road. The best time to visit the Quary of the Rosary would be late in the evening. As they say, good food is good company; you’ve got plenty of restaurants and cafes around to tingle those taste buds. Read More

The Sint-Janshuismolen, also known as Sint-Janshuis Mill is one of the four windmills along Kruisvest in Bruges. A 20-minute walk from the center of the town and you can relax after touring through museums and factories around the city. Built in the 1700s, Sint-Janshuismolen is the only mill that is still known to grind flour and is open for visitors to have a look around. Away from the crowded city, along the canals is the eye-catching windmill, worth the steep climb of about 40 minutes up to the body of the windmill for a peaceful view of what happens to be a bustling city. Read More

To the southeast of the Church of our Blessed Lady of the Sablon is the square of Petit Sablon. It’s a rectangular garden with trees, flowers, and prominent statues. It is a must-visit for it is accompanied by statues of political figures, noteworthy artists, and celebrated intellects from the 16th century. Established in the 1890s, the square is encircled by elegant iron fencing accentuated by tall pillars and statues of over 48 professionals, including the Clockmaker, the Launderer, the Plumber, and numerous others. Each of the pillars is uniquely designed like that of the iron fence. Formerly, this monument stood in the front of King’s House on the Grand Place, where they were executed. Read More

St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral, Brussels

The medieval Roman Catholic Church is located in central Brussels, Belgium. The Church is one among the three Gothic churches that stands alongside the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon in central Brussels. The façade of the Church is impressive for its French Gothic style. This detailed building features golden objects, Baroque-style chapels, beautifully stained-glass windows, and many more artworks. The Church is also known for its musical features, especially its two pipe organs and massive church bells. The tour of the Church comes with a free guide, taking you through the extraordinary architecture, beautiful paintings, magnificent wood carvings, and prominent statues. Read More

Town Hall

The Town Hall of Bruges, also known as Stadhuis is one of the oldest city halls in the Netherlands. Located in Burg Square, the hall is built in an ornate Gothic style. The cobblestone street leads to a stone façade which is one of the oldest parts of the building. The City Hall showcases the splendour of Bruges over the centuries and depicts a wide range of artwork, right from the battle of the golden spurs. It was built over a period between 1376-1421. The ground floor offers a free exhibition, demonstrating the evolution of the Burg Square evolution. A visual treat in the form of wall-painted murals, gothic-style windows, statues, and coats of the arm of subordinate towns is promised. A traditional staircase leading to the first floor opens to a polychrome vault and lavish gothic windows. A hall adjacent to Stadhuis opens to the city's history with impressive artwork and bona fide documents that make it a must-visit. Read More

The Villa Empain, located in Brussels, Belgium, was a previously owned private residence. Currently, it is functional as a culture centre and exhibition space. This unique Art deco building is an absolute jewel with its authentic pieces of furniture and valuable materials, including stained-glass windows, granite, wrought iron, and precious woods. The Villa was built in the 1930s by a renowned Swiss-Belgian architect, financed by Baron Louis Empain, a famous industrialist’s son. The Boghossian Foundation restored the Villa in 2009-2011 and presently owns it. It’s no doubt that these cherished resources enhance and add to the sophistication of the VillaVilla. This VillaVilla is a must-visit as it beautifully showcases the dialogue between art and culture. Read More

Vrtba Garden, better known as a hidden gem, is located on the slope of Petrin Hill along with three other exquisite Baroque gardens, Vratislav, Schönborn, and Lobkowicz, along the Mala Strana stretch of the city. UNESCO has recognized the Garden for its historical and cultural significance. In its formal, French style, the garden is set up in three terraced levels of asymmetrical broderies. Following earlier structural reinforcement, the Vrtba Garden underwent extensive renovation from 1990 to 1998. On June 3, 1998, the garden was made public. The garden is administered by the City of Prague and run by Casus Direct Mail. Today, the garden also serves as a venue for destination weddings, receptions, and multiple other celebrations. With its vivid seasonal colours, the aviary, and the overall spectacular view, the Vrtba Garden is truly worth a visit. Read More

Belgian Comic Strip Center

The Belgian Comic Strip Center is one of the most popular attractions in Brussels. A tribute to the zwanzei or sense of humour of the people of Brussels, the Comic Museum houses not just the famous Tintin and Smurfs comics but even lesser-known Belgian comics. The Art Nouveau house designed by Victor Horta within which the museum is located, adds to the whimsical appeal of the place. The regularly renewed permanent exhibitions and a diversified programme of temporary exhibitions enable visitors to discover the countless aspects of comics art. Tintin and the Smurfs lead the way towards further adventures, an encounter with a world where creativity has no limits.Each section of the museum contains a lot of information about particular topics (history, art, etc.), which is very well presented and translated in three different languages (French, Dutch and English). However, shown illustrative examples mostly focus on Belgian comics and are moreover either in French or in Dutch. Read More