For a nice city break you don't always have to go far away, because close to home you can also find great cities for a weekend away. Planning a city trip to Belgium: always a good idea, especially when Bruges is your final destination. The historic center of Bruges is on UNESCO's World Heritage List because of its medieval architecture. It is a city where you can wander the streets for hours and still not get bored.
Medieval Bruges
Because the Flemish city of Bruges has an ideal location near the west coast of Belgium and along the Brugse Reien, a lot of trade could be carried out. Consequently, Bruges grew into one of the largest and most important Hanseatic cities in the 15th century. The historic heart of Bruges is called the birthplace of the Flemish Primitives, which includes the architecture and painting arts that you can still admire today in Bruges.
The tastiest hotspots in Bruges
Just as in the Netherlands the pancake is typically Dutch, in Belgium you have the waffles and fries. Not to mention, of course, the many types of beers that come from our neighboring country. Because when we go on a city trip to Bruges, we obviously go for good food and drink. And that is certainly possible at our favorite hotspots in Bruges!
City break to Bruges: the most beautiful sights
You can probably imagine that in a medieval city like Bruges, there is an immense amount to see and do. From cultural to historical highlights, Bruges offers it all. A boat trip along the city's most beautiful buildings, a beer tasting and climbing the iconic Belfry: these are some of the things you really have to do during a city break to Bruges. But what else you can do there are the following fun to do's in Bruges!
Where to stay in Bruges?
During our first city break in Bruges, we slept at the Ibis Bruges Center. A fine hotel in the city center, close to several hotspots and highlights, and with private parking. But as you might expect, there are also an awful lot of beautiful hotels and cute B&Bs to be found in Bruges. One of our favorite B&B locations in the city is B&B Barabas. Here you will stay in a beautiful mansion with atmospheric rooms and there is also a beautiful courtyard garden.
How to get to Bruges?
From the Netherlands, Bruges is quite easy and also quick to reach when traveling by car. From Rotterdam, where we live, it is about a two-hour drive to Bruges. But you can also choose to by train to Bruges often transfer in Antwerp to the train to Bruges. It may take you a little longer, but traveling by train in this case is often cheaper than traveling by car. For a return trip from Rotterdam Central Station you pay around €80.
When traveling to Bruges by car, it is good to know that the center is easily accessible, but just like in our big cities, it is not always a pleasant drive. Certainly not when it is busy in the city center. If you are staying overnight in Bruges then it is advisable to book accommodation that has parking. Should this not be the case, you can find paid parking inside the city ring, but outside it you will find free peripheral parking lots. The three most famous ones are: Coiseaukaai, Boogschutterslaan and P&R Waggelwater.
