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Bruges:
Visit Bruges on a trip to Belgium! Consider it good advice. Sure it’s touristy, but it’s still worth seeing. On our vacation to the beautiful little country that is Belgium, that l highlighted on my previous post, we visited Bruges on a fun day trip from Brussels. I first heard of Bruges from the Colin Farrell movie from a few years ago.
I know l am not the only one who was inspired by that little independent movie, as l have seen references to it from so many people. It apparently sparked the wanderlust in many. It just seems so quaint. Having seen it, l can confirm that is indeed true. It is a wonderful little gem of a place.
Visit Bruges:
Bruges is located in the Flemish region of Belgium and is the capital and largest city in the province of West Flanders. It used to be a trading post between the 12th and 15th centuries, thanks to its so-named “Golden Inlet”,( Zwinn Chanel), which connected directly to the sea. How lucky is that!
Alas, by the 15th century, the inlet stilted and lost its connection to the vast sea. It wasn’t long before the prosperity enjoyed by Bruges shifted to Antwerp, and the population dwindled. Bruges is booming again, thanks to tourism, as more and more people like ourselves have discovered the charm.
This medieval city of Bruge, with its cobble-stoned streets, Cathedrals, and Canals has retained its old-world uniqueness. It was so cool to hear the clickety-clack of the horses’ hooves as they ferried tourists all over town.
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Fun Facts about Bruges:
- Bruges is known for Spinning and Weaving Lace. It produces some of the most luxurious lace in the world. Flax flowers, which are used in lace production, grow like a weed here :-).
- It is mandatory for every citizen of Bruges to vote.
- The town center of Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage site.
- The first book printed in English, a work of William Claxton, was in Bruges.
- Bruges was the European Capital of Culture in 2002.
- Bruges gets over 2 million tourists a year.
- The sculpture of Madonna and Child in Bruges is the only work of Michelangelo believed to have left Italy during his lifetime.
- Bruges is called the Venice of the North.
- Several beers are named after Bruges, such as Brugge Blond , and Brugze Zot beer . One of the top things to do in Bruges is try the many types of beer.
Visit Bruges for the beautiful canals:
Pin it for later for what to see and do in Bruges:
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Related Reading: Highlights of Brussels
My observations of our Bruges visit: 🙂
Early dwellers must have been wicked short. I am only 5’5″, and looking at most of the old doorways, l would just fit. Federico couldn’t get in the door without ducking..
Chocolate Heaven. The stores were everywhere, and they smelled and looked so good.
It can be brutally cold! It was at least 15 degrees colder than Brussels.
Brugges is expensive:
It is kind of pricey, most main courses that we saw were €24 on average, and €7 for starters. We didn’t see a lot of people eating at restaurants either. I think you can only gouge tourists so much, plus it was cold!!! We ended up having a hot dog and Belgian fries combo with soda for €7 each.
The train from Brussels to Bruges gets really, really packed. My advice is to get to the platform early and stand in front. Don’t be shy about getting on quickly. To not do so, you would end up like the hundreds of people with no seat, who have to stand for the entire trip :-(. The trains leave often, l think every 45 minutes or so, but they are always packed!
Every single taxi in Bruges is a Mercedes Benz. Every single one!!!! I mentioned it to Federico after l had seen like 4, he didn’t believe me at first. We then started keeping tabs, and lo and behold..every single one is a Benz! I don’t know how that is possible, even the taxi vans are Mercedes! It was kind of cool and totally solidified the fact that l was right when we went back to the train station, and the cab stand was one Benz after the other!
Here is a little video of the town square panorama. Don’t laugh at me too much! :-), and yes.. l know you don’t pronounce the “S” in Bruges!
Related Reading: Our Ghent Visit
It reminds me of Amsterdam. I prefer Bruges :-). We visited Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. My love is reserved for Ghent, which l will write about next. I did like Brussels a lot, and totally recommend a visit to Brugge.
In conclusion, your 1-day trip itinerary’s best things to do in Bruges might include:
- Dam Square, the drop-dead gorgeous heart of Bruges, and visit the market vendor stalls
- Carriage ride for a scenic view of Bruges
- Indulge with a romantic canal ride of Brugge
- Visit a brewery and try out Belgian beer
- Try Belgian chocolate at one or several of the many little stores or at the chocolate museum.
- Eat tasty Flemish food in Bruges
- Visit historic Beguinage, an oasis of calm and serenity. An old charming haven for women that is worthy of a visit.
- Climb the iconic Belfry (Belfort) tower for an awesome 360-degree view of the city. This is a top tourist attraction in Brugge
- Visit one of the many art or quirky museums in Bruges such as the Frietmuseum (museum of Fries)
Pinnable :
Have you been to Bruges? If so, did you like or love it? If not, is it a place that you would like to visit?
Good job Kemkem! Is Federico to blame for holding the camera the wrong way around while you were talking? Lissette used to (and still) does the same thing.
Pretty town, like you I first heard about it in that movie. Too bad about the prices, that’s the downside of tourism.
Hey, we are right now on the same continent! Arrived in Prague over the weekend…so we’re just a couple of countries away from you 😉
Frank
So glad you had a safe journey back to Prague! I’m sure you are happy about that knowing how much you love Prague. Another person who discovered Bruges from the movie..cool!!! Regarding the prices, it almost seemed like the thinking is “oh, it’s not prime tourist season, we will just double the prices so we can make the same money” mentality..lol! He swears he held the camera right, and l think he did. I might have pushed something by mistake before giving the camera to him..:-). I will get there eventually.. I think.. 😉
That looks beautiful- I want to come with you! I hope to get to that part of Europe in the next few years. We can only do one big trip each year and this year it’s Italy.
It is indeed beautiful. I know what you mean, it is very hard to do those trips from the U.S. There is little time, and by the time you get over the jet lag, it’s time to go back. Italy sounds wonderful. You know l am partial to it. 🙂
I love the video. I’ve been meaning to record some but I think if you think you’re bad on camera, I am worse I tend to ramble on and on entirely missing to make my point. I have never watched In Bruges and I was totally clueless about how lace is made, tbh I thought all lace was made from cotton
You do one, then we can laugh at each other..LOL. You have to watch that movie when you get a chance. I love crime capers/ fish out of water stuff like that. I think every so often, l will try and do video if we remember, maybe will get better as time goes by :-). I also used to think lace was from cotton, so don’t feel bad..
A really nice city, even though pretty expensive…I really like that square and the colorful houses… not to mention that delicious chocolate. I’m on a diet and I think I had my last bite of chocolate a couple of months ago, so that really made me drool. :))
I think you did well on camera and I am sure that pretty soon all the shyness will go away. I liked the video, it adds an extra personal touch to the whole thing!
You are too kind..lol! Yes, the square really is beautiful, and l am so glad we didn’t miss it. I really didn’t read up on Bruges, otherwise l would have known we were missing it, and it was really cold. I think l will attempt the video again if l remember. Too bad you can’t eat the chocolate, l am not supposed to either, so l make Federico get it, then l take a bite when he eats it so l didn’t feel so deprived.. 🙂
I have only been to Brussels (shame shame), so I need to make sure to check out Bruges on my next trip to Belgium!
Yes you do :-). I thought Brussels was quite nice too though. I love the way once has to keep discovering new places..no wander there is so much wanderlust!
I would love to visit Belgium! I would love to see the surroundings and I am sure that Chad would love to try ALL the beers. 🙂 My sister and bro-in-law are on their way to Belgium in the next couple of weeks. I will have to ask if they are heading to Bruges. 🙂 Awesome post and video!
Thanks! You know what? I can totally see you, Chad and Z loving this place. The parks are humongous, and the people are chill :-). I think your sis and in-law will have a good time, and if they don’t have Bruges on the list, they must have Ghent!!! Must..
I will tell them 🙂 thanks!
🙂
Cute video! And I can totally relate to being camera shy. I remember loving Bruges. It’s been so long since I went to Belgium – I was fresh out of college. But your pics are definitely inspiring a return trip!
Thanks Dana. Yes, l do believe Bruges is calling thy name. So many places are calling my name right now too :-). I can’t imagine you being camera shy though..nope, just don’t see it…LOL!
Lol! Well, I wouldn’t call myself shy but definitely reserved. Definitely an introvert which is why I’ve always been better at expressing myself through writing and dancing. I’ve been trying to overcome my reservations my whole life! 🙂
Perhaps you should do you a dancing video then..LOL! You certainly express yourself well with your writing, so l can only imagine your dancing is just as good.. 🙂
Wow, those doors really are made for short people, I would fit in perfectly, haha! Looks like a charming place, I’d love to visit!
Yep..they were so little. I wonder if they are the same in the inside? I was almost going to knock on a random door and ask for a quick peek..:-). It’s worth visiting..