As far as minibreaks go you can’t really go wrong with Bruges. Super quick on the Eurostar, a quick change in Brussels and you’re there in under 3 hours.
Bruges is as picture perfect as they come, with its gothic buildings, stepped rooftops, canal and cobbled streets. However like any popular European city, definitely be prepared to jostle with a few crowds if it’s peak season. But whizz past the tourist groups and selfie sticks and its still possible to get a slice of the city to enjoy without the crowds!
We were only there for a weekend so difficult to truly explore but check out these tips if you are heading over.
*Get a museum card, it’s €24 and gets you access to to all the key museums, churches (inc. Church of our lady where you can see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child) and entry to climb the Belfrey.
*Don’t stay right in the centre by the Market Square. We stayed in Hotel Prisenhof just a stones throw from the centre. It didn’t have picturesque views of the canal (at peak times accommodation can be expensive) but it was walking distance to all the sights, the staff were very helpful and it was away from the crowds.
*if you want to climb the Belfrey, get there for 9:30/10am to try and miss the queues. It houses 47 bells!
*Alternatively if you do the Halve Maan Brewery tour, you get a great view from the rooftop.
*When grabbing lunch or dinner stay away from the main market square. Pergola Kaffe is great spot on the canal with a great drinks menu and food (even if it does need a little explaining). Want the best frites, you can’t go wrong with the Potato Bar – they serve the best chips with amazing toppings! One place we missed as it was closed was De Bottelier, but I’ve heard great things and it’s worth it just for its decor of clocks, birdcages and hats.
*With the Belgian flair for beer, there are fair few bars. Check out Comptoir Des Arts, an underground blues bar and also La Trappiste. During the day just sit back in any of the Kaffes or streets and enjoy a drink watching the tourist groups go by.
*Although quite busy on the streets, once you are inside one of the cities many churches or museums it’s pretty peaceful. We pretty much had the old hospital and a few other galleries such as Absolut Art to ourselves. The Basillica of Holy Blood is mesmerising and a beautiful gothic building.
*Take a trip on a canal boat, we jumped on early in the day. There are only 20 of these allowed on the canal and the queues can get very long. However if you jump on early you get a mini tour and it allows you to get your bearings.
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