Bruges

10 places, 5 of them free and 3 tours and activities. Cobbled canals, belfry bells and chocolate-box lanes.

10 places

Must See~£13

Markt and Belfry

Markt

The main square, dominated by an 83-metre medieval belfry whose 366 steps lead to a panoramic view.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Photographers

Daily; limited numbers on the tower

View Tickets
Couples~£10

Canal Boat Tour

Rozenhoedkaai

A guided canal ride past old houses, bridges and swans, one of the best ways to see Bruges.

  • Suggested time: 40 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Daily in season

CultureFree

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Burg

A small chapel on the Burg square said to hold a relic of Christ’s blood, with a richly decorated upper chapel.

  • Suggested time: 30 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily; hours vary

Culture~£12

Groeningemuseum

Dijver

Home to one of the best collections of Flemish Primitives, with paintings by Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Closed Mondays

Culture~£7

Church of Our Lady

Mariastraat

A tall brick church with a Michelangelo marble Madonna and Child, the only of his sculptures to leave Italy in his lifetime.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily; hours vary

CouplesFree

Minnewater (Lake of Love)

South Bruges

A calm, swan-filled lake and park at the southern end of the old town, with a pretty lock house.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open all day

Hidden GemsFree

Begijnhof (Beguinage)

Wijngaardplein

A tranquil walled courtyard of whitewashed houses around a green, once home to lay sisters, famous for spring daffodils.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open daily; respect the silence

Hidden GemsFree

Windmills on Kruisvest

Kruisvest

A row of old windmills on the city ramparts, with a path along the old moat, away from the crowds.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Everyone

Open-air; one mill has limited opening

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