Bruges is a quaint, medieval city in northwestern Belgium that is perfect for a weekend getaway! Between getting lost in its charming streets and sampling a vast array of Belgium’s best food and drinks, there’s no shortage of things to do! Bruges is the perfect size for a weekend getaway – you’ll be able to hit all the highlights in just a few days.
Ready to get started? Here’s my itinerary for a perfect weekend in Bruges, Belgium!
Detailed Bruges Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Friday
Try and arrange your transportation to arrive in Bruges on Friday evening. That way, you can get settled right in and rest for your busy weekend! I recommend taking the train from elsewhere in Europe (but more on that at the end of the post).
If you arrive early enough, make sure to walk over to the oldest bar in Bruges, Café Vlissinghe (it has been running since approximately 1515!). A pint of Belgian beer and some cheese and sausage are exactly what you need after your travels!
Views of the canals near my Airbnb and Café Vlissinghe.
Stick to one pint though – Saturday is an early morning and there will be plenty of opportunities for more Belgian beer over the weekend!
Day 2: Saturday
Time to rise and shine! Start your weekend in Bruges early on Saturday to beat the crowds. Bruges is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, which makes it a popular weekend destination. Luckily, many travelers take a mid-morning train or tour bus into the city and only stay for the day, which means you can avoid these tourists and get the city to yourself if you wake up a little early!
I’ll confess that I did NOT head this advice when I visited Bruges! Tired from my train trip (and one too many pints), I slept in and didn’t get out the door until almost 10:00 am. This was a big mistake! By the time I got to the city center, Bruges’s charming cobbled streets were packed with tourists. To be honest, I was deflated. I had heard so much about Bruges’s charm, but was not prepared for the crowds. Not to be deterred, however, I resolved to enjoy the day as much as I could and get up early the next day to get some more time to myself.
Starting the day off right with a Belgian liège waffle.
Enjoy Waffles for Breakfast
If Belgium is known for one food, I’d say it’s waffles. They’re nothing like the overstuffed “Belgian” waffles you can find in the US – they’re much better! A true Belgian liège waffle is about the size of your palm and filled with tiny pearls of sugar, which caramelize when cooked. Simply put, they’re heavenly. Start your day off right by trying one of these waffles from a stand in the city center. Popular choices include Chez Albert, Go.fre, and Fred’s.
Making friends with the swans in Minnewaterpark.
Meander Through Minnewaterpark
Next, wander over to Minnewaterpark. It will likely be less crowded than other areas of the city and was very peaceful to walk through. Don’t miss stopping to visit the swans near the entrance to the park!
The streets of Bruges are seriously so charming.
Spend Time Getting Lost in the City Streets
Yes, you read that right! Part of the charm of Bruges is just getting lost in its old alleyways. Every time I turned a corner, I found a street more picturesque than the last. My favorite street was Groenerei, which was full of bridges and old ivy-covered buildings. Plus, wandering around the side streets is a great way to get the city to yourself!
Try Frites for Lunch
If you’re starting to get hungry, I’d recommend getting a snack! Trying some Belgian frites (aka the Belgian version of fries) is just the thing to hold you over. Popular spots include Chez Vincent and The Potato Bar. Don’t skip the mayo – the European dipping condiment of choice!
If you can’t get enough frites, there is also the one and only Frietmuseum that you can visit to learn about the history of the potato and Belgian frites (as well as try some samples).
The salted caramel hot chocolate at The Old Chocolate House – it was heavenly.
Reward Yourself with a Chocolate Break
Another food you can’t miss during your weekend in Bruges is chocolate! Belgian chocolate is world-famous, and for good reason – it’s rich and smooth and decadent. I recommend drinking your chocolate at The Old Chocolate House! I had the best hot chocolate of my entire life in this little shop. They have over 20 different kinds of hot chocolate to choose from, and will bring you a cup of warm milk and the ingredients to make to taste. I could have spent all day trying all of the different flavors!
Visit the Windmills
If you have time, escape the crowds of the city center and walk or bike along the city’s wall. There are numerous old-fashioned windmills you can see as you soak in the views of bluffs in the countryside, such as Bonne-Chièremolen. Plus, it will help you work off all the food you enjoyed during the day! Unfortunately, I ran out of time to go here, but it’s on my list for next time!
Eat a Traditional Belgian Dinner
Head back to your accommodation to freshen up and get ready for dinner. (You might even need a quick nap!) Try a traditional Belgian restaurant for dinner like Bistro ‘t Zwart Huis. I picked a random item off the menu and ended up getting one of the most delicious dishes I’ve ever tried – waterzooi, a stew-type dish with a variety of fish and vegetables in a cream sauce. I loved it so much that I attempted to recreate it for my wife when I got home (with fairly good success, I might add!).
Enjoying one of my favorite Belgian beers!
Sample All the Belgian Beer
End day one of your weekend in Bruges the right way – with more Belgian beer! Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Haven’t we spent most of our day consuming food and drinks? Yes, we have! But there are so many delicious things in this country, we have to take advantage of them all with the little time we have ?
I’d recommend finding a bar where you can try a variety of Belgian beers. I went to Le Trappiste and just asked the bartender to make me a flight of a variety of his favorite local beers. This method did not disappoint! My favorites included Brugse Zot, Brugge Tripel, Straffe Hendrik Bruges Quadrupel Bier #11, and Bourgogne des Flandres. Fair warning, though: Belgian beers can be pretty strong, and the alcohol can sneak up on you.
After you’ve had your fill of beers, head back to your accommodation and get some rest!
The famous Rozenhoedkaai View. It looks like a postcard, no?
Day 3: Sunday
Wake up early again on your last day in Bruges to make sure you have maximum time to soak up the sites! I was out the door by 8:00 am on Sunday, and between the early hour and the European tradition of most things being closed on Sundays, I had the streets to myself. It was honestly magical! Watching the swans glide through the still water and hearing only my footsteps against the cobbled streets made me feel like I’d gone back in time. This was the Bruges I had been looking for!
Enjoy the Best View in Bruges
Start your morning by walking over to the Rozenhoedkaai View, arguably Bruges’s most famous landmark. I had it entirely to myself on Sunday morning, which was in contrast to sharing it shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists the day before when I’d walked by. I took some photos and then just sat on the wall for a bit, enjoying the quiet morning.
Views of the Belfry of Bruges in the early morning before the other tourists arrived!
Climb the Belfry of Bruges
Next, head over to the center of town to see one of Bruges’s other most famous sites, the belfry. (If you’ve seen the movie “In Bruges,” you’ll recognize this area from one of the most pivotal scenes in the film!) If you walked by on Saturday afternoon like I did, you probably would have quickly left due to the throngs of tourists and tour busses. Luckily, by waking up early, you’ll have this area almost entirely to yourself, too!
Refuel at Brunch
Once you’ve built up your appetite, head back towards the city center for one final meal during your weekend in Bruges. I was craving another waffle, so I went to House of Waffles, a more sit-down establishment that also has plenty of other breakfast options if you’re waffled-out.
Squeeze in Some Souvenir Shopping
On your way out of town, don’t forget to grab a few items to bring home! I always buy a Christmas ornament from each country I go to. I also like to bring my wife home the best of a country’s cuisine, so this meant buying a few bottles of my favorite beer and a few boxes of Belgian chocolate. There are plenty of stores on the way to the train station that sell these items. My favorite chocolate shops were The Chocolate Line and Mary.
The canals of Bruges at dawn. I was so sad to leave this beautiful city!
Travel Home
By afternoon, it’s probably time to head to the train station to catch your train or flight home! After a packed weekend, I slept almost the entire train ride back to Amsterdam.
Getting to Bruges
If you’re in Europe and heading to Bruges for the weekend, I would recommend taking the train. It’s quick and inexpensive. When I visited, I rode the Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels, and then connected to a local train to Bruges. Bonus: you can purchase a special type of international ticket from Thalys called Thalys ABS Fare (Any Belgian Station), which include rides on domestic trains for 24 hours after your trip. If you have extra time, you could use this perk to stop at a few more of Belgium’s quaint towns on your way to Bruges, such as Ghent.
Once off the train in Bruges, you can try taking the public bus to your accommodation, or you can grab a relatively cheap taxi waiting outside of the train station. Ride sharing is not super popular in Bruges yet, so you’ll have to use an old-fashioned taxi. The train station is also walkable from the city center, but since I arrived at night with my baggage, I felt more comfortable taking a quick taxi.
If you’re coming from eastern Europe or abroad, you will likely need to fly to Brussels and then connect to Bruges. There are some connecting flights, but it really is easier to just take the train.
Where to Stay in Bruges
Bruges is a small historic city, so you won’t find many major hotel chains there. Instead, I would recommend staying in an Airbnb! There are many cute, centrally located homes available to pick from. I stayed just a few minutes from the center of town, which made it convenient to walk around during the day, but still peaceful and quiet at night!
LGBTQ+ Considerations
Belgium is an extremely welcoming country, so I didn’t have any worries when visiting! (I also traveled alone, making it less obvious that I’m queer.) If you’re looking to meet other members of the LGBTQ+ community, @ The Pub is a queer-friendly bar in the city center. As always, when traveling, be sure to follow my top safety tips for queer travelers!
Overall
How was your weekend in Bruges? Do you have other suggestions for me? Let me know in the comments below!
Read more: Belgium Travel Guide
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This post was last updated on September 13, 2021.
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