Get Lost in Brugge

 Brugge, Belgium

This city is a perfect destination to spend a weekend with your loved ones. It is filled with charm and is so romantic! Some people call it the proposal capital of Northern Europe or deem it the Venice of Belgium. 

Brugge took a piece of my heart and I can't wait to visit once more!

There will probably never be an "Ultimate Guide" to Brugge. This fairytale looking town should be a unique experience for everyone. Nonetheless, I hope this guide helps inspire your travel lust!

 

Wander Through Brugge by Foot 

There is so much to see in this rather small, quaint town. The amazing thing is you can see it all by foot! Every major landmark is within walking distance of each other. Another added bonus of walking through the aged, cobblestone streets of Brugge is that every nook and cranny of the town's layout is filled with beautifully unique buildings. Each has it's own characteristic yet complements the other flawlessly. 

 

Hop on a Bike 

I'm not going to lie; even though I have lived in the Netherlands for 9 months now, I still am not confident with my biking skills. BUT, if you are gonna bike in an unfamiliar city, Brugge is the perfect town to do it! Just use Google Maps on your phone and you'll find your way getting around town like a local. 

Where to Rent:

There are a few bike rental shops, the one I rented from was Popelier/Eric. The service was efficient and the price reasonable! It was 10 euros per bike for 4 hours. I have to say the suspension on the bike was fantastic and made the ride much more enjoyable.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, The Chain bike rental rents their bikes for an entire business day for 10 euros. Unfortunately, they were closed for the month when I was there.  

I can't recommend renting a bike enough! It was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a new city! Fun Fact: cyclist are allowed to cycle in the opposite direction if needed on a one way street!

Tip: Use a phone bike mount to make navigating your way through the city a breeze! 

Visit a Godshuis 

One of the more famous Almshouses is St. Jozef! There are around 46 "Godshuizen" in Brugge. They were built for social welfare purposes, mostly for the elderly, but skilled workers also lived/live there along with widows or single women.

The construction of these white-washed houses was funded by the wealthier families of Brugge. Each almshouse is named after it's respective financial founder.

You'll find that you'll want to just sit for a short moment to soak in the peacefulness that lingers within the house community!

Frolic by the Windmills 

I woke up early one morning to catch a sunrise by the Windmills. Unfortunately, the sun was masked by the major overcast that day. 

Still the area was so peaceful, you could faintly hear bike chains clanking in the distance as children biked to school. For a second I pictured myself frolicking through the park with Klaas. It sounds cheesy but that's what Brugge's charm does to you, it makes you feel like you're in a Disney Film.

Location: KruisPoort 

Take a Morning Walk to Appreciate Brugge's Architectural Charm 

It's the perfect way to start your day of exploration. Take your camera and a bottled water and just appreciate all the architectural beauty! 

Stroll Through the Markt

The place were all those iconic Brugge instagram posts come from! Such a beautiful plaza filled with excited travelers and locals alike! This is where you can locate the Belfry Tower and the Brugge Historic Museum.

 

Climb 366 Steps to Enjoy a Panoramic View 

If you want to see Brugge's city layout, definitely check out the Belfort Tower! The climb is not the easiest, but it's definitely not impossible! Make sure to take your time on your way up and down as the stairs are quite steep. 

At the end of your hike, you are rewarded with the vast sight of the city. It is simply gorgeous!

Entrance Tickets are 10 euros for 17-25 year olds and 12 euros for 25 years and up!

Belfort Tower: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Witness a Venerated Relic of The Holy Blood 

This was one of my favorite experiences in Brugge! Who gets to say they've seen a relic of Jesus's blood?! 

Make sure you visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood during the times when the relic is out for the public to see. There will be a line for a chance to pray with the relic in front of you. You may place your hands and say a small prayer. A priest will be overseeing this.

 I encourage you to make a small donation to aid the church in keeping it's doors open, so that other's may be able to witness this treasure! 

Basilica of The Holy Blood: Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Visit Brugge's City Hall

Although visiting a city hall during your travels isn't really the first thing that pops into mind, I happened to stop by the Brugge City Hall due to it's location near the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

It happens to be one of the oldest city halls in the Benelux (Netherlands , Belgium and Luxembourg) and was a leading example for other City Halls in the low lands. 

There is a small museum you can visit inside for a fee. I didn't have much time, so I skipped it.  

Get Your Hygge On 

Hygge, pronounced "hue-guh"/"hoo-gah", is the Danish word used to describe a "mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment". I just recently learned about this word that extends to a type of lifestyle the Danish practice, and I was totally hooked. 

Back to the cafe. My goodness, one of the cutest coffee shops I've been to.

It contained all the Scandinavian vibes my interior design interest always seeks. The Nordic aesthetic of this cafe had me wanting to cozy up under a knit blanket on their couch in front of the fireplace. 

Not only was there good vibes, the cafe owner was a total sweetheart, as was our waitress! They were very accommodating and made sure your food was just the way you wanted it. 

I ordered a chai latte since I was not too hungry, but it was DELICIOUS! The chai spice was made fresh in store, just the way I like it! 

The Gulliver Tree: Cordoeaniersstraat 4, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Get Your Morning Coffee Fix 

I came across this one coffee shop due to it's proximity to the hostel I stayed at (St. Christopher's Inn at the Bauhaus). I saw the interior and was immediately sold! The menu was quite simple, but good enough for me to get a morning drink. I ended up getting a chai matcha latte! Two of my favorite drinks combined. I loved it! I will say though, that the chai drinks are made from packaged chai powder, so do expect more of an artificial flavor with much added sweetness! 

Also, service could have been much better! The Barista seemed more entertained about what was on her phone rather than the customer, in this case me. 

Nonetheless, I would still recommend this place!

Hermanus: Langestraat 51 - 53, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Savor Avocado Toast at That's Toast 

I was sooo happy to stumble upon this super cute cafe. Not only was it cute, but the service was exceptional! Huge shoutout to the cafe's owner! Such a friendly, cultured soul. I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with him about his business and life back in the Netherlands.

The food quality was fantastic and so fresh. I ordered the Ruby Red, cold-pressed juice along with the Classic Avocado Toast dish! SO GOOD. I was in love and wished it was a cafe in the Netherlands, but so glad I was able to savor all the yummy, wholesomeness of this cafe's food. 

If you visit during the summer, make sure to take advantage of the patio seating area available, it is simply gorgeous!

That's Toast: Dweersstraat 4, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

Feel like Royalty 

Okay, hint to Klaas, I would LOVE to take a ride on a carriage one day! The sounds of the horse's hoofs clinking against the street stones, and the harnesses jangling around reminded me of one of my favorite childhood movies, Tuck Everlasting. 

I seriously felt I had slightly gone back in time.

Go Ahead, Treat Yourself to a Canal Cruise

If it's bright and sunny, treat yourself. Living in the Netherlands/Belgium area can become depressing due to many overcast days throughout the year. So if you are visiting either of the countries, make sure to make the most out of Sunny days! 

Again, Brugge is simply gorgeous, why wouldn't you want to see it by boat? 

Just Visit Brugge

I can confidently say Brugge is one of the most charming cities I have ever visited! There was not one flaw I could find within the city. Next time you are in Belgium, do visit this city!

Travel Tips! 

1. You can arrive in Brugge by train from Gent, Brussels, and Antwerp! Gent to Brugge is a 26 minute train ride and only 13.40 euros for a roundtrip ticket! 

2. When you arrive at the Brugge Central Station you can find a bus to get to your hostel or hotel. You CAN pay cash to the Bus driver. The ticket will be 3.00 euros and can be used for up to an hour. Small bills are appreciated more!

3. Make sure if you rent a bike you know how to use the built in locks and don't forget to take the key with you. 

3. Google maps is your bestfriend.

4. Stay at hostel St. Christopher's Inn if you want to be a three minute walk away from the windmills! The hostel is only 15 min away from the city center by foot. They also have lockers to store your luggage once you've checked out and are still going to explore the city.

5. Spoor = Platform 

6. Be kind and say "goedemorgen" and "Dank je wel" which translates into Good morning and thank you!